Group Dance Lessons with Michael Thomas

Your Dance Instructor - Michael Thomas

I use the "Rhythm Step Method" when instructing students. This is a method that I've created. I feel this is the quickest way to learn a dance and it allows for creativity in dancing.

	I enjoy creativity and chemistry in dance. I enjoy dancing with all levels of dancers and all ages. If you have seen me dance, you know I enjoy romance in dance, but off the floor no more - except with my wife. I've been married to a wonderful mate for over 24yrs.
	My personal mission statement is to build interpersonal relationships around the 4 L's in life: to Live, to Learn, to Love, and to Leave a Legacy. Leaving a Legacy via dancing is very important to me.

Special Groups & Events

	Benefits - usually at no charge. I'll give a dance lesson followed by a dance social.
	Church Dance Events - We split the proceeds (min $5 per person, any one attending school is free if they come for the dance lesson) and you provide the dance facilities. I'll teach a 1 hour dance lesson and then DJ a 2 - 3 hour dance social. I would also be interested in playing Christian music.
	Dance Events - We split the proceeds (min $5 per person) and you provide the dance facilities. I'll teach a 1 hour dance lesson and then DJ a 2 - 4 hour dance social.
	Dance Workshops - We split the proceeds and you provide the dance facilities. I'll teach several 1 hour dance lessons during the day, break for dinner, then resume with a 1 hour dance lesson followed by a 2-4 hour dance social .

Group Dance Lessons - My Instruction style

Step #1: Setup
Establish several rows of couples depending on the crowd.
Extra leaders or followers are spread out in between dance partners.
Describe how the followers will rotate, then practice twice. (People not rotating will hold both hands during rotation time.)

Step #2: Learning the pattern: (30%)
Big Picture: Show an example of the the pattern (with leader & follower).
Next, briefly show the leader’s footwork/pattern, then the follower’s footwork/pattern, then the pattern with the leader & follower.
Next, the students practice the pattern without music, then rotate. This is done several times without music.
(Note: Success is attempting the pattern and having fun. You don't need to master the pattern.)

Step #3: Practicing the pattern with music: (70%)
Play a song.
The instructor counts to start the pattern, the students dance the pattern one time following the instructors voice, then the students rotate.
(Note: I want the student to feel comfortable spending time on the dance floor and meeting other dancers. As the instructor, success for me is seeing a dance beginner spending time on the dance floor during the social dance time. I want to leave a dance legacy.)

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each pattern taught.

Instructional Focus

You don’t need to master the pattern/footwork to have had a successful class. Pick up what you can and don't worry about what you forget after the class. Success is spending time on the dance floor and learning at your own speed over time.

Dance techniques (lead/follow, styling, musicality etc...) may be briefly mentioned in the group dance lesson.

Men are encouraged to dance with as many women as possible during the social dancing that may follow.

Women are also encouraged to ask men to dance.

Have fun and enjoy social dancing.

Social dancing with the instructor - after the group dance lesson I enjoy dancing with as many people as possible.