UKSALSA CHAT | ON2 CHAT | SUZYQ CHAT 
Subject: UKA or not????
From: anonymous chatter
Date: Tuesday 11th February 2003, 6:30 pm

Angie

Just going from personal experience the UKA, as far as I'm aware, are the only body currently offering a qualification in Salsa in the UK. I have also been informed that they only recognise 'cuban' style salsa - not NY (their version of mambo - from what I've heard/seen - is Ballroom style - which is very different to what is being danced worldwide in clubs, congresses etc). The other thing about UKA qualification is that it doesn't cover technique... more whether or not you know the difference between a trading places and a figure of eight..... which is fine up to a point, but many of the styles now being danced across the globe are only possible with the correct technique's (spinning, cross body lead, copa's etc etc). Having attending many of the UKA salsa competitions in the past - I have come to the conclusion that little credibility is now given to this 'body' by many of the uk's and international 'well known' and respected teachers - and I agree with Graeme that it seems to be more of a money making scheme on UKA's part rather than a qualification worth spending money on.

It's a shame that there is no recorgnised qualification however as there are many 'cowboys' now teaching salsa - in some cases extremely badly.. and if there was a way to regulate this it would certainly help improve things across the UK... however as salsa is constantly changing - and has many different styles across the globe it would be very difficult to write an appropriate syllabus to allow for this. It's a challenge though I would be more than happy to support should someone decide to look into it.

   
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