This is a post for you up-and-comers, you young pups, you youth. Not so much for my established dancers who want to afford two more lessons a week (because let's face it, we all think we're broke and want to learn to dance better). Although it is good advice for you too.
If you want to learn to dance better, but have super limited funds, I'll give you some advice on how best to use your time and dollahs.
- Plan your long game. That full-time job/school/partying gig and empty bank account means you won't be national champion tomorrow. #sorrynotsorry Whatever your plans are (dancing every song at a social dance, passing Bronze, doing a really great twinkle, world domination through heel leads), are going to happen with some forethought. So, plan it out, yo. What do you want to do? When do you want to do it? Who can help you do it? [Notice how I wrote that whole part and didn't use the words "goal" or "setting"... Dammit.]
- Learn. Check out local studios and communities and teachers. Go to classes and seminars and lessons that interest you. Try different ones until you find one that makes things click. Keep going.
- Practice. Bold statement, I know, but practicing is the most efficient use of your time and money. Practice your steps, no matter how basic; practice those steps with music; practice any technique you heard. Practice alone; practice with a partner; practice in a group. Practice for 3 minutes; practice for 30 minutes; practice constantly throughout your day. I could talk about conscious practice here, but I won't. Just practice.
- Get help. Find your favorite coach and book a lesson with them. Then do that practicing thing some more.
Cheaper. Better. Boom.
[Here's what not to do, in case you like negative reinforcement better (aka, nagging): click me.]
