The ABCs of Round Dance Style

Harmon & Betty Jorritsma, mainstays in the Orange County, CA, round dance scene until they retired and chairmen of the committee that gave us RAL’s phase rating system for dances, prepared this list for their classes, and it is as good today as it was 40 years ago.

Accent and emphasize steps, patterns, and rhythms.

Balance your body weight over the feet—feel light on the feet.

Courtesy is the best policy—don’t belittle less adept dancers.

Direction awareness adds to your enjoyment and coordinates with others.

Enjoyment is the reward of your efforts.

Footwork—coordinate with your partner; execute the steps properly.

Govern your speed and length of stride.

HAVE FUN—THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.

Improvement is important; every opportunity is a learning experience.

Jump not, lest your dancing become tiring and unappealing.

King of the ball he is, and he should be treated as such.

Learn to be patient; respect your partner as well as others.

Memorize the routines in phrases; learn to recall key cues.

Negative thinking has no place in round dancing; think positively.

Organize your thoughts; analyze the steps as related to rhythms.

Position/posture are extremely important to performance and enjoyment.

Queen of the ball she is, and she should be treated as such.

Relax, enjoyment doesn’t come from preoccupation and stiffness.

Smile. It’s contagious and reflects your enjoyment.

Think ahead, concentrate, send correct messages to your feet.

Use discretion and good taste in clothing, cleanliness, and manners.

Visualize the pattern—do what you can to emphasize style.

Watch others, copy what you like, avoid what is distasteful.

X-ray—see through the many possibilities for added improvement and enjoyment.

You must be yourself and create your style through individuality.

Zero in on every opportunity to learn and participate.

From a club newsletter prepared by Dan and Sandi Finch , July 2013, and reprinted in the Dixie Round Dance Council (DRDC) Newsletter, April 2014.