DTOL's Dance Pen Friend scheme: if you would like to correspond by email with someone who shares your dance interests but is in a different country - or a different part of your country - then just email me briefly with:

* your name
* your email address
* your town, state/province/county and country
* your dance interests
* the kind of person you would like as your dance pen friend

I will then publish your details in the newsletter and, hopefully, other newsletter subscribers will get in touch with you.

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For new readers, I thought I'd re-print some recent questions and answers from DTOL's dance teacher members:

Q. If I want to dance hiphop, should I study ballet first?

A. Studying ballet specifically is not essential, but make sure that your teacher gives you good limbering exercises, and a lot of stretching to ensure your body and muscles are completely prepared and warmed up before you go into routines. You will be getting yourself into some very unusual positions, so this warm-up is extremely important.

Learning any other style of dance will obviously be of a help to you, as it will give you a larger vocabulary to combine with your hip hop combinations. But it doesn't necessarily have to be to be ballet.

Q. Can dancing help me lose weight?

A. Yes it can, but dancing will not be enough; you need to eat and drink sensibly as well.

Dancing will tone and tighten the major muscle groups of your body as well as raise the heart rate through exercising. As you are working your body, kilos will disappear over a period of time.

However, you need to start out slowly with this plan, particularly if you have never danced before.

If you are new at this, and inscribing at your local dance centre, set out your schedule and start with beginners classes.

Bear in mind that there are many different dance styles, some more demanding than others; a slow classical beginner's class will not burn as many calories as a snappy jazz class. But it is essential that you make your selection by what your body is able to do at this moment, and not by how fast you might be able to lose weight. Therefore choose your discipline well. Determine what you want to do, and above all, choose a style that you feel comfortable with.

Get checked by your doctor before you begin your dancing classes, as strenuous exercise may fan the flames of an existing problem.

Don't overdo these first classes or you will suffer! Begin slowly and carefully, as your body needs time to adjust to all these new movements.

If you are doing this at home, organise it when everybody is out of the house, you can then go 'to town' while you are dancing in private. Wear comfortable clothes, put on music that you like, and turn it up a little louder than usual. Keep a stable rhythm and just lose yourself into the music.

Start with 20 minutes; after a few days when you begin to get used to it, take it up to 30 minutes. Do this three time a week.

Q. What kinds of dance should I learn if I want to dance in musicals?

A. There was a time when you had to have a reasonable technique in all disciplines, including being able to sing when auditioning for musicals. Then came a period when there were only dancers required, as well as singers, so you either danced, or you sang.

With musicals these days, you need a reasonable amount of everything to compete in auditions. It's a highly sought after contract, and if in the right musical, you can do very well for yourself.

Primarily you need a solid jazz base, and to have a reasonable voice. Classical ballet will help a lot, as it's the basis of all dance disciplines. You also need to have a sharp mind to enable you to pick up routines very quickly when auditioning, and plenty of stamina, as some auditions can last for hours while dancers are being eliminated. It would be a pity to get right through to the 'Finals' and find yourself incapable of dancing another step!

Q. How do I know if the teachers at my local dance school are qualified?

A. You don't, unless you know about dance. Otherwise you are dependant on the reputation of a school, or hearsay from a professional dancer. Having written that, it's also not a guarantee. I know of excellent schools with bad teachers as well as badly run schools with excellent teachers

The level of the students in the higher classes from 14 years of age upwards is a clear indication of how they have been taught. One of the things to look for is this; are you aware of an inherent discipline in class? For example, look out for how students start and finish exercises; do they all try to do the same arm and leg movements, does the teacher correct individually, as well as generally, and do the other students listen when there is an individual correction? Is enough time taken in getting the exercise right? If you noticed these points, then at least there is a sense of the teacher trying to get the class rowing into one direction. These are the beginning signs of a good teacher, who may have genuine concerns for their students and the school.

But even with these qualities, the teacher may still not know how to teach. To be a top teacher, you need to have accumulated a tremendous amount of information, and not only from one source. He or she also needs to be an iron fist in an extremely large velvet glove, as knowing how to handle students psychologically and emotionally is, in fact, just as important as the knowledge and information a teacher can transmit physically. For if a student is resistant to a teacher because of mismanagement, no way known is any information going to be absorbed into that students head.

