Dancin’
A few weeks ago, I took my very first dance tests through US Figure Skating. I took these eons ago, in the early 90s, when I skated under ISI. Although these are the same exact dances that I learned (and passed), US Figure Skating does not recognize my passed tests. So… I’ve had to relearn them and pass them again.
I nerded out and watched several videos and studied the dance pattern diagrams before my first dance lesson. Honestly, these didn’t take much to prepare. Most of the time was spent learning how to properly partner with my coach and ensuring that we were skating together and holding similar extensions.
We videoed these after 8-ish lessons. Hopefully I can catch on to the Pre-Bronze dances just as quickly since they would technically be refreshers for me. But then again, it’s been 30 years since I’ve skated them!
How did I do? Did I pass? Well, I took these in the Patterned Follow steps at the Adult 21+ passing standard.
Much to my relief, I passed all three dances! In fact, one judge gave me a Pass with Honors on the Dutch Waltz, and two of them gave me Pass with Honors on the Rhythm Blues. Hooray! Onto the Pre-Bronze dances!
Here are the videos I submitted:
Dutch Waltz:
Canasta Tango:
Rhythm Blues: