Tag: dancing

Posted in Dance, Dance Fam Stories: Through the eyes of a Student

‘Dance Fam Stories: Through the Eyes of a Student – Christmas Special with Dee Donohoe’

Posted on by vickyandreanska

I’m absolutely delighted to share Dee’s dance journey with you all.

Dee is a very special student and friend of mine. She has been my student from day one, dancing with me since my very first Zumba® class in Shoreline Greystones back in June 2011. She was always there, every single class – front and centre with a big smile on her face. Even when I moved my classes to different locations a few years later, she followed me and kept dancing. We soon became great friends and I was delighted to have Dee also joining Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser in aid of The Gavin Glynn Foundation in 2016 which I was choreographing. Soon after when I started ‘Dance Greystones’ Dee was the first one to sign up. Her dedication, friendship and support is something I really treasure and I can’t wait for you to read all about her dance journey where she shares what dancing and everything that comes with it means to her.

When did your dance journey first start?

I started dancing when I was about five years old – Irish Dancing in school.

Then when I was about 10 years old I took up ballet, loved it but had to stop in my teens due to a bad knee injury, not to mention the pressure of school exams.

That was pretty much the last dancing I did, apart from the usual clubbing, until one day a friend of mine asked me had I tried Zumba®. I hadn’t, so she brought me along.

Do you remember your very first Zumba® class? What was it like?

I do. I remember I thought this is the exercise for me. At last I’ve found ‘my thing’. I was attending a morning class then added in an evening class (I couldn’t get enough of it) which turned out to be Vicky’s first Zumba® class in the local sports centre. OMG it was packed out! The lights were turned down, the music was loud and I was having a ball. It felt like a party, not just a great workout.

And so it continued. I was 100% hooked on dance. I was doing something I love, getting really fit, toning, having a full body workout while having the best of fun. Amazing!

As time went on, Vicky branched out on her own, running her Zumba® classes and also running and choreographing Strictly Come Dancing charity events. I thought I could so do that! I signed up for an event. It felt so scary! But so exhilarating! Raising all that money for a worthy cause, meeting amazing people, and having the time of my life, all simultaneously – what’s not to love?

You became part of Dance Greystones since the very start. What does Dance Greystones mean to you and what made you stick with it? 

Eventually, organically, Dance Greystones grew out of an adult dance class which is more than a Zumba® class. And where was I? Front and centre of course! Lapping up every new step, loving every minute of it, meeting like minded people from all walks of life, who have become some of my best friends. In fact, we are a bunch of people who have become like a family to each other. We call ourselves the ‘Dance Fam’.

What do you think is the best part of the term for you?

We learn a new choreography to a different song every four weeks or so and at the end of the term we shoot a video. At first I was so nervous about dancing and acting in front of the camera, appearing on YouTube for posterity, but once we had done a few videos, the shoots became such an important part of what we do. We love showcasing our progress and it is so good to have something to look back on and remember all the fun times.

It makes me very proud, when I look back at our videos, to see how far we have come and how much we have improved. We all, each one of us, stepped out of our comfort zones, and are having the time of our lives.

“Every dance you make belongs to you. It is part of your collection. When you think of it like that, you’ll want to make your next routine the best you’ve ever made!” – Torron-Lee Dewar

What is your favourite dance/ video up to date?

One of my favourite dances and shoots is ‘The Mask’. The choreography was amazing, the videography was very cool, we all had such fun, but mostly I had the opportunity to dance alongside my daughter who starred as ‘The Mask’, disguised in green face paint. It was actually quite an emotional experience. I would have to say that this is a very special memory for me, and it would never have happened without the medium of dance.

Another favourite one is ‘Great Gatsby’ as it played to my love of all things 1920s, from the music to the costumes to learning proper Charleston steps.

db6b6c_ad3a0b2d8e4349c5be3b257c5342be5c~mv2db6b6c_ea717d50871e4bae857c9db480248a10~mv2

How does dancing in general make you feel?

I feel that dance is a hobby that I found, which has enhanced my life, opened up new opportunities, introduced me to some amazing friends. I am very lucky to have the health and fitness to be able to do it, and I hope to never stop. In fact, I have recently taken up Ballroom and Latin dance classes, and am absolutely loving it.

