Hygiene

While personal oral and bodily hygiene seems like an obvious must when dancing with a partner, its importance cannot be overstated enough. Make sure to use deodorant, body spray, breath mints and anything else in your arsenal to make sure that it would be pleasant for another person to remain in close proximity to you. It is best to avoid heavy perfumes and hair styling products with strong smells.

Dress Code

First and foremost your clothing should be comfortable and suitable for dancing. Also, bear in mind that your attire should not cause any discomfort to your partner (i.e. hard metal belt buckles, beaded sleeves that brush up against partner’s faces, etc).
Men should always close their jackets or take them off before dancing. Your attire should also be appropriate for the occasion:

Informal: Nice casual attire that you would wear to an upscale nightclub

Semiformal: Men should wear coat and tie for men. Women should wear a dress of any length.

Formal: Men should wear a dress suit or tuxedo. Women should wear a dress of any length.

Black-tie formal: Men should wear a tuxedo or white dinner jacket. Women should wear a long dress.

Asking someone to dance

While it may feel awkward or scary to ask someone to dance, you need to remember that this is not a typical social situation and people who ballroom dance are there to do one thing: ballroom dance. This means that it is not likely that you will be turned down, unless the other person has a good reason for it. In the same vein, try your best not turn someone down if they asked you to dance. If you do turn down a request to dance, it is polite to give a reason. It is all right to say that you are “resting” “sitting out”, or that you are “not familiar with this particular dance”. If you would like, you can also warn them that you are a “beginner”. It is considered very rude to turn down one person and then accept another invitation during the same dance number. Moreover, doing the 100 meter dash to get a “choice” partner is considered improper.

There are also no complicated pick up lines required, you can simply ask”May I have this dance?” or “Shall we dance?” Ladies, the same philosophy applies to you, in ballroom dancing it is perfectly acceptable for you to ask a man to dance. At the conclusion of a dance it is polite to thank you partner, and the man should walk the woman back to her seat, even if she asked him to dance.

Be sociable, nice and smile:) Introduce yourself to your partner right away and make eye contact. While these are very simple and basic social skills, they will take you a long way in ballroom dancing. By being open, warm, and focusing on learning while having a good time instead of stressing out about imperfections in your dance skills, you will ensure that people will want to dance with you again.

On the floor

If you are just starting out, it is especially important for you to learn to observe the line of dance. In traveling dances such as waltz, tango, foxtrot, samba, Viennese waltz, and quickstep,couples always move counterclockwise on the floor. Faster, more experienced dancers should always be in the outermost lane, intermediate dancers in the middle lane and inexperienced dancers in the center of the ballroom. By following this placement you will ensure your own safety, prevent collisions and save yourself a lot of stress.

Leading/following

Both leading and following is an art as much as it is a science that takes practice, diligence and creativity to master. While you are learning, make sure to never criticize or blame your partner for being a poor leader/follower. This will only lead to hurt pride and feelings, but will not be constructive to your learning.

Men should avoid exercising forceful leads to achieve a pattern. By pushing and pulling a woman into desired position, you will only make her feel uncomfortable. Pay attention to your partner’s level of skill and only lead what is appropriate to this current level.

When a woman accepts a dance, it implies that she is agreeing to follow and let the man lead. This means that if you are following, you should not try to lead. By doing this, you reject the man’s contribution to the partnership during the dance. This applies to the choice of dance, patters, and timing.

Collisions and accidents

When you are just starting to dance, collisions on the dance floor can be the cause of stress and anxiety. All you need to remember is that when you get more than two people out on the dance floor, collisions sometimes can happen and there are a few simple things you can do to prevent them. As a rule of thumb, paying attention to other couples around you and not panicking if you see a couple moving in too close, should keep you and your partner safe. Ladies, if you notice another couple about to collide into you and your partner, simply tap your partner gently on the shoulder. This will signal for him to move you in a different direction. Its important to remain calm and not grab your partner, as this may startle him, making the collision inevitable. If you happen to step on (or bump into) anyone, apologize to all partners involved, make sure that everyone is OK, and proceed with the dance.

No matter how careful or skilled of a dancer you may be, it is important to adapt a lighthearted attitude toward accidents on the dance floor. Chances are that once in a while they will happen! You may end up dancing with someone who is not such a great lead/follow, someone may step on your feet or you may get an odd shove on a very crowded dance floor. Don’t get angry.Take it with a smile and go on dancing!

Personal Space

While ballroom dancing is passionate, sexy and provocative by nature it does not mean that accepting or asking someone for a dance imply personal/romantic interest. It is very important for both men and women to be aware of and maintain this personal boundary. You do not wan to run the risk of offending someone or embarrassing yourself. In the spirit of not crossing boundaries, kissing a woman’s hand or any other part of her body without her permission or invitation to do so can easily be considered a serious invasion of her personal space and even sexual harassment. Both men and women should think of each dance as brief light conversation at a party where they will then move on to the next chat.

