Dance Workshops in Singapore

Hi Folks,

As promised, I will be conducting dance workshops (ongoing sessions) starting from the month of August. Details below:

Tuesday Workshops:
Commencement Date: Tuesday, August 21
Classes on - Aug 28, Sept 4, Sept 11, Sept 18, Sept 25

1.5 hours x 6 sessions
Time: 8.00 pm - 9.30 pm
Course Fee: S$270

or

Saturday Workshops:
Commencement Date: Saturday, August 25
Classes on - Sept 1, Sept 8, Sept 15, Sept 22

1.5 hours x 5 sessions
Time: 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm
Course Fee: S$225

Workshops' Venue :
8 Claymore Hill, Claymore Point, #01-03/04
Singapore 229572
Phone: 6737 4466

Course Fees
Total Course Fee for students under the category of GOLD Membership = S$270 or S$225 (depending on the total number of sessions)
Courses are at S$60 per session for non members.

Payment
Preferred Mode of Payment - Cheque (Crossed cheque to be made payable to Stage Door Pte Ltd) to be mailed to:

Stage Door Pte Ltd
141 Cecil Street, #06-02
Tung Ann Association Building
Singapore 069541

*Please write your full name and contact number (cell phone and e-mail address) at the back of the cheque. To also indicate your preferred day of attendance, i.e., Tuesdays or Saturdays.

In addition to the regular workshops, I am also offering classes in special dance styles such as Afro-Jazz, Performance Dance. Students under my membership scheme may opt to join these classes at a small fee of S$10 (minimum), in addition to the normal member class fee.

New Students
One of my key objectives in Singapore is to encourage people who appreciate dance but are new to the art to experience the fun in dancing. Therefore, if you are keen to experience my workshops, please feel free to join in at a single session rate of S$60 (you can pay the balance should you choose to continue).

Please feel free to drop me at email at billcalhoun@billcalhoun.com should you require additional information.

See you on the dance floor!

Additional Information

Hi Dancing Divas,

Some of you have asked me about the types of dance that I'd be teaching in my upcoming workshops. So here it goes...

Tuesday Workshops
Weeks 1 - 3
Jazz - (Funky Street Style)

Weeks 4 - 6
Lyrical Jazz (also known to some of you as "soft & sexy")

Saturday Workshops
Weeks 1 - 3
Jazz (Latin Style)

Weeks 4 - 6
Jazz (Movie/MTV or Broadway dance styles)

I figured this would be the best way to give you a well-rounded approach to dance...the same way we do it back home...in the USA

Payment

I'd noted that some students prefer to make cash payment of S$270 (for Tuesday Workshops x 6 sessions) and of S$225 (for Saturday workshops x 5 sessions).

If that is the case, please head on down to the venue (Dance on Us) at 8 Claymore Hill, Claymore Point at least half an hour earlier:-
- 7:30 PM on Tuesday, August 21
- 2:30 PM on Saturday, August 25

I would like to get the administrative bits out of the way and start the workshops on time.


Gold Membership
Membership is really by invite only to my previous students, those that have followed my workshops and classes from the various dance studios in the region.

For this workshop series, new students would have to pay the full amount, which is S$60/workshop.

I Think, Therefore I Dance

I had a recent debate with someone recently and the motion was, "Can every dancer teach dance?" And my answer was a firm NO.

Let's start from the fundamentals...

Most dance instructors were or are dancers and because of their experience and knowledge, they started to teach dance. Most who stay in the game long enough would know that all forms of dance go right down to basic dance techniques, with origins from ballet, classical, etc.

Not all dancers can teach. Let me tell you why. For one, many dancers are good at execution but not all dancers have the ability to impart the right knowledge, skills and insights while commanding a class full of potential performers and push them to the best of their capabilities.

For one, I see many dance teachers trying to fill every count of eight with choreography and that itself in my humble opinion is not quite right. Because, going back to the basics, dance on its own really is an expression and in itself tells a story. Most importantly, dance is supposed to express what music cannot in a physical form.

Based on the simple understanding of the rhetorics behind dance, teachers should abide by the simple motto of giving, impart what they know and in turn, they will receive the gift of knowledge, from their own students. Trust me, for I've been there.

The next time, when someone tells you to kick higher, increase your speed in turns, slow down and think. Think about perfection, about getting the right pull-ups, the correct isolations, controlled movements before trying to perfect that pirouette.

Like what I say in class sometimes - turning is easier than standing up. If a technically trained dancer cannot even stand, or plié properly, how can he/ she perform a turn?

Remember, it is not about how high you kick. It is about the process of getting the right kick.

Break a leg peeps!


Ps. I am starting workshops in Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop in August. E-mail me at billcalhoun@billcalhoun.com for updates or watch this space for more details.

Passion for Movement

All artistes should read this book. It's a classic and it talks about understanding the unlimited idea of freedom. In short, the story makes you realize that you have to be true to yourself. The source of happiness comes from persevering to achieve your own dream.

The Bandwagon

Hi Everybody!!!

After much persuasion, I’d finally jumped onto the blogging bandwagon and I must say that I am extremely excited about the prospect of being able to share my perspectives, views, thoughts through my blog.

Stay with me, as I discover the joys of the blogosphere and as we progress, I look forward to using this little personal e-space as a platform for the cross-share of our common passion for the performing arts.

Cheerios,

Bill Calhoun