Tracks, Goals and Levels
Tracks
We are offering 3 different tracks:
Full Track: This is the all-inclusive track that includes all Balboa and Slow classes (level of your choice), the Balboa Rueda, the VBLE Brunch and all parties.
Single Track: This track includes Balboa OR Slow classes (level of your choice), the Balboa Rueda (for Balboa Single Track), the VBLE Brunch and all parties.
Party Pass: This includes all parties (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and can be optionally booked with or without the VBLE Brunch.
Goals
We all have the habit to put ourselves in categories like “intermediate”, “advanced”….
And you probably already guessed it: The majority of us aims to be “advanced” – which is a great incentive for us to learn more! But the downside is that we often misjudge our own skills – and quite often we are overconfident and not too happy if we are being put in a “lower” level.
Therefore, this year, we are introducing “Goals”. To us it is more important WHAT you want to achieve when you are attending classes and learning.
Do you want to just have fun and learn something more on the superficial side? Are you more nerdy and want to go down every technical rabbit hole? Are you more the competitive type?
What is your GOAL?
On Friday, we now introduced a “Goal” setting session where you will define your goals and perform a self-assessment of your level of dancing skills, while interacting with your fellow dancers.
OUR GOAL for VBLE is to create a safe, cozy, familial space and environment, where the feeling of community and happiness is more important than performance and competition.
A happy grin on our faces weighs much more to us than a medal for having won something.
Levels
In total, there are 3 levels for Balboa and 2 Levels for each Laminu and SlowBal.
Only for the “Free Climber/VERY Advanced”-level, you need to attend an audition where you will be evaluated by our teachers.
So why, you might ask, do we not audition every level?
Because it is our deep belief that putting the evaluation, decision AND responsibility in the hands of 4-6 persons (a.k.a. the Teachers) is the wrong way. Yes, it seems easier.
But our Goal is to empower you as dancers and persons, to build up self-responsibility.
If you would audition yourself, what would be your own verdict?
Therefore, except for Free Climbers, you can attend the classes/level that seems suitable for you based on your self-assessment of Goals and Levels on Friday evening.
Hiker (aka Intermediate, II, 2,…)
The metaphor: You enjoy to hike through forests and already discovered higher grounds. To walk on a hill once and a while is something you like, however you prefer to go back to flat again in order to catch your breath.
In short: This usually refers to an intermediate level – so you are not a total beginner, but are fine with the basic dancing vocabulary of Balboa, Laminu and/or SlowBal and enjoy dancing these dances whenever you can.
Climber (aka Advanced, III, 3,…)
The metaphor: You already have a good technique to survive in the wild, and you are not afraid of the work and sweat that comes with climbing up that steep hill. Your virtues: perseverance and inquisitiveness. And you love it.
In short: This usually refers to an advanced level. You have a solid skill set of technique, movement and have a good amount of Balboa, Laminu and/or SlowBal dancing experience. Now you want to push yourself further, fearless of new challenges.
Free Climber (aka VERY Advanced, IV, 4,…) – Balboa Only, based on Audition
This level is for all of you who have very profound dancing skills, solid technique, musicality throughout different speeds. You can apply for the audition to this level, but not directly register, as your dancing skills will be evaluated by the teachers for admittance to this level. The audition will take place on Friday between 20.30-21.30 at Tanzschule Schwebach.
Please note that nevertheless, for all levels, teachers can perform a short evaluation of the participant’s dance skills at the beginning of each class to make sure everyone is in the right level.
VBLE Teachers are entitled to suggest to/ask dancers to switch level if required – this will make sure that our participants have a maximum benefit of the class content. So if you are asked to attend a different level, please respectfully comply, as this is not meant in a negative way, but for your own good.
