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From Level 3 to Level 4

Level 3 aims to open up possibilities in the dance. You’ll be exposed to a broad variety of types of figure and both leaders and followers will be encouraged to make more conscious choices about what you do and how you do it.

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You will work on developing your adaptability: exposing your body to a range of situations and slowing building the ability to consciously adapt your lead or your response to the music, your partner and your emotions.

 

Just like with the other levels, we want to build the quality of your dance and your confidence.

 

It’s not just about mentally “knowing” the figures but integrating into your body the figures and the skills needed to execute them fluidly. This takes time and practice!

 

The more you practice outside of class, the quicker you are likely to integrate the skills and figures into your body. But everybody and every body is different so there is no “right” duration! Just the timing that is right for you :)

 

You’re ready for Level 4 when you:

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  • Know and can perform confidently a broad variety of types of figures including:

    • 5 and 7 step turns including different grips and leading on the body

    • Figures in hug, including basic roots vocabulary

    • Body isolations (waves, circular movements…)

    • Repique

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  • Are able to move through the space in a variety of ways, maintaining the rhythm

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  • Position yourself in the space and move through the space effectively to make the execution of figures more fluid

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  • Adapt the size of figures and movements consciously

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  • Are able to invert the direction of the basic turn cycle (”dark side”)

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  • Coordinate your movements (arms, legs, body) to maintain good posture throughout the dance, in both open and closed position

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  • Adapt the activation of your body according to the figure

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  • Adapt the amount of energy you use to execute your movements 1) to enable an effective and fluid execution of figures and 2) to bring expression to your dance

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  • Create a connection that allows both partners to express and receive a variety of sensations in the dance

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  • Co-construct the dance, meaning that both partners take responsibility for their role and bring something of themselves to the dance, beyond “just” leading or following

 

Musicality:

  • Are able to exit and return to the tempo forte quickly and accurately

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  • Use the musical phrases to bring variety to the dance

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  • Recognise changes (”chapters”) within a song and use them to bring variety to your dance

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  • Adapt your dance to the energy and style of the song, both in terms of what you do and how you do it.

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Leaders:

  • Leaders: Choose the movements you lead according to the music

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  • Leaders: Coordinate the use of your body and your frame to lead figures with the minimum amount of energy required

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  • Leaders: Can identify opportunities (timing and space) to add arm movements and footwork to the dance, and can perform a small range of simple styling gestures confidently

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  • Leaders: Show a good understanding of how to lead using different points of contact to enable simple improvisation

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Followers:

  • Followers: Maintain an effective connection with your partner in all positions

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  • Followers: Perform 7-step turns on a line autonomously

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  • Followers: Carry your arms from your shoulders to make them available for variations to be led, without breaking your frame

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  • Followers: Show a good understanding of how to recognise and follow different points of contact to enable simple improvisation

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  • Followers: Execute styling variations (arms, footwork, and body) autonomously

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