Originally Posted on Salsaweb NY
on 10/99
Private Instructor Review
As a private instructor she is sought after by beginner, intermediate and
advanced dancers for one of her favorite specialties: WOMAN
STYLING. She knows that a man cannot always teach a woman how to move
which is why she offers private instruction. Many women have complimented Addie
on her dancing and have hired her to teach them how to emulate her style. Most
of the time Addie begins her privates by breaking down
open floor shines. Her simple approach to teaching is very direct (like
Addie herself). She breaks down each shine, then gradually explains how to add
that New York flair to these moves by first focusing on the legs, followed by
the hips/torso, next the arms/hands and finally the head. Students are usually
surprised and happy to see what happens when all these dance elements are
blended together. Then depending on the student (knowledge, ability to learn,
etc.) she’’ll have the tendency of tying each open shine with the previous
ones so that in essence she begins to teach them mini-open floor shine routines.
If a student can handle it, Addie will also stand in front of them (men or
female) and do shines in front of them. Either Addie will execute these shines
in a random pattern (leaving it up to the student to mirror her moves) or
perform the mini routine that was taught to them that day. This is great,
because it forces students to do floor shines with a partner, gets them use to
the concept of having fun while doing solo dancing and teaches them to overcome
the apparent confusion and fear normally associated with shine steps (solo
dancing). When teaching partner work, Addie takes a
turn combination and carefully breaks it down. She gives valuable styling tips
to the woman, that help add beauty and sensuality to their moves during the turn
combination. Its these pointers that help heighten the woman's sexiness
when dancing and its all done in good taste. Addie identifies with most women
learning how to dance mambo. She knows what to look for because she’s been
through the process herself. And like most good instructors, she keeps her eyes
open for new ways to express her styling moves.
Summary
If I were to describe Addie Diaz’s style to other New York Mambo
Instructors, I would say that she has a very Bronx style of dancing with mucha
Latina Sabor and attitude. She offers a very classy and sensual style that is
entertaining, energetic and fun to watch. Always on the move, she is constantly performing,
teaching and learning salsa/mambo. As an instructor I would say that
she is humble, patient, communicative and offers a fun yet challenging class.
Her styling moves help bring out the femininity in a woman and she has a great
time doing it. Though she is an experienced teacher and performer, she will
always eternally be an eager student looking for new & different ways to
improve her dancing, her performing and her teaching. So if your lacking flare,
styling, enthusiasm, attitude ("Addie-Tude"),
want to develop a solid foundation in your mambo dancing while enjoy doing it,
then Addie Diaz may be the instructor for you.