Albany NY AIDA is currently accepting nominations for the board of directors. Take a more active role in the organization. The board welcomes any willing volunteers!. If interested contact Sherry Dickinson at sherryc4@yahoo.com. You are welcome to nominate yourself or anyone else in the organization.
Learn and Practice is Back!
After a quick break during the busy summer months, AIDA will once again be offering a series of Learn and Practice sessions. The topic will be American Foxtrot. Full information can be found on our events page. We hope to see you there!
Ed Simon Workshops
A huge thank you to Ed Simon for conducting private coaching sessions and workshops for Albany NY AIDA! Thank you to all of you who attended these workshops and coaching sessions. You should be receiving a brief survey about the classes in your email. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank DanceFire Studios for sharing Ed with us. We are fortunate to have a world class coach and instructor work with us1
SAVE THE DATE!
Albany NY AIDA is pleased to announce that Ed Simon is coming to Albany on July 23rd, 2023. Ed will be teaching three workshops:
Development of Foxtrot timing from SSQQ to SQQ
Musicality in Waltz and Quickstep
Conscious use of hands and body to improve connection
There will also be a limited number of private coaching sessions available. For complete details see our Events page!
AIDA Medal Tests and Pro Exams with Lori Woods Gay
On March 25 and 26, AIDA Examiner Lori Woods Gay came to Albany to conduct tests and exams, and to offer our members three workshops. All were a success! There were 19 medal tests taken, ranging in level from bronze Social Fun Dance to Gold Star 1. Everyone did a great job and should be very proud of their results and accomplishments. In addition, Lori conducted professional exams for three dances at the Member (Silver) level! Again, the scores indicate that all of our members who have tested have applied themselves and are improving their skills and knowledge. Congratulations to all!
In addition to exams, Lori offered workshops that zeroed in on focusing on details about what body joints move in what ways, where your body weight is (and where it is supposed to be!), and the very limited number of footworks that need to be understood to dance all figures correctly. She emphasized focusing on one thing at a time because we are not designed to multi-task while learning something as complicated as dance. The workshops were tremendously helpful.
We generally hold one testing session per year, and many of us are already planning for next time. Whether or not you were able to join us this time, I hope to see you at next year’s testing session.
Upcoming events!
Albany NY AIDA is pleased to announce that we have started a new series of Learn and Practice Sessions.! The topic is American Waltz. Classes will be held Friday evenings from 6 to 7:30 at the Giuliano Studio located at 48 Huron Street. For further information see our events page.
We are also looking forward to a weekend of medal testing and workshops with Lori Woods-Gay. Lori is one of only eight nationally certified AIDA examiners. Medal tests will give you feedback on your dancing and suggestions for improvement. Full details about the workshops and testing are available on our events page. Come and join us!
Guest Coach Rita Algarra!
We are fortunate to have World=class dancer and coach Rita Algarra coming to our area at the end of October to provide private lessons as well as workshops. Contact Sue Martin at AlbanyDanceCamps@gmail.com for more information.
We've been busy!
Albany. NY AIDA has been keeping busy trying to provide quality dance opportunities for the Capital Region. We are sponsoring a series of lessons on Cha Cha: Cha Cha from 0 to 60 which is being taught by Louise Giuliano. The class meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at the Giuliano studio located at 48 Huron Street, Albany. It’s never too late to attend a class. Each session includes a bit of review as we work our way through the syllabus. Louise will be adding some rumba soon, since the two dances are so similar. The class meets from 6 to 8 pm. It is $15 for AIDA members and $20 for nonmembers. Please bring proof of vaccination since the studio is located in a private residence. Masks are optional.
Dinner and Dancing at Crystal Cove!!
SAVE THE DATE!!! Join us at Crystal Cove in Averill Park on Sunday, September 4, from 5-10 PM for lots of dancing and a dinner buffet! There will be a cash bar for beverages, or bring your own wine. Gorgeous venue, nice wooden floor, good friends, delicious food, great music, and lots of dancing. Who could ask for more? Address is 38 Old Route 66 in Averill Park. Additional details to follow….
Cha Cha Class in April
The cha cha class previously rescheduled to April 29th has been cancelled. A second member of the Giuliano household has tested positive for COVID and we want to make sure that we are keeping everyone safe. At this time we are anticipating resuming the regular cha cha class schedule on May 13, but will post any updates here. Thank you for your understanding.