International-Style Standard Seminars
All prices on this page include shipping within the continental United States. For shipping costs to all other addresses, call (301) 244-0797 or send email to cmartinvideo@outlook.com.
Peter Billett / All About Timing
107 min.—$40
Peter Billet says he is the most senior member of the ISTD. On this DVD, he demonstrates what examiners look for in qualifying students for their medal tests as well as candidates for entrance into the Imperial Society. Knowledgeable and entertaining, he says the only way to do a Foxtrot is "perfectly." He shares his methods of teaching dance to music and rhythm.
Charlotte Jorgensen / Better Ballroom Dancing
152 min.—$40
In this three-part lecture, Charlotte begins by demonstrating a set of exercises and drills to prepare you to dance on your own balance, but always together. Having been raised with a Ballet, Modern Dance, and Jazz background, discipline is high on her list to achieve a sound foundation for Ballroom dancing. She addresses feet, lead and follow, the skill of the box step, and torsions. Then she discusses what changes occur once you start dancing open figures, and which extra skills are required. Finally, she demonstrates how to produce quality in motion. "As we as people never stop breathing, equally our bodies never stop moving in Ballroom dancing." She demonstrates the six planes of movement and shows how they are constantly being utilized in order to achieve the desired visual look and emotional feeling.
Stephen and Izabella Hannah / (How To) Make Dancing With Your Dancing With Your Partner Easier
85 min.—$35
Partners must learn to respect one another's space to make their dancing flow and their partnership flourish by avoiding the stress that can occur. There's much more to it than leading and following. Stephen and Izabella demonstrate how this can be made easier by understanding where each should be and their role in the partnership. They teach a beautiful and challenging grouping for the Tango and Foxtrot. At the end of the video, slow motion photography is used to enable you to study the groupings. Stephen was a finalist at the British Open Championships and winner of the U.K. Closed Championships, as well as many championships in the United States. Izabella was an amateur champion in her native Poland.
Stephen and Connie Hannah / Avoiding Pitfalls: An International-Style Standard Seminar
102 min.—$35
There are common faults you need to avoid in order to make your dancing enjoyable and satisfying for you and your partner. Using the Waltz and Tango, Stephen and Connie show you precisely what causes these pitfalls and how to avoid them. Some elements are very subtle and may require several rewindings of the video to catch them all. The information and ideas on this video are currently being used by professionals and high-level amateurs on the competition floors.
Stephen and Connie were Finalists at the British Open Championships, winners of the UK Closed Championships as well as many championships in the United States. They are also lecturers of the Imperial and International Dance Teachers Associations in the United Kingdom. They teach and demonstrate throughout the world.
Peter Eggleton / Dancing Naturally
115 min.—$40
Another valuable lesson from a Master. Peter Eggleton, former British and World Professional Champion, discusses how natural dancing should look, and how natural it can be! If you can walk, you can dance—the two are not that much different from each other. With his wife, Pamela, he demonstrates dance hold, body position, and swing action. Using the Waltz, he takes you through the basic figures of a Natural Turn and a Spin Turn to Turning Lock opening into Promenade Position—to demonstrate how natural and easy it can be. Sure it is!! This video will serve the beginner through to the advanced dancer and all levels in between. Whatever your level, you'll want to review this video carefully again and again to absorb the wealth of wisdom it contains.
Bill Davies / Foxtrot Movement & Floorcraft
60 min.—$25
Words of wisdom from the Master regarding maneuvering on the dance floor. Focus is on the dance everyone wants to do well—and that many believe is Davies' best.
Ron Bennett / Advanced Standard Workshop
106 min.—$30
Looking for advanced material? This is it! Four routines—one each for Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Quickstep. The theme is how basic figures can develop into advanced forms. This is not just "steps" but interesting groups that work and lots of technique.
Ron Bennett / Viennese Waltz
90 min.—$30
Every student of the International Style of Ballroom Dancing will want to learn this graceful dance. Ron makes it easy, taking you through the technique, presentation, and phrasing. He demonstrates all of the figures in the syllabus, including the Fleckerls. Soon you'll be moving around the floor fearlessly and smoothly!
