Thirty-six of the new graduates who were able to attend the graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 9.
Rebecca Williams
On Thursday, May 9, the Rancheros and SaddleBrooke Square Dance Clubs graduated 45 new dancers. The new dancers did 16 weeks of lessons to learn the basic and mainstream calls of square dancing. During that time, they learned over 90 calls. Club members assisted in the lessons by filling in the squares so that students have experienced dancers to help them better learn how to execute each call.
Lessons started on Sunday, January 20. The students learn new calls each Sunday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The new dancers also have several opportunities for optional review both on Tuesday evenings and again on Sunday the hour before the next lesson. On Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. they were able to put their new skills to work at a dance held for an hour ahead of the main Club Dance which starts at 7:00 p.m. After the one-hour mainstream dance, members of both Rancheros and SaddleBrooke Squares danced one set, or “tip”, at the beginning of the regular Club Dance using only the calls the new dancers had learned to help make them feel more welcome and confident in their new skills.
The new dancers will continue to have opportunities to use their skills throughout the summer. Those staying here for the summer will have a dance/workshop every Sunday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and can also come Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. for a “Mainstream Level” dance which will use only those calls they have learned. The clubs are also able to help those leaving in the summer locate clubs near their summer homes so they can continue to dance.
In October new dancers who would like to advance their skills can opt for the next set of lessons. They will then learn the next set of 30 calls at the “Plus” level. Once they have achieved that level, they will know all the calls used at dances by both Rancheros and SaddleBrooke Squares. In fact, same calls for both the “Mainstream” and “Plus” levels are used worldwide and dancers who know them can step right into any dance at that level and feel right at home anywhere!
If you would be interested in learning more about square dancing, visit the Rancheros Squares website at the SBR HOA Clubs tab. Click on “Square Dance-Rancheros” under “Dance, Music, & Theater”. On the next page click the link to our website. There you will find news and information about square dancing and can click “Contact Us” at the bottom of the left-hand column to have an email with any questions you may have go to Rebecca Williams of the Rancheros Squares Dance Club.