If you have been thinking about signing up for a ballroom class, or are considering signing your child up, check out these 5 hidden benefits of ballroom dancing:

Great social and cognitive development benefits for children

While you may think that signing up your child for a ballroom dance class will be a great way to add physical activity into their routine, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that ballroom dancing offers a few other major benefits that may not be readily apparent. Unlike solo dance styles such as ballet or jazz, the requirement to dance in a pair in ballroom, teaches children a whole new set of invaluable skills. These include such social skills as improved communication and increased self confidence, as well as cognitive skills such as, increased attentiveness and improved creativity in problem solving. Children who do ballroom dancing on a regular basis also enjoy noticeable boosts in energy and improve their coordination. All of these skills actually enable kids to be better students at school, and to be well socially adjusted in their peer relationships.

Children as young as three years old can start attending a ballroom class once a week. In recent years, ballroom dancing has become an extremely popular medium for boys, and the demand for professional male dancers is on the rise. So if you have a boy, you do not need to be concerned that he will be singled out and lonely in a ballroom dance class. In fact, many studios are now experiencing quite the opposite, with more boys than girls singing up for classes. Also, if your child is already taking another dance class, do not hesitate to suggest they try ballroom as well. Many kids love the cross training and experience marked improvements in both dance styles as a result.

Keeps you body fit and healthy at any age

If you are looking for a fun way to stay fit, ballroom dancing is a nice alternative to exercise that delivers serious results. Ballroom dancing is not only great for cardio, it is actually a whole body work out, which is something you will surely notice once all the muscles in your body will ache after attending a class. Out of many physical activities, dancing is one of the top five, and is a highly effective way to loose weight. It is second to only running, with an average adult burning between 200 and 500 calories during an hour of dance, depending on the intensity of the workout. Ballroom dancing also helps improve flexibility and posture, which is something many people who sit crouched behind their desks at work all day struggle with. Moreover, dancing helps strengthen muscles and build bone mass, which can help prevent osteoporosis, an issue that is particularly important for women to work on preventing.

Relieve stress and improve your mood

Whether you are stressed out after a log day at work or in school, ballroom dancing can help you unwind. Dancing helps the brain release endorphins into your system, these are feel good chemicals that will almost instantly make the blues and the tension go away. This means that even a half hour of ballroom dancing after work will help you balance out your day, and keep you from falling into negative feelings of stress related anxiety, or depression.

A no-pressure way to meet people and socialize

These days many of us are overworked and over-committed, making it hard to find time to meet new people and socialize without feeling pressured, shy, or awkward. Ballroom dancing is a wonderful way to get out of your shell and expand your circle of friends in a low-key, safe environment that encourages socializing. If you are a beginner, you do not need to be worried about not having a partner, as many people do not, and you rotate partners during class anyway. This means that you will have the pleasure of meeting and dancing with many different people. Because of its lively music, fun and engaging atmosphere, ballroom dancing classes are also a great pastime for senior citizens, many of whom are very eager to get out and socialize. So whatever your age or personal circumstances are, you will have an enjoyable social experience at a ballroom dance class.

Expanded work opportunities for professional dancers

In a highly competitive professional dance industry, dancers who are cross-trained have a major advantage, and actually get hired. While there are plenty of outstanding jazz, ballet, hip-hop dancers, etc. very few can do any style, including ballroom. As a result, they loose out in the market that demands versatility. This means that if you are a professional dancer, or are considering this career path, it would be to your great advantage to gain exposure to ballroom dancing. While it may not come easy to you at first, and will require some adjustments on your part, the vocabulary and understanding of the ballroom rhythms will be an invaluable asset, and a step in the right direction in your professional dance career.

If you are lucky enough to have found a great studio and a good instructor, you will find that professionally taught lessons will not only help you become a better dancer, but will also enrich your life in ways you could not even imagine before. Ballroom dancing can become not only a new hobby and fun social activity for you, but it can turn into a fun discipline that you may really fall in love with!

Why Ballroom Dance?

Have you had an experience of going to a wedding or other social events where people dance? Have not you wished you could step confidently on the floor, and join the fun? Well, you can! Yes, you can join the fun, but first you will have to find a good studio, and take a few group lessons to learn the fundamentals of dance, which will help you develop confidence to dance socially.

A good instructor will help you develop musicality, sense of rhythm, grace of movement, balance, and style. Taking dance lessons with the right ballroom dance teacher is a great way to learn popular social dances that are often danced at social events. Picture yourself stepping confidently onto the dance floor and lighting up the party. By learning a few basic dances, and learning how to move your body to the musical rhythm, you may soon find that you can hold your own no matter what the music is, because you will be able to hear the beats, and it will seem quite natural to you to rock to the music.

Are you looking for something new to do with your significant other? If so, then taking ballroom dance lessons together can be just the thing to put add a spark to your romance, shake things up, and make things more exciting and fun all at once. Laughing together when you make mistakes, holding each other close, and looking into each other’s eyes – what could be better to bring the two of you together? Use the time together to rekindle your romance and to simply enjoy being together and moving to the music.

