I have always understood that being a strong dancer requires first being a committed student. My early influences included Dave Getty and Mike Haley, both members of the UCWDC Hall of Fame. From them, I was introduced not just to steps or patterns, but to the joy of movement, how dance can feel smooth, intentional, and expressive when the body works with the music rather than against it. That foundation shaped how I approached learning from the very beginning.
Like most beginners, my early focus was on accumulation of dance moves. I wanted to learn as many moves as possible, believing that the more moves I used the higher I would rank in a dance. I took pride in remembering sequences and showing them on the dance floor. Over time, however, I began to realize that something was missing. Despite knowing more moves, my dancing did not feel better. That realization marked a turning point in my growth as a student.
One of the most uncomfortable but transformative lessons came when I recognized that technical skill and teaching ability are not the same thing. About two-thirds into my dance journey, I understood that just because someone is an accomplished dancer, or even a champion, does not mean they can effectively communicate how they achieve their movement. I had spent time trying to replicate results without understanding the underlying mechanics, which led to frustration and stalled progress.
Learning how to practice effectively…
Learning how to practice effectively became a lesson in discernment. Every teacher has a different teaching style, and not every style works for every student. I learned the hard way that if instruction does not resonate, progress slows. Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees, and dancers can end up spinning their wheels, repeating the same mistakes without knowing why. Finding the right teacher, and asking the right questions, changed everything for me.
Remaining a student has shaped how I listen to other dancers. West Coast Swing is constantly evolving alongside modern music, and staying current requires humility and openness. I continue learning, attending workshops, observing trends, and refining fundamentals. I model curiosity, patience, and long-term thinking, always trusting but verifying new techniques before fully adopting them.
Because I understand frustration from the inside, I can guide students through it rather than around it. My mentorship helps dancers develop learning literacy, how to learn, how to question, and how to grow sustainably, so they do not just progress faster, but progress with confidence.
