Sheer Dance: 1 Jan 2016

Elizabeth Weaver and Joel Torgeson performing at the USA Dance National Collegiate DanceSport Championship. Photo by Luke Rohl.

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• 1 Jan 2016

January 1 • Friday Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $5 students Variety Dance - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 8 - 9 p.m.; $10 Salsa & Bachata Party - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $5 January 2 • Saturday Milonga Flor de Luna - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 p.m.; $8, $4 students Swing Dance - 301 on Main; 301 Main St NE, Mlps; live music 7:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.; January 3 • Sunday Fiesta Latina NYE Salsa Party - Costa Rica Ballroom; 816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 5 p.m. salsa lesson; dance 6 - 9 p.m.; $10 TC Rebels WSC Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 students Patty & The Buttons Live Jazz - 125 Main St SE, Mpls; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free Rogue Tango - Loring Pasta Bar; 327 14th Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 10 p.m.

UTango Open Practica - 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 7 p.m.; $3 Ballroom Dance Party - Tapestry; 3748 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls; 6:00 lesson, dance 7 - 9:30 p.m.; $10, $7 students January 4 • Monday Rhythm Junction Lindy Hop - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8 - 11 p.m.

Salsa Social - DanceLife - 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 - 11 p.m.; $5 Tango Desperados Practica - 2507 E 25th St, Mpls; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $5 January 5 • Tuesday Swing Social - TC Swing; 1428 Nicollet Ave S. Mpls; dance 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $5 Tango Party - 3142 1st Ave S, Mpls; 9 - 11:30 p.m.; $5; 21+ January 6 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $10, $6 students WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9 - 9:50 p.m.; $5 Milonga - Krungthep Thai Cuisine; 2523 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls; $5, free for students Swing Night - Lee’s Liquor Lounge; 101 Glenwood Ave, Mpls; 8 p.m. lesson, live music 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Country Dance Social - Stark’s Saloon; 3125 Dodd Rd, Eagan; 8 p.m.

January 7 • Thursday Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $5 Blues Practice - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 10 - 11 p.m.; $3 Swing & Lindy Hop Social - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; EC Swing 7 - 8:15 p.m.; Lindy Hop 8:15 - 9:30 p.m.; $9, $7 students Late Night Swing - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; 10 p.m.

- 1:30 a.m.; $6, $4 students Bachata Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9 - 10 p.m.; $5 Swing Social - Wabasha Street Caves; 215 Wabasha St S, St. Paul; 7 - 10 p.m.

January 8 • Friday Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $5 students

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twin Cities Dance Events MN WCS Dance Club - B-Dale Club; 2100 N Dale St, Roseville; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. dance; $10, $7 members Variety Dance - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 8 - 9:30 p.m.; $10 Salsa & Bachata Party - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $5 January 9 • Saturday Motown Mix - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester; 8:30 p.m. motown 2-step lesson; dance 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.; business casual, cash bar; $10 Milonga - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:30 lesson, dance 9:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.; $19, $8 students January 10 • Sunday Sunday Night Dancing with Jerry O’Hagen and his Orchestra - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 6:15 p.m. waltz lesson; live music 7 - 10 p.m.; $12, $8 students Patty & The Buttons Live Jazz - 125 Main St SE, Mpls; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free Rogue Tango - Loring Pasta Bar; 327 14th Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 10 p.m.

UTango Open Practica - 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 7 p.m.; $3 January 11 • Monday Rhythm Junction Lindy Hop - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8 - 11 p.m.

Salsa Social - DanceLife - 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 - 11 p.m.; $5 Tango Desperados Practica - 2507 E 25th St, Mpls; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $5 January 12 • Tuesday Tango Party - 3142 1st Ave S, Mpls; 9 - 11:30 p.m.; $5; 21+ January 13 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $10, $6 students WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9 - 9:50 p.m.; $5 Newcomer Night - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 7 - 9:30 p.m. Lesson to precede social dance; free Swing Night - Lee’s Liquor Lounge; 101 Glenwood AVe, Mpls; 8 lesson; live music 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

January 14 • Thursday Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $5 Blues Practice - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 10 - 11 p.m.; $3 Swing & Lindy Hop Social - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; EC Swing 7 - 8:15 p.m.; Lindy Hop 8:15 - 9:30 p.m.; $9, $7 students Late Night Swing - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; 10 p.m.

- 1:30 a.m.; $6, $4 students Bachata Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9 - 10 p.m.; $5 January 15 • Friday Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7 p.m. waltz & cha cha lesson; dance 8 - 11 p.m.; $10, $6 students Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $5 students Variety Dance - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 8 - 9:30 p.m.; $10

Salsa & Bachata Party - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $5 WCS and Variety Dance - Stark’s Saloon; 3125 Dodd Rd, Eagan; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 p.m.

January 16 • Saturday Milonga Ruso - St. Petersburg Restaurant; 3610 France Ave, Robbinsdale; 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. lesson; dance 8:30 p.m. 12 a.m.; $6 January 17 • Sunday TC Rebels WSC Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 students Patty & The Buttons Live Jazz - 125 Main St SE, Mpls; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free Rogue Tango - Loring Pasta Bar; 327 14th Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 10 p.m.

UTango Open Practica - 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 7 p.m.; $3 Ballroom Dance Party - Tapestry; 3748 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls; 6:00 lesson, dance 7 - 9:30 p.m.; $10, $7 students January 18 • Monday Rhythm Junction Lindy Hop - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8 - 11 p.m.

Salsa Social - DanceLife - 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 - 11 p.m.; $5 Tango Desperados Practica - 2507 E 25th St, Mpls; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $5 January 19 • Tuesday Tango Party - 3142 1st Ave S, Mpls; 9 - 11:30 p.m.; $5; 21+ Swing Social - 201 River Ridge Circle S. Burnsville; live music 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $8 students January 20 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $10, $6 students WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9 - 9:50 p.m.; $5 Swing Night - Lee’s Liquor Lounge; 101 Glenwood AVe, Mpls; 8 p.m. lesson, live music 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

January 21 • Thursday Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $5 Blues Practice - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 10 - 11 p.m.; $3 Swing & Lindy Hop Social - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; EC Swing 7 - 8:15 p.m.; Lindy Hop 8:15 - 9:30 p.m.; $9, $7 students Late Night Swing - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; 10 p.m.

- 1:30 a.m.; $6, $4 students Bachata Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9 - 10 p.m.; $5 Swing Social - Wabasha Street Caves; 215 Wabasha St S, St. Paul; 7 - 10 p.m.

January 22 • Friday Salsa Fusion - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7 p.m. salsa and bachata lesson; dance 8 - 11 p.m.; $10, $6 students Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $5 students MN WCS Dance Club - B-Dale Club; 2100 N Dale St, Roseville; 7:30 p.m. lesson; dance 8:30 p.m.

- 12 a.m.; $10, $7 members Variety Dance - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 8 - 9:30 p.m.; $10

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twin Cities Dance Contacts Salsa & Bachata Party - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $5 January 23 • Saturday Cabin Fever Swing Dance - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester; 8 p.m. lesson; dance 8:30 - 11 p.m.; $12, $7 students, cash only Cafe Bailar - Costa Rica Ballroom; 816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 7:30 lesson, dance 8:30 11:30 p.m.; $10 January 24 • Sunday Sunday Night Dancing with Jerry O’Hagen and his Orchestra - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 6:15 p.m. foxtrot lesson; live music 7 - 10 p.m.; $12, $8 students Patty & The Buttons Live Jazz - 125 Main St SE, Mpls; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free Rogue Tango - Loring Pasta Bar; 327 14th Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 10 p.m.

UTango Open Practica - 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 7 p.m.; $3 January 25 • Monday Rhythm Junction Lindy Hop - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8 - 11 p.m.

Tango Desperados Practica - 2507 E 25th St, Mpls; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $5 January 26 • Tuesday Tango Party - 3142 1st Ave S, Mpls; 9 - 11:30 p.m.; $5; 21+ January 27 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $10, $6 students WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9: - 9:50 p.m.; $5 Swing Night - Lee’s Liquor Lounge; 101 Glenwood AVe, Mpls; 8 p.m. lesson, live music 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

January 28 • Thursday Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8 - 9 p.m.; $5 Blues Practice - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 10 - 11 p.m.; $3 Swing & Lindy Hop Social - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; EC Swing 7 - 8:15 p.m.; Lindy Hop 8:15 - 9:30 p.m.; $9, $7 students Late Night Swing - 301 Main St NE, Mpls; 10 p.m.

- 1:30 a.m.; $6, $4 students Bachata Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9 - 10 p.m.; $5 Swing Social - Wabasha Street Caves; 215 Wabasha St S, St. Paul; 7 - 10 p.m.

January 29 • Friday Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7 p.m. lesson; dance 8 - 10 p.m.; $10, $5 students Variety Dance - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 8 - 9:30 p.m.; $10 Salsa & Bachata Party - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $5 January 31 • Sunday TC Rebels WSC Social - DanceLife; 6015 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 students Patty & The Buttons Live Jazz - 125 Main St SE, Mpls; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free Rogue Tango - Loring Pasta Bar; 327 14th Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 10 p.m.

