Hand-2-Hand Dancing Breaks Barriers

My name is Tim. I teach entire classrooms and empower students with valuable life- and social skills using my knowledge and experience in Partner Dancing (a.k.a. Ballroom Dancing):

 
• Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Salsa, Merengue;
• Jive, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing;
• Paso Doblé;
• Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Quickstep.

 

Students are transformed in the span of a few lessons. Many start off shy or objectionable but, by the 3rd or 4th lesson, are surprised to find that they really can dance with a partner. Their confidence skyrockets. They start to swagger onto the dance floor. By the end of the program, they’re complaining if I cut a song short. What a journey!

WHERE I’VE TAUGHT

In secondary schools : Steveston Secondary – in Richmond. Elgin Park Secondary, Clayton Heights Secondary – in Surrey. Lord Byng Secondary, Prince Of Wales Secondary, Magee Secondary – in Vancouver.

In elementary schools: (Vancouver) Carnarvon School, David Livingstone, L’Ecole Bilingue, Lord Strathcona School, Queen Mary, Queen Alexandra, Sir James Douglas, Sir Wilfred Grenfell. (Richmond) Samuel Brighouse, Kingswood, Manoah Steves, Diefenbaker, Jessie Wowk, James Thompson. (Burnaby) Stoney Creek, Cascade Heights. (New West’) Glenbrook Middle School. (Delta) Sacred Heart School. (North shore) Lions Gate Christian Academy.

Pro-D Day Workshops: Point Grey Secondary. Eric Hamber Secondary. Vancouver School Board. Burnaby School Board. Douglas College QDPE conference. UBC School Of Human Kinetics.

WHY I DO IT

The changes are incredible. The shy become bold. The awkward learn to swagger. The tough ones soften up. And, the alpha types dance with the geeks. Cooperative, hand-to-hand, active learning breaks down barriers. Fears and anxieties subside. Enthusiasm, attentiveness and a desire to learn take over. Soon, the learner resonates with confidence.

Ballroom Dancing is an ideal vehicle for teaching children and youth the finer qualities of life. While the jury may still be out on this, many teachers believe that Ballroom Dancing can help mitigate problems associated with a student’s physical well-being (obesity, substance abuse, lack of exercise), emotional well-being (low self-esteem, depression), and social well-being (bullying, gangs, violence, crime). Knowing this, I want to get the dancing out to all students and schools that want it – the sooner, the better.

WHERE IT COMES FROM

My professional “day” careers have included engineering, business consulting, advertising sales management, copywriting, and university counselor. But, teaching and motivating learners was my spark. When CBC Radio produced a documentary about my life in competitive dancing, I discovered it. Now, I love nothing more than to use my passion for dancing to empower and transform the lives of others.

EMPOWERMENT, TRUST, CONFIDENCE

When I teach hand-to-hand dancing, I’m really teaching how to converse using hands, steps, music, and no talking. The students learn about themselves, respect for each other, and how to overcome fears and prejudices. Some hit the “edge of their comfort zone” quickly; others, later. The dancing helps them to break through the barrier and into a whole new realm of learning and achievement. Even the most resistant soon open up and start to learn. It all comes together at the end-of-term Ballroom Blitz DanzFest.

Yep, that’s yours truly with partner. What a ham, eh?

Fyi, I’m a former-BC Champion and Canadian Championships Finalist (in 10-Dance, Standard, and Latin American). I hold ‘Level 3 NCCP (Coaching) certification’ and membership in the Canadian Coaching Association. Soccer is another joy of mine.

CONTACT THE DANZKOOL

If you’re interested in hosting The DanzKool at your school, please contact me by e-mail – danzkool[at]danzkool[dot]ca . Thank you.

P.S. Photos courtesy of Mike Lee.