Back by OUTRAGEOUS DEMAND
The Matt & Crystal AAAuclair Intensive Dance CAMP!!!
In all my dance travels, there is NO group of people more SPECIAAAL than the Torontoes!
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| Elaine with Tim Munsie |
A few years ago, my dear friend, Elaine Royds, shared her brilliant vision of a dance intensive featuring Matt & Crystal Auclair for 5 days of NON-STOP dancing.
It was 2013 and I was the 1st person to write a check!
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED MORE OF:
communities helping themselves.
.
i.e., CAnAdiAn Ingenuity!!!
THE AAAuclair Intensive is held in Ancaster, about 40 mi. south of Toronto, (in Canada) which is a suburb near Lake Ontario.
Being so near Niagara Falls, there's lots of outdoor stuff to do. Everything is lush and fresh. Lovely hiking trails and waterfalls pop up out of nowhere.
The lake shore is dotted with charming little villages filled with unique shops and cafes.
Parks and lakeside paths offer accessible waterfront areas.
The first year of camp I took the whole week off for vacation and drive around to photo the landscape.
A lot of us Americans are not educated well enough and don't have a useful concept of geography. So, I never really ever heard about this place before.
The event hotel was located in nearby Hamilton, Ontario at the Admiral Inn (about a 10 min drive from the event location). This was such a great place!
We were right across the street from Lake Ontario and the area had a very European feel to it. Sort of the "Fawlty Towers" of Toronto!
I actually arrived at 6am after getting stuck in a looooong line at the border.
(Interestingly, no one was waiting to get into America.)
There were 2 lines and only mine was slow. Naturally. When I finally got to the front after a coupla hours, it turned out that there was a "special" reason.
The border agent was a BIG Schwarzenegger kinda guy ... in a uniform that seemed dying to be set FREE!!!
When he spoke, his muscles shimmied in the unique way of the French. And when he said "Bon Jour" ... Pepe LePew came rolling off his tongue. I wanted to get a picture but I was afraid of getting arrested.
I don't even remember if this guy was good looking ... and it didn't matter. My hormones were confused and I had enough trouble just trying to hand over my passport.
All I know is, suddenly I was in no hurry!!!
This year my charming roomies were Catherine Jones of Ottawa (I was very happy to get to know Cathy better) and a new friend, Yvonne Williams of Michigan.
What a Great coupla BROADS!
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| Ava & John with Morris Sartell & Barbara Saul |
The hotel has a very nice cafe and on Saturday morning I found my dear friends Ava McLeod and John McKenny.
What a great way to start our dancing holiday!
Spots for followers fill up fast and the only way to get into the camp is by bringing a leader. At the start of camp, John was there under duress.
However, he soon realized the value of the experience!
John said: "Man, oh man! I thought this was gonna to be a bunch of sitting around and listening to stuff. Instead it is really good! We worked all the time. It felt great!"
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| Dr. Randy & Rita Betro |
We headed off to find our wonderful Torontoes cheerily dancing away at the Marshall Memorial United Church.
Rita Betro said “After my 1st dance camp, I got a lot of comments on the improvement of my WCS dancing. The dynamic Auclairs alongside Debbie Figueroa have again created a supportive and intensive 5 day program that is uniquely progressive to each of us and the collective group. They also made learning super fun.”
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| Matt with Barbara Saul & Morris Sartell |
At this camp, attendees must be evaluated and placed in the appropriate classes.
Usually it's done in a private audition.
This year, however, we simply danced the afternoon away as Matt, Chrystal and Debbie walked around and evaluated us.
Barbara Saul said "I love the individual attention to the little details of each of our unique dance situations. I really felt that my skills were fairly and constructively critiqued."
Later on we received our class assignments which indicated which classes were were assigned and given optional additions.
Classes were offered in Connectivity, Spins, Musicality, Quality of Movement and Drills.
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| Jean Polychenko demonstrating with Debbie |
This was hands-on ... not a lecture series. We learned by doing.
The BIG highlight however, was the hour of coached practice sessions mid-day and again in the evening!
Matt & Crystal and Debbie were on the floor watching us practice with each other and offering their assistance.
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| Crystal Coaching Rita & Colin Hahn |
We were told to pick one thing to concentrate on at a time. Sometimes they would work with us one-on-one. And sometimes we could approach and ask questions.
Each day we scheduled a 5 minute private with one of the teachers to ask a specific question.
