I asked for comments from dancers who attended Michael's
two previous visits to East Hartford and what follows is a sample of what came in.
What can I say about him except that he is
AWESOME. What a great guy and fabulous teacher and only in his early 20s.
If he keeps this up, he will have a long and rewarding career ahead of
him. The way he explained and broke down everything, including the foot
work which hasn't been taught here in a long time, was outstanding. Other
instructors should take a lesson from him for his style of teaching and
mannerism. Normally, I don't come away with much from workshops, but I
can't say that about Michael. Hope you bring him back soon.
Excellent!! He delivered very well. Hardly
ever a hesitation as to what he saw that needed to be brought out or repeated.
He developed each class as described. I am not a very experienced WC dancer.
I have taken lessons like every two years since 1999 but I mostly do Lindy.
Michael's teaching approach is different. I have a feeling it will stay
with me longer.
They were fabulous workshops. Michael is a doll...great
personality, great dancer, excellent teacher. Taught for all levels. Last
workshop was advanced and moved me up a notch. Also enjoyed that he uses
different women to demo.....not just the best or favorite as some teachers.
I often learn more by seeing mistakes than perfection, and figuring out
how to do it better. For example, I learn most from critiques classes....seeing
what others need to improve and doing same for myself. The food was healthy
and wholesome and delicious. Glad mushrooms were not in everything as
i am allergic. Also would request rice to use with sauce for wheat allergics
like myself.....or rice pasta....there is such a thing. I also enjoyed
dancing with Michael. It's great that he dances with everyone...not like
some teacher who isolate themselves.
Michael Kielbasa's workshops were exactly what
I was looking for, which was the styling, look, syncopation, and funk
to put into my currently crude and limited West Coast Swing. He explained
it extremely well, crystal, as only a pedigreed dancer such as Michael
can do, and made it entertaining and fun. He knows what people want and
shares it freely. I have enough information and styling received in two
workshops for months worth of practice, but I know my West Coast will
jump up big time to a higher level that would have taken me years to obtain
from observation and fancy move seminars. I can't think Michael enough,
and will eagerly await his next visit.
As you know, I attended only his first class,
but I was impressed with his technique. He was very clear in his instruction
and it was evident that he has excellent dance background. Being new to
West Coast dance style, I found his pointers on the basics very helpful.
I look forward to seeing him at a future workshop. Thank you for bringing
him to the area.
It was a great event, Tom. Useful lessons,
excellent food and good music. I especially appreciated Michael's being
available for dances after his classes. He was AMAZING to dance with and
fun and instructive to watch while he danced with other students.
I felt Michael Kielbasa really delivered what
was promised and he did so with a lot of professionalism. He was approachable
and respectful and he didn't do any off color jokes, etc. and that is
always a "plus for most women." I liked his emphasis on basic dance technique
(i.e. use of the foot placement as very deliberate) and got more from
that type of teaching than learning new fancy dance patterns (which are
often forgotten later on). Even though he is fairly new to WC, he is not
new to dance. I could see a lot of styling had rubbed off from his uncle,
Michael Kiehm, onto him and that is great since Michael Kiehm is one of
my favorites.