1st lesson free
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Oz
- Rate L406
- Response 1h
-
Students50+
Number of students Oz has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
Number of students Oz has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
L406/hr
Contact
1st lesson free
- Dance
- Jazz Dancing
- Ballroom Dance
- Swing dance
Experienced tutor in Dance in New Orleans, Oz offers private lessons tailored to your needs.
- Dance
- Jazz Dancing
- Ballroom Dance
- Swing dance
Lesson location
About Oz
We specialize in Urban Swing Dance. Oz Cooper, Founder and Lead Instructor is Veteran, who was a Designated Navy Master Training Specialist before he received his GSDTA certified Dance Instructor credential in 2012.. We teach, timing, rhythm, connection & musicality. Who Dat Steppers uses partner dancing as a platform to promote team & relationship building and role modeling with emphasis on respectful co-ed interaction, acceptable public, social behavior & etiquette.
I began teaching in the U.S. Navy in 1987 as a Weapons Systems Computer Technician Instructor at Combat Systems Technical Schools Command (CSTSC) in Mare Island, CA. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1991, I was a basic computer operating systems and applications teacher at the Vallejo Unified School District Adult Education School.
I'm a certified Dance Instructor, by the Golden State Dance Teachers Association (GSDTA). I have over 10 years of classroom experience as a Navy Designated Master Training Specialist, Adult Learning Instructor and Swing Dance Instructor.
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About the lesson
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- +2
levels :
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Professional
Children
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
Every class begins with a demonstration of the basic moves of the dance, followed by a brief history and origin of the dance. By the end of the class all of the fundamentals covered in the demonstration are reviewed and executed by the students.
I have worked with a diverse student body ranging from teenagers to seniors, to hearing impaired and mentally challenged people of different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
My primary advice for students seeking dance instruction would be to find out how much, if any teaching experience they have. My own experience as a student has taught me that there are some great and accomplished dancers teaching in the Urban Swing Dance community. A few are very good at teaching what they know about their particular dance using there specific teaching techniques, knowledge, and experience. Most cannot readily transfer those skills and abilities between various types of dancing in general and swing/partner dances in particular.
A very telling question about the knowledge of the instructor is to ask them if they teach timing, rhythm, and musicality. If the answer is yes, and they never discuss or can't explain the difference between counting steps and counting beats, that is an example of limited knowledge or expertise of their art form. This does not make them a bad or unqualified instructor. What it means is that if you don't possess a natural ability to hear & dance to beats of music, they may be limited in helping you attain this skill if you're like 90% of the people who take a dance class. As a student an immediate clue is when you hear an instructor say, as I have, "you gotta feel the beat (flow, grove)". That's useless information for a person who is rhythmically challenged.
My most recent event that I'm very fond of would be my participation in the 1st Annual CitizenFest in New Orleans sponsored by Citizen University, March 11-12, 2018. My students and I showcased our dance in a play promoting health and fitness. We also did a demonstration and audience participation breakout session. It was fun and entertaining for all.
A few things worth thinking about before reaching out
The biggest questions I think students should think through about swing/partner dancing is why do you want to learn how to dance. Is it just for fun (social dancing), networking (personal or business), competition ("Dancing with the Stars"), or professionally (as an instructor or in a production). Just remember that it is a very disciplined art form like ballet or playing an instrument. (If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.) It requires commitment, patience, and practice to master, especially if you don't possess natural abilities that very few of the general populace have. But it is the most fun, rewarding, exciting, and healthy experience and lifestyle you'll ever participate in.
Along with that I would include, whatever your motivation for taking the class is, focus on having fun, learning, and being respectful; the rest will work itself out.
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Rates
Rate
- L406
Pack prices
- 5h: L2030
- 10h: L4060
free lessons
The first free lesson with Oz will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
online
- L406/h
Details
The current pricing system is as follows:
Walk-ins -$10/class
Monthly Advance Discount - $35/mo
Semi-Annual Advance Discount - $180 or ($30/mo avg)
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