The pupil: Rosie Millard
The problem: Rosie is perhaps not as groovy as she thinks she is. Will she be able to cut it on the dance floor on New Year’s Eve?
The expert: Ainhoa Rey is a classically trained dancer who gives weekly lessons in hip-hop and disco

THE LESSON

Rosie: After one look, Ainhoa decided I was more dancing queen than hip-hop street artist, and so I was transferred to disco heaven, the class that promises to make you a convincing disco diva with a few routines to some classic pop tracks. After warming up, we started putting a few moves to the dulcet tones of the Bee Gees. Some were no more than glorified aerobics steps, but the more advanced involved me wiggling around smacking my bum and shimmying my bust, which, believe me, was trickier than it looks. The other thing Ainhoa told me was to smile a lot, and never to appear on the dance floor when you are three sheets to the wind. By the time we put a little routine together to the Seventies hit Car Wash, I was starting to lose my inhibitions. Always a good thing when it comes to dancing.

Ainhoa: The main problem is that a lot of people have no sense of rhythm, although they think they’re great dancers. What you need is a series of prepared moves, and to perform them with huge amounts of confidence. Rosie was fine, but she did find shimmying her bust rather hard. The trick is to move your shoulders backwards and forwards very fast, point your breasts to the ceiling – all without waggling your head or bum. It could take her a few months to do properly, but it’s worth it if you want to be able to hold your own on the dancefloor. I’d advise throwing a few “Waays!” or “Heys!” in to the mix to help to bump up the energy. It also gives the impression that you know what you’re doing, always a good thing.

THE FOLLOW-UP

Rosie: The day after my class I tried out a few moves on my sister. As she didn’t fall about laughing my dancing queen repertoire might be ready to be shown to the wider public. I’m going to work on my shimmying and remember the first rule of dancing: keep funky and confident.

Ainhoa: Disco dancing is like any other form of dance, it gets better with practice.

THE EXPERT’S TOP TIPS

Listen to the lyrics and use your body to communicate the message of the song. Select an element of the dance to create steps for, for example, the glide section during a transitional part of song. Be careful to see yourself as others see you; it might help to imagine that you are a ballet student watching yourself moving in a mirror in the dance studio. Vary your facial expressions to express the lyrics of the song or to communicate its aggressive beat. Use combinations of moves within a song but avoid jerky movements. Seek out a good dance partner, taking care to choose someone whose dancing style complements your own. Try to come up with new moves and challenge yourself to be creative.

THE DETAILS

Creation Dance runs courses in Clapham, Shepherds Bush, Earl’s Court and Central London, www.creationdance.co.uk, 0870 1403234. All courses cost £55.

For details of nationwide dance lessons call 0121-733 1709; phoenixdancecompany.co.uk

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