Another good indication is to listen to what the teacher says. A good teacher will detail the explanation of a technical step with logic, and say why the correction is important, as well as what it is for. A good teacher will stay calm and won't raise his or her voice, unless it's to push the student much harder. Constant screaming is usually a sign of an insecure teacher. Lastly, a teacher should have 'Patience' as a second name!

Patience in a teacher is crucial; in most cases, when corrected, a students' brain will have taken the information given to him / her, on board. Unfortunately, the majority of students have muscles with very poor memory. That's not to say that the information is not still lodged in the brain. It's the body that doesn't remember, hence we repeat exercises over and over again. A good, experienced teacher will take that factor into account, re-explaining over and over again what to do, (often with some very colourful metaphors!)

Look out for teachers giving technical corrections who demonstrate, saying, "This is the way I used to do it." For unless the student is a clone of the teacher, how can she or he be like the instructor? A technical correction should be corrected on the student and placed for the best aesthetic look and line on the individual, and not on how the teacher once did it.

There are a lot of poor teachers on the circuit, and a lot of frustrated dancers that didn't make it who decided to teach instead, and often their frustration is evident in the way they teach. There are also teachers who never danced a step in any professional capacity, but have turned out to be excellent teachers. It's a hard question to answer, and only another very experienced teacher can make that judgement. If you are talented, and not sure whether you are with the right school, (or doubt your teachers capacity to help you progress as you wish,) try to take class at another dance centre occasionally. Almost certainly some one will spot you, and give you some friendly advice regarding how much better you could do elsewhere, and it's a good way to experience other teachers and students, to give you some comparisons with your own regular training.

DTOL member Sharon Pinsley (s_pinsley@hotmail.com) from Israel gave her views:

Q. If I want to dance hiphop, should I study ballet first?

A. Any dance system* that will provide you with a technical foundation can only enhance any dance form you take up like hip-hop. I recently saw an excellent example of this where I recently worked. There was a really fun, well-crafted hip-hop piece in the concert with 9 dancers. 4 of them were ballet and modern students who'd begun hip-hop a few months before. The others were strictly hip-hoppers with years of classes. The four stole the show, were far more enjoyable to watch and proved my point. TECHNIQUE IS FREEDOM!

*Ballet and modern x-training is the most viable means of developing as a well-rounded and skilful dancer.

Q. Can dancing help me lose weight?

A. Dance is definitely a weight loss inducer. It is well known now that diet alone will not make those sought after body changes- flat stomach, increased energy and stamina, sleek and well formed legs, etc. These come from physical training with the proper intake of food....and dance is one of (if not the best) the ways to achieve these goals.

Q. I find the music used for my ballet classes boring; can modern music be used for ballet?

A. I tend to use classical music for ballet classes, including Bach, Brahms and Schubert (not only Glinka, Tchaikovsky or Chopin). However, I have found I can use more modern music, like Debussy and Ravel, even Glass and Diamond. What I personally won't use is pop, ragtime or "twinkle toe" stuff- personal opinion! There are a lot of new discs for class out there that are wonderful for class inspiration and Richard Maddock is a prime example of this. I love using his music and so do my students.

Q. What kinds of dance should I learn if I want to dance in musicals?

A. Musical comedy dancers need to have great technique in ballet and modern, good work in jazz and some tap helps. You need to be very musical as well and some voice lessons are almost a must.

Q. How do I know if the teachers at my local dance school are qualified?

A. Wow! That's a toughie to describe online. Watch a couple classes of varying levels. Do you see real improvement in the dancers? Does the school boast graduates who have gone on to careers in dance, were accepted at quality SI's? What are the teachers' backgrounds and training? One thing I dislike seeing is placing really young unqualified students in the position of teachers. A 16 year old is NOT ready to take over a class at any level! If this is the case in your local school, it should raise your suspicions.

Katherine Coburn (katsteps@tesco.net) from Buckinghamshire, UK also answered some of the questions:

Q. Can dancing help me lose weight?

A. Yes, like any exercise if done for a minimum amount of time each week or as part of a combined exercise plan. It can also help to "tone up" and reshape areas. Some people find they don't lose "weight" as they develop muscle tone but completely reshape themselves. One of my pupils over 12 months went down a size in trousers due to this reshaping. However diet does need attention too.

