Being a good caller involves becoming skilled in a variety of areas. CALLERLAB’s Caller Training Committee has developed a curriculum for caller training. The core of the curriculum is a list of the topics to be covered. This list will give you a good idea of what you should be learning as you begin to call or improve your skills.
Some topics are more important than others, so the list is divided into three parts:
Essential Topics
- Mechanics of Choreography
- Methods of Choreographic Management
- Music
- Teaching
- Programming
- Smooth Dancing and Body Flow
- Voice Delivery
- Timing
- Leadership
- Ethics
Important Topics
- Business Side of Calling
- Singing-Call Techniques
- Sound/Public-Address Equipment
- The Caller’s Partner
- Dancer Succcess
- Sociability
- Square Dance Party
- History, Heritage, and Tradition
- Self-Improvement Techniques
Desirable Topics
- Rounds, Contras, and Mixers
- Showmanship
- Duties of an MC
- Promotion/Communications