[8/20/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Certifiable Certification
By Markie Bee
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My article on August 7th Contest and Certification has apparently caused some people to take exception with the "choice" of using the instructor most people call "the technician" L.C. Henderson's widely used eight count method as a benchmark for eight count stepping. The "choice" was made because the name was the first that came to mind when it comes to technical accuracy of the basics and widest adoption in the wider community. I got several copies of this email from several different sources, espousing a different viewpoint, so I thought I would share the information with you... After reading your article dated Aug. 6, 2008 August 7, 2008 and in reference to certification , one name that should not be overlooked is Cynthia Shanks. As a stepper / instructor who appreciate the different basics and styles who has taken classes or been exposed to several Heavy Hitters of the new school covering the eight and six counts, such as L C & Sara, Maurice, Tic & Char nice, Cheryl & Divan, just to name a few, without taking anything away from new school, that Cynthia Shanks basic and system of teaching will help preserve the elegance, grace, and smooth tradition of stepping. The new style should be recognized and the traditional style should be preserved. Cynthia was around when the smooth bop changed to a smoother dance and was then called stepping. She was also there when the guys suddenly started leading the ladies north and south. Classes taught by Cynthia Shanks and Stan Bailey (Chicago "Style" Steppers LLP) are extremely informative and very instructional. They taught me the How's When's and Why's to the dance, giving a clear understanding of all the basic steps and moves. To my understanding, Cynthia has been teaching stepping in the same 8 count repetition (123 ,123 , 1 2) since 1983 in a north and south direction using the box formation which is all in the first ever instructional hand book copyrighted in 1996. Hopefully Tanya Nash and Cynthia will contact each other. I'm sure Cynthia will share her knowledge as a master stepper and an accomplished instructor. After speaking with outer/state instructors who attended the 2008 "one accord" instructor workshop and certification, we agree that this is best system to preserve this dance in one of its early traditional forms. For my partner and I who relocated from Atlanta to Chicago, the 2009 instructional workshop and certification can't come soon enough. I truly urge other instructors or anyone who wants to be an instructor to attend the Chicago "Style" Steppers LLP, 2 day workshop and Black Tie Ball.
Wesley Pulphus
I think it would be nice if some of the information from this email made it's way to the History of Stepping Project like the use of the box step, when the North to South dance started, as well as information about a copy written instructors handbook (with dates, and ISBN numbers). I'd also like to know when the numbers used to teach the basics changed from 123, 123, 12 (to rhythm basics) 123-456-78 which is done in the majority of modern classes today. I've also mentioned in articles in the past (See related Below) "There are efforts to make certification happen, but there's a problem with what's going on. Yes credentials matter but the certification efforts made by individual companies as for-profit ventures can not be called legitimate as long as certification is done for an individual companies profit.  It hasn't been the standard in any realm of dance in the past. Standardization and certification has always been and must be a community driven venture (501c3 Not-For-Profit) which lends creditability to the effort to potential new dancers." There will be more follow-up in tomorrow's column. I might just write a column on the relevance of people from my generation (the over 50 crowd) in today's dancing and instructional environment, because frankly I feel much has changed in the dance and it just ain't your momma's dance anymore.
Also, whether you are an instructor, or student, I would love to hear your comments on certification. just send a comment to webmaster@steppersusa.com

Related: Contest and Certification  Why it Makes Sense Now Why It Makes Sense Now Part 2 Why it Makes Sense Now Part 3

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