Q. What kinds of dance should I learn if I want to dance in musicals?

A. Ballet and Modern are the main ones as most musicals are choreographed by "stage dance" style and trained choreographers and you will need to know the terminology to know what they are talking about.

Q. How do I know if the teachers at my local dance school are qualified?

A. Ask to see a copy of their qualification certificates and annual membership details. You can also contact the society which the teacher claims to be a member of (BATD, ISTD, IDTA, RAD) and check if the teacher is listed with them. I have a copy of my qualification certificate and annual insurance pinned up at my main teaching venue. There is a large difference between those qualifications gained through the main establishments which requires years of study and some of the new "college" qualifications which are being offered.

DTOL member Kathie Hunwick (lighthouseacademyofdance@yahoo.ca) from British Columbia, Canada also responded to these questions:

Q. If I want to dance hiphop, should I study ballet first?

A. To get good posture before I ruin it...???? I see no reason for this one (except to fill up ballet classes that are less popular) as hip hop is one of the few dance forms which bears little relation to ballet (except following the music and being generally co-ordinated) and where ballet can actually hinder it.

Q. Can dancing help me lose weight?

A. Absolutely - aerobic and muscle toning dance can definitely help to lose weight and tone up (I have the proof in some ladies in my adult ballet who used to be quite heavy and lacking in tone).

Q. I find the music used for my ballet classes boring; can modern music be used for ballet?

A. Yes - although it could also be 'boring' because the same pieces are played over and over again... There is a beauty, also, in classical music styles that can be appreciated in time.

Q. What kinds of dance should I learn if I want to dance in musicals?

A. Definitely ballet and jazz. Tap, if you're interested in tap musicals, of course! (If you like High School Musical, you'd end up doing a variety from hip hop to lyrical to funk...)

Q. How do I know if the teachers at my local dance school are qualified?

A. Find out their qualifications (ask to see certs if necessary) - if they are a registered teacher of the R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance), ISTD (Imperial Society...), BBO, IDTA - to name some of the biggest worldwide, they are qualified.

DTOL member Paul Pritchard (paul@danceat8.com) from Worcestershire, UK adds his own view on the question raised:

"Q. How do I know if the teachers at my local dance school are qualified?' You ask!! Then you check with the relevant association. Which is very easy to do, all have websites and will most likely have their members listed on the site. A simple phone call will also verify. Teachers who are qualified will have no problem with that question - and even be happy that you asked! If a teacher even slightly hedges at the answer a red flag should go up immediately. There are so many 'teachers' out there who have taken a few lessons and gone out on their own, taking the unsuspecting customers money - and often charging more than qualified teachers. This needs to stop and the only way to do this is to educate the public to ask the question!"

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The following readers want dance classes. If you know of a suitable class in your area for any of these readers, please email them direct to let them know.

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ASIA SECTION
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Parth (parthglobal@hotmail.com) from Mumbai, India has "been often visiting parties where I see people dancing like rock stars, no matter whatever song it is. I usually be the black sheep who tries to dance, but unfortunately fails to perform. This makes me feel so embarrassed. But this has instilled in me the burning fire to learn dancing even better than them. I've tried to find some good dance teachers, but fail. And on top of that I'm going to appear my boards this year so, I don't get much time. I feel that I should learn dancing as fast as I can. I request you to help me. I'll be greatly obliged if you do so."

Maryam Dominique Ghassémi (shoupie9@gmail.com) from Penang, Pulau Penang, Malaysia is a "French body theatre performer (Ecole Jacques Lecoq) and theatre performer. Non professional Brazilian, AfroBrazilian, African dancer. I am looking for lessons in contemporary dance. If possible not very, very far
from Tanjung Bungah since I get lost often. No, that is not a problem, I just need a good map."

Prem (pmohammed3853@rediffmail.com) from Gobichettipalayam, Erode 638452, India wants "to learn dance through on line. Can u conduct or train through on line?"

Jyoti (jotigupta@gmail.com) from Delhi, India is "looking for dance classes."

Vaibhav (vbhatt59@yahoo.in) from Borivali / Mumbai, Maharashtra, India wants "to learn dance on the song nimmoda from hddcs plsss I need help kindly reply me."

