With the departure of Veronica Alegre there has been the obvious necessity of finding someone to teach so that tango can continue in Limerick. For a number of reasons this has ended up being me. From dancer to organiser to teacher in three years flat.
Disturbing enough except that this happens to be deja-vu.
Let me explain. I began my study of the art of fencing in a school that had a clear path towards becoming an instructor or master. Fencing has long had the problem of unqualified persons setting themselves up as masters. As far back as 1536 Achille Marozzo was complaining about the lack of ‘authenticated masters’. Equally the classical and historical community is beset by the problem of people who think it is enough to unplug the scoring machine or simply pick up a reproduction rapier to call oneself a classical or historical fencer and assume the title of master at arms.
Unfortunately my sojourn at the Martinez Academy of Arms was nowhere near long enough to acquire the qualification of instructor before I returned to Limerick. In Limerick there was no fencing whatsoever to speak of. Not sport or classical. If I wanted to continue fencing I would have to teach. It was a daunting task but after learning from many mistakes I have developed my own teaching methodology and have had my students complimented by my former masters. It is something that I am glad that I am glad I have done. I would not be the teacher I am today if I had stayed at the Academy. Not that I would be any better or worse, but that my methodology would be more inherited than one that I developed myself.
And in somewhat the same manner I begin teaching tango. I am not doing so out of a desire to teach or in dissatisfaction with the teaching available or because I think I can teach better, as some have done, but because of necessity.
It is somewhat easier second time round. I carry with me the pedagogic methods and analytical tools from fencing. I inherit good dancers from Veronica.
So the role of this blog will change from the public scratch-pad and response space of a tango organiser to that of a teacher.