Let’s paint two contrasting pictures here.
First, let’s look at a Zumba class where the students are enjoying themselves, dancing along with the instructor, singing, and really making the most of their workout. The class flies by and the students are left wanting more.
Next, picture a group whose faces show confusion, frustration, and general awkwardness throughout the entire class. They keep glancing at the clock, and even though they know they need this exercise, they are not enjoying it.
Do you know what plays a major role in determining the kind of class you’ll have? If you said cues, you’re on the right track!
Think of cues like directing traffic, conducting an orchestra, or driving a car. None of these work well without clear guidance. Even traffic lights have a yellow light to let you know red is coming, so you can prepare to slow down and stop.
Zumba works the same way. You need to guide your students on where to go. Not only that, but you have to give them advanced notice before they finish the current 8 count or whatever sequence you’re leading at the moment. Prince Paltu Ob is like a master scientist when it comes to cues — this guy pre-cues like no one else! He’s one of my favorites and I’ve tried to emulate his style.
If you’re up front doing your routine and expect students to just catch up and follow along, that approach is going to cause problems. Most students aren’t dancers (myself included) and need clear direction and guidance on where to move and how many counts to follow. Don’t expect anyone to memorize or learn your choreography in just one go, especially if your moves are complex. That’s just not realistic. Someone like me might even get frustrated enough to stop coming if the teaching style doesn’t include cues. If you don’t cue, the whole joy of Zumba can be lost.
The easiest way to get better at cues is to build them directly into your choreography. As you learn or create new routines, factor in cues, keep them clear and simple, and make them part of your muscle memory for each song.
This really matters if you want to be a strong instructor. And keep in mind, it’s not about how well you can dance. Plenty of people are better dancers than I am, but they might be weaker instructors because they only focus on dancing. This isn’t a dance competition or a Broadway show — you’re there to teach a class, not just to be admired for your moves. Save that for your solo performances.
What do you think? Am I right, or am I overstepping? It’s an important topic that deserves attention. You can be a better instructor by taking constructive advice, growing, and learning. We should all strive to improve. So if you don’t cue currently, don’t take this personally or get defensive — just take the advice and work on your skills! You absolutely can do it, and if you’re already good, you can be even better.
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