Do you want a new and exciting way to get some exercise in? Any type of dance lessons can burn some calories, and help you have some fun. Dance is a great way to give your body an all-over workout. Putting some variety into your workout routine can help you burn some excess fat without even really trying! Would not that be both fun and rewarding in so many ways? You can and should practice in between the lessons to master the technique learned, and to stay active.

What kind of dances can you learn? Ballroom dance lessons encompass many different dances that you normally do with a partner. From Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot, to Rumba, Cha Cha, and Jive; all of these dances are considered partner dances, and feature different music, dance style, energy and mood. Whether you want to dance at your wedding, at the prom, or just because, you will find that learning how to ballroom dance, will give you the confidence to do any of the above, anywhere!

Dance lessons are normally given in succession with you learning step by step, and building upon what you have already learned. By learning in a step by step fashion, and practicing in between your lessons, you will develop a muscle memory and eventually your dance steps and routines, and effortless movement to the music will become a second nature to you.

Learning to dance is no different from learning any other discipline. It may feel awkward and clumsy at first. That’s to be expected. Eventually, you will master the basics, and will be able to dance with full enjoyment without having to think about it. You will be able to feel it and just dance. The good news is that learning to dance is always fun, even at the early stages. So, do not delay, go after it and learn!

1. Do not waste your time looking on ballroom site bulletin boards and their partner searches or classifieds. I’ve had over 250 people e-mail me what a horrible experience they’ve had through them. According to the reports, most of the people listed have actually been looking for relationships, turned out to be no where near what they claimed, or were “psychos”. I have also, as of yet, NEVER heard of anyone successfully finding a partner this way. Below are the two most proven successful methods.

2. For Ballroom dancing Professionals seeking Professional partners – go to EVERY competition in your region, even if only as a spectator. With a little ingenuity, you can find out who the various studio owners and judges are, introduce yourself and explain your dilemma. These days it seems that professionals, coaches and top studio owners make the decisions and introductions of potential dance partners for their instructors, and it is becoming a more common trend for teachers to respect their coaches/studio owners’ “suggestions” of a partner. It also gives you a possible chance of seeing the potential partner in action, and possibly meeting them to discern their worth. Judges at these comps, especially bigger comps, are usually VERY well informed on who’s looking for a partner, and if you can make an impression on these folks, you are in like flint.

3. For Amateurs seeking Amateur partners – Second best suggestion is follow #2 above. Best suggestion is to contact your local United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association – USABDA. They often list competitions, and studios in your area, which you will have to visit. By going to EVERY group class in your level in your reasonable area, you not only get to see potential partners in action, but you can also meet, and interview them on the spot. Plus, you get the bonus of learning from many perspectives, which will at least improve your dance even if you don’t find a partner right away.

Finally, when you seek a partner, be very EXPLICIT!!! Make absolutely sure you explain very clearly what you are looking for, what you are truly able to commit both time wise and financially, and especially what your precise goals are. I’ve seen many couples have HORRIBLE break ups (some which were career damaging) after a year or more of investing thousands of dollars, and hundreds of practice hours just because they didn’t take the time in the beginning to ensure all the above goals and desires matched. I hope these were helpful, and wish you much success and luck.

Christopher Pilarchik – 12 Year Professional – Ballroom Bliss

I can recommend a quite a few dancing places in Boston where you can learn how to dance, and also enjoy some pure partner dancing at a beautiful and friendly venue. By the way, we are talking about partner dancing that does not involve grinding, or bumping into obnoxious drunks you can see in the clubs near Boston Common, and else where.

Social Dancing venues:

Ryles has Salsa and Ballroom dances on Saturdays at 9pm. You can also get to learn some basic dance steps starting at 8pm Ryles Jazz club in Cambridge, MA. The entrance is usually $15.00 per person, but it is well worth it if you are there to dance. They also have a bar should you get thirsty from all the Salsa, Swing, Cha-Cha, and Rumba dancing.

Supershag is a Ballroom dancing studio in Waltham, MA. They are the people behind Ryles Salsa dance party on Saturday nights. They genuinely love dancing and are very welcoming. Their Friday Night Ballroom dance parties start at 8pm with a complimentary lesson. They also have dance performances during their dances.

If you are interested in learning ballroom dancing, Dance Fever Studio in Newton, MA – offers group and private lessons in International Latin / ballroom dancing. These are competitive dances that have a lot of structure, and can be a lot of fun. If you happen to be Russian, you will be pleasantly surprised by how many Russian people you will get to meet there.

I have taken dance lessons at Dance Fever, and I think it may be a good place to learn. I would probably also explore Salsa venues and swing/jitter bug venues if you like the oldies:)

A bit about the dances:

Ballroom dancing is pretty structured in terms of fundamentals of movement, and partner dancing based on lead and follow techniques.

Salsa dance has a lot more freedom, less structure and can be very fun to dance as well. It is a very rhythmical Cuban dance that also has a lot African influence. It is not strict in terms of what you do on the dance floor, as long as you are on the beat, so there is a lot of freedom.

