Appreciations

"Andy is a very experienced and talented teacher. He brings his wonderful sense of humour to teaching, putting everyone immediately at their ease. He is skilled at leading workshops where there are beginners as well as experienced dancers and teachers. Plus he has an in depth knowledge of the dances, their background and meaning which adds to the whole experience. Also a talent of finding several pieces of exquisite music for each dance, giving the dance a different quality each time you dance it.
Andy's teaching style is relaxed, empowering and informative with a dash of easy humour.
Having loved dancing with Andy at several Easter Gatherings, I took the plunge and invited him down South to Benson, the home of one of my weekly groups. To my surprise and delight, Andy accepted, and after a few emails, we had the whole weekend quickly organised. The group that gathered for the weekend at the beginning of September came from far and wide and included near beginners as well as experienced CD teachers. Andy somehow managed to cope with all our different levels and needs, and I'm still receiving notes and comments from the dancers a month later as to how much they enjoyed the weekend - and asking when we can have Andy back again!"
Lilly Dunkley, England

"Il seminario di Andy Bettis è stato molto interessante e coinvolgente. E' un giudizio che posso esprimere solo ora, al termine del seminario, perché all'inizio ho avuto qualche difficoltà ad entrare nei ritmi inusuali e particolari delle danze. Ma già nel pomeriggio del secondo giorno potevo percepire distintamente l'energia che le danze andavano ad evocare e l'unione del gruppo che sempre più andava a formarsi.  Andy mi ha portato, con semplicità ed efficacia, ad eseguire passi complessi e mi ha fatto entrare in un sogno bellissimo, la percezione delle sensazioni e della cultura legate alle danze presentate. Mi ha permesso di raggiungere in breve tempo una buona conoscenza dei passi, legarli ai ritmi, mantenendo al contempo una atmosfera di gioia e una costante percezione del momento presente. Tale "presenza" ha permesso indubbiamente, secondo la mia percezione, di generare un campo energetico collettivo di grande intensità che ha portato una maggiore consapevolezza nei singoli ma anche nel luogo dell'incontro. Un grazie di cuore ad Andy da parte mia."
Claudio Flumeri, Italy

Andy has been leading our Tuesday night sacred dance sessions for over 10 years. We never cease to be amazed at the vastness and variety of his repertoire and his dedication to dancing. His knowledge and memory are truly encyclopaedic! I also love his little stories and the lightness of his teaching style, not to mention his ability to take us from simple dances to wild and fast, to complicated with tricky rhythms, to funny couple dances, to soft and meditative and back to simple. And he can play stringed instruments as well. What a talent!
Yvonne Cuneo, Scotland

"Andy's a dancing gnome who has managed to maintain a state of adolescence well beyond the normally accepted bounds! He has a wonderful sense of the ridiculous that engenders laughter in the most serious of wannabe dancer, no matter how many left feet (or was that right feet?) he or she may have. Yes, his workshops are fun, and yet he has a deep knowledge and appreciation of dance, and respect for the traditions of the dances he teaches. Andy dances lightly, teaches with integrity, and embraces all comers. You are thinking of perhaps doing a workshop with Andy? - don't think, just do it!!"
Peter Sands, Australia

"I always enjoy dancing with Andy. He has a lightness of touch, a sense of humour, a genuine warmth and a generosity of spirit. He has a vast repertoire of music at his fingertips to choose from, and he lets the dances speak for themselves. I can trust these dances, and my body relaxes deeply into them. Andy also has a gift of inclusiveness, welcoming everyone into the circle, creating a harmonious whole and a sense of community."
Fiona Parr, England

"Andy is the master of fun. He says Give me two more dances and I'll give you the perfect finish to this evening of gypsy dance. You think you are too tired to move another step and your usual bedtime was hours ago but you do and he does. He has an infectious enthusiasm for the dance he teaches, a mastery of tricky rhythms and complex steps, and a deep knowledge of dances which is generously shared. His clear teaching makes it possible for people at every stage of their dance journey to take part with confidence and enjoyment and to share his delight in dance. And he has the ability to share his own understanding of the sacredness and connectedness of all things with a lightness of touch and a sense of fun."
Judith Thompson, England

"Andy is a breath of fresh air amongst dance teachers. Precision, knowledge and accuracy, yes - but with humour, wit and levity - a delightful combination."
Bill Henderson, Scotland

"Andy was my first dance teacher and I have had the honour of dancing with him since 1988. He is without a doubt the most skilled teacher I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Andy says of dancing There are no mistakes, just variations no-one has ever seen before and Be proud of your variations! These words encouraged me from the very first time I stood in a circle and launched myself into my first variation - proudly followed through the years by many more.
Andy's love and understanding of 'unusual' rhythms flows around the circle holding the energy for us all. He is legendary for his skill in making the most complicted dance attainable and enjoyable for all levels of experience. What he isn't so well known for is bringing out hidden depths, shades and textures in the seemingly simple village dances. Andy is blessed with great humility, a wonderful sense of humour and incredible talent."
Debby Flavell, Australia
As part of her teaching diploma Debby was asked to write a study of an experienced teacher at work and she described one of my dance evenings. You can read the artice here.

"Andy must be amongst the most relaxed teachers of Circle Dance. If he tells you it's easy, it is; if he doesn't tell you it's easy, he simply makes it so. Whether exploring the same dance to different pieces of music or exploring unusual rhythms, Andy brings an authority that is scarcely visible, leaving the participant with the feeling that the achievement is their own. Generous, powerful and affirming."
Raymond Thompson, England

"In depth knowledge of dance and music, light feet, sparkling humour and a twinkle in the eye... it all contributes to make Andy's teaching really enjoyable. Andy has the wonderful skill of supporting a complete beginner as well as challenge the most proficient dancer."
Martine Winnington, Switzerland

"Andy is such a gifted teacher! He is a great dancer and has the rare gift to encourage beginners without 'losing' advanced dancers. I love his brilliant and warmhearted sense of humour that helps to dance through the difficulties of learning. However, under the fun are rock solid foundations of dancing skills and a very well thought through concept that draws people deeper into the world of dancing.
He is a very clear and confident leader, but he has another precious gift: Andy can also make himself almost disappear and let the dances themselves come to the foreground. Fantastic examples were the many late night gypsy dance sessions he led at the Findhorn Sacred Dance Festivals, where with minimal teaching he generated an enormous amount of energy through his choice of music and general permission to 'go for it'. He can let the reins go and pick them up again without anybody noticing. This is an art that I haven't come across very often. Andy is a master at it!!!"
Vera Bohlen, Scotland

"Andy is an excellent teacher at all levels. His warmth and humour puts beginners immediately at ease, yet his depth of knowledge is reassuring for more expereinced dancers. His workshops are always lots of fun and very enjoyable."
Anne Parry, England