There were over 160 people attending and dancing. It was a big party.
Paul was a WCS main instructor in Oklahoma City Swing Dance Club and the director of the club. He was a long timer and taught WCS in Oklahoma since 80's. The club has been one of the biggest and most successful social dance place in the city.
He used to compete earlier. But by the time I joined the club in 2000, he was sifting his main efforts to teaching WCS. He had many patterns to teach, and had a reputation of "good beginner's teacher". And you know what. Teaching beginners is one of the trickiest things to do.
A reason for his and the club's success is the school's teaching program.
When a beginner signs up, he/she usually starts from a beginner's class (the "Pink" class), and wears pink color badge. In the month's end, there is an exam night when he/she dances with an instructor. If he/she passes the test, he/she moves up to next level class. He/she does not have to move up, though. A person can stay at a class as long as he/she wants.
There are several classes with different levels of materials; Purple class, Red class, Yellow class, Green class, Blue class, then Multicolor. Pink and Purple teach WCS basics such as sidepass, underarm, sugar push, whip, sidepass with spin, close, etc. Green and Blue classes are for the people who want to compete or participate in local/regional events. Multicolor is for instructor level. A long time student turns to a volunteer instructor and teaches WCS. They came through the classes, so they know the materials by the time.
This system is similar to Karate school, in which students move from white belt to black belt. The system makes sense when beginners sign up and make progress over time. Most students are adult learners, so the system worked well for most.
Paul and his late partner Rae Dean built the system, and the school system is a reason to success.
Another reason would be the club's generous opportunities to dance with low cost. The WCS classes were held on Mon, Tue, Wed and Sunday. Students can practice after the class. Then on Friday there is a practice party, and on the third Saturday there is a monthly Birthday party. So if you are in Green or Blue class, you can dance 4-6 days in a week. All with $40-50/month. The school is a nonprofit organization, and the inexpensive fee structure is possible with many club members.
Third reason would be that the club is supported by many volunteers who also are the club members. They bring food to party, watch the door, teach each other, and make the place nice. It became like a large family, and the club can be a very cozy social place.
A teacher's success is also measured by the students' success. The club does produce some successful competitors in regional events.
A few students joined young and showed their talent. Bonnie Cannon Subey is one of them. She was dancing in the club until her high school graduation, then moved to Philadelphia, where she grew to a prominent WCS professional in the national WCS circuit. I am glad for her.
When I go to WCS event and someone asks "who taught you?", I tell it was Paul. When I was beginning, I did spend 5 months in Purple class to really get the basics. The basics have helped me so much. In non-choreographed social party, good basics are the only thing that counts to enjoy the dance.
In the party, I was feeling somewhat nostalgic. Paul called some of his students his "sons". Stuart, Lonnie and I have been brothers and his sons.
Paul was a character, and made many friends and enemies, as he himself said in his speech. But his dedication to the dance and the club was genuine. A serious dancer would resonate and acknowledge such passion.
I heard he would move to Houston where his family live. I hope he is going to have a good time there.
Thank you for everything and happy retirement, Paul.
11/21/2015 with Paul