Ballroom dances can also be free-styled and tweaked to a point, once you develop good leading / following skills to fully enjoy it…

There are also university organized salsa dance clubs. I am pretty sure that MIT and Harvard have Salsa dance classes that are also open to the public.

Dance Fever Studio in Newton may be a more costly, and a more structured way to learn, but it may also be a short cut in terms of becoming good in a shorter period of time, especially if you are interested in competitive dancing.

If you like Swing and Jive dances then it is also a part of ballroom dancing as well as tango, samba, waltz e.t.c

MIT also has many smaller dance clubs like jazz, tap, hip hop, you name it. You can Google them if any of these catch your interest.

Cheers and a Happy New Year!!!

Alex

The largest complaint I hear, by far, amongst ballroom dancers is that something about their dancing doesn’t “feel” right. They want to swoosh and flow and wiggle like the big boys and girls, but some things (for most – a lot of things) feel unnatural and awkward. These comments are not made to me by beginners, these are students and professionals alike who’ve taken lessons and been competing for years! Below is THE single ingredient that most people require to reach their goal. It’s one of those “many seek but few shall find” type of thing, so grab a hold of this concept. You can save YEARS and $$$ with what is professionally explained below. Get ready to send your dancing through the roof!

Often people “think” too much and forget to “feel” their dancing. Before you just blow that comment off, let me explain. Ballroom and Latin dancing is all “muscle” memory, where your muscles remember a type of movement through repetition. This is a fact. Like when you reach for a glass, your hand knows (from doing it so many times) just how much pressure to apply to not drop the glass, yet not squeeze it so tight as to break the glass. You don’t consciously think about the amount of pressure you use do you? This is only one small example of how muscle memory works and how to feel more like dancing while thinking less and enjoying the dancing, the music and your partner to the fullest. The following is how I came across the revelation which opened my full dance potential:

I had been teaching for about 4 years, when I hit a huge plateau in my learning. No matter who I coached with, no matter how hard I would work, or how long I would practice, I just couldn’t get the slightest gain in improvement for the next 3 years. I was getting so frustrated at trying so hard for so long and seeing no results. It was ruining any semblance of enjoyment. Then came my final trip to the Ohio Star Ball.

I had just finished watching the International Latin Finals. At the end of the cha cha, Billy Sparks did a cha cha lock toward the crowd with tons of energy, it knocked us back in our chairs. All pumped up from the show I returned to my hotel room, went to the mirror and did my best Billy Sparks imitation. I exuded all the attitude I could muster and this big fancy arm movement (ok and yes, even the “SSSSSSPPPPAAAAAAAAA” noise International Latin dancers are known for.

The Funny thing was, when I saw myself in the mirror, I thought “Hey, that wasn’t bad, in fact, it looked GREAT!!!”. Granted I didn’t do Mr. Sparks much justice, but for me it unlocked for me a great mystery and ended all my dance frustrations. At that moment I learned what I did wrong with all my practices and coaching. I spent all my time thinking of how I was doing something and no time feeling it. When I danced from my heart and turned my brain off, I could do everything I had been taught and more! No more stick arms, no more robot-like movement, only the music and the movement, ah heaven!

So next time something doesn’t “feel” right, make sure you’re feeling the movement and not thinking about it. It can make all the difference in the world and if nothing else will make you enjoy your dancing regardless of the outcome.

E-mail the author, Christopher Pilarchik at: cpilarchik ( @ ) home.com or cpilarchik ( @ )yahoo.com

Hello!!! Wake up Call. If you ever thought this was what you wanted, read the rest of this article before you decide. It can save you a lot of time and heartbreak, as well as help guide you in a solid course of action and the required actions to take to make a living at it if it is truly for you.

Sadly, most people who have no idea what they are truly getting themselves into. I will outline what seems to be the general scenario I have heard from those who’ve asked advice on this matter. I will follow that with the four biggest reasons and/or misconceptions people have about becoming a Professional Ballroom and Latin Dancer.

An Aspiring Professional:

“I’ve been a student xxx years at the XYZ Studio, and I do several competitions a year. I feel I have all the talent needed, and I love it with all my heart. I would love to make this my profession so I could do what I love and get paid for it.”

Man Who has Been There:

First of all, an aspiree thinks that someone is going to just train and pay you to be an incredible dancer for years? Not likely. First, they want something back, which is for you to sell lessons; and they are not always that concerned about how you make the sales, so long as they keep coming in. Often this is something that over time causes you to eventually compromise your integrity. I will say no more on that issue.

Second, training in this business is like being in a witness protection arrangement. You only get a free ride for the intro, then you’re on your own. The better you are, the more a threat you are to Dance Studio owners’ clientele and business. I know, you say “no, I’d sell more lessons by being a better dancer and knowing more”. But, the Big Business sees you as someone good enough to get a job at the competitor’s studio with their hard paid training. Taking their client base of students with you (so you have to see their point too, especially because it does actually happen more often than you can imagine.