Mrs Yu (florenceng@me.com) from Tai Po, Hong Kong is "wondering if anyone is interested to teach in Tai Po's Beverly Hills' Clubhouse in the weekend. One on One class."

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MIDDLE EAST SECTION
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Mathani (brightangel_nosa@hotmail.com) from Abu Dhabi, Utd Arab Emirates is "looking for a hip hop teacher in Abu Dhabi who can teach beginners privately."

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UK SECTION
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From DTOL member Indira Bali (indirabali65@yahoo.co.in):

"I am responding to your DTOL member newsletter almost after a year now. Have been very busy Dancing, Teaching, Choreographing, acting......But I regularly log on to the newsletter and it is wonderful to know so much going on in the field of dance though DTOL. Well I thought I would like to share with other members, especially those who are in UK that I am visiting UK London for the first time. I am coming with a performing arts foundation group and team leader of -The Harpal Tiwana Foundation based in Patiala, Punjab, India.

As I mentioned earlier, I am also into Theatre along with Dance. Theatre and Dance are two sides of the same coin as all performing artists would know. The group is going to perform a Punjabi Historical Play-"Sirhind Di Deewar". I have choreographed the dances in the play. One is the opening scene dance sequence based in the Islamic period in Arabic style, and another is again in a scene where the north Indian style of Classical Dance "Kathak' is part of a court room scene of the Nawab of Sirhind. The dances are performed by my students from my department in Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India. Well I too am performing the dances and an important female role of the "Begum" the queen of the Nawab of Sirhind, the Governor of Sirhind a district in Punjab in the Sikh period Three hundred years back. This is a Historical Play related to the Tenth Sikh Guru.

All of U can get more information about the play and the venue of performance Beck Theatre from the website www.sirhinddideewar.com and I invite all DTOL members in UK and others to cum and see the play which is really really good. Music is by the renowned Indian Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh Ji. The show is on 20th September, 2009. I would be in London from 16th to 23rd September. Any friends or dance artists keen to meet me can get in touch with me through the contact nos. mentioned in the said website. Once again I request all of u who can cum, 2 cum and see our performance. Also we may try out some dance artists keen to be part of this play in the dance sequences if they get in touch with us through the contacts in the website and this No.+919814124304. This no. is of the Harpal Tiwana Foundation group leader Mr. Manpal Tiwana.

Well Nigel I hope artists, Theatre lovers, dancers and DTOL members are keen to cum to this event and b in touch with me though u. My E-Mail ID is Indirabali65@yahoo.co.in. Hope to meet some of u in London on 20th September."

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If you want to find out about classes in your area, email me and let me know (very briefly):

- Your name
- Your location (including country)
- The kind of dance class you want
- Your email address

I'll include you next time! BUT, if you don't give it to me in this format, it may not get in.

*****
You might find classes you want from this list of recently joined dance teacher members of DTOL:

Laura Rawlings, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. Email: laura.rawlings@leisureconnection.co.uk
Dance development team that deliver contemporary, hip hop and creative dance to all ages.

Aanal Sheth, Virginia, USA. Email: aanalvsheth@gmail.com
Folk Dances (Garba, Rajasthani, Bhangra etc), Bollywood Dance and Bollywood Dancercise

Michele Newhook, Newfoundland, Canada. Email: info@mountpearldance.com
The studio offers ballet, ISTD Tap & Modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, Broadway

Danielle McGettigan, Newfoundland, Canada. Email: danielle@mountpearldance.com
Our studio offers a full range of styles - my specialist area is Tap &ISTD Tap Exam work

Erika Wilansky, Newfoundland, Canada. Email: erika@mountpearldance.com
I have an extensive background in Jazz, Contemporary and Hip-Hop

Michelle Shuttleworth, Derbyshire, United Kingdom. Email: info@dance-network.co.uk
ISTD Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz in Measham, Ashby and Ibstock

Laura Gray, Scotland, United Kingdom. Email: laura_gray_school_of_dance@hotmail.com
Classes in: - Tap, Modern, Freestyle, Classical Ballet, Majorette, Cheer Pom & Street.

Sreelakshmy Radhakrishnan, France. Email: srsreelakshmy@gmail.com
am done M.A.in bharatanatyam from hyd university the year of 2009.

