Leveled, Concept-Based Workshops

There are many mixed opinions on creating and enforcing levels within an event’s workshop structure. There are the distinct advantages of learning with a group that has a smaller range in experience and skill level. There are more similar goals within the student group that the teacher is able to focus on and help that group make the most progress that they possibly can. Swingtacular wants to take advantage of this while not disregarding the other issues that come into play while holding an audition process and excluding people from certain classes. To do this, we have implemented three things that have worked exceptionally well for us thus far:
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I

We are going to organize the levels a bit differently. We are going to use WSDC points as an immediate qualifier, but we will also hold auditions for people that may not compete or travel as much.

Level 1
No points in Novice or above

Level 2
Any number Novice points or above

Level 3
Any number Intermediate points or above

Level 4
Any number Advanced points or above

Level 5
All Star/Champions track ONLY

II

The first workshop of the weekend will be a "Level Prep" class. This will be held BEFORE the first audition Friday evening. 

The workshop will go over some of the attributes that the staff will be looking for in the auditions to decide where the best place is for everyone to learn the most throughout the weekend. So you will have a chance to hear exactly what they are looking for before auditioning. 

III

Lastly, we wanted to do our best to not make people feel excluded. Everyone will have the same color wristbands. There will not be anyone at the door telling students that they aren’t allowed in because they didn’t get into the appropriate level. We will be going off of the honor system. Our instructors for the weekend have about 100 years of dance experience among them, so we would hope that you can trust for your own dance growth that you should be in the workshops that are suited to the level our instructors recommend for you. However, if you don’t have a workshop on for that hour, and you want to sit and observe, please feel free to do so.

We have amazing instructors lined up for this weekend. Please take every opportunity that you can to soak up as much knowledge as you possibly can. This is meant to be a learning experience that keeps you occupied until at least Swingtacular next year.