Re: [TANGO-L] Tango teachers that hurt the community

[David Hodgson <DHodgson @TANGO777.COM>]

Time for me to through in a few thoughts.
I have been reading this string with some mixed thoughts and opinions.

I am in agreement with Rose on this one.

My I remind you Andy that Helen Keller's Teacher (Anne Mansfield Sullivan)
had to drag Helen Keller kicking and screaming through the process of
learning. That not only could she communicate with the outside world, with
disabilities that I can only imagine are difficult to learn to work with by
today's standards let alone by the standards of the society in the 1890's,
let alone being a woman at that time.

Helen's teacher not only had to help Helen find a way to communicate but
also that this could be of value to her.
It was until that moment that Helen could have been taught the skills
necessary for her to do the monumental work she accomplished during her
lifetime.

I also believe that that all art or what ever is an expression of ones self
first and translated through the skills, knowledge, talents and experience
that one has second.

The teacher is a facilitator for that discovery.
Some teachers are very gentle, some are on the equivalent of Simon LeGree.
Some are teaching out of a love to teach and some are out to make a buck. no
judgments on any of these.
I have my own way of teaching and know that it is not generally for the
majority of people. I also know that there are a lot of other teachers out
there. If someone is not getting what I am teaching or wants to learn
something I don't know and I am more than happy to point them the way of
someone else who may be of more assistance to a student.

May I also remind you it goes both ways, the student needs to take the
information that is taught and apply it to find out if it will work for them
or not.

Take care all.
David Hodgson




-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango
[mailto:TANGO-L  @MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Andy Carrillo
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 1:47 AM
To: TANGO-L  @MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] Tango teachers that hurt the community


Dear Rose,

Had Helen Keller "listened" to you, she wouldn't have
become the great inspiration to others that she did
become.  She was taught the skills which became the
vehicle for her self-expression.

Chicken or the egg? I didn't believe I had anything to
express until my instructor, Christy Cote', showed me
what was possible. As I become more skillful, it
becomes easier to express what it is I feel when I
hear 'Pobre Flor' or dance a milonga.

Tango on...

Abrazos,

Andy

--- Razor Girl <dilettante666  @YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> --- Andy Carrillo <coastguardrecruiter  @yahoo.com>
> > The FEELING develops as one
> > develops the skills.
>
> Interesting sentiment Andy.  But I believe that all
> art is an expression of ones self first and
> translated
> through the skills that one has second.  The skill
> is
> the tool by which you can communicate your inner
> feelings.  In fact, I would say the opposite from
> you,
> that the feeling develops the skill.  The very
> desire
> to learn the skill stems from a desire to express
> something.  Why would I learn to write, paint, dance
> if I had nothing to say? This is this very reason
> that
> technique varies from one person to the next.
>
> > My point: good instructors give students the basic
> > tools to express whatever feelings develop from
> the
> > endeavor. The goal of excellent instructors is to
> > develop each and every student's potential in the
> > hope that the student will excel beyond
> > the "master".
>
> I do not agree.  I believe that the goal of an
> excellent instructor is to develop each student's
> potential in effort to reveal what it is that each
> student uniquely strives to express.  A student's
> dance should not be the master's dance.  Each person
> has their own voice, their own dance.  The
> instructors
> job is to help the person develop the skills to
> express themselves.
>
> Regards,
> Rose
> Portland, OR
>




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