UTango Open Practica - 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls; 6 - 7 p.m.; $3 E

Studios American Classic Ballroom 952.934.0900 550 Market Street, Chanhassen www.acballroom.com Balance Pointe Studios 952.922.8612 5808R W 36th Street, St. Louis Park www.balancepointestudios.com Ballroom & Latin Dance Club 952.292.0524 1103 W Burnsville Pkwy, Burnsville www.ballroom-club.com Ballroom & Wedding Dance Studio 612.371.0300 2717 42nd Street E, Minneapolis www.myballroomdancestudio.com Blue Moon Ballroom 507.288.0556 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester www.BlueMoonBallroom.com Cinema Ballroom 651.699.5910 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul www.cinemaballroom.com Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studios 952.303.3339 816 Mainstreet, Hopkins www.costaricaballroom.com Dahl Dance Center 507.252.1848 4204 North Highway 52, Rochester www.dahldance.com Dance and Entertainment 651.605.5784 www.danceandentertainment.com Dance with Us America 612.564.5483 10 Southdale Center, Edina www.dancewithusamerica.com DanceLife Ballroom 612.345.4219 6015 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis www.dancelifeballroom.com Dancers Studio 651.641.0777 415 Pascal Street N, St. Paul www.dancersstudio.com Four Seasons Dance Studio 612.342.0902 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis www.fourseasonsdance.com Latin Mambo 612.558.7190 2948 Chicago Ave S #308, Mpls www.latinmambodancestudio.com Mill City Ballroom 612.562.2733 www.millcityballroom.com Rendezvous Dance Studio 612.872.1562 711 W Lake Street, Suite B, Minneapolis www.theplacetodance.com StudioJeff 320.266.4137 701 St. Germain Street W, Suite 201, St. Cloud www.studiojeff.com

instructors Scott Anderson scottadance@gmail.com www.scottadance.com Nathan Daniels Jennelle Donnay Julie Delene julie@move-as-one.com

612.816.4446

763.464.1021 651.357.2060 612.598.5355

Donna Edelstein 612.910.2690 donna@donnaedelstein.com www.donnaedelstein.com Jennifer & Robert Foster 952.239.2984 Shane Haggerty 612.702.3588 shanehaggerty@hotmail.com www.shanehaggertydance.com Lindsey Rebecca Hall 612.940.9546 Julie Jacobson 651.261.6442 Jay Larson 651.387.3886 Kristina Lee 715.821.9039 Deanne Michael 612.508.9255 Monica Mohn 612.874.0747 monicamohn@juno.com www.monicamohn.com Mariusz Olszewski 612.242.5159 olmariusz@aol.com Karin Rice 612.242.2188 Lisa Vogel 651.208.0818 lmvogel27@gmail.com

Clubs Aqua Gliders Dance Club 612.869.3062 Café Bailar www.cafebailar.com Cotillion Dance Club of Stillwater 651.388.1231 paynter@charter.net LaDanza Dance Club 651.439.3152 facebook.com/LaDanzaDanceClub Lakeside Dance Club 320.763.6432 danceclub@lakesideballroom.org www.lakesideballroom.org Linden Hills Dancing Club www.lindenhillsdancingclub.org MN West Coast Swing Dance Club 763.442.1618 mnwestcoastswingdanceclub.com REBELS Swing Dance Club 952.941.0906 www.tcrebels.com Stardust Dance Club stardustdanceclub@gmail.com Suburban-Winterset Dance Club 952.894.1412 www.suburbanwinterset.com Tango Society of Minnesota 612.224.2905 www.mntango.org Tapestry Folkdance Center 612.722.2914 www.tapestryfolkdance.org TC Swing 651.558.0562 info@tcswing.com www.tcswing.com University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club bdc@umn.edu umnbdc.com Uptown Swing 612.217.1087 uptownswinglessons@gmail.com www.uptownswing.net

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SHEERDanCE.COM

in this issue [Get Dancing] Twin Cities Dance Events

2

Twin Cities Dance Contacts

3

2016 Competitions

5

[Participate] Volunteer Openings

6

About Us

6

Contribute

7

[Recurring Columns] Volunteer Report

10

Middle Aged Moves

12

Gaining Perspective

14

Life Through Dance

15

Results from Around the Country

16

[From the Community] Collegiate Dance Nationals

20

Advice to the Younger Me

23

Mad Hot Ballroom Comes to MN

25

From the Windy City to the City of Firsts

26

Masks and Merriment

27

Across the Sea

28

A Reason to Social Dance

29

Making a Big Campus Seem a Bit Smaller

30

Rachel Marusinec and John Hinks at USA Dance National Collegiate Championships. Photo by Luke Rohl.

Brought to You By U Partner Dance, Inc. and:

advertisers Ballroom Blast, Dance Fest, Dancers Studio, Grand Jete, Jeff Nehrbass

Photographers Erik Anderson, C.J. Hurst, Luke Rohl, Kevin Viratyosin

Writers Kaylee Anderson, Eric Dahlman, Elizabeth Dickenson, Alexzandra Enger, Audrey Haugen, Julie Johnston, Christina Kyllo, Eveline Murphy-Wilson, Ember Reichgott Junge, Thomas Stastny, Joel Torgeson, Chelsea Visser, Taylor Wall

SHEERDanCE.COM

1 Jan 2016 •

2016 Competitions

Sections

Events labeled NQE are qualifying events for the USA

Discussion This is a forum where people are invited to express their true feelings about issues in the dance community (while still adhering to our submission guidelines) and propose solutions to the problems we often face. Statements made in the Discussion section do not necessarily reflect the views of Sheer Dance, even when written by one of our volunteer staff.

From the Community Unlike the other sections, there is no cohesive theme to From the Community; it is a catch-all for the unique gems that are submitted by people like you.

Here you’ll find contributions like event recaps, interviews, tales from a far-off competition, and photos from a local dance event.

Recurring Columns We have a handful of generous writers who contribute regularly.

Each explores a unique, overarching theme of their choice. Each month, in a volunteer report, one of our volunteers fills you in on what they’ve been doing to make the dance community a better place.

Special Features Some issues focus on a particular event or theme, and all content relevant to that theme belongs to the Special Features section.

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Dance National DanceSport Championships.

Snow Ball January 8 - 10 Minneapolis, MN; thesnowballcomp.com Manhattan Amateur Classic - NQE New York, NY; macnyusadance.org

January 15 - 17

Mid-Atlantic Championship - NQE Bethesda, MD; usadancedc.org

February 20 - 21

Dance Fest St. Paul, MN; udancefest.com 2016 National DanceSport Championships Baltimore, MD; usadancenationals.org

March 5 - 6

April 1 - 3

New England DanceSport Championships - NQE Waltham, MA; nedancesport.org

May 13 - 14

NJ DanceSport Classic Summer Sizzler - NQE Hackensack, NJ; njdancesportclassic.com

June 11 - 12

Gumbo DanceSport Championships - NQE Baton Rouge, LA; gumboofballroom.org

June 24 - 26

Carolina Fall Classic - NQE September 30 - October 2 Charlotte, NC; carolinafallclassic.com Naples Star Ball Naples, FL; naplesstarball.com Chicago DanceSport Challenge - NQE Chicago, IL; usadancechicago.org E

October 16

October 28 - 30

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[PaRtiCiPatE]

Volunteer Openings assignment Photographer If you love taking photos and exploring the partner-dancing world, throw in your hat to become an official Sheer Dance photographer!

This volunteer will be provided topics and events to cover with action-packed shots.

assignment Writer

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about Us Sheer Dance is a monthly independent publication that presents news and information relevant to the partner-dancing community in the central United States and the nation at large. It is intended to be an accessible outlet for members of the community to discuss their experi-

Love writing but never sure what to write

ences and opinions in a public forum.

about? We supply the topics every month; you

Published monthly, Sheer Dance is run

supply the articles. Excited, passionate writers

by a group of skilled volunteers with

with a thirst for exploration are encouraged to

extensive experience in creating and

consider volunteering for this position.

distributing successful partner-dance

Columnist

publications.

This magazine is meant to serve

We’re always looking for more people to

the community as a positive and uni-

commit to writing an article every month that

fying force by addressing the needs

addresses a particular idea or theme relevant

and desires of all groups within the

to partner dancing. You choose the topic!

community. Sheer Dance:

Your Contribution Here

• Provides amateurs with a conve-

Have an idea of how you could add value to Sheer Dance that we haven’t thought of ?

Let us know!

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nient way to share their dance experiences,

seek

advice

from

experts, and learn about events, services, and other opportunities in the wider ballroom community; • Provides professionals with direct access to their target audience, spreading

awareness

of

their

expertise, events, and services; and • Provides the entire community with a forum for discussion, cooperation, and problem-solving.

Sheer Dance is made possible by the generous contributions of members of the community. If you enjoy reading this publication, please consider contributing an article or photos, making a donation, subscribing, or volunteering your time and skills.

The staff of Sheer Dance can be reached at info@sheerdance.com. We hope to hear from you!

