Aziza Sa'id's FAQ - Dance Styles

I frequently have mixed level classes as my classes run continuously year round and new people start whenever they start. It's complicated to teach a mixed level class and keep everyone happy, but it can be done. The best way I've found is to teach a basic move, get everyone started then go around to work with each student (or group of students). I give the more advanced ones something to layer on to the basic move, or have them work on the style, the arms, the precise form, while the baby beginners work on getting the movement.

For example, let's take the basic figure 8 (moving front to back). Get them all started, then give the intermediate dancers:

Additional arm movements
Changes in dynamics (large to small to large, isolated vs. using whole body)
Changes in levels (bending / up on toes)
Changes in timing (slow quick quick slow)
Focus on body line, form, posture
Focus on smoothing the transitions
Focus on changing the arm framing
Focus on getting movement and arm flow
Add zills and give them a zill pattern to play

I start by demonstrating the movement in it's simplest form, until the baby beginners get the basic step. Then I add more complexities, demonstrate with more complex form, add arms or zills, etc. so the intermediate dancers have a visual model. A nice side effect is that the babies will often learn quite a bit faster than you expect.

For some exercises, I pair a more experienced student with a new student, and have the new student follow the more advanced student in the movement. This does several things:

It provides the student with a face-to-face opportunity to view the step
It provides new students with some one-on-one guidance
It helps students get to know each other
It helps both students learn to lead and follow and interact as part of the dance
It helps build a sense of community among the students
It gives the advanced student a chance to teach a bit, and helps them develop their understanding of the movement and develop their teaching skills

While the students are working together, I visit each pair to tune what they are doing or to assist in overcoming specific problems. Once we are done with the exercise, I have the students follow me in the movement again.

Make sure to reassure your baby beginners frequently that they don't need to try to get it all at once. Remind them to stick with the basic move and add the arms, etc. when they are ready. I remind them that it takes 300 to 600 physical repetitions of a movement before it is automatic - (so you can do it without thinking about it.) This information helps them enjoy the learning without putting too much pressure on themselves.