Hi,
Could the champions of the past face the champions of the present?

That's an excellent question. Most of the time I think no, because dancing has changed so much both stylistically and athletically. But maybe if you took some of the great champions of the past at their peak and put them up against today's dancers and restricted everyone to basic figures, it might be a different story.

Depends on who is judging. The very best panels still used today, probably yes. But the panel of a typical competition? The old masters wouldn't even make the semifinal.

I find it an interesting question too as we study with 2 teachers in different eras.

Teacher A: 70, former national champion, ISTD Fellow/Examiner/Life Member, 7 times judge at the world championships.

He lives elsewhere but visits here about every 2 months for about a week. We take as much time as possible with him when he's here and he's coaching me on an ISTD and CDTA certification exam.

His philoshy: It's all about what you do first that gets the lady moving. If the man does everything correctly essentially the lady has no choice but to follow correctly.

Teacher B: 36, new to Canada, trained in Russia, competing at Championship levels and aiming for BlackPool.

Philosophy (and style): He places more emphasis on the lady's contribution. An over simplification but whoever is on the outside of turn is the leader. The lady therefore takes a more positive responsibility for her own steps.

If I were to make a barely knowledgeable comparison I'd say Teacher A's style is more graceful while B's is more athletic. So is it Dance or DanceSport?

I will say that there is an inherent level of less stress in teacher A's approach which I prefer and think should be.

But I'm getting something from both.

OB

Operabob. Wouldn't you say that if yesterdays dancers were dancing today, they would be dancing as today. And if todays dancers were there in the past they would not be any difference to those around them.From the past I think one could go no further than Wally Fryer or Len Scrivener. Especially Wally who was the first to say and teach that the lady should be more to the mans right, and not stuck in front.
We owe the same man a vote of thanks for the Scatter Chasses and the re -born Charlston Steps which were his own in the Quickstep.

Don,

I don't really consider myself knowledgeable or expert enough to really comment.

I think you make a great point though. It all comes down to your teachers and if there's a style prevalent that's what you're exposed to and that's what you learn.

Our 70 year old always points out that there is no one true way and what ever he gives us must be worked on, modified and adapted to us personally.

Anecdote: I emceed our competition last year and our 70 year old teacher was one of the judges. After hours of judging I think he became a bit frustrated by the level on the floor. During a break for general dancing he asked one of the well known teacher/judges from Vancouver to dance during a break. She's half his age and dances the newer style. She'd never danced with him before. From the stage I watched this incredible look of surprise and joy on her face as he had her flying across the floor.

He truly leads.

OB

Operabob,
"She's half his age and dances the newer style. She'd never danced with him before. From the stage I watched this incredible look of surprise and joy on her face as he had her flying across the floor."

Operabob. Beautifully wrote. Laura. Oh! how interesting that would be!!

The 70 year old teacher is Patrick Bovaird of Montreal. Born in Ireland but raised in Scotland.

It never ceases to amaze me his understanding of how the body moves. I'm sure different teachers have different conceptions and opinions but working with Pat is a real eye-opener.

Lessons can be very interesting as he follows us around the floor laughing his head offf devilishly at what I'm doing. My wife, of course, thinks this is very funny. But he always has an instant solution.

If he's not quite sure how I managed to create a new permutation he'll be off in the corner twisting and contorting himself trying to recreate for himself how I just destroyed his favourite step.

Then we'll be in a group pre-champ class and Pat will emphasize something we're all doing wrong by making direct eye contact with me. I told him I was going to start coming to class with a target painted on my back. LOL!

OB

Just came back from the Canadian Closed 10 Dance Championships.

Friends of ours who also started taking lessons from the younger teacher about a year ago won two divisions.

They had never won anything before.

OB