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Contribute specific events, that cannot be their primary func-

Submission Guidelines Submissions are due to submissions@sheerdance.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Submissions received after the deadline may be used in the upcoming issue or may be saved for a later month. You may request a two-day extension if you include information regarding your topic.

Content is published at the discretion of Sheer Dance

tion; they must have a broader applicability to enlightening the dance community. Articles must be respectful and productive. Harassment of any kind will not be published, nor will articles that fall below Contradiction on the scale of productive argumentation.

Explicitly refutes the central point

Refuting the Central Point

based on the policies outlined below. It is our goal to publish all of the content submitted to us in the issue for

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Refutation

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If you are dissatisfied with any edits made by Sheer Dance, you are welcome and encouraged to compose a Letter to the Editor, which, so long as it

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taylor Wall

Julie Johnston

EDITOR IN CHIEF

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

A lifelong dancer, Taylor started ballroom dancing

Julie is, by day, a senior digital production specialist in

with the U of MN Ballroom Dance Club. She’s been vol-

the field of educational e-books and she has spent her

unteering in the dance community for five years. She

entire career creating print publications from catalogs

oversees production of Sheer Dance from beginning to

to textbooks. She ensures content in Sheer Dance is

end each month, working closely with the acquisitions

consistent, organized, and clear. As she puts it “I try

and editing teams to craft an exciting and interesting

to drain the swamp before we are up to our butts in

magazine you can look forward to each month. Email

alligators.” She is in her first year of learning the joys

her at info@sheerdance.com.

of partner dancing.

nicholas Westlake

alexzandra Enger

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR

Nicholas crafts the look and feel of Sheer Dance. He

When she’s not busy dancing, volunteering, or

oversees our design and publishing teams, building

studying, Alex will likely be found—coffee in hand—

impactful visuals while ensuring each aspect of the

spending time with her friends, conquering video

publication complements the image and style you

games, discovering new music, and whipping up

know and love. In the wild, he’s also a passionate

delicious meals and desserts. She wants to travel the

ballroom competitor, an avid dance instructor, and a

world, dance as often as she can, and be happy. As

no-nonsense system designer.

Acquisitions Editor of Sheer Dance, Alex is responsible for gathering all content for the magazine. If you’ve got

Olivia Wicker

articles or photos to share, send them to Alexzandra at

DESIGNER

submissions@sheerdance.com.

Olivia is a fresh face in dance and design. A life-long martial artist, her love of competitive sports and

Cameron Meyferth

artistic creation drew her to study kinesiology and

COPY EDITOR

graphic design at the University of Minnesota. Now

Cameron is a senior psychology major at Luther College

she’s enjoying the adventure of ballroom dancing. She

in Decorah, Iowa. He is a competitive team member

designs and develops the layout, graphic elements, and

of Luther College Ballroom/Swing and has several

content of Sheer Dance and guides creative decisions.

semesters of copy editing experience working at the weekly student-run newspaper Luther College Chips.

Hannah alyea

As a copy editor for Sheer Dance, Cameron reads

ADVERTISING EDITOR

content with an eye for grammar, spelling, and style.

Hannah is rarely seen without a smile on her face and loves to spread the good news of ballroom dance. She is the vice president of the University of Minnesota

Bethany Seavers templeton COPY EDITOR

Ballroom Dance Club and an active competitor. As

Bethany saw the movie Shall We Dance? when she was

Advertising Editor, Hannah is responsible for ensuring

twelve years old and knew that ballroom was for her.

that Sheer Dance readers can connect with the vendors,

She is in her fourth year of dancing with the ballroom

products, and events of interest to them. If you’re inter-

team at Luther College. She is an elementary education

ested in advertising with Sheer Dance, email Hannah

major, and can’t wait to get started in the classroom.

at ads@sheerdance.com.

Bethany is also a copy editor for Chips, the student

theresa Kimler SUBSCRIPTION COORDINATOR A seven-time USA Dance open smooth champion, nine-time rhythm champion, and four-time nine-dance champion, Theresa is an undisputed, long-standing champion of dance. Mechanical engineer by education, black-belt project manager, owner of Total Project Consulting, and lover of quadrupeds, Theresa graciously lends her expertise to Sheer Dance for the betterment of the dance community as our Subscription Coordinator.

newspaper of Luther College. As copy editor for both Chips and Sheer Dance, she looks over the content with an eye for style and grammar.

returns!

5-6 March 2016 (Saturday & Sunday) udancefest.com Dancers Studio 415 Pascal Street N St. Paul MN 55104 brought to you by the Twin Cities professional dance community and:

Ballroom Dance Club

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SHEERDanCE.COM

Volunteer Report an introduction from the new Editor in Chief of Sheer Dance

BY TAYLOR WALL

Photo from Dance Fest by Erik Anderson

HELLO

FELLOW DANCERS!

a competitive dancer, competing in

group of students in their own study of American Styles.

I am excited to introduce myself as

American Smooth, American Rhythm,

I join the Sheer Dance team, and to have

and International Standard on both the

Since graduating and leaving the

been welcomed so warmly into my

collegiate and amateur circuits with

University, I have spent the last year

new role. I’m enthusiastic to continue

my partner Michael Kasinkas.

developing local competitive events

to build this publication into a wonder-

In addition to my experience as a

such as Minnesota Ballroom Blast and

ful experience to look forward to each

dance participant, I have previously

Dance Fest. I have worked on both of

month; connecting all parts of our

spent three years as an officer in the

these projects as Volunteer Coordinator

diverse and exciting ballroom dance

University

Ballroom

and Professional Liaison and currently

community. I anticipate spending a lot

Dance Club, including two years as

serve on the Board of U Partner Dance.

of time working for our readers and

the publically-elected President. While

Many thanks to Mary Beth Beckman,

would love to hear all of your stories

there, I led the young club to rank as

who developed this publication and

and dancing journeys, so I would like

the fourth place collegiate ballroom

faithfully shaped it into what it is today.

to take this time in my first edition on

dance team in the country, behind

And many thanks to the innumerable

the team to share a bit about myself.

teams three and four times the size of

volunteers that worked with her to

of

Minnesota

I began dancing as a small child in

the University of Minnesota. I’ve also

develop this extraordinary publication

ballet, and joined the world of ball-

had the opportunity to engage with a

and the many I hope to work with in

room dancing in 2010 when I joined

wide array of ballroom dance students,

the future. I look forward to serving

the University of Minnesota Ballroom

professionals, and coaches in the two

you as Editor in Chief and working

Dance Club. I began my engage-

years that I spent working as a Studio

toward a bright and exciting future

ment in ballroom dance as a social

Coordinator at Dancers Studio. In

for Sheer Dance.

dancer and quickly developed into

addition this past year, I’ve directed a

E

JEFF NEHRBASS 2015 US Championship Circuit

#1 Top Teacher

PROFESSIONAL DANCE INSTRUCTOR jeff@balancepointestudios.com

763.360.4090

• World Pro/Am American Smooth Champion • US Pro/Am Champion in Junior, Adult, Open, and Senior Divisions • Champion of the United States Ballroom Dancesport Championship Series 2015 • USDC 2015 Top Teacher • Fellow of the US Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance • Championship level Adjudicator, NDCA

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Middle aged Moves all that Glitters is not Gold … but it’s Probably Ballroom

BY JULIE JOHNSTON

Middle-Aged Moves is a column started

in heel height, increase in makeup,

begin private lessons. While studying

by Rochelle Lockridge to represent the dance

decrease in daily life for other activi-

technique, I move backwards as I’m

world from the perspective of someone learn-

ties, decrease in bank balance, and

supposed to slide the inside of my foot,

ing at a more mature stage of life. Guest

increase in body balance, amongst

but meet the other while touching my

columnists may be featured upon occasion.

others. Speaking of balance, are you

heels. Does this person know what it

aware your balance changes if you

takes for me to pick up my feet while

SOME DAYS I SHAKE MY HEAD at this strange world I find myself immersed in. A world of sequins and glitter, where there is no such thing as too much “bling.” A world of unnatural body positions, attire, and terminology.

Apparently if you are bitten by something called the “ballroom bug,” the symptoms range from an increase

lose or gain weight? And that while

walking just to avoid tripping and fall-

maintaining

during

ing on my face? Next he’ll expect me

ballroom, you are to do so while all

to breathe at the same time. And then

the time your head remains at a slight

one day you’re walking down the hall

tilt and not upright? Then you need to

and a voice reminds you to “get your

remember if it’s toe, heel, or heel, toe.

butt under you.” What, under me? Well

Are we doing the hokey pokey?

where was it before? I think there’s a

this

“balance”

Still, the pleasure and challenge have led me to continue and even

Photos from USA Dance National Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

reason they call it a behind?