Second, if you started as a student, and have been one for 2 or more years, the odds are this isn’t for you. Teachers can be spotted from the beginning of their training and are generally natural to the dance. There are exceptions, but rarely. Students also over time develop a “student”mentality that is seldom overcome. You just never get comfortable with the numbers (dollars). To you it’s still “WHAT! $4,000!?!?” but to someone who has what it takes to make a living at this, that cost is nothing in comparison to what you will get in exchange for it, and they can tell you enough to make you believe it’s worth it. If you’re that second guy or gal, this gigs for you. If the dollars freak you out, you won’t last even two months there.

Third, realize that you will have to teach even if your goal is to dance and perform professionally! This may not be what you imagined, nor what you are necessarily apt towards. I will explain. I know many instructors who are truly magnificent dancers, many of whom I’d once envied greatly. However, they did not have an ability to impart that knowledge easily and in a fun way. Needless to say, those kind don’t last long. If you have to teach, you have to teach well. I am not the greatest technician in dance, I certainly don’t have the most impressive lines or perfect form, but I love what I do, I care about my students and about taking care of their dance needs, and most importantly I have an ability to teach! This is crucial to earning an income and getting to your goal down the road. Also, as a teacher, you spend most of your time working on other people’s dancing, and little on your own.

Finally, if you take no heed to the warnings above, or just feel you have what it takes in spite of the above, then become very familiar with the guidelines/suggestions below for how to become a Professional Ballroom and Latin Dancer. This lists is not only the safest, but it is also the only realistic way to accomplish your goals. Good Luck from Ballroom Bliss and here we go…

How to Increase Your chances of Success:

1.

Don’t quit your day job just yet. Find and investigate EVERY dance studio, college and night school within 1/2 hour to 45 minutes of your area. Apply for an introductory instructor’s position. Emphasize people skills, love of dance, and years of even freestyle dancing. Most importantly, Enthusiasm!!! That’s what sells and that’s what can get your foot in the door. Most studios need or want part timers for nights and weekends (they don’t have to pay benefits that way) plus that’s the time of heaviest demand student wise.

2.

You’ve got the job, now what? Practice, Practice, Practice. Learn what you are taught, imitate what you see both in movement, and in instruction technique. These are what you will take out on the floor with you on your first lessons. In time, you will develop your own style and personality in instruction, for now just be patient above all else, especially with your students and with teaching. The biggest single mistake new instructors make is teaching too much too quickly. Remember this is a muscle memory, a movement is learned through the repetition. Do not rush to move on just as soon as your students have the rough idea. These are building blocks that your students will need to develop, and thus grow in confidence with you, and buy more lessons from you. IT is a vicious cycle, I know.

3. The 4 Steps to a Perfect Lesson:

A. Preparation – know the material you are going to show and know it well (know both man’s and woman’s part!).

B. Presentation – know how you will introduce and breakdown the steps to the student. The introduction is referred to as “selling the sizzle”, while the breakdown is the actual way you demonstrate to the student how to perform the step.

C. Application – apply what you have learned. Practice over and over with the student and let them do some by themselves.

D. Check the results – this is where you fine tune anything out of what, and show the student their progress in the step.

4.

How to Sell – believe in what you provide, listen carefully and always to what your student truly wants. Do everything possible to give your student what they want (within reason), explain patiently what it will take to achieve their goals, and let them know over time what services you can provide. This usually has them wanting to buy as opposed to you trying to make them buy.

5.

I sold a few dance packages, now what? Now you continue to follow steps one through three for about 6 months, building your base clientele. This core group will be your paycheck, as well as be your most likely prospects to start getting you into competing (although it will be with your students for the first 3-5 years on average). Take advantage of this time to advance your training on your own by taking coaching with top pros who the studio invites in, well worth the money and saves months of work and time. Also spend it scoping out prospective future professional dance partners. This is often a long search so start as early as possible.

6.

Pro/Am Competitions – get your students involved in comps. The more practice you get in these, the more comfortable you will be competing as a professional with another professional. I cannot help in how to get them to go, your own style and integrity will guide you over time. Doing at least 3, preferably 5-6 comps a year if your studio permits. This goes on with your teaching from above for about 3-5 years at about 24-30k full time, 19-24k part time (really hustling though).

7.

You found another Pro! – now decide whether you’ll compete International or American Style, then whether you’ll dance smooth, or rhythm category (nobody truly masters them both at the same time). Begin getting coaching and choreography from the best judges, and coaches available. You are much more likely to be scored by judges you’ve worked with than people whom the judges have never seen before.

Work for about 1-2 years on the routines and begin competing in every comp you can. You will pay your dues for a while, not even making a final your next year to 3 years after that. The next several years you should begin to start placing and making moderate income ($100 to $1000 per comp) from the professional prizes. Unfortunately, this usually does not even cover your expenses. That’s why you still need to teach. Your students pay your expenses in their markup price. They are all aware of it, even if only subconsciously.

8.

