Dancing Style: emotional, free and unbound

Joel and Clara believe that true ballroom dancing is centred around the connection and sensitivity between a man and a woman.  It is not just about memorizing steps and making them work, but rather it’s a conversation between two bodies in harmony with the music.  Joel and Clara believe that through hard work and enthusiasm, everybody can express themselves through freedom of movement and limitless emotion.

Teaching Style: positive, flexible and open-minded

Joel and Clara are very positive and open-minded teachers.  As each individual and/or couple has their own strengths and weaknesses, they each have their own pace of development.  Therefore, a good teacher will not have the same teaching style for every student.  A good teacher will tailor their approach to suit your learning ability and your particular learning style. 

Having studied Organizational Behaviour and Occupational Therapy in University, Joel and Clara are equipped with the skills of observation and analysis of different personalities and skill levels on and off the dance floor.  They are able to assess people’s strengths and weaknesses to provide the right level of challenge. 

The Individual versus the Team.

Joel and Clara strongly believe that each member of the team must contribute to the partnership.  Instead of believing that each couple is only as strong as the weakest link, Joel and Clara would rather focus on strengthening both links to their fullest potential.  They believe in positive reinforcement and teamwork through support and encouragement. 

Although the couple must work together as a team in the end, Joel and Clara believe in strengthening the individual.  The only way that you’ll be able to improve is if you develop your own individual skills, rather than relying on your partner. 

Holistic training for the mind, body and spirit.

True enjoyment and success in dance can only be achieved if your entire mind, body and spirit are focused and dedicated to the experience.

At the beginning you need to understand the basic technique of your individual steps; and then understand how your steps fit together with your partner’s to achieve harmony within the figures.  After going through the intellectual process of understanding how everything works, it is then time to challenge and develop your body's coordination.  The development of physical coordination is achieved most effectively through a specific series of exercises that challenge both the individual and the couple.

As the dancer’s physical and technical abilities grow, so too must their musical and emotional awareness.  Being able to work with teachers that recognize the importance of all three aspects will enable any student, no matter what level or goal, to find success.