OK, this Q is for all the latin dancers out there... The Samba is my ultimate dance, my absolute favourite. Having said that I'm sometimes a bit unsure which mood to inject into it... I know its fun, flirty, bubbly, the brazillian prty dance, all of that i know and use, but how much of which? As a teacher it is vital to know, understand and use the differences but sometimes one gets used to mixing and matching a bit too much... Any thoughts, tips or ideas will be appreciated.

I would say that if the basic elements of technique, proper to the dance, are present, then the rest comes as your personal response to the music every time. The music tells you which way to dance, and there can be no right answer, for everyone's response will be different, assuming, of course, that you are dancing at a standard where the technique is your servant and not your master.

Very very true! Eapecially the bit on technique, and I agree wholly on the music part. Thanks for your message.

Telemark. As a competition dancer or one who wishes to be correct. I think technique is your master. Samba. Does the heel touch the floor right on the beat. Or is it the ball that touches the floor on the beat. Which in that case means it must arrive fractionaly before the beat. Technique first and last as well as in-between.

Oh well, if the technique is still YOUR master, and not your servant, you might hope to improve in time.

Leading dancers are those responsible for developing the technique, which evolves as new choreography becomes established and standardised, or where style changes call for updating. Such practitioners might be dancing in competitive dancesport, or working as experienced coaches or in teaching positions, but they became the masters of their technique long before reaching the positions they now enjoy. It is only because they did master the technique that they ever rose through the ranks.

Telemark. It's not DB from NS by by any chance is it ?

What? If you mean am I someone you think you know - I very much doubt it! Not my initials, certainly.

Yes, that's what I meant - I thought I recognised your style !