Thought that I was a pretty good lead until I started taking with this new latin teacher. Now my partner after experiencing his leads tells me that I really need to work on my leads. I practice my leads with him and it feels totally different that with a lady partner. I am now spending about 15 to 20 minutes of my lessons on leading (he is my partner) basic syllabus patterns. This is something that I can't practice solo or with a amateur female partner or even a female pro probably couldn't help me unless she is extremely-extremely good. I feel stuck practicing leading with a guy pro. and don't particularly like not having a lady to dance with.

Any of you guys think you have excellent leads, if so, how did you develop it, who helped you, any short cuts or exercises, any ideas, how can I get or find a good female pro to help?

All the ladies really rave about this new pros leading and dancing. I am an amateur guy and know that I will never be comparable to what took him 20 years to do. He says leading correctly is like martial arts--using balance and momentum to your advantage. I can see many many lessons mounting up on the art of leading--oh well.

I was recently told that in order to be a good leader I also need to be a good follower. This is what all the teachers have to do and why most can lead well. Same goes for a good follower--she needs to be a leader too.
My next few lessons I plan on getting my pro partner to lead me.

Int. Rumba is probably the hardest dance to lead and follow correctly. It really tests your leading with the delayed walks, hockey stick, sharp turns, hip twists and etc. If one can lead Int. Rumba well everything else should be easier.

As a follower, let me thank you for devoting that time to learning to lead! It will pay off in appreciation from the ladies you dance with!

But I do think you should practice what you are learning with your pro with an amateur, at least once you feel you have a handle on what he's teaching you. Every lady will feel different, and few of them will be as well-balanced and responsive as your pro (unless he is "playing hard to lead" to tach you how to cope with les than perfect followers). A good leader needs to be able to adjust to each follower (just as followers need to adjust to each leader).

It will be hard to find a female pro who knows the nuances of leading as well as a man who has been doing it all the time for years and years. However, the best lead at my studio is a female pro who has been dancing, competing, and teaching for 20 years. So if you're looking for a female pro, look for oen who has been teaching for a long time.

Ask the female dancers you know who is the best female pro leader they know (most of us have had occasion in lessons or classes to be led by female pros).