Rita Wohl said “My 3rd time around …
this camp just keeps getting better and better. The individual feedback and coached
practices are priceless. This year’s recommended optional classes were not only
valuable but showed that the instructors were sincerely focused on strengthening
our dance skills. As always, such a fun and supportive learning environment and
experience.”
As the days progressed, we reviewed the previous material and added on.
The Connectivity lessons tackled a HUGE issue in this dance.
We learned more about creating stretch by refining our first step. (A never ending work in progress.)
Andrea Oslou said “The 1st time in my few years of west coast swing that we danced more than listened. It is a DANCE CAMP – not a seminar on dance. Makes a huge difference. Loved all 3 teachers, kudos to Elaine … very well run.”
We drilled, Drilled and DRILLED ... and our teachers were always on hand to catch us in the act of committing former crimes!
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| Spins Drills with Steve James, Phil Sands, Elaine Royds & Alexandra Jakubowski |
Lessons on Spins were particularly useful.
We've all seen these difficult turns in routines but had no idea how to execute. Especially trying to twirl on one foot!
Matt handed one foot turns over to Debbie. He felt that she had quite the knack for teaching this difficult skill.
Leaders were taught how to properly initiate the 1 foot spin (a skill sorely lacking!) Most leaders think all they need to do is raise their hand. That's why followers have to throw their leg around like a shotput.
Also, leaders were taught about to add the Matt Auclair specialty spin to their own repertoire.
Followers were taught how to follow thru and that the 1st spin is their responsibility. Truthfully, it was the chance to practice with leaders that made this effort useful.
But, in the beginning, we must have looked like a bunch of drunks!!!
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| Matt Teaching Musicality |
The Musicality workshops were extremely insightful. We worked on developing the ability to respond to other instruments in the song as well as tempo changes.
We got a clue about what do when a cool sound pops up on the music, like saxophone, the piano or even the triangle.
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| Colin Hahn & Miki Goldsmith |
Best of all, Matt introduced the concept of "hard-soft."
He showed us how to infuse dance with contrast and to take hitting a break one step further by completing with a soft action.
Colin Hahn said “Seeing Matt TWERK is worth the price of admission!”
At the end of the 5 days, we were assessed privately which we video'd ourselves.
Last year, just about everyone from the Dance Camp who also attended the Toronto Open Swing & Hustle Championships, placed in at least one division.
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| Alexandra with Greg Polychenko |
In particular ... Alexandra Jakubowski won 1st place in the Intermediate Jack n' Jill .
This girl blossomed at the camp. We watched her bud on day one and fully flower over the 5 days ... like a night blooming orchid! Alex is now Advanced and teaching.
Alex said: "Dance camp is probably the single best thing I’ve done to help my development. Matt & Crystal and Debbie have amazing content and took a personal interest in our development over the 5 days, and helped us implement it all correctly. Guided practice sessions where they walked around and corrected our technique, gave helpful musical hints, and answered questions, is something I’ve never found anywhere else and I've grown as a dancer thanks to this experience. A well-run, great concept - can’t wait to sign up next year!"
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| Claire McDowell and Joanna Swanson |
Many of us were great friends before Intensive began because we are alumnus from last year.
Or we see each other all the time at events.
But, THIS Camp cemented our bonds.
Joanna Swanson said: “This is my 3rd
year at this camp. Every year it evolves & grows into a better version.
There is no other Intensive like it and I get so much information every time.
It’s amazing to watch 60 people improve noticeably in 5 days.”
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| Lunch at Brasse with Cathy Jones, Yvonne Williams, John McKenny, Ava McLeod and me |
We all grouped together together to travel – whether to the lesson location – or meals. We took care of each other.
There are a few special dance communities that I've discovered in my travels.
The Torontoes are always at the top of my list ... like a BIG and gentle floating vine spread over the city – bursting with lovely CHEERY tomatoes!
Ziv (left with Giselle Jagai) said: "This is the only place where you can see actual huge improvement from the beginning to the end of the event!"
Meet my pal Joanna Swanson.
She is a teacher and DJ in the Toronto area. This girl is responsible for everything that I am today.
After three years in the north eastern region ... where dance becomes an object of suffering ... I met Jo, who directed me to the mid-west and showed me where to go and who to work with. Otherwise, I probably would have given up.
By the way, Jo DJ'd at camp and was outta-site!!!
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| Joanna Swanson and Sue Kleinschmidt |
Upon requesting quotes from the attendees after the event, the most INTERESTING phenomena occurred.