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• 13

And what do I wear? Unlike my

As I soon found, a shoebox filled with a

breathes! Polyester does not breathe,

bright wardrobe, clothing for practice

plethora of products and more bottles

and spandex only stretches so far!

worn by serious students is generally

and brushes than an art supply store

Thank goodness no nylons! But wait,

your standard black. Upon asking

was needed to create a result that was

fishnet stockings? My only pair comes

the reason for the form fitting Under

a cross between a glitter bomb explod-

from a halloween costume and not

Armour®

ing, and a manically enthusiastic teen

from Victoria’s Secret. The next thing

with her first BeDazzler™.

you know they’re going to want me to

an

instructor

wore,

she

replied, “So I can see my body when I look in the mirror.” So different from

Attire and words within this world

shave my legs. Don’t you people know

my approach to mirrors, which is to

are far from my everyday life, such

that this is Minnesota? The one break

cover them in black, similar to the

as decorating. Decorating? Well, I do

we women get is the ability in winter

Jewish practice of sitting “shiva” while

get a lot of compliments on my living

to grow our own long underwear! Why

I mourn the loss of my figure.

room. What do you mean decorating as

didn’t I take up belly dancing? I already have the belly.

As I’ve progressed in my dance skills,

I dance by using my hands? Gowns. Yes,

there became talk of events called

I have a favorite flannel nightgown. Oh,

Yet, I find that despite the unfamil-

showcases, “an opportunity to show off

ballroom gown, like Cinderella, and

iarity, I have apparently been bitten

your hard work.” Curiosity led me to

anything under a cost of four figures

by this unseen bug. For myself, I have

attend an hour and a half class in ball-

is a bargain price? What thud? Just my

adapted a saying overheard in the

room etiquette and styling. I remem-

wallet hitting the floor as it fainted.

sparkly fabric section of a store, which

bered a comment from an instructor

Are these gowns gold lined? No, but do

represents ballroom to me. “Glitter is

how she only had an hour to do her

you know what they ARE made from?

the STD of the ballroom world. Once

makeup before a competition. “Odd,” I

Mostly polyester and spandex. With

you have it, you can’t get rid of it.”

thought, “it only takes me ten minutes

the power surges at my age, the only

to slap on some mascara and lipstick.”

fabric I want to wear is something that

E

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Gaining Perspective a Sorry Response

BY JOEL TORGERSON

“WELL, I’M

SORRY YOU HAD TO experi-

good time, and we’re able to get through

ence that,” she says as the song ends and we

the dance in one piece. It’s not about fancy

prepare to part ways. We’ve just had a fun

tricks or high level technique; save that for

foxtrot, a little rough around the footwork

the comp floor.

edges, but overall quite enjoyable.

Joel Torgeson is president of the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club and enjoys dancing both socially and competitively. If you have feedback for Joel or would like to pitch an article idea, email him at joeltorgeson@yahoo.com.

Everyone starts somewhere in dance, and

“No, no, no, that was great!” I respond.

it’s usually at the very bottom, with nothing

She shakes her head at the floor and turns

more than a group lesson or two in their

away; I still have her hand, so instead of let-

back pocket. I vividly remember being new

ting go, I gently hold it in both of mine and

to dance and how appallingly bad I some-

turn her around. “Hey, seriously, you never

times felt on the floor. Everyone around me

need to apologize for dancing! Heck, I had

was dancing steps I’d never learned, and

a great time and it was fun!” We smile, she

half of the time I messed up the few that

thanks me, and we’re on our way to finding

I did know. I should just get off the floor

new partners for the rumba that has just

and make it more enjoyable for everyone,

begun.

right? Wrong. More proficient dancers have

This is hardly the first or last time I’ll

all been through that stage, and we know

experience something like this, so I want to

that the only way to get to the other side

take this month’s article to talk about the

is to just keep on dancing, especially with

ubiquitous “sorry.”

those who you think are well beyond your

Mostly, I think these “sorry!” responses

skill level. Dancing with them will teach

come from a place where dancers think that

you about dance. Upper-level dancers had

anybody above their level must be dancing

countless people help them when they were

some semblance of perfection. The immedi-

new to dance; now it’s their turn to pay the

ate assumption then, is that the less profi-

favor forward!

cient partner is in some way to blame for

Of course, there are some cases where it

any mistakes that occur. Everyone makes

is entirely appropriate to say you’re sorry,

mistakes while dancing. Often, that’s what

mostly when you cause physical pain of

makes it fun! I like to experiment with my

some sort. Stepped on their toes? Sorry. Hit

dances, trying something I saw earlier to see

that other couple at full ramming speed in

if I can stumble onto the footwork (often

quickstep? Probably a good idea to apolo-

literally) or play with different handholds.

gize. For many of the situations listed above,

I mess up a lot.

however, there’s probably something better.

Along a similar vein, it’s easy to get

So what’s a person to do? I always like

intimidated by good dancers on the floor.

the “Hey, I didn’t quite get that, could we

You see them lead some crazy amalgama-

try it again?” approach if something specific

tion or use some fancy footwork. Then

goes awry, and the ever-loved “Thank you

suddenly you think that there’s no way they

so much for dancing with me” for basically

could possibly have fun dancing with you

everything else. Because, at the end of the

because they could be having a dance that’s

day, we’re all very privileged to have a

so much better with someone else. While

community of interesting, talented people

that might make sense intuitively, it’s really

willing to let us into their personal space for

not true. Dances are almost always the most

the purpose of creating something together.

fun for me (and yes, this is a data point of

Given that, “Thank you” seems much more

one) when my partner is engaged with me

appropriate than “sorry.”

and the music, we’re talking and having a

Happy Dancing! E

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• 15

life through Dance Pursuing My Path

BY ELIZABETH DICKINSON

THIS

IS MY THIRTY-SIXTH DANCE col-

1.

umn. I’ve loved writing these columns

a chore or a ‘should’ is the best

and hearing from readers how my

form of exercise.

dance or life insights have helped them

2.

dance, feels like they have two

a new way.

left feet.

to move on and take some of that

3.

her writing and would like to receive her weekly emailed coaching newsletter, visit www.pursueyourpath.com and sign up.

most gracious people. They are a

Those include my coaching book and

pleasure to know.

bringing my musical into the world.

I may write a dance-oriented column

4.

5.

I’m still writing a weekly blog with

subscribe to that list, just send an email to Elizabeth@pursueyourpath.com As I end I’d like to share my “Top

Many of your life challenges will be mirrored in your dance chal-

personal/professional tips for better living. If you’d like to stay in touch and

Learning to dance is a journey with no apparent endpoint.

here and there, but I won’t be writing regularly for a while.

The ballroom dance community has some of the happiest and

energy into my other writing projects.

and amateur ballroom dancer. If you enjoy

Everyone, when they start to

to think about their own challenges in However, after three years, it’s time

Elizabeth Dickinson is a life/executive coach

Exercise that doesn’t feel like

lenges, and vice versa.

6.

Dancing will change how you live your life.

7.

Ballroom dance is unexpectedly democratic; people of all ages

Ten List” of what I’ve learned from

and backgrounds mingle.

ballroom dance since I started in 2007.

8.

Ballroom dance should be made available to more people.

9.

The neuroscience regarding the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of partner dancing are irresistible and compelling.

10.

If ballroom dance hooks you, it will probably never leave your life.

As we pursue our paths, may we

extend our joy from dancing into all areas of our lives.

Best wishes always, Elizabeth

E

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Results from around the Country USa Dance national Collegiate DanceSport Championship Omar Abdelfatah & Hannah Alyea

Jackson Fossen & Emma Schneider

120th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

71st (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

39th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

29th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

Roy Guzman & Changqin Ding

20th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

24th (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Jive

Omar Abdelfatah & Paula Vasquez

66th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin (CR)

6th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing

Roy Guzman & Brittney Heisserer

27th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

41st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

10th (of 62) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

25th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

13th (of 81) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz

94th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

Kyle Condiff & Hannah Alyea

67th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

21st (of 33) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (SM)

Roy Guzman & Christina Kyllo

13th (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (CR)

14th (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Samba

30th (of 51) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Foxtrot

39th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

2nd (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

120th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

Kyle Condiff & Melissa Engelman

44th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

16th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

John Hinks & Rachel Marusinec

71st (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

12th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

5th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

45th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

7th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

15th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

Eric Dahlman & Melissa Engelman

17th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

23rd (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

John Hinks & McKenzie van der Hagen

96th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

41st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

Eric Dahlman & Elizabeth Wanninger

9th (of 54) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth V. Waltz

17th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing

89th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

54th (of 79) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Rumba

34th (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (TV)

77th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

Nicholas Johnson & Li Shen Chong

107th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

79th (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Jive

Josh Dowell & Audrey Haugen

90th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin (CR)

39th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

57th (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Samba

28th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

23rd (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

64th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

107th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

81st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

Nicholas Johnson & Rae Young

67th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

93rd (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

Josh Dowell & Lia Von Huben

17th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

63rd (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

43rd (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

25th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

Michael Knudson & Yina Li

Jackson Fossen & Alexzandra Enger

49th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing

47th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

Michael Knudson & Madison Pravecek

41st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

10th (of 52) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Tango

16th (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (WF)

Michael Knudson & Elizabeth Wanninger

30th (of 51) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Foxtrot

13th (of 81) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz

4th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

14th (of 62) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

2nd (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

47th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF) 11th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Waltz

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• 17

Here you’ll find the results of Minnesota amateurs, professionals, and pro/am couples from events around the country. We’re proud of how skilled and dedicated the Minnesota dance community is, and we’d like to share their successes with you.