We’re winning Pro Comps, now what? – Hopefully, while you were working your way up, you were also making connections along the way; working with every judge and top coach/competitor possible, and mingling with the owners of the more prominent studios at the various competitions. These studios are your future bread and butter. Once you’ve established your credentials, you can now judge events and go around the country coaching other professionals, as well as students with their instructors. You can also do Professional Exhibitions. Often, you end up doing a combination of all three for a studio. This type of consulting is the only truly attractive financial opportunity in this business (unless you can afford to open your own studio, or organize your own competition).

Hopefully this has been helpful as a basic guide to making a living in the ballroom and Latin dancing profession. Written by By Christopher Pilarchik, a 12 year Ballroom Dance Professional.

Author’s Email: cpilarchik@home.com

Author’s Notice: This is a guideline only. It reflects the opinion only of myself and is based upon what I have seen and experienced in my 12 year career as a Ballroom and Latin Dance Professional.

Beating Competition Nerves

For some people (ok, most people), performing in front of others can be the single most frightening experience of their life. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tried and true tips from a 12 year professional on how to beat competition nerves. The first section are tips you can actually physically apply, the second half are tips on mental preparation and attitude. If you think the second half is unnecessary, you are quite mistaken. The way you think about something definitely influences a situation’s outcome.

The Physical Aspect

Eye Level-Keep your eyes looking just above the heads of the audience and the same for the judges. Looking above the crowd makes them MUCH less noticeable and aids in keeping your dancing frame maintained.

Breathing – Please remember to breathe! This sounds silly but I cannot tell you how many students I have had to tell to breath in a competition. Air is desperately needed for the muscles to perform at a higher level (not to mention to sustain life and keep your instructor from having heart failure that their student is going to suffocate on them). Focus on slow, smooth and controlled breathing. This also takes one’s mind off of worrying about anything.

Pre-competition stretching-stretching the muscles thoroughly before going out on the competition floor is critical; when your legs are shaky from nerves they just start a chain reaction, they make you conscious of your nervousness and add to it. Stretch for a good 10 minutes before dancing and keep moving and loose between dances.

The Mental State for Ballroom Dancing Competition:

Anticipation – I wish I knew who said it but I don’t, “the anticipation of an event is always worse than the actual event itself”. Often in life we panic unnecessarily over an impending situation. Unless you’re a psychic, you REALLY DON’T KNOW how the situation will turn out! Be open to the possibilities and opportunities awaiting you instead of fearing the unknown.

Alter Ego-in a recent conversation with Dorothy, a ballroom student and friend, she was commenting on some comments given her after a VERY playful character kind of routine. Someone asked her how she could get up and act so crazy, so funny, so wonderfully in front of all those people. Dorothy responded “are you kidding, how many chances in life do you get to be a whole other personality or person!?!” She certainly hit the nail on the head. For about two minutes, you can be whoever you want and we all know how uncommon a chance that is so GO FOR IT! If you’re Latin dancing, imagine yourself the greatest Matador in Spain, roses thrown at your feet. For women, you’re the prettiest Senorita in all Spain, men vying for your affections and unable to resist your charms. Imagine whatever you wish and for two minutes let it come true!

Compete only against yourself-make your competition have one goal and one goal only, to dance bigger and better than you ever have before. If you dance for the enjoyment, you win no matter what place the judges give you and have a True memory to last a lifetime.

Overcoming Negative Thoughts and Doubts

Negative thoughts – think only positive thoughts before and during competition. The times I said to myself, “I don’t want to goof that up” or “I hope I remember this or that”, I goofed up what I thought I wouldn’t and forgot what I hoped to remember, EVERY TIME!!! Think instead, I will remember this or that, I will do this or that right. Negative thoughts bring negative actions.

Finally, Trust your Instructor-You’re dancing with a trained professional who happens to be in his or her element, just enjoy the ride. I tell and have told my students for years, when you’re at a competition, you’re in My Backyard, Ain’t NOTHING bad gonna happen to you in MY backyard! It’s the truth, most instructors are truly in their element on the competition floor. If you trust in them and just enjoy the outcome, you’re guaranteed to make far fewer mistakes, shine brighter and have a great time in the process.

Hope these help and Good Luck from Christopher Pilarchik and BallRoomBliss

In the United Kingdom, a style of ballroom dancing called sequence dancing is also extremely popular. In the US the most popular ballroom dancing style is called American Style, either American Smooth, or American Rhythm. Both of these are less technically stringent, and easier to learn versions of international styles that are a big part of social ballroom dancing in the US.

How did Ballroom Dancing originate?

Historically, ballroom dancing was conducted in ballrooms and large salons designated for dancing by the upper class of society, leaving the lower classes to folk dancing. Since the 16th century, ballroom dancing has been quite fashionable, with dances like Minuet, Polka, and Quadrille as a dance enjoying favor with a lot of folks. In the early 1800s, the waltz became a very popular dance in Europe, and by the mid 1800s, many of the original decorative dance steps had disappeared in traditional ballroom dancing.

By the 20th century, ballroom dancing had moved away from its traditional roots in sequence dancing, and became a style of dance in which the dancing couples moved freely from other couples. Professional ballroom dancers worked to bring ballroom dancing to the public by teaching many of the typical ballroom dance steps. Classes by Arthur Murray in the United States became very popular, and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in the United Kingdom flourished. When movie stars, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced in the movies of the 1930s, people clambered to learn the steps they watched on-screen.