It appears that most people were touched on a personal and emotional level.
During the experience our feet were often sore and many were soooo tired ... at times we wished this event would please end!!!
What remains are those moments of epiphany ...
and feeling the kindness from Matt & Crystal and Debbie because they really get how hard this whole thing is for some of us.
Sue Kleinschmidt said "Debbie Figueroa is an exceptional addition to the dynamic duo of Matt & Crystal."
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| Debbie & Laura Cancela |
Debbie was a heaven sent AAAngel.
She cared for every student regardless of level or ability.
Attendees remarked again and again about how kind and patient she was for them.
Understand, people spend a significant portion of their lives bogged down in responsibility and hardship.
Those of us who are older ... have fostered change in the world that enabled this generation to have more creative options.
But what about us? Don't we deserve the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of our labor?
Dance camp is our chance to just be dancers and forget about the rest of our lives. We develop our skills more fully and have the opportunity to experience a few high notes.
And we have Elaine to thank for this opportunity!
Kate Richardson (left) said: My 3rd Intensive has added so much ... from basics to mind-blowing musicality. The coached practice is worth its weight in gold.
And, oh yes, it's fun!"
Besides being the brilliant creator the AAAuclair Dance Camp ... Elaine Royds is also behind the wildly popular monthly dance venue ...
Elaine's Ancaster
WCS Dance.
This is the BIG monthly Saturday night DO that everyone looks forward to in Toronto which is usally DJ's by Joanna Swanson (and the lesson is taught by her, as well).
Toronto is a HOTBED of WCS!
Check out Tuesday nights with Julie Epplett at her weekly venue...
Shelly Saxena also has a weekly venue:
"West Coast Swing Sundays"
At Rhythm and Motion in Toronto – including workshops and a dance.
Local dancers speak highly of Shelly which tells me how popular and successful she is becoming.
This 5 DAY INTENSIVE provided a MIRAAACULOUS OPPORTUNITY to help us develop our craft.
Matt & Crystal and Debbie get how much it is possible to suffer in the wake of this dance ... which is supposed to be fun.
Liz McB (left with Dr.Randy) said "I can't thank you enough, Debbie, for coming to teach us ad share the week with us. You were terrific!"
Matt, Crystal and Debbie all have a great track record of developing dance students.
In their travels, however, they encounter communities that don't have this caliber of teachers available regularly.
Emily Pike said "The amazing combined teaching of Debbie, Crystal and Matt was just what I needed to get me inspired with West Coast Swing again."
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| Matt with Cathy Jones |
West coast swing can be a tough dance. Many communities have experienced frustration in trying to offer opportunities to its members to keep growing as dancers.
Success and enjoyment is possible.
It takes working with people like Debbie Figueroa and the AAAclairs ...
pushing yourself through Intensives and workshops …
private lessons with GOOD teachers ...
participating on teams and in ProAm Strictlies and ProAm Routines when possible.
You know what? This is WORK! Not the slavery that we must do Monday thru Friday to make somebody else successful.
No … this work makes US successful!!!
Cathy Jones said: Camp is the best thing I've done in years and I'll definitely be back next year! Besides immediate changes in my dancing, I was able to set clear goals. So much individual help from the Pros, even if only a
quick comment while passing by. It kept us constantly working on technique.
Love both Matt and Crystal Auclair... but adding Debbie
Figueroa to the mix was icing on the cake! Information, take home drills and a video analysis of our dancing.
For the first time I finally could put all the pieces together of
how the dance needs to build. Not just the phrasing, syncopation changes,
hits etc. but how both my movement, flow, energy level builds and maps the song. What an AH HA! moment.
Finally the people at the camp, both pros and dancers were
so welcoming and friendly and I left with many new friends.
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| Claire McDowell, Dr. Randy, Tal Shichor, Colin Hahn, Liz McB, Ziv Kenet |
These are among my favorite people in the world to see at dance events!
Randoph Peters (Dr. Randy) said: The WCS Technique Intensive in Ancaster is my favorite event. 5 days of intense focus, carefully tailored instruction, and coached practice, with supervision from Matt & Crystal Auclair and Debbie Figueroa. I get so much when I come here! It's not just a tease of improvement that is hard to recapture after I leave. It changes my dancing. This was heaven! )Except for the amount of time I spent with my foam roller).
Elaine, Matt & Crystal and Debbie!!!
It was one of the most worthwhile experiences of my whole dance life!