Michael Knudson & Rae Young 107th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing 107th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR) 63rd (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo 81st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango Brian Lam & Audrey Haugen 9th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango 35th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF) Brian Lam & Andrea Manolov 28th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing 15th (of 79) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Rumba 7th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha 79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR) 6th (of 78) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Quickstep Brian Lam & Peri Oxford 35th (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Jive Brandon Manier & Danika Dahl 2nd (of 54) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth V. Waltz 2nd (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF) 14th (of 51) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Foxtrot 5th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

Photo from USA Dance National Collegiate Championships

by Luke Rohl

Brandon Manier & Evie Murphy-Wilson 29th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango 7th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango Brandon Manier & Peri Oxford 5th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin (CR) John O`Leary & Alejandra Narvaez 21st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango 69th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF) 20th (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (TV) 26th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ) John O`Leary & Paula Vasquez 23rd (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing 57th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR) 44th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo 16th (of 54) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth V. Waltz Drew Payne & Paris Becker 4th (of 79) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Rumba 3rd (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Waltz Drew Payne & Brittney Heisserer 13th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing 27th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

Would you like to see your results or your studio’s results at

4th (of 62) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

an event here? Email us at info@sheerdance.com with the

13th (of 81) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz

name of the event, some pictures, and your results, and we’ll be sure to include them!

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Drew Payne & Alejandra Narvaez

1st (of 61) Amateur Collegiate Silver Standard (TF)

81st (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

4th (of 72) Amateur Collegiate Silver Standard (WQ)

79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

1st (of 61) Collegiate Silver Standard Multi-Dance (WQTF)

Ajay Phatak & Karen Maldonado

1st (of 41) Amateur Collegiate Gold Standard (WQ)

31st (of 33) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (SM)

24th (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Gold Standard (TF)

Ivan Poteryakhin & Paris Becker

Joel Torgeson & Lizzie Weaver

13th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

2nd (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (CR)

23rd (of 81) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz

1st (of 33) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (SM)

Ivan Poteryakhin & Danika Dahl

Kevin Viratyosin & Jenna Kotula

33rd (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

15th (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (CR)

64th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

Kevin Viratyosin & Karen Maldonado

44th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

25th (of 72) Amateur Collegiate Silver Standard (WQ)

Ivan Poteryakhin & Changqin Ding

11th (of 61) Collegiate Silver Standard Multi-Dance (WQTF)

23rd (of 78) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Quickstep

2nd (of 61) Amateur Collegiate Silver Standard (TF)

29th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Waltz

2nd (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Gold Standard (TF)

Ivan Poteryakhin & Shelby Gilliland

6th (of 41) Amateur Collegiate Gold Standard (WQ)

21st (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

Kevin Viratyosin & Rachel Marusinec

47th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

8th (of 67) Amateur Collegiate Silver Latin (CR)

96th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

9th (of 61) Amateur Collegiate Silver Latin (SJ)

Jordan Quah & Li Shen Chong

5th (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (TV)

8th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

24th (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (WF)

11th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

Uzo Wamuo & Emma Schneider

96th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

21st (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing

Jordan Quah & Lia Von Huben

41st (of 79) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Rumba

39th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

27th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

3rd (of 62) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

28th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

41st (of 78) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Quickstep

Thomas Stastny & Paris Becker

Uzo Wamuo & Lizzie Weaver

39th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

14th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

57th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

44th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

Seth Westlake & Shelby Gilliland

Thomas Stastny & Danika Dahl

17th (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (CR)

43rd (of 107) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Latin Samba

7th (of 33) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (SM)

Thomas Stastny & Lauren Glover

1st (of 47) Amateur Collegiate Silver Smooth (WF)

25th (of 51) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Foxtrot

1st (of 72) Amateur Collegiate Silver Standard (WQ)

27th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard Tango

Seth Westlake & Kelley Izatt

Thomas Stastny & Christina Kyllo

6th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

6th (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

12th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

4th (of 54) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth V. Waltz

1st (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

10th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

1st (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

50th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

Calvin Westrick & Kelley Izatt

Ragnar Stefansson & Andrea Manolov

13th (of 81) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz

63rd (of 102) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth Tango

23rd (of 62) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

29th (of 54) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth V. Waltz

8th (of 70) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Standard Waltz

25th (of 118) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Smooth (WF)

Calvin Westrick & Evie Murphy-Wilson

Ragnar Stefansson & McKenzie van der Hagen

75th (of 96) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Swing

58th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

28th (of 79) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Rumba

79th (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

35th (of 99) Amateur Collegiate Pre-Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

35th (of 40) Amateur Collegiate Silver Rhythm (CR)

131st (of 140) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm (CR)

67th (of 132) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Standard (WQ)

58th (of 109) Amateur Collegiate Bronze Rhythm Swing

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E

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20 •

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

SHEERDanCE.COM

6:45 AM

Collegiate Dance nationals

In some act of magic, everyone’s back on

a timeline

the bus and sitting in a seat. A partner

BY ALEXZANDRA ENGER

rogue follow who has already made plans

check ensues, and aside from the one to fly into Columbus, everyone’s here. It looks like we won’t have ten people fran-

FOR

ANY DANCER, ESPECIALLY a collegiate

or syllabus dancer, competition time is hectic and fast-paced, to say the least.

Between ladies waking up at ridiculous hours to prepare abnormally intricate hair and makeup, to dancing for sixteen hours

tically calling any still-slumbering dancers 6:07 AM

in an effort to wake them up and get them

After jumping off the light-rail train on

here. We left on time and half the team

campus, we make a pit stop at Starbucks

has fallen back to sleep already.

®

next to our pick up location; venti mochas all around!

10:17 AM Rays of morning sun wake those of us in

without a wink of sleep, one can easily say

6:30 AM

the front of the bus. It’s clear at this point

that a competition is an exciting event.

All of the team is here on time and ready

that my body has betrayed me and won’t

Friday

to start loading—a first. We might actually

let me go back to sleep, so I fake it for a

leave the city on time this year, but I don’t

while with half-hopes of tricking my brain

want to jinx it; knock on wood.

into going into standby mode once more.

6:37 AM

10:54 AM

Four people insist that they have to visit

It hasn’t worked. I’m still awake and

the restroom. We’re not stopping until

I think someone’s singing show tunes

noon, so we encourage them to race to the

somewhere on the bus. We’ve also entered

Rec Center to use the facilities.

the “cell service void” that is the middle

5:00 AM A contemporary cha-cha starts playing from my phone next to the bed, rousing me from an incomplete sleep cycle. It’s time to get ready to leave home for the charter bus that will take me and my team to Columbus, Ohio, for the competition.

Photos from USA Dance National Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

of Wisconsin. Those who happen to have

SHEERDanCE.COM

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

Verizon silently flaunt their privilege by scrolling through Facebook® in front of the rest of us.

Saturday

We stop for dinner. I don’t know what city

1:05 AM

who picked it out. I know we are in Ohio,

We’re in Madison! I’m starving since I was too lazy to climb over my seat buddy to get my cooler out of the overhead bin earlier.

We stop at a mall and I scan the options in the food court. Sadly, there’s nothing there that won’t kill me. Food allergies are fun, amiright? I settle for the Starbucks in the ®

bookstore across the hall. It’s a good thing that caffeine has a negligible effect on me or the two triple shot mochas that I’ve had in the past six hours might have made trying to nap later a bit difficult.

Sometime later in the afternoon: We find ourselves in the middle of Downtown Chicago. Pro tip: unless your bus driver is basically a pro, don’t try this.

Our bus driver was a pro, so except for the odd rouge hostile driver sharing the road with us we were good.

6:03 PM

we’re in now, even though I’m the one

12:22 PM

1 Jan 2016 •

though. There’s a Culver’s here, so I finally

• 21

We finally head to bed. Instead of setting an alarm, I set a timer for 2 hours.

get to eat a hot meal. Their wheat-free food

3:31 AM

is pretty good, actually, and is usually my

I have overslept, of course. I’m still the

choice for on-the-road meals. Once we get

first one up, so I get some quality time

back on the bus, we learn that the events

with the awesomely large mirror.

tomorrow will be starting earlier than had been planned, so we now have to leave the

4:15 AM

hotel at 6:00 instead of 6:30. Sleep sets in

My companions awaken. I’m not very far

again.

along, mainly because I’ve got so much

10:58 PM (9:58 PM, Minnesota time)

hair that needs to be tamed. Even though I got up a full forty-five minutes before they

We pull up in front of the hotel. In no time

did, we all finish our hair at the same time.

at all, everyone has their room key and is

Time to start makeup, and feeling ambi-

heading upstairs. Instead of going to sleep

tious, I put on two pairs of false eyelashes

like responsible people who are planning

and achieve unanticipated success.

on waking up at 3:00 AM, my roommates and I watch an uncountable number of

5:45 AM

Beyoncé’s music videos on YouTube. Good

Everyone’s downstairs and ready to go.

decision, right? We rationalize it by claim-

We board the bus and head off to the con-

ing it’s motivational material.

vention center. Check-in goes smoothly,

Photos from USA Dance National Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

and we file into the ballroom and start

22 •

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

SHEERDanCE.COM

preparing for Silver Smooth. We get a rare

is what I really wanted to see. Everyone’s

to go, smiles dominate faces, concealing

opportunity to get an early feel for the com-

crashing off their ballroom dance high now,

fierce competitive streaks and boundless

petition floor, since its empty. I stop check-

so we head back and go to sleep.

excitement.

