I don't know what level to sign up for. What should I do?

Take a look at the Levels page. There you will shortly be able to find a description of the knowledge and skills required for each level.

 

If you're still not sure which level would suit you best, come along to the Orientation Session on Monday 9th September at 20:15 or Wednesday 11th September at 19:00. At this session, we'll dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

 

I just completed the Beginners 2.1/Beginners 2.2/Intermediate 1.3 course, which level should I register for?

One of the main objectives of the new level system is to enable each student to progress at the speed which suits them best. Attending a specific course does not mean that you have been able to successfully integrate the movements and concepts taught into your dance. It is therefore not possible to provide a standard, one-size-fits-all response to this question.

 

To help you decide, you can read the descriptions of the different levels and/or join one of the Orientation Sessions on Monday 9th September at 20:15 and Wednesday 11th September at 19:00. At this session, we'll dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

If you have questions in the meantime, contact Sarah at dance@sarahforro.com.

 

 

I'm trying to decide between the full trimester and the flexi-trimester options. What should I take into account when deciding?

Everyone's availability is different. The flexi-trimester option exists to recognise this, and enable students to participate in classes, whatever other commitments they might have.

 

There are, of course, some practical differences in both the class experience and the administrative details:

• Practice and repetition is crucial to learning any skill. The more you attend class, the more progress you will make.

• If you register for the full trimester, you get unlimited access to the lower level classes. If you register for the flexi-trimester, you can join 7 of the lower level classes per trimester.

• If you register and pay for the full trimester before 31st August, a thematic workshop of your choice from the September-December programme is included in the price. This does not apply to the flexi-trimester.

 

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Is it possible to purchase a flexi-trimester pass and use it for multiple classes?

The flexi-trimester is designed to be used for one level only (Forró Discovery Mondays OR Wednesdays, Forró Exploration 2 or Forró Evolution 3) to ensure the groups are relatively balanced and well-sized. However, if your specific circumstances mean that a more flexible approach is required, please contact Sarah via email to discuss this. We cannot guarantee that exceptions will be made, but where possible we will do our best to take into account your specific circumstances, as long as this doesn't risk having a negative impact on the other students.

 

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I've registered for Forró Exploration (Level 2)/Forró Evolution (Level 3). Can I join the lower level classes?

Absolutely!

 

Joining the lower level classes is highly recommended: you consolidate your basics, have the opportunity to learn the other role improve your coordination and motor control, and get to know other students.

 

There are some important conditions to ensure optimal learning for everyone:

• Students from the higher levels will swap roles and/or step in or out of the exercise when necessary to ensure a good balance of leaders and followers

• If the room reaches maximum capacity, the students registered for the level have priority over those from higher levels

• Students from the higher levels are there to participate, learn and enjoy the class. Behaviour that disrupts the class is not appropriate. Students will be informed if their behaviour causes a problem and repeat occurrences will lead to the student(s) losing their right to attend the lower level classes

 

 

I want to follow a lower level class as a leader/follower and I don't want to swap roles. What should I do?

If you want to guarantee that you will have a place in a lower level class in a specific role, you should register for that class as well as your "main" class. The Double Trimester registration option gives you a discount on the second class you sign up for.

 

 

I'm signed up for Forró Discovery (Level 1) on Mondays. If one week I can't make a Monday class, can I catch up on Wednesdays instead?

Yes. Please notify Sarah in advance in person or via message. The catch up class must take place the week before, the same week or the week after the class that you miss. Ideally, you would take the catch up class in the same week in order to cover the content that you missed.

 

And of course, the same thing applies if you join the Wednesday class and want to catch up a missed class on a Monday.

 

Practical detail - There is no class on Monday 11th November. So from Monday 18th November onwards, the Monday content will correspond to the Wednesday content of the week before, not the same week.

 

 

I'm signed up for Forró Discovery (Level 1) on Mondays. Are the Wednesday Level 1 classes included in the price?

No, they are not. If you would like to attend both the Monday and Wednesday level 1 classes, you can take advantage of the Double Trimester registration option to sign up for both at a discounted rate.

 

 

Do I have to pay extra for the practice sessions between classes?

No at all. Practice time is an integral part of the learning process. The practice is marked separately on the schedule simply because students from both the early class and the late class can attend - and are highly recommended to!

 

 

I'm not registered for a class. Can I still attend the practice sessions between the classes?

No, the practice sessions are reserved for students attending class on that day. If you would like to practice, join us on alternate Thursdays at Salle Dublin from 8pm to 11pm. More information here.

 

 

How long does each level last?

One of the main objectives of the new level system is to enable each student to progress at the speed which suits them best. This means that each student will spend a different amount of time in each level. And of course, the more you dance (classes, practice sessions, parties, workshops, festivals…), the quicker you are likely to learn as well.

 

As a guideline, level 1 is designed with 3-6 months of content and levels 2 and 3 with 6-9 months of content. Most students need to learn and revise a concept or movement multiple times in order to make it an active part of their dance vocabulary so most students will spend longer than the 3/6 months minimum in each level.

 

Students who are progressing especially quickly should discuss their situation with Sarah who will advise them on the best option for them.

 

 

I already dance salsa/bachata/tango/lindy hop/ballet/hip hop/any other dance. Which level should I join?