When you find ‘your thing’, be sure to pursue it, you never know where it might take you. I am so glad that my friend said to me that day, a few years ago: “have you ever tried Zumba®?”…I did and I have never looked back.

It is never too late, Dance is for everyone, irrespective of age or fitness. It’s never too late.

Love,

Dee x

Posted in Dance, Vicky's Tips

‘How to get the most out of your dance class’ – Vicky Andreanska

Posted on by vickyandreanska

“To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.”- Aubrey Lynch

If you ask me, I think one of the main goals of every dance class should always be to inspire all students to develop the passion for the dance.
For some people dance is something completely natural. We often say some people have the natural rhythm in their blood or they can dance before they can walk, while others have to work a bit harder to learn just the basic steps.
In my opinion DANCE is a personal journey and everyone is at a different stage and it is very important that the teacher is sensitive to the needs of the students and is able to make changes and revisions to the choreography to ensure that each and every student is able to keep up with the classes and most importantly enjoy the process.
From the experience as a dance teacher of the adult dance group I feel like there is way more to the dance class than just learning steps and new dance moves – dance has the ability to inspire, heal and connect people on so many different levels. However in this blog I would like to focus and share my tips on how to get the most out of your dance class from the technical point of view.
Here are my main seven tips:
1. Relax & don’t overthink
The dance studio is where you should feel free and relaxed.
Lots of times students can get caught up in how they look or they can be too focused on getting the dance steps perfect which can have the opposite effect and actually hold you back.
No matter how driven you are, you should always remember that dance is fun.
2. Always ask the choreographer/ teacher for tips
Choreographers want to see you learn and grow from their classes. If you get a chance to speak with your teacher after the class or if you have any questions – ask them for tips.
Sometimes when the class is big, it can be hard for the teacher to see everyone. Some students like to be corrected and might ask the teacher to make sure to watch them and give them constructive criticism during the classes, while others might feel more comfortable to stay at the back of the class and just enjoy themselves without any corrections and ask for the tips afterwards in private. Whichever preference you have, it is always good to make sure your teacher knows about it.
3. Make mistakes
Dance class is the place to mess up and make mistakes.
If any students feel like they’re messing up during the class, we want them to feel comfortable enough in the class to ask for help, ask to be spotted or ask to be shown a modified version in order to progress and learn. The dance class is the place where students learn, so remember it is OK to make mistakes and it is always ok to ask questions if you are not entirely sure about anything.
“If you can dance & be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world.” – Amy Poehler
20108223_1448962005191392_3193699779759745282_n
3. Take responsibility
A good teacher/ choreographer is extremely important in the learning process of each student. But in saying that, if you really want to benefit from your time training or learning to dance – it is equally important for each student to take responsibility in this process.
Dance teachers teach, support, navigate and cheerlead your dance journey, but it’s your job to fuel and drive the car.
4. Watch and learn from other students
A group class experience is so special because you can always be inspired by people around you. The same step can look completely different performed by different students as everyone has their own unique style.
The benefit of the group class is that you can exchange energies with other students in the studio. You are all on the same boat, learning the same moves, experiencing this journey together. Take advantage of that time – watch and cheer them on and be watched and cheered on.
5. Pay attention and be present while learning in the dance class
It might sound silly to point this out but it is very important to be present while learning the new dance choreography. Always make sure you watch and listen to the teacher/ choreographer when learning the new steps as it makes the whole process much easier. Once you’re unsure of some steps, it can throw you off for the rest of the dance and cause frustration at the later stage.
6. Listen to the music
Always try and know the song you’re dancing to. You might not realise it but it’s extremely helpful. Knowing the song inside and out makes the learning process much easier. Once you know the song, you don’t have to think about ‘what step is next’ – you just automatically know and it takes that extra pressure off and you can focus just on the actual dancing and performing. So whenever you get a chance, turn up the volume and listen to the music. Whether you’re dancing to it or just driving the car, or cooking the dinner.
7. ENJOY YOURSELF!
“Dancing is being you at top volume.” – Wes Veldink
20031805_1448962081858051_7016593838143459323_n
Hope it helps you on your dance journey 🙂
You can let me know your thoughts or what do you find most helpful from your own experience in comments below.
Thank you,
Vicky x