Learn how to beautifully dance
the open telemark & Wing
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Open Telemark followed by a Wing in the Modern Waltz.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains personal notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources.
Also included is a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Open Telemark followed by a Wing!
The Open Telemark followed by a Wing is usually a silver level Modern Waltz figure. For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Open Telemark & Wing (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | T H | Facing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | rise e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing LOD | DC | just under 3/8 (1→2) | L | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF to side | T H | Facing DW | LOD | just over 1/4 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd in CBMP | H T | Pointing LOD | LOD | RF: 1/8 to L | – | PP | ||
| 5 | 2 | Draw LF toward RF | F | Facing LOD | – | com to turn body to L | – | slight rise. NFR | – | |
| 6 | 3 | LF closes to RF without weight | F | Facing LOD | – | cont to turn body to L | – | slight rise. NFR lower e/o 3 | OP on L |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- left axis point. Stretch diagonal.
- use CBM and rise a bit early to lead heel turn
In step 4,
- start swaying to right. Smooth transition through the measure rather than producing sway only in one beat.
- bold step
In step 5,
- ensure no foot swivel ,but allow your body to turn only to face LOD
In step 6,
- foot swivel is used to end facing DC.
Open Telemark & Wing (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | rise slightly e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | DC | 3/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF to side | T H | Facing DC | LOD | 3/8 (2→3) body turns more | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | LF fwd in CBMP | H T | Facing DC | LOD | 4 | com to turn L | com to side e/o 1 | PP | |
| 5 | 2 | RF fwd | T | Facing Centre | Centre | 1/8 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | ||
| 6 | 3 | LF fwd in CBMP | T H | Facing against LOD | against LOD | 1/4 (2→3) body turns more | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | OP on L |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- kee your own balance
- when starting the figure, feel your left hip flexor working. Don’t think about your right leg moving back, but rather thing about standing on your left leg to get your weight moving into your foot.
- Don’t think about shoulder rotation at all. Just think about strong diagonal stretch — stretching down your left side
- The turn is all going to happen through the base area. Lower center / hips are rotating. From your sternum are, feel a strong leftward and upward sway. No rotation through shoulderrs (if you rotate your shoulder, then you’ll end up on the Man’s left side)
- step straight back — not off to the side.
- Keep your head at the same place (up and on the right), rotate your body underneath.
In step 4,
- big step. Don’t chagne sway too soon.
- At the end of count 1, your hip should be just about square.
- As you land on your left leg, your lef shoulder becomes the swing point (it’s personal preference whether you want to get the swing going early)
In step 5,
- right side leading. Small steps on 2 and 3. Walk closely around the Man. Don’t travel too far away from the Man — try not the gap the Man (going to the wrong position, will result in oyour left side connecting with the Man’s left side)
- Your head dances “up and over” the bar (where the bra strap is). Don’t collapse your back muscle. Feel a strong upward curved. Pick up the centre.Take your head back. Feel that you are being lengthened in a picked up position.
- by the end of count 2, your head should be square to the Man, closed.
In step 6,
- allow your arms to become part of the Man’s shape. Elbows forward and head back.
- Your head quadrant should still be on the Man’s right side, but your your hips and feet will be on the wrong side. Don’t go too far to the Man’s left as this will make the next step difficult
- There are two ways to shape: (i) slower, more gradual turnign your head to head over 1-2-3; or (ii) faster and sharper all on 1.
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced moving DC (as described above)
Following Figures
Ended facing LOD
Ended facing DC
(swivel 1/8 to L at end of step 3, possilby taking following step in CBMP on OP on left side)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn Back Whisk Double Reverse Spin Progressive Chasse to R |
| Silver | Closed Telemark Drag Hesitation Open Telemark |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Ended facing DW of new LOD at a corner
(swivel 1/8 to L, at the end of step 3)
| Bronze | LF Closed Change Whisk |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation |
List of Abbreviations
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Open Telemark & Wing being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.
For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.