I have been dancing for 2 years now. The first year I took all classes from the same teacher, Faun Finley at Studio 318, & took only 1 workshop (on makeup) at the studio where I take lessons. I was in a performance group out of the studio and danced in public for the first time ever.

The second year, I changed to a different teacher , Carmen Cavanaugh at Studio 318, and took lots of workshops. .This has given me a broader perspective on dance & taught me easier ways to think of how movements are made. I've learned many new movements and have improved quite a bit! A group of us started our own dancing troupe, so we danced for the studio & for ourselves.

So far during this 1st month of my third year, I started taking classes with a new teacher, Daliana, as well as continuing with my 2nd year teacher Carmen. I had assumed I would continue with Workshop Mania but now I am not sure that this is the best way to go. I saw that Sara Beaman of Blue Moon is going to teach Sat ATS-like classes & I REALLY want to take them. If I do, I will have to stop taking workshops for a while because of lack of both time & $$$.

Would it help me more as a dancer to take lesson with 3 different teachers a week or to take frequent workshops? I just don't know.

I know I want to learn ATS and be able to dance improv in groups, like FCBD. I love that style of dance and it just seems like it would be a lot of fun. I also know that none of my dancing friends want to do that, nor does anyone I know in the immediate area. It will me over an hour & 20 minutes to get to the Sat classes, so I'll have travel costs plus about 4 hours every Sat gone. I will have no one to dance with, even if I learn to do it. But I want to learn! Argh!! I love Sara & the rest of Blue Moon, because they are really good teachers and really nice people. I have been a regular workshop participant since I took the first one.

I love Daliana's classes, even though I've only taken 4. I did a drop in a while ago, then a workshop, & now 2 regular classes. She has tons of classical ballet experience & it shows. She has real poise & such an amazing way about her that I want to learn what she has to teach. I have already learned a lot about moving (in my head - my body hasn't caught on yet :-) in just a few classes. I have to drive about 30 - 40 minutes to get to her classes, so I've got time & cost way over the lessons - still worth it.

I am continuing with Carmen because she really keeps adding new stuff all the time. This year I have learned zils and started with swords. I believe we'll be moving into floor work too, so I have started taking a lunch-time strength training class at work. I can almost get down & back up without help :-) Also, I really love Carmen as a person. She is an excellent teacher AND a good friend. Another thing she has just started doing is having each of us lead the class in something we are good at. It is only for 10 minutes or so, and is good experience.

I continue my home practice, on choreographies, layering, drilling, etc. That will go on whatever else I do :-)

Anyway, Sara's classes start on Oct 6, so I must decide soon. Hmmm. Time to think it over.