It is not just a hobby, It is a Dance Sport!

The International Olympic Committee, now recognizes competitive ballroom dancing, but it is unclear whether dancing will ever be included in the Olympic Games. Currently, there are approximately 30 countries that participate in competitive ballroom dancing at the international level, and many countries hold national and regional dance competitions.

How is a ballroom dancing competition judged?

Judges in ballroom dancing competitions evaluate dancers on their poise, timing, presentation, posture, musicality, and authenticity of the character of dance.
Adjudicating ballroom dancing competitions is quite subjective and it is up to the judges to decide who gets their coveted mark to advance to the next round. Based on the number of total recalls in the last round danced, a given couple either advances onto the next round, or gets cut, if it did not get the minimum required number of marks/votes of confidence from the judges. Given the subjective nature of adjudicating ballroom dancing competitions, complaints are common. Scorekeepers are commonly used to keep track of the number of recalls each couple receives through the final round, and then the skating system is used to calculate the scores by ordinals 1 through 6.

Ballroom Dancing Competition IDSF Latin 2010 World Championships New York

Popular Social Dances

Some of the more popular current ballroom dances within the last few decades include Salsa, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Tango, Mambo, East Coast Swing, and Merengue. American Smooth ballroom dancers typically dance to the music from the 20th century, and move counter-clockwise around the dance floor while wearing formal attire. Men normally wear bow ties and tailcoats, while women wear full-length ball gowns. In some areas, men wear tuxedos in lieu of tailcoats.

Competitive Dances – International Latin

When ballroom dancers participate in the International Latin dancing, they do not move in a counter-clockwise fashion, but rather dance in roughly the same spot. Women normally wear short skirts and men wear tight pants that are wide at the bottom, and shirts, both in typical Latin style. The type of dress works to enhance the appearance of the leg and body movements of the dancers.

Waltz – American Smooth, and International Standard

Waltz has lasted as one of the most popular dances of the ballroom genre, and needs to be a part of every beginner’s dancer repertoire. The Waltz is a smooth dance that includes flowing movements, graceful and continuous turns that rise and fall, making the dancers appear to glide effortlessly around the dance floor. The tempo is slow, but the music is often expressive and brings out commanding performances by the dancers. The basic rhythm of the Waltz is 1, 2, 3, – 1, 2, 3, with the accent on the first beat.

Viennese Waltz

Viennese Waltz refers to the fast Waltzes from Vienna during the Romantic period. The music typically has a fast tempo of 6/8, with the basic rhythm of 1, 2, 3 – 1, 2, 3, with the accent focused on the 1.

Foxtrot – Smooth, and Standard

Jazz music inspired the development of the Foxtrot dance, which is a smooth ballroom dance style where the dancers move in long, flowing movements around the dance floor. The Foxtrot can be danced to many types of music, but is typically danced to big band style music. Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Billie Holiday are the characteristic vocalists of Foxtrot dancing. Named after the dance’s inventor, Harry Fox, the Foxtrot is a very versatile dance that has gone through many changes in style throughout the ages. The Slow Foxtrot is now the basis of the modern Foxtrot dance. Foxtrot’s basic rhythm is slow quick quick on a 4/4 timing.

Tango – Smooth and Standard

Tango is a popular Smooth/Standard dance that also has a lot in common with Latin ballroom dances in terms of passion, sharpness and style. Tango originated in Buenos Aires where it used to be danced around a small circle in the Argentinian salons. Tango became an international favorite when Europeans adopted and transcended the dance moves to new levels. The tango is an exotic and suggestive dance that is emotional and contains a lot of gyration. The choreography is often sexual in nature, with the original dance being designed to pantomime a pimp and a prostitute communications. While the tango has changed somewhat, the emotional style, and the bandoneon background music remains.

Tango incorporates some patterns from other Ballroom and Latin dances, but it is unique in its sharp head snaps and dramatic motions. American Smooth Tango, like Foxtrot is danced to a 4/4 timing, and its basic step timing is quick-quick-slow. It is often said that Tango steps should be similar to careful steps of a cat or a fax quietly sneaking/closing in on its prey.

Cha Cha – American Rhythm and International Latin

In Cha Cha, dancers take their first steps on the ball of their foot and then lower the heel to the floor. When the dancer lifts their foot the heel is removed from the floor first, while allowing the toes to push off the floor. Alternating bending of the knees, and then straightening them out again create Cha Cha’s characteristic hip movements. The free leg bends, while the leg carrying the weight is kept straight. Hips will naturally move toward the weighted leg, and when the free leg straightens right before it becomes the weighted leg. Cha Cha is danced in the basic rhythm of 2, 3, 4, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1, with accent on the 1 and 3.

