Standard, Latin or Both

[ZPomeroy]

I do a considerable amount of latin MC

Zac

[pinkstuff]

Love both for different reasons - only recently started standard though and want to continue doing both for now.  I suspect my latin is not that great but currently not too fussed and willing to work on it.

On subject of 'older people' doing latin - recently went to a pro-am show where 90% of the students were over 50.  Majority did standard but those that did latin looked fab, great dancing & technique (I doubt very much I would've achieved the standard they were at) and the 60+ lady that asked my DP to jive really went for it - DP exhausted.  Was the end of dancing for that evening!!!  So think age shouldn't stop one doing latin and am currently encouraging my mother 

[catsmeow]

Without question, elevating both latin and standard to pre championship level  at the same time has been the most demanding and exasperating aspect of dancing thus far in dancing for me and my partner. Our standard developed much quicker taking about a year to memorize routines, increase speed, and master big lines. The latin is a whole nother ball game!  It will take many more months of lessons and practice to make it competitive.
Recently our latin instructess strongly advised us to forego competing in an upcoming large Canadian competition. You are not yet ready she warned and we listened . Now we have twice as much time to devote to standard and consequently understand why most couples do not compete in latin once past adult. The jump from syllabus to open is enormous. Doing it with two disciplines is punishing and has come at a cost to the partnership.

[elisedance]

I truly admire you for doing both - but I also think its not something to attempt unless you have a lot of time and can practise easily together - neither of which is the case for you two.  Just being competetive in one is an entire free-time dedication - if you want to diversify then why not do standard and showcase?  That way you could incorporate some latin - as much as you care to - into your routine and not loose it without trying to do the whole latin thing.