Sunday

Post-Finals, Pre-Awards

room, and aside from having no pockets in

4:00 AM

The Gold and Champ Standard dancers are

my dress, I’m trying to conserve the battery

Time to wake up. This time, I got four hours

of my phone for later. Silver Smooth starts,

of sleep. That might actually be a record.

we dance. Bronze Smooth starts, we dance

Repeat hair and makeup process from

again.

yesterday.

11:16 PM

6:30 AM

It turns out that we’re getting Chipotle

Time to leave! Back to the convention

expected and have a good ten minutes to

catering for dinner! I join the group going

center. Upon arrival, we discover that the

just sit in the bleachers before it’s time to

to pick it up. Many stares are received as

entire ballroom was accidentally torn down

receive ribbons and hear the results.

five of us waltz into the restaurant with

last night so we have to wait in the lobby

outrageous hair and makeup. In my head, I

for half an hour while the convention cen-

Awards ceremony

think, “I promise, we’re not in a vaudeville

ter staff puts everything back up. We start

show. Our appearance is fairly normal for

a rumba circle dance and are successful in

us, I swear.” People are overjoyed when we

our attempts to convince a few other danc-

get back, since we didn’t tell them we were

ers to join us.

ing the time at this point because there’s exactly one clock and two outlets in the

bringing lunch for everyone .

1:00 PM

7:02 AM

having their finals right now, so I run to the dressing room to change out of my syllabus costume and into an insanely sparkly dress for team match. My partner and I are dancing quickstep. I make it out from behind the thick maroon curtains earlier than I

There’s a distinctly non-ballroom song playing, and at least three dozen couples pour out onto the floor. They do Bronze first, of course. In waltz/quickstep my partner and I got fourth out of one hundred thirty-one couples, and in tango we got second out of

We’re finally allowed to enter the ballroom.

one hundred and two couples, so it was a

Latin starts right away and, since I’m not

Today, I start around 9:00 instead of around

pretty good day.

dancing Latin, I venture off to the vendor

7:00 like yesterday, so I’m not in a big hurry.

halls to try on dresses.

I lose track of my phone in the black hole

1:00 PM

3:12 PM

of shoes and dress parts that is my suitcase,

I discover that I really, really like fringe.

so again, I have zero concept of time, and instead start going by what round of which

I sit in my dress for a couple hours, partially out of exhaustion, and partially out of not wanting to take it off.

4:45 PM

dance is up next to tell.

6:00 PM

We’re going to be heading back to the hotel

First round, Bronze Standard Waltz/

Time to head home! We make a pit stop for

soon to get changed for the evening show

Quickstep

dinner, and another for a bathroom break. I

at the Ohio Star Ball, so I reluctantly step out of the gorgeous rhythm dress I’ve been wearing for the last half-hour.

We’re in the second flight. I’m itching to get out onto the floor, and waiting in the wings between dances is a special form of torture.

find no sleep on the bus home, so I’m awake in the dark, alone but for the bus driver, for thirteen hours.

5:12 PM

We make it to the next round!

Monday

We change, and Tijen puts on a dress that

First round, Bronze Standard Tango

7:00 AM

I’ve got a special love for Standard Tango,

The familiar sight of the University Avenue

and I’m really happy when my partner and

parking ramp comes into view. In record

I make it through. We repeat the above

time, people have unloaded and scattered

two steps multiple times in the next two

into the wind to either go home for much

hours, and we’ve made it to finals! I think

needed sleep or to go to class with all their

I’ve danced at least thirty times in the past

luggage and their makeup still on.

instantly makes all the other girls in our room jealous. I realize that I don’t have time to shower, so I guess I’m going to the evening show in competition hair and makeup. I won’t look too out of place, I figure; this is ballroom after all.

7:30 PM

couple hours alone.

The evening show is starting, but I’m still

Final, Bronze Standard Waltz/Quickstep,

distracted by the light show appearing on

and Tango

the ceiling. Latin begins. Only after we get back to the hotel do I realize that Yulia and Riccardo were dancing twenty feet from me. Standard comes on right before we get ready to leave, and I’m on cloud nine. This

7:37 AM After a light-rail trip, I’m home. I don’t have class until 4:00 PM today, so I take a too-

The finals for Bronze Standard Waltz/

hot shower and sleep in a welcoming bed

Quickstep, Foxtrot, and Tango are all at

for a few hours, before resuming the life of

the same time, so those of us who aren’t

a college student.

in at least one of them hang out on deck while the others dance. When it’s time

E

SHEERDanCE.COM

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

1 Jan 2016 •

• 23

important, I ran across the gym to get in line.

In the process of rushing, I tripped on my own feet, falling to my knees in front of every student in the audition.

If that isn’t everyones idea of how to introduce yourself to 50 new people where being a coordinated human being for dance is essential, I don’t know what is.

Following

try-outs,

I

learned

that I made it onto the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club Competition Team. Once part of the team, I never looked back. Dancing tenplus hours a week, learning countless styles of dance, prepping for competitions, and bonding with my partners and teammates was something I quickly started looking forward to. Traveling 14 hours by bus to Ohio Star Ball to compete in the USA Dance National Collegiate DanceSport Championships was something everyone on the team couldn’t wait for, unlike most normal people who would have dreaded such a lengthy voyage.

Semester after semester, practice after practice, competition after comPhoto from Dance Fest by Erik Anderson

petition, my teammates and I kept coming back. This sport and form of self-expression,

advice to the Younger Me Reflecting on My time at the University of Minnesota

was

something

we

couldn’t escape, nor did we want to escape. We loved our team and our sport and there was nothing you could do to discourage us from it.

BY ELIZABETH WEAVER

This past semester, I experienced many “last times” as I will be graduating this coming spring. My last

BEFORE I EVEN SET FOOT ON CAMPUS

I found was pretty cool, and I was

time traveling to Ohio to compete in

as a freshman, I had already chosen

told about the Club and Competition

the collegiate circuit, my last “Secret

what extra-curricular activity I wanted

Team. Auditions were happening that

Penguin” gift exchange with the team,

to get involved in. Kickboxing. That

upcoming Friday so I said to myself,

one of my last semesters as the Club

was until the University of Minnesota

“Why not try it?” and decided to go.

Secretary. It all seems so surreal at this

Ballroom Dance Club held an introduc-

The day of auditions came quickly and

moment, but I couldn’t have asked for

tion to Ballroom Dance in the Coffman

I had no idea what to expect. Arriving

a better team, experience, or support

Great Hall called “Fall Into Dance.”

at Bierman Gym, I was already late and

network to help me through my four

Since classes had not started yet, I

putting on my heels as fast as I could.

years at the U of MN.

decided to go and check it out. What

Nervous I was going to miss something

24 •

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

Looking back, I wish I could have given myself some of the perspective I have now. Back then I was determined to always have a plan of attack. I wanted to know what my upcoming plans for the future were, was frustrated if I didn’t have them figured out, and was even more flustered if the ones I had were changed.

When I was a freshman, if I could have predicted the number of times my plans would change in the near future, I most likely would have had a heart attack. My plans have changed so many times now, I can barely remember what they were when I started. And oddly enough, I am very much okay with that.

I never accounted for the fact that my plans could change and I didn’t want to leave room for that to happen. But if I hadn’t allowed them to, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. At the beginning I had no intention of joining a team like the one at the University of Minnesota, let alone a competitive ballroom dance team. Yet today I cannot imagine my undergraduate career without the support and experiences provided by being part of a this team.

If I had any advice to give to those beginning their college careers, it would be this: embrace change and involve yourself. You may come into college with a plan already created, but then you get here and college says “I think I found you something better”. I’ve found that it’s best to involve yourself in anything and everything, following where your experiences take you. You may never know what the plan is, but when you find out, I advise that you listen. Do not be afraid to follow whatever direction it takes you, or embrace the changes ahead.

E

Photos from Dancing Classrooms by C.J. Hurst

SHEERDanCE.COM

SHEERDanCE.COM

1 Jan 2016 •

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

• 25

graders dancing Merengue, Tango, Rumba,

Mad Hot Ballroom Comes to Mn

Foxtrot, Swing and Waltz before a cheering packed house of over 300 at Dancers Studio.

BY EMBER REICHGOTT JUNGE

These pictures capture not only dance steps, but the Respect, Elegance, and Teamwork demonstrated by every pair. No question: every student who performed was a winner. Heart of Dance is grateful to professional ballroom dance judges Amy Anderson, Nathan Daniels, Marcy McHenry, and Eliecer and Rebecca Ramirez, and our sponsors, University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club and U Partner Dance for making the event possible.

