Quarantine Lessons
Online Ballroom + Latin Dance
for partners + individuals
Brook
Diamond
Dance
Brook has helped me to transcend my understanding of partnership through dance as a vehicle for connection. — Sarah H.
Quarantined Couple Learning Ballroom Tango Basics
ABOUT BROOK
Brook Diamond is an award-winning NY-based dancer, competitor, and private instructor with an affinity for International Latin and American Smooth ballroom dancing. Specializing in cha cha, tango, samba, slow waltz, foxtrot, West Coast swing, country two step, amongst 30+ other partner dances, Brook embodies forms ranging from flirty and playful; to passionate and sensual; to smooth and elegant.
Born and raised in Anchorage Alaska, Brook’s journey as a mover began at the age of five after stumbling accross a VHS of Michael Jackson’s "Thriller". Enraptured by the power of movement, Brook spent countless hours teaching himself the choreography and dancing along. At sixteen, during Anchorage’s annual state fair, Brook realized dance was more fulfilling than any other endorphin-inducing teenage activity. It was on stage with his partner, while dancing the Paso Doble in matador attire, that he experienced incomparable engagement and energetic flow. Brook realized dance was his future and set forth to nurture this in himself and in others — audiences and students alike.
Over the years, Brook has trained with world-renowned coaches, and in 2010 Brook was granted a scholarship to train at the Joffrey School of Ballet after which he continued his dance career in New York City.
As a teacher, Brook is highly sought after by both individuals and couples, training and competing locally and nationally with a large roster of dedicated students, each of whom he customizes lessons to match their goals and learning styles. Brook works with students of all ages and all levels of experience, ranging from dance professionals focused on furthering their competition resume (some of which have gone on to win world championships), to novices interested in reconnection with body or new practice (some of whom end up navigating the bronze and silver competition circuit with him). Brook has trained students from a wide range of non-dance industries, including business CEOs, a Lifetime Achievement-awarded scientist, and a Grammy-winning singer, with whom Brook most recently made his debut in narrative film.
Brook sees the learning process as a symbiotic journey between teacher and student and facilitates space for this to take effect. Brook’s methodology as a teacher is unique in that, unlike traditional dance training in where the teacher imparts theory and steps from the onset, Brook first prioritizes each student’s unique sense of self as a mover. With this understanding as a launch pad, Brook fluidly interweaves theory and steps into the process, resulting in both self-discovery and refined dance technique.
Throughout, Brook and his students work together closely to identify barriers that may inhibit energetic flow, while holding space for the psychological and emotional components that accompany partnering with oneself and with another — both in dance and in life.
Quarantined Couple
Quarantined Woman Learning Rumba Basics
DANCE LESSONS
Connection to body, relatedness to self and other, and immersive learning all cultivate growth and flourishing joy!
Dance fuses these aspirations into one.
Brook has crafted a collection of quarantined-based curriculums and opened up his schedule to a new roster of students.
No experience is necessary — just curiosity and open heart.
BRIDES + GROOMS + MOMS + DADS
for brides + grooms / moms + dads amidst wedding planning, those looking to initiate or keep up their wedding-day dance chops!
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QUARANTINED SEPARATELY
Partners + Individuals
Brook is particularly excited about these lessons, as our circumstance presents the unique opportunity for us to hold ourselves independently accountable for our moves.
As in any strong relationship, we must bring ourselves forward with an understanding of balance, timing, and self care, such that we do not “need” our partner for support. Once we understand our responsibilities, we can participate in a truly successful partnership. This training leads to a sophistication in dance partnering that usually comes much later in one’s dance career, as so rarely is partner dancing first experienced off-body.
Upon reemergence from physical solitude, you’ll find that you and your partner will be able to take flight right away, and it will be quite thrilling!
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QUARANTINED TOGETHER
Partners
For partners quarantined together interested in growing their relationship through dance; having a refreshing new activity to pass time, while simultaneity building a skillset for socializing with family and friends post-quarantine. Upon reemergence into the real world, you’ll surely amaze (and maybe confuse) your loved ones with your new skills.
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GUIDED MEDITATIVE IMPROVISATION
Individuals + Partners + Small Groups
Brook has crafted a meditative forum for exploration of one’s spiritual self though movement. Brook guides easy-to-follow student/teacher-generated movements. Flowing from shape to shape, both meditative and educational, this can be thought of like contact improv, but with no physical contact.
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QUARANTINE CHALLENGE
Individuals + Partners
The “Quarantine Challenge” incorporates steps from the bronze, silver, and gold ballroom competition syllabi.
As Brook continues to train his advanced students in preparation for post-quarantine competition seasons, he’s also opened up this forum for beginner dancers. New students choose a dance style and a piece of music and Brook begins by teaching the first five steps of the bronze competition syllabus. Brook has seen many students from novices through ballroom competition.
Advanced dancers who are individually quarantined are having the experience to expand upon their off-body dance skillset, furthering self-accountability within what will ultimately, again, be a real time partnership.
Quarantined Couple Learning Argentine Tango Basics
TESTIMONIALS
“I have such high regards for Brook as a person and as a teacher. He is incredibly patient, encouraging, and always positive. Whenever I face challenge learning a new step, he figures out new ways for me to approach it. He never gives up.
— Nancy H.
“Brook has helped my partner and I take our dancing from two individuals moving through steps mechanically to a couple feeling and moving as one.”
— Charlotte M.
“Brook is a superb teacher. He is meticulous with his instruction, personable, and filled with humor.”
— Victoria L.
“Brook inspired me to come back to dancing after many years in retirement. He is kind, professional, full of joy, and sooo much fun. He always has a way of understanding my needs. Don't walk, RUN to his classes!!!”
— Cynthia G.
“Brook has helped me to transcend understanding of partnership through dance as a vehicle for connection. He’s helped me find confidence and technical acuity as an independent mover and in partnered movement in dance and in life.
— Sarah S.
“Brook is such a joyful teacher, and so articulate."
— Irina V.
“Brook’s high energy and infectious laugh makes me forget my stresses… he continuously inspires me and challenges me, and he takes my dance career seriously. He reassures me that it’s okay to feel awkward and silly and for me to embrace stepping outside of my comfort zone in order to become a better dancer. While on the dance floor, it’s about having fun. I’m so grateful to have Brook guiding me through my dance journey.”
— Joanne J.
“Brook is a rare gem. He’s taught me a brand new skillset in my early forties and throughout the process, he’s also taught me how to love myself better. Oh my goodness, I can dance!!!”
— Amy H.
POST QUARANTINE REUNION
Brook and his students are gearing up for a reunion (party and pictures!) at Stepping Out Studios once we're all released back into the real world. Brook is offering a free lesson for those students who’ve fallen in love with dance and who’d like to purchase a package and continue their dance journey!
Quarantined Woman Learning Cha Cha Basics
FEE STRUCTURE
In response to the recession, quarantine sessions are being offered on a sliding scale.
Sessions are 45-min and range from $50 - $100 based on financial comfort.
If students choose to continue post-quarantine, lessons will slide back to Brook’s standard package rates.
