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TRENT & MARY COUNTRY DANCING
Contact: Trent & Mary Cummings Phone: 262-549-9077 Cell: 262-227-7955 Fax: 262-549-2049 E-Mail: TrentRAC@aol.com Website: www.trentandmary.com
Where: Tuesday: AMF Lanes, 901 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI Wednesday: Circle B Recreation, Highway 60, Cedarburg, WI
Time: Beginner Step Lessons: 6:30 pm Practice recent dances taught: 6:45-7:30 pm New lesson and review: 7:30-8:15 pm Open dancing: 8:15-9:00 pm Review of new dances: 9:00-9:15 pm Open dancing: 9:15-9:30 pm
Dance Type:
Both line and patterned partner dancing is done at each class. If the calendar indicates “Line Dance”, that only indicates the new dance being taught that evening. Both line and partner dancing is done at each class alternately throughout the evening. We encourage all dancers to come every week, since we also do a complete review of the dance taught the previous week. For instance, if you choose to not come on a new “Partner Dance” teach night, you will miss the review of the “Line Dance” taught the week before. It is usually on the second go round that the dance will get more comfortable and easier to remember.
Dance Level:
We tend to keep the dancing at a beginner to intermediate level. Advanced dancing is usually never done. We like to keep it light and fun, and maybe throw in a challenge every once in awhile.
What If I Never Danced Before?
We do offer Beginner Step Lessons at 6:30 for those who need the very basic steps. Most dances contain many of the same steps. Once you learn the 10-12 basic step sequences, you will find them in almost every dance taught. By teaching you a vine, a shuffle, a jazz box, or a kick-ball-change, etc., you will find these same steps repeated in most of the dances we do.
Do I Need A Partner To Do The Partner Dances?
No. Unlike free-style or ballroom dancing, patterned partner dancing is basically line dancing in a circle. The only difference is that there is hand work between the two partners. However, we have many line dancers who dance singly or side by side with another line dancer, without doing the hand work. They are still nice dances for the single dancers to do, and helps reinforce some of the same basic steps done in the line dances. Occasionally there are also single dancers, either male or female, who are looking for a dance partner.
How Long Will It Take Me To Learn These Dances?
At the beginning, it definitely takes some practice and dedication, as it would with any new project or endeavor you undertook. For some it comes easier, and some a little longer, but on the average, it takes a couple of months to feel more relaxed and easier to learn new dances every week. The repetition and reinforcement done at each class helps this happen more quickly.
How Will I Know If I Will Like This?
Your first time is “free”. We invite you to come on in, see the dancing and listen to the music. We always tell new dancers that you will know by this one experience whether or not you will like this or not. It is also a great social atmosphere and all country dancers are extremely friendly and helpful to make you feel welcome. We all were there at one time, and we know it can be a little intimidating the first time. But we also tell new dancers not to let anything overwhelm you. Every one in that room had their first lesson at one time. Also country dancing is one of the most laid back and relaxed form of dancing. No one really cares if you make a mistake or your arm position isn’t just perfect. Our main goal is to have fun and have a pleasant evening out. It’s a nice getaway from our normal routine and stresses of the day. For 3 hours you have to concentrate on the steps, so you have no time to think about anything else. Yes, dancing is good therapy! But the rewards are even greater than that. You meet wonderful people, some of which you can share life long friendships with.
What Does It Cost?
The cost is $5.00 per person, per class. First time is free. You do not have to sign up for a “block” of lessons as some types of dancing require. It is on a pay-as-you-go basis, and you are not penalized for any missed classes. You also receive a V.I.P. Card, and a credit for each class or dance attended. When the card is full, you receive a “free pass”. Also 1-2 door prizes are given at each class for either a music CD or a free pass.
What Is The Average Age Group?
We have dancers from age 12 to 88. Yes, we have one lady who line dances who is 88 years old and comes to every class. Most of the dancers fall somewhere in the middle of that age bracket. We have a fairly proportionate amount of male dancers to female dancers, with an average to 50 to 60 people per class.
What Kind Of Music Do You Play?
We generally play about 60-70% country music. We do, however, do non-country music such as old rock-and-roll, Irish or other ethnic music, and also use modern artists such as Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Bob Seger. Basically whatever makes your feet want to dance.
What Kind Of Dances Do You Teach?
Over and above the normal line dancing you may have seen, we also do dances that are structured based on waltz, cha cha, east coast swing, west coast swing, two step, mambo, rhumba, salsa, etc. These rhythms and steps are used in many of the dances we do.
Do You Teach Any Classes in Free-Style Format (like Two Step)?
No. There is a very small audience for this type of dancing, and although you do see some of it done at our open weekend dances, we do not actually teach it.
What Are Weekend Dances?
We generally have weekend dances once a month, usually on a Friday night, where dancers from all area dance clubs attend and enjoy themselves. They are usually held at our Cedarburg location. Usually a new dance will be taught at 7:30 pm, and the dance is from 8:00-11:30 pm. Some times we have special “theme nights” to add to the dancing experience. Some times we also have snacks and goodies, and some dancers do bring treats for birthdays or other special events. The cost is the same as the weekly classes, $5.00 per person. The average dance will include from about 80 to 120 people.
How Do I Know When Classes Or Weekend Dances Are Being Held?
We do have a printed calendar distributed at all classes and dances; however, you can always find the information at our website: www.trentandmary.com
The website is updated monthly and also has information on other area dances, step sheets for the dances taught, and any special events that may be going on. Classes are held year long, including summer. Always check the calendar or website for any possible cancellations of classes. This is especially true of our Wednesday night Cedarburg class, as sometimes classes are interrupted for other events at that hall.
What Is Your Background?
Trent & Mary Country Dancing was established in May, 1997. Trent began dancing in 1991, and in 1993 began teaching. Mary began dancing in 1995, where she met Trent at a dance class, and we were married in September, 1998.
Besides the local scene, we are on the road teaching at dance workshops and seminars, with an average of 6-8 workshops a year, throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. Our own workshop, “Hot Country Weekend”, is held annually in March at Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, Wisconsin with over 200 dancers in attendance. Also on our resume are 29 original dances we have choreographed.
Our motto is “Dance Your Way Through Life”. In the past 6 years, Mary is a three-time cancer survivor, Trent has undergone triple bypass surgery, and we have survived a tornado touch down on our house. Through it all, we dance on. Dancing is good for the mind, body and spirit. |