Check media

out

the

coverage

of

videos, the

photos,

school

and

showcases

and Colors of the Rainbow Team Match at www.HeartofDanceMn.org. These young dancers are good, but Dancing Classrooms is so much more than dance steps. “It’s a vehicle for teaching essential life skills, focusing on teamwork, elegance, and respect. You see it in the way students look on the dance floor, how well they

Photo from Dancing Classrooms by C.J. Hurst

behave in an unfamiliar and stressful situation, and how they step up to fill in for missing team-

SO, YOU’VE NEVER seen fifth-grad-

to fifth-graders. Other inaugu-

mates at the last minute,” said Heart of Dance

ers dancing foxtrot? Then you’ve

ral schools participating in the

Creative Director Andrea Mirenda, one of two

never seen Dancing Classrooms in

10-week residency included Athlos

Teaching Artists this fall.

action.

Leadership

Brooklyn

Due to great response, Heart of Dance is

“I felt like a proud papa, because

Park; Four Seasons A+ Elementary

expanding second semester. Seven Twin Cities

the kids did such an amazing

School, St. Paul; and Friendship

schools are signed up for Dancing Classrooms

job,” said Principal Kirk Morris of

Academy of the Arts, Minneapolis.

and more can participate, if funding allows.

Benjamin E. Mays IB World School

In total, over 250 fifth graders

You can help. Introduce Dancing Classrooms to

in St. Paul, one of the inaugural

in 11 classrooms performed in

a school you know. Make a gift, large or small,

Dancing Classrooms schools in

their

to Heart of Dance, a 501c3 nonprofit, to bring

Minnesota this fall. “And the way

case

to

Dancing Classrooms to more students. Find

they respected each other on that

the delight of parents and their

out how you can become a Classroom Sponsor.

stage–it showed from afar. Parents

school community. “More con-

Volunteer

were as surprised as I was with the

fident. More respectful. Excited

HeartofDanceMN on Facebook. Follow on Twitter.

finished product. I did know our

and positive,” wrote parents in

Contact Co-Founders Ember Reichgott Junge

kids can rise to the occasion, but

their evaluations describing their

(EmberRJ@haeartofdancemn.org)

they went to another level.”

child’s behavior during Dancing

Mirenda

Dancing Classrooms, the New

Classrooms. When students led

find out more.

York City program showcased in

their families in the Macarena

Heart of Dance could not do this without

the award-winning documentary

and other dances, the energy blew

the support of our ballroom dance community.

Mad Hot Ballroom, was launched in

through the roof !

Thank you for helping to transform young lives

Academy,

December

school

“Culminating

show-

Events”

Minnesota this fall by local non-

It all led to the December 13

profit Heart of Dance, bringing

all-school Colors of the Rainbow

the benefits of ballroom dance

Team

Match

with

110

fifth

as

a

Classroom

Assistant.

or

Andrea

(AndreaM@heartofdancemn.org)

one step at a time!

Ember Reichgott Junge is the Heart of Dance Development Director

E

Like

to

26 •

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

SHEERDanCE.COM

hope that I didn’t leave a puddle of drool on the floor from my jaw being dropped for so long.

Following this ineffable experience, preparations included eating lots of dessert and watching videos in preparation for our next day of dancing… because that’s what dancers do to relax.

Photos from USA Dance National

After a few hours of sleep, Sunday

Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

morning came bright and early, and we were back in the ballroom hitting the boards again. Bronze Rhythm treated

From the Windy City to the City of Firsts

BY AUDREY HAUGEN

Josh and I very well as we placed third, which gave us a tricked-out “necklace,” a.k.a. A medal! We were ecstatic, to say the least.

Going into the afternoon session

FIVE

round. My partner Josh and I danced

of Standard, it was time to focus once

end at the Chicagoland DanceSport

the best that we ever had that morn-

again on our goal and to both our

Challenge–NQE: dance, dance, dance,

ing, and sure enough, we got into the

surprise and delight, we made it into

dance, dance. Okay, realistically: dance,

final round. When we saw our number

the finals in Bronze Standard as well.

fun, dance, laugh, dance. My point? I

appear on the screen, I almost cried.

We went back on the floor and gave it

danced a lot that weekend, had a ton of

Yep, that happened. I was struggling to

everything we had remaining. Ribbon

fun with my teammates, and wouldn’t

contain my sheer glee. Then, to top off

status: achieved yet again.

have had it any other way. This was

the whole experience, we placed fifth

After many pictures were taken,

my first time attending a National

in Bronze Smooth! We also got a rib-

tons of makeup scrubbed off, and

Qualifying Event, and it was just how I

bon, which should not go unnoticed.

bags repacked, we were on the road

imagined and hoped it would be.

While there will always be room for

again; (cue that classic Willie Nelson

improvements, I could not have been

song). Six hours in the car were filled

happier with our performances.

with long conversations, Mad Libs™,

WORDS THAT SUM UP my week-

Friday

was

spent

last-minute

packing and driving for six hours from Minneapolis to the Windy City.

Saturday morning came and went,

jokes, stories, and general merriment.

Walking into the hotel was definitely

and we went out on the town to see

Though arriving back home Sunday

one of the highlights of the trip for me.

the “Bean” and eat dinner. Nothing

night was nice, it meant that I was no

It was one of the most beautiful hotels

beats eating “real” food after a day of

longer making memories of that amaz-

I had ever seen, and I was “geeking

dancing and consuming protein bars in

ing weekend; all I was able to do was

out,” as they say. Don’t believe me? Just

place of breakfast and lunch. Following

think of them with fond remembrance.

ask my teammates. After checking in,

our excursion in downtown Chicago,

If all goes according to plan, I

we went to the ballroom and watched

we spent the evening watching more

will see, “The City of Firsts,” in a few

the professionals dance in the evening

dancing.

months for the USA Dance National Championships.

“Good

Morning

session. Following this amazement, my

The evening competition was filled

roommates and I went to our room,

with beautiful gowns, elegant hair-

Baltimore” from Hairspray will be my

listened to music, played around with

styles, and incredible performances. I

alarm clock song each morning and I

different ballroom hairstyles, and even-

will never forget some of the perfor-

could not be more thrilled about that!

tually decided to sleep.

mances that we watched on Saturday

But, in the meantime I will just dance,

Feeling ever-inspired by the elegance

night at the “Pro Show”. Women in

study, dance, sleep here and there, and

witnessed the evening prior, I went

gowns dripping with Swarovski crys-

dance some more. That way, when it’s

into the Saturday morning Smooth

tals and graceful floats, along with men

time to leave for Baltimore, I will be

session with excitement. I was focused

in well-tailored suits, floating, swaying,

all prepped and ready to dance, dance,

on the goal of making it into the final

and gliding around the floor. I can only

and dance some more. E

SHEERDanCE.COM

1 Jan 2016 •

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

• 27

Photos from U of MN Masquerade Ball by Kevin Viratyosin

IN

A FLURRY OF GLITTERING GOWNS

and bejeweled faces, the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club’s

Masks and Merriment

second annual dance, the Masquerade

the annual University of Minnesota Masquerade Ball

Ball, was off to a racing start. In ret-

BY KAYLEE ANDERSON

rospect, not everyone was wearing a mask. Barring the unmasked from coming would have been a lot less

say, most of the moves executed didn’t

guard, as I attempted (with my small

fun, especially for me, as glasses don’t

look like foxtrot steps, but at least

amount of experience) to lead rather

really allow for masks and I had to get

there were minimal injuries.

than sit still. I don’t think I scarred any

creative with face paint and eyeliner instead.

About halfway through I looked

of them permanently.

at the clock and was flabbergasted to

The food was excellent, although I

The Great Hall of Coffman Memorial

find it was only 8:00. On one hand, I

may be biased as I was the one putting

Union was the perfect place to host the

was excited because that meant I still

it out along with a couple other compa-

event, what with the gorgeous marble

had two whole hours to get my groove

triots. In retrospect, the only bad thing

flooring and soaring ceiling. It has

on, but on the other hand, my feet

about the dance was that we could

a feel that’s very befitting of a mas-

were already starting to hurt. This was

have used more cheese plates and choc-

querade, especially when you add in

promptly forgotten as “Uptown Funk”

olate cake. All in all, it was a fantastic

color-changing lights and funky dance

began to pump through the speakers

way to spend my Saturday night, and

music. That’s if you consider waltzes

and I went on the hunt for a willing

as always, I learned several things. One

to be funky. It was wonderful to watch

lead.

was that the most effective way to get

partygoers file in, both those who

It was nice seeing so many fresh

people to move out of the way when

knew what they were doing as well as

faces at the masquerade. Even if they

you’re carrying a giant punch bowl is

people who had barely danced a day in

had only gone through one or two

just screaming “punch!” over whatever

their lives. It took less than an hour for

lessons, people still came to have fun,

rhythm song is playing, while you “foot-

the hall to be packed, which made for

and it was great watching dancers help

ball-player” your way from the kitchen

some fun, but very creative floorcraft.

one another learn the basic for cha-cha

to the snack table. The other is that

Dancers were able to practice more

or rumba. Seeing people inspire one

dancing is an excellent way to forget

floorcraft by playing the first game of

another, and help spread the love of

about the fact that your feet hurt—that

the evening, where each couple hav-

ballroom to new visitors is a wonderful

is, until you take off your shoes and try

ing a streamer tied to their elbows,

experience, as is asking others to dance

to walk normally again.

attempted to tear off those of others

when they aren’t expecting it. I man-

via strategic dance moves. Needless to

aged to catch a couple of follows off

E

28 •

THIS

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

IS MY LAST ISSUE WITH Sheer

Dance. By the time this issue comes out, I’ll be packing my bags for a semester in Spain. I’m hoping to try my hand at flamenco while I’m there, but who knows what’ll be waiting across the ocean?

