A dance animator and a dance teacher are two professions that deal with dance, but each from a different perspective, with a different approach and result...

I am mainly based on the situation in social dance (salsa, bachata, kizomba), because this difference is very noticeable and especially common there. Dance is often taught in the form of animations - combinations, without additional information. I also base my work on my experience in competitive dance, where the teaching methodology is set and clear. Also on my experience as a Zumba instructor, dance teacher and also as a dancer who collects information for himself. In my life, I have experienced many dance teachers, whether at camps, festivals, individual lessons or within online programs.

Is every dance teacher really a dance teacher or just a dance animator???

Let's take a closer look...

DANCE ANIMATOR

• brings people fun, increases the level of endorphins and dopamine
• shows the steps and people follow by watching, with their attention outside their bodies
• does not explain technique and principles, because there is neither time nor intention for that
• doesn't give people space for questions
• does not approach people individually, speaks to the crowd
• gives a feeling of success and joy
• people are often addicted to him/her because he/she counts music
• needs to shine to create atmosphere
• the result of his/her work are well-adjusted people with smiles on their faces
• their entrance is excellent at various events, parties, holiday resorts, lessons aimed at clearing the head...

DANCE TEACHER

• endorphins and dopamine will wait a while before showing up in full force
• realizes the importance of correct posture, weight transfer, body axis, use of energy from the dance floor, character of the dance, musicality
• if it is a couple dance, pays attention to leading and following
• loves when people ask questions and are interested (he may not know the answer to everything, but he knows how to study it)
• realizes how important an individual approach is, since everyone has a different body and different habits
• can mentor you on your journey
• understands the importance of mirrors when teaching dance, people need to see themselves
• doesn't teach steps, steps are just a tool through which he/she shows you principles that can change your entire dance
• relies on and keeps going back to basics
• has his/her own dance teacher and is constantly educating him/herself and following the evolution that is happening in his/her field
• can be critical because he cares about your improvement, not his own ego
• the result of his work are people who have information HOW to dance things (whether they incorporate it into their dance is up to them)
• if so, that feeling of lightness and joy from dancing will come
• creates space for training because he/she is aware of the process of receiving information, understanding and mastering

There are certainly more differences… I have collected these during my dancing life. I encounter the fact that people travel to festivals, travel for information and are unable to evaluate the quality of teachers. Just because someone dances amazingly and has many followers on Instagram, does not mean that they are also a dance teachers and that they can teach dance. I have often encountered the fact that a person who was not so advanced in dance was able to describe what he was doing better than someone who did it quickly and naturally. Why? Because he worked harder and maybe did not have such a natural talent, but thanks to that he understood more than someone who had it easy. 

Also, you don't need to look at the teacher through what he dances. Everyone has their own past, from which they come and their own authenticity. Just because you don't like his/her dance style doesn't mean he/she doesn't have a lot of information that will help you discover your authenticity in dance. When you find a teacher whose style you love and who can also teach well, it's a win-win situation. :) 

The global problem is that people teach and learn mainly steps. It's like learning a foreign language only through words. It probably wouldn't work in the long run...

It is important to remember that STEPS ARE NOT DANCE, but animations to music.

Teaching dance is a complex process and a painstaking work built on details and immense patience. Both on the part of the teacher towards their students, but also towards ourselves when we are in the learning process. 

It helped us a lot on our journey to realize that not every teacher is for us and that there are teaching styles that won't move us that far. I'm not saying they don't give us anything, because everyone can teach us something, but we have a limited amount of time, energy, and finances... That's why we choose.

This can be a small guide to choosing the right teacher for you and being clearer about what you need. 

Good luck. :)