WHY BALLROOM?

My students come to me for a variety of reasons... and it's always fun and challenging to meet their different needs with dance instruction that is informative, fit to the occasion and provocative.

Rick and Becky, top right, came to me with the goal of an anniversary dance that would include a couple of minutes of all their favorite dances: rumba, salsa and Argentine tango. Their dances flowed seamlessly one to the other and they performed to a standing ovation in Long Beach at La Cucina. Photo by Marlin Munoz Photographers.

John and Sheila, below right, portray Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his wife Varina at local American Civil War events and wanted to look their best in their custom- made historical clothing waltzing away to period string quartets. Here you see them in the hallway between sets striking their frame!

Not all my couples have special events in mind when they call or email me to start ballroom dancing lessons. Some are looking for a way to reconnect with their spouse or loved one after years of looking after the little ones, making a living and just plain paying down that mortgage!

One couple I have now decided that after watching their daughter learn her father/daughter dance they would learn some foxtrot and swing to wow the guests at their daughter's upcoming wedding reception.

Another one of my long-term couples enjoy salsa, swing, Argentine tango and foxtrot and master three new figures each lesson to increase their repertory of smooth moves to dance at their many philanthropic and work functions throughout the year.

I encourage my couples to learn again how wonderful their spouses and significant others are as they take each other in their arms and dance. With gentle assistance, I remind them that on the ballroom floor the man is leader and the lady follower. Off the floor, I'm sure they've figured out the leader/follower roles!!

After each lesson, I write everything down so my students can practice the material they learn at home and I even email songs they like to them so that they can have fun dancing with each other to music.

There are shoes and clothes to buy to look enticing to each other and I think just the physical touching in the dance can do wonders for a relationship that's been a synchronize those blackberries and schedule books for a few too many years. Click here to see some sample videos.