The following information is published with ROUNDALAB's permission from the ROUNDALAB Reference Manual compiled by Richard & Jo Ann Lawson, 1987.

Round Dance Teaching as Teamwork

Lambert Knox and Leila Pennell
San Francisco, California

It takes two to make a round dance teaching team and both should be equally involved in the teaching process. Equality, in any endeavor, usually produces a less problematical operation and certainly when teaching rounds it's great to know there are two sets of eyes and ears on the job, ready to recognize and help in a situation. Even Roundalab must have taken this into consideration when they set up the membership. They don't have a teacher and an associate or helper. They are both round dance teachers. Most other leaders we've talked with on this subject agree that true teamwork is necessary to cover the many responsibilities extending far beyond the verbal instruction. When one is involved on stage behind the mike, the other can sound the hall. Consider the bookwork involved. One part of a teaching couple can't possibly take care of the attendance list and the money coming in plus giving undivided attention to the actual talking and teaching. Both, however, will work out a dance and be responsible for its proper presentation.

Although there are a few individuals teaching round dancing and cueing without a regular partner, we believe they are in the minority. As a rule, they handle the teaching and cueing differently, with assistance from the class or they have different partners for different nights. From personal experience we know that you can get the job done under these circumstances, but it's not nearly as satisfactory. The desired empathy just isn't there between the two of you as it can be when you are a constant team.

We believe the fact that round dance teaching is teamwork should be reflected in the advertising flyers put out for classes, club dances, festivals and conventions. The club officers or public relations people should realize the importance of advertising the cueing as being handled by both partners. Even though they hire a couple for a dance and perhaps hear only one person that night because no actual teaching is required, there should be no doubt that it does take two to cover the activity and to make it work.

The same principle applies at the end of the evening. When the round dance teacher or cuer is being thanked, the accolades should go to both the teacher and the partner. Often couples split it right down the middle with one doing the teaching and the other doing the cueing. Both are equally capable in their own right and if they had to switch, she could teach just as well as he and vice versa. This also provides the added advantage of a ready backup in case of emergency. As in everything, after stating the positives and underlining the rules, there is always the exception, and one of the things that should not be split down the middle, in our opinion, is the leading. In round dance teaching the cues go to the men and the ladies are generally opposite footing, consequently it's wise for the instructor to know both parts. However, for good, smooth dancing on the floor, only the man should lead.

The Value of Splitting Couples

When teaching rounds to beginners, we often find it advantageous to split up couples. This helps to eliminate arguments and since people usually are on their best behavior with others they also tend to be more receptive to learning. Round dance leaders whose expertise and credibility rest on skillful teamwork must continually relate to each other. Basically, there's no difference between a single teaching couple and a married one. We might have a little more difficulty getting together to practice, but that's all. When we get out on the floor to teach, we are a couple. You're not likely to ever see a round dance teacher out teaching a dance by himself or herself, and we stress the importance of realizing that single or married, to teach round dancing, it takes two. You can't overlook the togetherness.

Square Dancing, October, 1983