Re: [TANGO-L] Teacher - Student relationships

[Ed Doyle <doyleed@SPRYNET.COM>]

Hi All,

I have been addicted to tango since May of last year. I have taken many
many lessons, but still am very much a beginner. I find some aspects of
this topic very interesting. As a beginner, at milonga's I have not
hesitated to ask teachers to dance.  Two have refused me each and every
time. A third, I asked if she would give me her candid opinion of
dancing with students and she volunteered she does not like to dance
with her students at milongas for a number of reasons.  1) like all of
us, she goes to a milonga to have a good time, and dancing with a
beginner leader is not very much fun. 2) if she dances with one student,
all of her students at the milonga might ask her to dance and she would
not get to dance with the people she wants to dance with. 3) she does
dance with her students in the classroom setting and gives them
constructive feedback there, and resents being asked to dance and give
feedback for free at a milonga.  These reasons seemed to me to make good
sense and I now don't ask my teachers.  However, Trini's posting seemed
to open the door that at least some teachers might enjoy being asked to
dance by their students perhaps even beginners.  So now I am back in a
quandary.  I don't know if I should ask those that have not yet turned
me down, or feel that maybe Trini is the exception, and most teachers
would rather not dance with beginner leaders at a milonga.  I can
definitely tell you, that as a beginner, I would be overjoyed to dance
with any experienced follower, teacher or not.  For leaders, it seems
kind of like a chicken and egg situation.  To lead well, you must
practice, but to practice, you need a partner, but to get a partner, you
must lead well.

Well, little by little, I think I may be getting better, because,
getting a partner has not been nearly the problem it was when I had only
six months experience.  I still a beginner and I still get turned down,
but not nearly as often.

I would be interested in hearing more teachers comment on whether they
would or would not like to be asked to dance at a milonga by a student
and if it makes any difference if the student is a leader or follower.

Have a great tango day.

Ed