Carter and Ruby Ackerman Social Dance
Carter and Ruby have been dancing together since they moved to State College in 1960 and joined the newly formed square and round dance club, Centre Squares. They became the square and round dance leaders for that club in 1963. They initially started teaching both squares and rounds together, but later separated the round and square dance classes because both were becoming too complicated to teach in a single class. They currently teach beginning ballroom, intermediate and advanced round dancing as well as square dancing through Centre Region Parks & Recreation in State College.
      Carter and Ruby have attended a number of dance schools over the years to keep up to date with new teaching techniques and new dance material. They have also taken private lessons from Irv & Betty Easterday in Hagerstown, MD to improve their own dancing technique.
      In addition to publishing several round dances, the Ackerman's have written a number of basic round dances for beginner dancers that they use in their classes. Carter retired in 1997 from the engineering faculty at Penn State University. Now, in addition to their dancing activities, they are active in local church and community groups and try to spend as much time as possible with their three children and five grandchildren.
Carter and Ruby have developed a unique approach to dance teaching called "Learn To Dance." This program uses ROUNDALAB (International Assoc. of Round Dance Teachers) basic figures and terminology, which are based on International Ballroom dancing, to teach people to do either free-style ballroom dancing or round dancing using choreographed routines. In both cases the emphasis is on fun and socializing and not on competitive dancing.
      The first year's program concentrates on introductory free-style ballroom dancing in six rhythms: waltz, foxtrot, cha cha, rumba, tango and swing (or jive.) No previous dance experience is necessary. The second year's program consists of learning more advanced amalgamations in these (and other) rhythms for either ballroom or round dancing. The third and successive year's programs concentrate on round dancing.
      Carter and Ruby feel that the greatest rewards in this activity are the friendships with fellow dancers and the opportunity for a couple to enjoy a (non-competitive) social activity together. The fact that it is both physically and mentally stimulating is an added bonus.
The following are materials for both students and teachers which Carter has put together. for your use.
Teacher Related:
Student/Dancer Related: (Handouts) Rhythm Introductions Intro Bolero Basics Intro Cha Cha Basics Intro Foxtrot Basics Intro Jive Basics Intro Rumba Basics Intro Single Swing Basics Intro Tango Basics Intro Waltz Basics Inro Dance Basics Fall 2004 Leading/Following Leading and Following 1 Leading and Following Leading Cha Cha and Rumba Drill Sequences Dance Drills CD Index
Teaching Lesson by Lesson Plan Teaching List Advertising Business Cards Examples RD Class Brochure Fall 2005 1 RD Class Brochure Fall 2005 RD Programs Brochure Fall 2005 RD Programs Poster Fall 2005 1 RD Programs Poster Fall 2005