Tango Sapiens - the evolution of the species ;)
Tango is evolving at Bramshaw and after four years and 22 Tango Tangks,
there is a clear need for us to provide a new event that caters for
dancers who need to progress beyond the level of the Tangk. So, next
year, we are adding to our curriculum to provide:
4 events that continue to provide the same level of tuition as the old Tango Tangk - these are called "Tangkademy". These events are open to all dancers with at least 6 months+ experience.
4 NEW events that continue where the Tango Tangk left off - these are called Super Tango Tangks. These events are open to dancers who have achieved a prescribed level of technique that we assess.
The Super Tango Tangks and Tangkademy events are part of an inclusive
and progressive dance curriculum that includes the highly acclaimed Tango Video Bodyshop (for all levels) and the seminal Tango Toolkit
(for beginners) plus ad hoc day workshops by visiting teachers like
Sophie Martinez (Women's Technique) and Andreas Wichter (Milonga
Traspie). I have no doubt that at some time in the future we will have
to provide an even higher level workshop to keep pace with our evolving
community.
The ethos that inspires and engergises everything we do is simple. We
strive to provide Argentine Tango tuition and social events that enable
dancers to learn and enjoy this sophisticated and challenging dance to
the best of their ability.
We have recently had to advise quite a few dancers that they are not YET ready to progress from the Tangk (now called Tangkademy) to the new Super Tangk
and it has not been an easy task. Although most of our dancers accept
and trust our judgement, some have taken offence as though we have
insulted or humiliated them. This was certainly NOT our intention and if this is the case, we are sorry. We
try to direct dancers to appropriate workshops where they can
improve their dance rather than be challenged beyond their level of technique. We believe
very strongly in what we are trying to achieve for our tango community
as a whole and hope that in time, those individuals who are upset by
the changes will realise that is done with the best of intentions.
The heart of the problem is that there may be a disparity between our
assessment of a dancer's technique and a dancer's cognitive awareness.
This is a documented and widespread curricular challenge called
the Kruger-Dunning Syndrome. READ MORE
Over the last nine years, Debbie and I have developed a pedagogic style
that is based on teaching the fundamental techniques that tango
movement is based on. We try to make it inclusive and supportive,
although at times, we may appear to be exclusive as we manage the
expectations and abilities of the whole group as we honestly assess a dancer's technique. The video based Tango Bodyshop was
specifically developed to present a dancer with an undistorted overview
of their dance as the camera sees it and provide dancers with tips to
improve style, technique and posture.
There is a very interesting blog that has been written about what we
are trying to do. Please take a few moments to read it as it may
provide another perspective on what we are trying to do and how much
other communities are lauding our initiative. BLOG
Warmest regards,
Debbie & Steve Morrall |