Anna Quillfeldt, ACT, Australia. Email: anna_quillfeldt@hotmail.com
Offering classes in Ballet and Jazz in BAL method, as well as open adults ballet classes

Roger Cunningham, Switzerland. Email: danseur05@hotmail.com
I teach classical, modern, jazz, hip hop and pilates. My goal explore, discover, and joy.

Amy Kong, Malaysia. Email: dancingtime_academy@yahoo.com
We offer ballet,modern jazz,tap,musical theatre,event co-ordinator.

jenny, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. Email: jdancer08@btinternet.com
teaching hip hop and street dance to professional and non professionals

Holly Mitchell, London, United Kingdom. Email: hollymitchell18@hotmail.com
hollymitchell18@hotmail.com

sri subash rajagopal, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: stepondancefloor@yahoo.com
western,folk,hiphop,free style,aerobics,north indian folk,classical dance

Nicola Linzie, London, United Kingdom. Email: thedanceschool@tiscali.co.uk
Classes in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Drama.

Kella Panayi, London, United Kingdom. Email: kella-@hotmail.co.uk
I teach Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Ballet for all ages.

Nelly Baglioni, Italy. Email: saltatrixstudiodanza@yahoo.it
Danza Classica Moderna Contemporanea

Nora Woods Filewicz, Pennsylvania, USA. Email: danceteacher1@hotmail.com
Ballet teacher 3 - adults. Artistic Director SVBT in Hellertown, PA.

Ruth Cook, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Email: shufflesdanceclass@hotmail.co.uk
Classes in Tap, Street, Musical Theatre, Cheerdance, Adults Classes,18months+class ,

Kumi Mori, Belgium. Email: email@dance-kobo.net
Jazz, Aerofunk, Ballet, Modern, Karate, Detoxise(massage) and Body Activation

Gemma Self, Avon, United Kingdom. Email: gemmaself.nch@hotmail.co.uk
I.S.T.D Ballet, Modern,Tap,Jazz,National. Shows and Theatre Trips.

kay-roc , South Africa. Email: info@madstuffpro.com
Professional Hip Hop Choreographer, Producer and Actor

Heather Gerardi Owner/Director, Massachusetts, USA. Email: hhdanceacademy@yahoo.com
certified instructors ballet, tap, jazz, lyric,modern, hip hop, pointe, cheerdance & more

Yvonne Taylor-Hill, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Email: linden_cottage@yahoo.co.uk
ISTD Ballroom & Latin Disco Freestyle/Street Style Rock n Roll RAD Ballet 3yrs - Adult

Kirsty Forbes, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Email: misskirsty@ntlworld.com
Ballet, Tap & Modern classes for all ages.

Madhvi Mohindra, South Australia, Australia. Email: elegantcreation@optusnet.com.au
Indian Classical Dance, Folk Dance and Bollywood Dance

Mandy Pearce, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Email: mandyhonour@tiscali.co.uk
Ballroom, Latin American, Disco Freestyle, Rock n Roll, 3yrs - Adult

Serena Hordon, Surrey, United Kingdom. Email: serena.hordon@yahoo.com
Ballet, Modern, Jazz

Hannah Taylor, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Email: mkpolefitness@googlemail.com
We teach pole fitness to get fit, tone up and learn a new skill, on a 121 or group basis

D & S Gwynne, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Email: walkwaydancing@live.co.uk
Ballet, Tap and National dance tuition from 3 years to adult

Shelley Tookey, Alberta, Canada. Email: almost-never-at-home@shaw.ca
Offering techinical/performing training in Tap,Jazz,Ballet,Musical Theater,Hip Hop, Voice

Sabrina McCauley-Healy, Ireland. Email: famefantastic@yahoo.co.uk
Disco, Hip-Hop, Modern, Contempory, Slow Dance

AnnaDjondjorova Rockin'Angel, London, United Kingdom. Email: rockin_angel@abv.bg
I am a headmaster of 'Dancing Angels'/7-12 years old/- hip-hop, jazz ballet,ellboogie

Kelly Hudson, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Email: kellyhudson@live.co.uk
freestyle, street, pole, dance exercise, tap, belly, latin american, ballroom, old time..

Helen Keith, Malta. Email: helenkth@maltanet.net
Classical Ballet - Royal Academy of Dance

DTOL now has 6,815 members, in 95 different countries.

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