picking a pro-am pro... what matters?

[elisedance]

This springs from a discussion on 'ballancing pro, money etc...' in another pro-am topic.

How do you pick a pro - whats crucial, preferable, OK and not important?

For me skill level, drive, dancing ability are all crucial
reasonable price, convenient location, nice personality are preferable
achievements, location (within reasonable driving distance) are not so important.

[dlgodud]

Ethical, honest

Of course, the teacher has to have skill level and ability.
Willing to give info instead of holding it back.
Want to be a teacher instead of being a businessman.

[QPO]

That can provided you with the knowledge for you to grow.

That they are passionate about dancing and willing to share their knowledge and experience even outside of a lesson...the coaching is not just on the dance floor. (with-in reason  of course)
you get on well and you understand what they are trying to tell you. You must have mutual respect otherwise from my experience from others it does not work.

[elisedance]

That can provided you with the knowledge for you to grow.

That they are passionate about dancing and willing to share their knowledge and experience even outside of a lesson...the coaching is not just on the dance floor. (with-in reason  of course)
you get on well and you understand what they are trying to tell you. You must have mutual respect otherwise from my experience from others it does not work.

Wow, I didn't think you HAD pro-am in Australia...

[etp777]

Obviously you pick whichever pro is cutest

[Some guy]

I think one of the key points is that your pro should be one that is able to really believe in you.  It shows on the dance floor.  There are pros that go out there and show off their students, no matter how good or bad they are, and there are others that look as if they're apologizing for their student's performance.  I saw one particular case last year where the pro had probably the best student out there, but because he was so high on himself he looked like he was saying, "sorry, this is all she can do", and that ruined the look and energy of the partnership.  No surprises, they lost pretty badly.   

[elisedance]

Obviously you pick whichever pro is cutest

Is that you etp - or did someone borrow your singon?
Not being sarcastic or anything .... (where's that motor car emoticon gone...)

[elisedance]

Obviously you pick whichever pro is cutest

Is that you etp - or did someone borrow your singon?
Not being sarcastic or anything .... (where's that motor car emoticon gone...)

By the way, you can - but just realize that the best pros can do the same ..

[samina]

very good point, SG!

personally, my bottom line for selecting mentors is how my intuition guides me. but above that, certainly the following matter to me:

* demonstrated capability
* knowledge, and the ability to convey it intelligently
* professionalism, personal responsibility, dependability, levelness & focus
* the ability to diagnose and remedy-with-a-cure my own personal dance bugaboos
* and ease, comfort, and chemistry in the personal relationship... which generally involves a combination of both sharp candor and gentleness, as that is what i find comfortable

[dlgodud]

Obviously you pick whichever pro is cutest

Shut up!!!  I want to dance, not to drool during my lessons!!!

[elisedance]

very good point, SG!

personally, my bottom line for selecting mentors is how my intuition guides me. but above that, certainly the following matter to me:

* demonstrated capability
* knowledge, and the ability to convey it intelligently
* professionalism, personal responsibility, dependability, levelness & focus
* the ability to diagnose and remedy-with-a-cure my own personal dance bugaboos
* and ease, comfort, and chemistry in the personal relationship... which generally involves a combination of both sharp candor and gentleness, as that is what i find comfortable

I agree - but as you go to higher levels I also need the sense that I am special - that he actually wants to dance with me and values our partnership.  Obviously, his first priority is to his competition partner (if he has one) but there should be room for me too - else I find it hard to dance honestly.

Indeed, I think that may be the most important thing. 

[etp777]

You drool before and after the lessons, that's why you show up to studio early and stay after. 

[samina]

very good point, SG!

personally, my bottom line for selecting mentors is how my intuition guides me. but above that, certainly the following matter to me:

* demonstrated capability
* knowledge, and the ability to convey it intelligently
* professionalism, personal responsibility, dependability, levelness & focus
* the ability to diagnose and remedy-with-a-cure my own personal dance bugaboos
* and ease, comfort, and chemistry in the personal relationship... which generally involves a combination of both sharp candor and gentleness, as that is what i find comfortable

I agree - but as you go to higher levels I also need the sense that I am special - that he actually wants to dance with me and values our partnership.  Obviously, his first priority is to his competition partner (if he has one) but there should be room for me too - else I find it hard to dance honestly.

Indeed, I think that may be the most important thing.  

huh. interesting. had not thought of that.

well, i wouldn't enjoy working with and dancing with someone who actively disliked working with me, for whatever reason. i would feel that. it would be uncomfortable... the flow of energy & information would be disturbed.

but as for being "special"... meh, i'm always feeling like i'm endeavoring to bring my abilities up to the level of the rarified "racehorse" i'm dancing with. i don't have the expectation that he must find me special enough that he wakes up every day glad he gets to dance with me. tho of course that would be lovely, even as a student. however... i would certainly wake up every day during training with the intention to puzzle out how to move closer to becoming that kind of dancer.

commitment, respect, dependability... appreciation of my own commitment, hard work and ability... and genuine affection. that's all the special regard i need because that really amounts to something and doesn't involve ego-stroking.

[dlgodud]

The thing is you drool during the lesson too. 

[pinkstuff]

The thing is you drool during the lesson too. 

And it doesn't help the dancing! (or for me anyway  )

My ignorance but during pro-am, do you get judged as a couple or student only?