In order to really improve your dancing regardless of which style you choose, a regular weekly session really helps you get to grips with things.

One of the biggest obstacles that all dance teachers face is.....how to run a class that caters for all levels AND is a benefit for people that cannot get there each week.


Beginners Class
All our beginners classes use a "rotational foundation pattern system" (we couldn't think of any longer words).
This system comprises of a set number of patterns (or moves) designed for those new to the dance style - usually about 16 patterns in total. Each week we teach 3 or 4 of these patterns in the beginners class in rotation. This means that if you attend a total of 4 or 5 weeks in succession you will have covered all of the foundation patterns in that particular style.
More importantly it means that if you miss some weeks.......no problem. They will come around again.

The patterns will either be generated by ourselves or taken as advice from the leading lights in the respective styles as part of a syllabus.

Of course, teaching patterns is only one half of any dance style. The other half is made up of technique. To this end MtM have developed a syllabus for the teaching of technique for each respective style. This works on the same principle as the "foundation patterns" in that there are a core number of technical concepts that must accompany any teaching of patterns.

Coupling these patterns and techniques together gives us our class method for regular weekly classes:

FP = Foundation Pattern

Week 1 (Set1) =    FP1 , FP2, FP3 + technique

Week 2 (Set2) =    FP4, FP5, FP6 + technique

Week 3 (Set3) =    FP7, FP8, FP9 + technique

Week 4 (Set4) =   FP10, FP11, FP12 + technique

Week 5 (Set5) =   FP12, FP14, FP15, FP16 + technique

Week 6 (Set1) =   FP1, FP2......etc


What does this mean?

By adopting this approach to our beginners classes means we can cater for everyone who turns up to our classes regardless if they have been before or are brand new. It really is a 'Drop-in and Dance' approach.


Improver Class
Our Improver class is the second class that runs on a regular night. In order to be able to take part in this class we must insist that you have a basic understanding of some of the key techniques we use in our beginners class as well as at least a certain ability level to dance.

Why?

We need to make sure that everyone in the Improver class has a minimum level of understanding in order to be totally fair to the majority.
For example, if we were to teach a slightly higher level of technique in the Improver class and we have people who have never done it before then we would have to take valuable class time up recapping the material. We are more than happy to go over anything at all but preferebaly outside of a class.








Card System
In order to achieve this we employ a card system.

DONT PANIC!!!

This is just a way for you to monitor how you are getting on. Nothing more.

It works as follows:


First Class 
On arrival at your first class we will issue you with a rather fetching 'Green Card'.
Each time you attend a class we will stamp this card. 
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Sixth class
By the time you get a 6th stamp on your card you will be able to join in with the Improver class. At this point you will be issued with a yellow card. Now before you get too excited.......

....All we ask is that you grab one of us and have a quick dance. The reason we do this is to make sure you are comfortable with the basic techniques and patterns we have been teaching in the 6 weeks that you have attended. Dont worry, we are not expecting perfection. All we are looking for is that you are able to carry out at least some of the things we have taught.
Think of it as an instant private lesson!!! What better way to get one-on-one feedback from the teachers.

OF COURSE THERE IS NO PRESSURE TO MOVE UP. IF YOU DONT WANT TO THEN DONT!!!   Its entirely up to you.

N.B. Please note that this system is in place because we believe it will ultimately be of significant help to you as a tool to monitor your progress and to allow us to deliver what you need to know and when. Simply getting to the 'Red Card' level does not mean you are the best of the best. It simply means that you have reached a further level in the MtM syllabus.


Should you wish to get there a bit quicker you could always take part in a Workshop or two.


Workshops
In order to supplement our classes we run a number of Workshops. These more intensive classes cover a lot more material and are attended by a restricted number of dancers.

Our workshops are broken down into 2 categories:

Foundation Workshops

Other Workshops

If you want to get to those elusive 6 green stamps in one swoop then you can go ahead and book on a 'Foundation Workshop'. This workshop will cover all of the material you need to know in one afternoon.
After attending one of these workshops all you then need to do is grab one of us on a class night, have a bit of a dance, and then, hopefully, we can issue you with a yellow card.
Again, we are not asking for perfection. It's just so we can give you a bit of feedback before you move on.