Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro Episode 6 Recap: The Art of Teaching and Learning
In the world of professional dancing, the old adage, 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach,' takes on a new dimension. And on this episode of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, the focus was on the art of teaching and learning, with a twist. The remaining five contestants, Allen Genkin, Selena Hamilton, Nina Mayster, AJ Pritchard, and Adele Zaikman, were tasked with teaching ballroom routines to inexperienced partners in just two days.
The challenge was not just about the dancers' own skills, but also about their ability to guide and mentor others. It's a delicate balance, as the old saying goes, 'You can't teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.' And that's exactly what these dancers had to do.
The Teachers and Their Students
The contestants were paired with five social media influencers who had some dance experience but not in a ballroom style. The matchups were decided at random, and the challenge began.
- Adele and Anthony: Adele, a strict teacher, pushed Anthony to his limits. The tango routine was challenging, and Adele's intense approach may have been too much for Anthony, who rated his confidence low.
- Selena and Jeremy: Selena focused on drilling the quickstep moves with Jeremy. She adapted to his needs, creating a spin move to showcase his skills without breaking the rules. However, the choreography lacked the essence of a quickstep.
- Nina and Jay: Nina, a self-proclaimed coach, took charge. She added hip-hop elements to make Jay comfortable, but her focus on perfecting posture took time away from the actual steps. Jay was worried, and the foxtrot routine suffered.
- AJ and Bailey: AJ, a favorite in this challenge, had experience coaching on Strictly Come Dancing. He and Bailey, who had a background in song and dance, worked on the Viennese waltz. Bailey struggled with the new technique, but AJ's teaching style was effective.
- Allen and Zaira: Allen, with his teaching background, kept the choreography simple to showcase Zaira's hip-hop roots. They spent time building trust and connection, and the waltz routine was solid, despite some technique mistakes.
The Judges' Observations
The judges, including Mark Ballas, Shirley Ballas, and Carrie Ann Inaba, observed the dancers' teaching styles and the progress of their students. They praised the efforts of some and criticized others.
- Adele and Anthony: Mark appreciated the movement and dynamics, while Shirley wanted more fun. Adele's strict approach was noted, and her ability to coach mid-dance impressed the judges.
- AJ and Bailey: Witney praised the routine's beauty and technical sound, but wanted more emotion. Mark and Shirley were impressed by AJ's teaching and the routine's execution.
- Allen and Zaira: Shirley loved the partnership's beauty, but the steps had mistakes. Allen's rapport with Zaira was noted, and he effectively built her confidence.
- Selena and Jeremy: Mark thought the routine was fun and musical, but it needed to travel more across the floor. Shirley praised Jeremy's smile but criticized Selena's choreography.
The Verdict
At the end of the night, the dancers' efforts were judged, and the results were revealed.
- Nina: She was announced as the first dancer in jeopardy, and her exit interview revealed her emotional journey. Nina's take-charge attitude had its pros and cons, and she learned the value of her skills.
- Selena: She was also in jeopardy, and the judges' comments highlighted the lack of knowledge in her choreography.
The episode concluded with the elimination of Nina, leaving the remaining contestants to continue their journey on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.
This episode showcased the challenges of teaching and learning in the dance world. It's a delicate balance, and these dancers proved that it takes more than just talent to guide and mentor others. As the competition continues, the art of teaching and learning will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the ultimate winner.