Kenny & Marion Welsh / Quickstep
80 min.—$30
Prominent British Champions teach a complex, yet easy-to-learn grouping. Also, as do all Champion dancers, they have lots of good pointers on proper technique.
Stephen Hillier / Style and Presentation
117 & 90 min.—Each $40; Both videos $75
Three-times World Champion discusses the "Swing" dances of International-Style Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep on Video 1; and mostly Tango, with some Foxtrot, on Video 2. Learn what the step books don't tell you about styling and technique: not only the how, but why some techniques work and others do not; what the most difficult figure is in the Waltz (and how to do it!); how to dance enjoyably with a partner—in short, secrets you can learn only from a Master. These are videos you'll watch again and again.
Stephen Hillier / Making Space for the Partner
95 min.—$35
Stephen says he has "danced for 20 years with a very strong lady who insisted that I hold her properly." He shares with us what he has learned about dancing with a partner. A rare opportunity to learn from a 3-times World Champion. He applies his principles stressing shaping, flow, and movement to International-Style Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, and Tango.
Stephen & Lindsey Hillier / Foxtrot & Tango
90 min.—$35
Three-times World Champions. Modern technique instruction on how to use the feet, the hands, the whole body. Includes a Tango grouping. Truly a Master seminar.
Michael Houseman / Intermediate Foxtrot Technique
98 min.—$35
Forty minutes on the Feather Step?!! Oh, yes! How do I achieve that advanced dancer look? Michael provides what intermediate-level dancers want and need—expert instruction that they can easily understand and use. You won't learn any new figures, but you'll improve the ones you've been working on for years!
Michael Houseman / Intermediate Tango & Waltz
122 min.—$35
How's your Fallaway? Is your Slip Pivot perfect? No? Here's help! Also answers to questions like "How big a step to do I take?" and "How deep in the knees do I go in the Tango?" This is exactly what intermediate dancers need—expert instruction that's geared to their level. Most of the time is spent on Tango with a 35-minute lecture on Waltz principles. You'll learn how to really do the figures you already know—even better!
Michael Houseman / A Judge's View
111 min.—$35
Former World Champion (and trainer of World Champion John Woods), Michael Houseman speaks from the viewpoint of a competition judge. The emphasis is on floor appearance, movement, shaping, and floorcraft. He discusses floor strategy, figures that get you out of trouble, when to avoid using a figure, and the importance of the Double Reverse Spin and how to do it correctly. If you dance competitively, you need this valuable instruction.
Rebecca Francoeur-Breeden / Competitor's Workshop
108 & 85 min.—Each $25; Both videos $40
Video 1 is a fast-moving drill of Quickstep and Foxtrot groupings for the Novice competitor. Video 2 covers open groupings in Tango and Quickstep. Rebecca provides valuable pointers on floor presentation.
Rebecca Francoeur-Breeden / Modern Workshop
97 min.—$25
Rebecca teaches advanced timing for Foxtrot, tips on doing the Viennese Waltz, and an open grouping in Tango. She gets everyone moving!
Ian Gillett / Standards for Excellence
102 min.—$30
Ian discusses several of the common errors made on the competition floor and how to correct them in the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Quickstep. Also demonstrates how to avoid collisions with other couples in each of those dances. Very helpful for all Syllabus dancers.
Lou Giacchino / Foxtrot
88 min.—$30
Lou presents a different approach to the problem of matching your dancing to the feel of the music being played. He includes a pretty group with the proper shaping to make it look right. Technique and more technique. Devotees of the International-Style Foxtrot will benefit from Lou's careful teaching style.
Lou Giacchino / Waltz
86 min.—$30
Timing and technique are taught, along with a pretty Waltz grouping. Lou discusses the importance of head positions, the use of the knees and the importance of CBM in turning movements. Special attention is given the three troublesome areas: the Open Telemark, the Natural Spin Turn, and the Chasse from Promenade Position.
The open variation consists of a Double Reverse Spin, Open Telemark, Whisk, Wing, Telespin, Throwaway Oversway, Hover, and more!