LFMR social dance lessons

Left Feet Made Rightsm
American social dance instruction utilizing
the evolving Universal Unit System tm

Taught in sequential levels by Gregory Parmerton, certified teacher with the
Golden State Dance Teachers Association.

Teacher training with Peter DiFalco 1990 - 2000.
Teacher training with Skippy Blair 1994 - 2003
Teacher training with Ricardo Moncada 2005
Left Feet Made Right registered business in 1995.

My basic approach to teaching:

"If the student didn't learn the material; it's not their fault, it's the teacher's."
"Everyday I teach, I learn as much from my students as they do from me."

I am an independent teacher (not in the employment of a dance studio) and teach out of many rental studios in Manhattan. I book my own lessons directly so call me rather than the studio. To contact me email or telephone (631) 875-3764 for an appointment. Private lessons may be arranged in your home (providing space allows) and small group classes (four students minimum) can be arranged as well at various venues.

A quick example of a teaching concept:
Stand up and take an ordinary rubber ball (ie: tennis ball) and listen to a selection of music. Count out the mini phrases of eight. Try to make the ball contact the floor on the musical count of "1" on each mini phrase.
As you gain a little accuracy you will notice an interesting effect:
You must prepare your drop of the ball with a movement prior to the count of one to have it arrive at it's destination on time.

Now try this count "+a1+a2+a3+a4+a5+a6+a7+a8" (the rolling count) and notice how your timing and accuracy are increased with a preparation that occurs on the +a PRIOR to the count of one. Now visualize an Orchestra Conductor lifting their arm with a breath PRIOR to starting the piece of music, that IS valid metered timing. To teach someone how to move into a space on the desired count you must explain the prior (preparation) movements as well. All movement starts from your "Center" in a controlled manner.

Consider the part of your body that forms a continuous band, front and back, between the bottom of your rib cage and the line across your hipbones, this is your "center" (physically speaking). Correct technique in dancing requires you to maintain control through a strong, stretched and supple center. The benefits of this training are a trimmer waist and flatter belly; it means better posture and a more regal carriage. A properly developed center supports all movement and will mean less fatigue and will lower your incidence of back pain and injury in everyday duties away from dance.

Concentration, control, centering, economical flowing movement, precision and breathing are the cornerstones of good technique. Dance "figures" and "patterns" are just suggestions, good technique creates creative dancing from your soul in any dance.

Who taught me?

Dance lessons are something many Brides and Grooms think about as they prepare for their wedding - especially for the first dance at the reception. The decision to take dance lessons is different for each couple. The main thing is to get to a point where you’re comfortable dancing in front of others. At first the thought of dancing alone - in front of everyone - can be a little intimidating. So, if you’re not comfortable dancing, but still want to have a first dance it’s probably a good idea to take a few lessons.

Sometimes there’s a bit of a hurdle to overcome to get started with dance lessons. I’ve had couples that wanted to have some fun with their first dance and I’ve gone so far as to working out a specific routine for their first dance. I worked with a very nice couple (Jim and Diane) that did exactly that. The groom was not much of a dancer. In fact, he wasn’t a dancer at all…and his friends knew it! So, here’s what they did…

Jim and Diane worked out a schedule to take dance lessons to prepare for their first dance together. They decided on the song “You and I” and worked to develop a great little single rhythm waltz routine. They came in for their Grand Entrance and went straight into their first dance. To say the least, everyone was surprised and cheered as they danced! Jim and Diane had a great time with their first dance, and their friends and families loved it too!

Most times I try to teach a couple how to move together simply with the leader actually leading directions to the follower, this way if they forget their routine or dance moves, they can still dance and no one will know the better of it. The added advantage of this approach is that the couple can dance together for the rest of their lives, not just for one day. Dancing is a wonderful recreation and a chance to share time together.