I am proud of my students, the current group and all of the students with whom I have had the privilege of working over the years.
Week after week, they show up full of passion and energy, ready to work and eager to learn. They watch the demonstrations carefully and tackle the week's exercises with enthusiasm.
When I make suggestions and corrections, they respond immediately. It's a joy to watch them overcome limitations and do things that they couldn't do at the beginning of the hour.
When I make suggestions and corrections, they respond immediately. It's a joy to watch them overcome limitations and do things that they couldn't do at the beginning of the hour.
Sometimes, I see them practicing steps or discussing techniques after class. That always gives me a thrill. When students ask me questions during or outside of class, I can tell that they've put a lot of thought into the topic. I do my best to provide answers that inspire them to explore the topic further.
Even when a student struggles and requires extra attention, every roadblock that they overcome and every quantum of improvement is significant. It humbles me to watch them make their hard earned breakthroughs.
Even when a student struggles and requires extra attention, every roadblock that they overcome and every quantum of improvement is significant. It humbles me to watch them make their hard earned breakthroughs.
But my favorite moments in class occur when the students begin to use the concepts and the material in their own way. They go beyond repeating a step of fussing over the accuracy of a technique. They improvise. They combine ideas and movements in new ways. Leaders and followers move in delicate but certain synchronization while creating their own choreography. They interpret the music with sensitivity and reflect details of the arrangements in their movements.
When I watch it all come together, I am moved sometimes almost to tears. It is beyond beautiful. It's exciting and real. It's tango in its purest sense, an intimate connection between two individuals and an orchestra that comes to life before your very eyes.
These are the moments that mean the most to me. This is what keeps me in the game, week after week, year after year, in any type of weather. The essence of teaching is inspiration the guidance to help someone unleash their own ideas. This is a thrill that I can't describe, even though I have had the honor and good fortune to experience it on many occasions.
Thanks, students, for giving those special moments to me, and more importantly, to yourselves.
¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel
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