Every student is different and while experience in other dance styles can be a plus, it doesn't necessarily mean you will learn forró quicker. You might need to change some habits or learn to move your body in a different way.

 

If you are signing up in September, please come along to one of the Orientation Sessions on Monday 9th September at 20:15 and Wednesday 11th September at 19:00. At this session, we'll dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

If you joining from the second week of the trimester onwards, please come along to one of the Level 1 classes where we will dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

 

I have already danced forró in a different city for one/two/three weeks/months/years. Which level should I join?

Every student is different and progresses at their own speed, so it's not possible to give recommendations purely based on the amount of time in forró.

 

If you are signing up in September, please come along to one of the Orientation Sessions on Monday 9th September at 20:15 and Wednesday 11th September at 19:00. At this session, we'll dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

If you joining from the second week of the trimester onwards, please come along to one of the Level 1 classes where we will dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you the most.

 

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Why does the Double Trimester option exist if we can attend the lower levels for free?

There are two situations where the Double Trimester option would be interesting:

• You would like to attend both the Monday and Wednesday classes for Forró Discovery (Level 1)

• You would like to attend Level 2 or 3 as a follower (or leader) and you would like to guarantee yourself a place in another level as a leader (or follower).

 

Remember, it is possible to attend the lower level classes as part of your registration taking into account the following conditions:

• Students from the higher levels will swap roles and/or step in or out of the exercise when necessary to ensure a good balance of leaders and followers

• If the room reaches maximum capacity, the students registered for the level have priority over those from higher levels

If you would like to focus on one role only in the lower level classes, and therefore to guarantee your place in that role, you can choose the Double Trimester option.

 

 

I can't attend the class for my level because of scheduling problems but I really want to learn/keep learning forró. What should I do?

Fear not, there are a few options!

• If you already master the basic steps and simple turns, you can join the workshops which take place on Thursdays, once every two weeks. These thematic workshops cover different topics each week: see this link for the full programme (to be published soon).

• Sarah also teaches private classes which are a great way to tailor your learning to your specific needs. For more information about pricing and availability, you can contact her at dance@sarahforro.com.

• Forró Brussels organises workshops with guest teachers at the weekend approximately once every two months. Learning with different teachers is an excellent idea and highly recommended, whether you follow the regular classes or not. 

 

 

I'm coming to the Orientation Sessions to see which level I should follow. Can I reserve a place even if I don't know my level yet?

Absolutely, your place is reserved from the moment that your payment is received so if you would like to reserve a place it is important to make the payment as soon as possible.

 

If you pay before being allocated a level, a place will be reserved for you in both of the relevant levels until the Orientation Sessions. And don’t worry, if you are unable to attend the level allocated, you will receive a full refund. See the Conditions for full details of this.

 

You can wait until the Orientation Sessions to pay, but some levels may reach full capacity so we recommend paying in advance to guarantee your place.

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Is there a difference between the two Orientation Sessions?

The two Orientation Sessions will be identical so you can attend on either day. The day you attend has no impact on the level you will be recommended.

 

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I'm coming to the free trial class to see if I like it. Can I wait until then to register?

Absolutely. However, it is important to note that your place will only be reserved once payment is received, and some levels may reach full capacity for leaders, followers or both roles. If this is the case, it may no longer be possible to join a group after the free trial class.

 

If you would like to guarantee yourself a place, you can register and pay in advance of the free trial class. You then have 48 hours after the free trial class to notify us via email (dance@sarahforro.com) if you do not wish to continue and your payment will be refunded in full.

 

 

I'm not sure whether I should follow Level 1 or Level 2. Should I come to the free trial class for Level 1 or the Orientation Session for Level 2?

If you have never followed forró classes before, it would be great if you could come to both! This will give us the best chance to take into account your knowledge of forró, your dance experience and how you handle a group class, so we can recommend the level that will suit you best.

 

However, if you cannot make both sessions, please give priority to the Orientation Session.

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I would like to start learning forró but the trimester has already started. Is this possible?

In order to join the Forró Discovery (Level 1) classes during the trimester, you must have already learnt the following movements:

• Dois pra lá, dois pra cá

• Vai e vem (base 1)

• Opening and closing

• Simple turn leader and follower

You don't need to master them perfectly, but you should be able to carry them out relatively autonomously at the speed of a slow song.

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This is to ensure that new students can join the group in the smoothest possible way to optimise their own learning and without disturbing the progress of the other students.

 

To learn this content, you have a few options:

• Join one of the "Introduction" workshops which take place once or twice per trimester.

• Arrange one or two private classes with Sarah.

• Follow the initiation which is taught at the start of each party at Cellule 133. [Note that the initiations are short taster sessions with limited time for practice. The content can vary slightly each month and not all of the content above will necessarily be taught at each initiation.]

 

To register for the Forró Discovery mid-trimester, send Sarah an email at dance@sarahforro.com. It is usually possible to register mid-trimester, as long as the group still has space available and there is not an significant imbalance of leaders and followers.

 

 

I already dance some forró and I would like to join the classes but the trimester has already started. Is this possible?

Usually, yes! To do, please send Sarah an email at dance@sarahforro.com to notify her in advance and she will arrange for you to attend a Level 1 class where we will dance with you and advise you which level would benefit you most.

 

It is possible for you to join the course mid-trimester, as long as the group still has space available and there is not an significant imbalance of leaders and followers.