In our excitement we tend to forget that when we attend a dance workshop there are certain courtesies and etiquette. Here are a few things to remember when attending a workshop so it can be enjoyable for all.
- BE ON TIME. It’s disruptive to the rest of the class when others arrive late. If arriving late to a workshop, please be aware that it is not polite to stand in front of other students who were there first. Late arrivals should move to the rear of the class.
- Please turn off your cell phone!
- When arriving at a workshop, it’s ok to “mark” your place on the floor with your bag, hip scarf, notebook, water bottle, etc. but if the workshop starts and you haven’t returned in time, Don't be upset if your spot has been taken and your items moved aside.
- Please do not leave your things in the middle of the floor once the workshop begins. People may trip on them. Leave your items on the side of the room and go to that spot to write your notes. If you are the kind of person that writes a lot of notes, it may be best if you choose a spot closest to the edge, so you are not walking back and forth in front of people to get to your notebook.
- Please do NOT wear a coin scarf or noisy bangles or jingly jewelry. This is a dance workshop, not a performance. Anything noisy can distract you and others. Everyone wants to hear what the instructor is saying.
- Please refrain from talking over the instructor when other students are trying to hear. Even if you are in the back of the room or right outside of the room, please be aware that we may be able to hear you.
- Please do not try to instruct other students; that is the job of the instructor.
- Position yourself at a dance workshop relative to your dance experience. In an article in Middle Eastern Dancer, international dance star, Horacio Cifuentes, commented on differences between American and European dance classes. He said European dance students begin their training in the back of the room and earn their positions in the front. This is a good idea. if a classroom is large, students may not always be able to see the teacher and will watch students in front of them. if you feel confident that you will be able to catch on quickly and perform movements accurately, try to grab a spot up front. However, if you are a beginning student or do not grasp movements quickly, you will probably be more comfortable dancing toward the back of the room.
- Be aware of your dance space and others dance space. Try not to bump into or enter another dancers dance space.
- If you are lucky enough to have mirrors at the location of the workshop, please be courteous of the dancers next to you and directly behind you. They are trying to see themselves too. It's not all about you, this is a group class, not a private lesson.
- If the teacher is trying to demonstrate for the class, watch! Don't do it with them. This is the time for you to pay attention to the instructor.
- Please ask the workshop host and/or the workshop instructor's permission before taking photos. It's just common courtesy. And by no means should you record either in audio and/or video without permission.
- Lastly, have fun! Smile and enjoy yourself. Let's make this an enjoyable experience for everyone. Happy shimmies. :-)
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