e-skater
01-16-2007, 04:26 PM
I wasn't going to post regarding my test, as I don't post here at lot (I felt kind of embarrassed just to post a "test pass"), but someone.....convinced me to! Thank you to that person.
On Sunday I PASSED the Swing Dance and Fiesta Tango. I test dance "Solo", under "Standard Track" (even though I'm 55), and it was a *great* feeling to pass those tests and close out the Pre Bronze group of dances! I tested the Cha Cha back in mid-2005, and it's a long story as to why I did not get back to the remaining Pre Bronze dances until a few months ago.
At the risk of trying to make it sound like more of an accomplishment than it was, the same judge tested me as did for my Prelim dances, and the Cha Cha. I tested Prelim under my longtime coach, the Cha Cha under a dance coach, and the recent two again under my longtime coach. I got the dreaded "stiff" notation on the Cha Cha. On these, I didn't! Instead I got "good flow" and "very good Tango feeling". Progress!
Also, this particular judge skated as a child, and ice dance was her thing. She is quite picky. Pleasant, but strict. I knew I'd be scrutinized! I received two constructive comments (one about the strength of one of the back edges on the Swing Dance, and one about knee bend in the Tango), and that was IT. I didn't at all feel bad about those comments. They were right on, in terms of how I performed the test that day.
I have seen test sheets from this judge for three other skaters at this level of dance, and I felt lucky --- and happy ---- that my sheets were NOT full, like the others I had seen. While I want the constructive comments, as they help me improve, I understood that I must have done ok, as there is a wealth of opportunity for this judge to comment re edges, lobes, etc. on these dances. To see the lack of comment for this particular judge meant a great deal to me, and I really felt like I'd achieved something. Everyone needs a success from time to time in skating, and for now, this is mine.
They are behind me now, and it is on to Bronze ice dances!
On Sunday I PASSED the Swing Dance and Fiesta Tango. I test dance "Solo", under "Standard Track" (even though I'm 55), and it was a *great* feeling to pass those tests and close out the Pre Bronze group of dances! I tested the Cha Cha back in mid-2005, and it's a long story as to why I did not get back to the remaining Pre Bronze dances until a few months ago.
At the risk of trying to make it sound like more of an accomplishment than it was, the same judge tested me as did for my Prelim dances, and the Cha Cha. I tested Prelim under my longtime coach, the Cha Cha under a dance coach, and the recent two again under my longtime coach. I got the dreaded "stiff" notation on the Cha Cha. On these, I didn't! Instead I got "good flow" and "very good Tango feeling". Progress!
Also, this particular judge skated as a child, and ice dance was her thing. She is quite picky. Pleasant, but strict. I knew I'd be scrutinized! I received two constructive comments (one about the strength of one of the back edges on the Swing Dance, and one about knee bend in the Tango), and that was IT. I didn't at all feel bad about those comments. They were right on, in terms of how I performed the test that day.
I have seen test sheets from this judge for three other skaters at this level of dance, and I felt lucky --- and happy ---- that my sheets were NOT full, like the others I had seen. While I want the constructive comments, as they help me improve, I understood that I must have done ok, as there is a wealth of opportunity for this judge to comment re edges, lobes, etc. on these dances. To see the lack of comment for this particular judge meant a great deal to me, and I really felt like I'd achieved something. Everyone needs a success from time to time in skating, and for now, this is mine.
They are behind me now, and it is on to Bronze ice dances!