One of the things that’s so incredible about dance is how universal it is.

Be it ballroom dance, or some other type of partner dancing, where there’s music, there’s bound to be dancing.

Something I continue to notice, as my involvement in the dancing community grows and changes, is how I love dancing for its own sake. I always have. I can say with very little hesitation that ballroom has changed my life.

I remember waking up some mornings and getting through the day just for the

Photos from USA Dance National Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

dance lesson I’d have after classes. I’ve met so many wonderful people, including someone who became my partner both on and off the dance floor.

The competitive sphere isn’t for me. The drama and the ever-increasing pressure to be better are things I can’t engage with in a way that’s healthy for me. But that’s OK. I know it’s done many good things for so many good people, and I’m glad I had the chance to see that world, if only briefly.

I still love going dancing twice a week and spinning across the floor while laughing when I trip over my own feet. I enjoy nailing that move, and letting the music move through me. I love how dance makes me feel in control of my body, powerful, and beautiful.

I hope I get the chance to keep dancing in Spain, because I never want to forget how much dance has changed me for the better.

I wish the very best for the dance family I’m leaving behind, and the very best for Sheer. Keep growing, keep changing, and keep dancing.

E

across the Sea a Goodbye letter

BY CHELSEA VISSER

SHEERDanCE.COM

SHEERDanCE.COM

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

1 Jan 2016 •

• 29

In your next dance a follow might show

a Reason to Social Dance

BY ERIC DAHLMAN

with their body, a better method to lead someone into a turn. You might find a charming lead who helps you perfect your frame. Won’t you be excited to show your newfound expe-

IT

SEEMS THAT EVERY DANCER has

skills in unexpected ways. You do not

rience when you meet up with your

their own story for what brought them

know if the next partner you ask will

competitive partner? By remembering

into the world of dance. Some people

be a beginner or someone on their way

to give the same respect and courtesy

became interested after watching a

to winning their second championship.

to someone as you would expect them

friend compete, or they just loved the

Either way, a good dancer uses new

to give to you, a good dancer is able

music. Others knew they wanted to

partners for mutual learning. For exam-

to be rewarded with as much wisdom

be a dancer after seeing the costumes

ple, you ask the first person you see at a

from another dancer as they have given

and pageantry. For me, social dancing

ball for a quick waltz, and they accept

themselves. There are no bad dancers

piqued my interest in ballroom dance.

but on the condition that they are only

at a social dance. Only the dancers who

When I first started dancing back at the

just learning to dance. As a bad dancer,

fail to notice the “social” part.

grand balls in Vienna, what amazed me

you try to endure a boring dance with

If you are not already preparing for

most was the civility of the people you

them and quickly look for someone

your next masquerade, you can also

would meet. If someone asks you to

more experienced for the next song. If

think of social dances as the world’s

dance there, it is a common courtesy

you are a good dancer, this is your time

best obstacle courses in ballroom danc-

to accept. That aspect does not always

to solidify your technique! Your partner

ing. Seriously, what better way is there

exist in other places. I personally loved

only knows basic turns? You are going

to practice floorcraft than with a con-

the atmosphere. Dancing with various

to make sure your basic is so clean that

stantly moving stage filled with people

people caused me to learn many of the

your partner could not misstep if they

of different skill levels? If you have

moves and techniques that brought me

wanted to. This is the time to show

this resource, you might as well use

to competitive dance. I guess that is

your ability. Show the beginner where

it. Practice guiding different partners

why I am always a little confused that I

you are about to step with your entire

across the floor. Nothing helps me learn

do not see other people take full advan-

body as a lead. React to steps smoothly

to communicate better while dancing

tage of social dancing.

as a follow. Everyone loves dancing

than safely maneuvering through a

I am certain there are many reasons

with a person who makes them feel

crowded quickstep. Try practicing this

why people do not share my same

like the best dancer in the room. This is

with your competitive partner after a

belief of always finding new partners

your chance to share that feeling with

couple of runs with some new people.

while social dancing. Many couples go

a newcomer. Perhaps if they are feel-

You will never fear bumping into some-

dancing for a fun activity to be closer

ing confident dancing with you, you

one at a far less crowded competition

together. In this case, I say more power

can solidify your knowledge in a step

again.

to them! However, when fellow com-

by teaching them a new move. Either

Social dancing is often a lesson in

petitive dancers do not understand the

way, if you give them this feeling, I can

disguise that many seasoned dancers

benefits of a social dance, I am always

guarantee you will be the highlight of

miss. For some, dancing at an event is

lost. Far too many competitive couples

their night. Congratulations! You also

meant to be a fun activity for a group

go to social dances strictly as a form of

cemented your technique and could

of friends. For others it is a way to

practice with one another. While the

have placed yourself above your next

prepare for a competition. No matter

idea makes sense at first, those dancers

competition. Plus, you probably had

what brings you to a social dance, do

are clearly not making full use of their

quite a bit of fun while you were at it.

not be afraid to make new friends and

There is always the chance that your

dance with other partners. You never

At a social dance, one can never

next random partner could be your

know what you could experience, but

truly know the experience of the other

greatest teacher as well. Even if they

you can always have a wonderful time

dancers attending. This makes social

are not an international champion, you

while you are there.

events an amazing venue to test your

never know who you might learn from.

resources.

E

30 •

• 1 Jan 2016

[FROM tHE COMMUnitY]

SHEERDanCE.COM

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA is no small school. Being the type of person who takes every possible wrong turn, it hasn’t been easy to find my way to the one class I take on campus.

Fortunately I meet many kind strangers who point me in the right direction.

At

the

initial

Post-Secondary

Enrollment Options (PSEO) meeting, along with parking advice and the “how to enroll for classes” tutorial, I heard that as a PSEO student, you’re allowed to participate in clubs. Initially I ignored this bit of information, think-

Photos from USA Dance National

ing, “What college student would want

Collegiate Championships by Luke Rohl

a sixteen year old in their club?”

Cinema Ballroom has been my dance home since my “Tia” dragged me along to salsa night when I was about twelve. I began taking private lessons

Making a Big Campus Seem a Bit Smaller

and attending dance parties at thir-

Finding a Family with the UMn Ballroom Dance team

teen. To my surprise one night, I saw

BY EVELINE MURPHY-WILSON

a large group of young people flocking to one side of the large, mirrored ballroom. Upon asking, I learned it was a portion of the U of MN Ballroom Dance

to match names to the faces of all

Club Competition Team.

braiding my hair. Seven hours later

forty-eight dancers. I was partnered

during our lunch break, I was shop-

I was reminded that “as a PSEO

with two of the male dancers for

ping for coloring books at Barnes

student you’re allowed to participate

Minnesota Ballroom Blast, and before

and Noble with one of my future

in clubs.” I was so excited I shook. I

I knew it, I had embarked on the fif-

roommates. Fifteen hours later, I

introduced myself to their charismatic

teen hour bus ride to the USA Dance

was watching Beyoncé videos in the

coach, Nels Petersen, and he turned me

National

hotel room with the greatest, kindest

over to the vice president, who gave

Championships in Columbus, Ohio.

Collegiate

DanceSport

roommates I could ever ask for.

me her business card. It was a whirl-

Though I’m not usually socially

Everyone on the team performed

wind of connections at the end of the

awkward or self conscious, I was

like champions, and bonding was

night as I allowed my posture to relax

nervous to go to Ohio with the team

inevitable. Never have I ever been on

in mom’s car and explained everything

because of my age. I worried about

a team, much less one that travels

to her. I explained everything twice as

who would actually want to sit with

together, and it was both exciting

the excitement ate half my words the

me, a high school kid, on the bus or

and powerful to feel part of a huge,

first time.

room with me at the hotel. Dance

trusting group of such kind, welcoming adults.

Before I could join the team, I had to

performance isn’t typically a stressor,

audition. My stomach balled up when

but who doesn’t get scared when

I entered the U of MN Rec Center for

entering new social situations?

The next time I was on campus, I saw three ballroom teammates on my

my very first audition. I danced, people

The morning we left I boarded the

way to class. We waved and talked,

watched, I left and waited. The next

bus and guess what? No one sat with

and all of a sudden the great big col-

day, the president (of the club, not the

me! I was right, no one wanted to sit

lege campus seemed a little smaller.

country) called to tell me I’d made it.

with a high school kid. I wondered if

Somewhere along the way, I knew I

Practices for the team were long,

sitting by myself was a bad first sign,

must have taken the right turn. E

and it took three solid months for me

but within two hours I had someone

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