Cha Cha Dance International Latin Championships - IDSF 2010, New York

Samba – International Latin Only

Samba is a Brazilian dance with a medium tempo, danced to the basic rhythm of 1 a2, 1 a2 with the accent on the downbeat in a 2/4 meter. The basic dance steps in Samba are series of forward and backward steps, alternating in a bouncy motion, which is created from the pelvis. The Samba includes a move called the whisk in which the dancer’s foot crosses behind the other during the second beat of the measure.

Salsa (Street) – Mambo (American Rhythm)

Salsa dancing is characterized by up-tempo Latin music that is popular in nightclubs, danced in the rhythm of quick-quick-slow. All footsteps in Salsa are taken with the ball of the foot making first contact with the floor, and the heel being lowered to the floor when all of the weight is transferred. Hip movement is rather subtle in Salsa dancing, while arms of the dancers are kept at, or above the waist level. All arm movements should be a result of the body movement, instead of independent movements, which can appear to be contrived, and abnormal. Mambo is a Salsa-inspired American rhythm dance with the same timing as Salsa “on the 2″.

Where can I go to Ballroom Dance?

Many cities have dance classes, studios, and organizations to join, where all aspects of ballroom dancing can be learned and enjoyed. Learning to ballroom dance can provide great opportunities to have fun and meet new people. The companionship and social interaction of group dance classes can supply dance students with a stimulating environment of learning, where both beginners and seasoned veterans work together. Before signing a contract for dance lessons, many dance studios offer a free first lesson to give you a feel for their atmosphere and teaching methods. This can be a good way for you to assess the studio and its instructors before committing to and private dance lessons or buying a package of private dance lessons.

Benefits of Ballroom Dancing

Aside from the social aspect of dance, ballroom dancing also produces many physical and good mood benefits. It can be a fantastic stress reliever! Ballroom dancing can boost your self-confidence, and improve your overall health. Private instructors are available for booking, if you are looking to learn quicker and advance your ballroom dancing in a shorter period of time. By taking a private lesson by yourself or with your partner, you will benefit from individual attention and focus. You should also consider taking group classes to establish a good base, and get a good feel for a dance of your interest. You can later build upon that base, and fine tune any quirks in your dancing during your private lessons.

How to Get/Become good at Ballroom Dancing

Becoming a skilled ballroom dancer requires more than just an expert instructor, as dancers will need to commit to continuous practice and use of learned techniques. A minimum of 15 minutes per day should be devoted to practicing ballroom dancing steps, in which focus is spent on reinforcing what has been learned in class. Learning how to ballroom dance can take a great deal of time and practice, but the payoff can be well worth the effort.

Chelsie Kay Hightower is a professional dancer best known for her performances on the reality TV shows “So You Think You Can Dance – Season 4″ and “Dancing With The Stars – Seasons 8, 9, and 10″. Chelsie specializes in Latin and Standard styles of ballroom dance.

Biography

Chelsie Hightower’s bio provides overview of her dance history and her accomplishments as a dancer. You can view her pictures and watch videos of Chelsie dancing. Also find out whom Chelsie Hightower is dating.

Chelsie was born July 21, 1989 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chelsie and her family moved to Orem, Utah, when she was 6. Chelsie was the youngest in the family of 6 children. She and her five siblings who were all boys used to play all kinds of sports and especially soccer.

It was not until Chelsie was 9, that she started dancing ballroom dances socially at the after-school ballroom dance program. Later she joined a studio where she trained in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, and Ballroom dances.

Chelsie’s natural talent for dance was shining through, which helps explain why she was approached by the audition team of a rising Latin ballroom youth star, Bradley Gregory. After auditioning in front of a legendary Latin Ballroom Coach Shirley Ballas, Chelsie was selected, and thus her world Latin ballroom dancing career has began.

Bradley’s uncle spared no expense to help Bradley and Chelsie improve their dancing. He hired world class coaches such as Karina Smirnoff, who would train the couple one-on-one for an hour and a half every day.

Ballroom Dancing Accomplishments

On March 12th, 2005, Chelsie and Bradley placed 3rd in the US National Junior and Professional Dancesport Championships in Provo, Utah. They were also selected to attend the world’s most prestigious Black Pool Ballroom dancing competition in England. But, they did not do so well in Blackpool, and shortly after Chelsie auditioned for the the season 4 of TV show “So you think you can dance?”

Chelsie Hightower and Gev Manoukian on So You Think You Can Dance Season 4

18 Year old Chelsie Hightower Audition Video on So You think You can dance in Utah

Appearing on SYTYCD gave Chelsie an opportunity to work with Mia Michaels and Tyce Diorio who are some of the top choreographers in the dance industry. Sfe ended up taking 5th place in the season 4 of the SYTYCD show.

Chelsie Hightower Rumba with Louie on DWTS

Chelsie Hightower Michael Bolton DWTS

Chelsie Hightower and Ty Murray on Dancing with the Stars

Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura Broadway Routine

Chelsie Hightower Jive Video with Michael Bolton on DWTS

Chelsie Hightower Mark Kanemura Argentine Tango

Personal Life

Chelsie Hightower does not have a boyfriend and is not known to be dating anybody as of the date of this post.