Social Dancing in a time of Social Distancing: An Online Social Dance Education Revolution

Hey International Dance Family!

So last Wednesday evening literally as I was announcing a new program of weekly classes in Chicago, Trump announced the European travel ban. Within two days, I watched all of my work get canceled. Like, all of it. Event after event, studio after studio, student after student, and even myself all started closing their doors and going into self-quarantine in order to do their part in flattening curve of this novel coronavirus and protect the vulnerable members of our international community. It speaks volumes to the resilience and resourcefulness of our artists that we needed a pandemic to become unemployed. Well, sort of…

Quickly we all started moving online and trying to generate at least some income so we can stock up on food, pay our bills, weather this storm, and figure out how to get by in an industry that will surely take time to bounce back. We called on our community to help support us so we can continue to be there for them when we get through this difficult time, but while some members are able to continue working from home this for sure will affect the overall cash flow in our community, particularly among organizers who are looking at significant financial setbacks.

So I started brainstorming… On March 12, I made a post imploring the international community to support its artists as they move online. On March 13, I started sharing solo training demos from congresses (including one from ZoukMX 2019!). On March 14, I started a group to gather folks who might be up for some online classes… and within 4 hours we hit 250 members!

A week later the Apocalypse Zouk Solo Training Online Classes! group is nearing 700 members, I’ve gone live with classes twice, I’ve moved locations from a friend’s dance studio to my living room, acquired a few useful gadgets to help produce better quality content, and am off on an indefinite journey to bring you daily Zouk solo training classes every day at 4pm Chicago time (CDT)!

I’m beyond excited to not only roll out the class but also roll out two ways to personalize your training and engagement with the #ZoukGnome! I’m still working out the kinks and I am so grateful for the patience, support, and enthusiasm of so many people who signed up even before I was up and running. My goal is to not only help get you through this time but also to grow. As social dancers we tend to forget to train ourselves, so I’m offering you an opportunity to start doing that!

While you’re stuck at home, drop-in on some continuous-movement classes (basically the price of the daily latte you won’t be buying for a while), study up with class material breakdowns, solo drills, and cross training exercises in a Dropbox folder I’m adding to daily, and get some personal feedback along the way.

Once we get to the other side, I plan to continue my online program. I’ve received so many messages from people in places where there are no local classes and from students around the world both Zoukers and in other genres who are excited to have a chance to learn from me. When life dumps a bucket of lemons on you, you better make lemonade if you don’t want to eat lemons for the next few weeks!

See below for class details and join the Facebook group! I’m improving the program daily with plans to expand into leveled classes and small group trainings on Zoom, but no matter what, by golly I’m gonna bring you a class!

Just because we’re alone doesn’t mean we can’t weather this storm together. As I say probably too much: we got this yo!

Beijos e abraços,
Sydney Charisse

About the program:

DAILY ONLINE CLASS

At 4pm Chicago time (CDT) I’ll be live streaming a 60-minute zouk solo training class!
The class will be streamed in the private group. Save this link so you can find it easily. https://www.facebook.com/groups/826974374465965
Drop-in students must request access to the private group by 3pm. Be sure to answer the group question in order to be admitted to the class.
Class card holders have a private message chat to RSVP by 3pm.
If you’d like, post a short video of you doing the combo from class that day in the private group. I’ll give you a little feedback to help guide your practicing, kind of like if you were in class with me here in Chicago!
Have a yoga mat/towel/carpet handy. We do some conditioning too!

DROPBOX

In order to create a class that doesn’t stop moving, I’m putting the exercise breakdowns in a Dropbox folder. I’m also including some extra goodies like mini-workouts and dancer self care tips, and while I’ll keep adding to it you can get access forever!

FEEDBACK

I know this is a hard time for everyone but I don’t want to let that stop you from getting the most out of your online learning! If you’d like me to take a look at something you’re working on (solo or partnered) you can send me a video via messenger or we can schedule a 5-minute live chat session!

PRIVATE LESSONS

Want a longer coaching session? PM me to book a virtual private lesson!

Pricing:

$25 – Dropbox access (please include your email in the payment memo so I can add you!)
$25 – 6-class “card”
$25 – 6 feedback session package
$5 – single class
$5 – single feedback session

Payments must be made in advance of all services

Venmo: @sydney-zouks
PayPal: sydney.zouks [at] gmail.com
Revolut: PM for details