The studio where I take lessons is pretty aggressive in pushing you to perform. I'm not what you'd call a shy person, so performing is not a problem, if I feel adequately prepared for it. That's why I wake up so early whenever I'm teaching Jazzercise - if I feel prepared, I can have fun with it even if it's not as perfect as I'd have liked.
But, back to ballroom dancing. We had this "Winter Ball Competition" and I danced about 27 dances with my instructors, Slash and Collin. The first day was for smooth dances (like waltz, fox trot, tango) and because I had not spent as much time on those, I really didn't have high expectations for them, but at the end of the day, I had placed second or third in every dance I entered. On the second day, we did the rhythm dances (cha-cha, rumba, swing, merengue) and I felt more confident about those - that's when I started getting first places as well. By the time it was over I had placed in every dance but one. It was a great experience, almost like "Dancing With the Stars Boot Camp", minus the stars, unless you count me :-) Every so many dances, the judges would take a break to tally their votes and the floor would open to general dances, when anybody could just get out there and dance. There were awards, a party after the competition on both days (Friday and Saturday) and even more dancing. Throughout the day, if you like people watching, you would have been in heaven! Feathers were flying, tears were shed (not mine - I rolled my eyes a lot, but no tears), and drama was in the air everywhere you'd turn.
This being my first ever ballroom competition, I really appreciated being able to rely on my instructors for everything. Not as much on Slash, who, by virtue of being the more seasoned instructor, had more students to attend to. Collin on the other hand, being a relatively young instructor, was able to really stand by me and hold my hand, so to speak, so I'd not freak out under the spotlight or pressure. He really is an awesome dancer, and I know that it won't be long before he is in as much demand as any other instructor in that studio. But for now, I get to savor the attention and the fun, which frequently includes him pestering me with anything Bieber related, because he knows I don't like it. I keep telling him I don't like Barry Manilow, but so far he has not taken the bait...
Collin did save my merengue (and that's not code word for anything but merengue) this past weekend. We had completely forgotten that I entered in merengue and had not practiced it AT ALL! He gave me a quick "Merengue 101" earlier in the day and when I danced it with Slash later, we ended up taking second place! Like I said, Collin is pretty awesome and talented.
Slash took home a teacher award, and a first and second place in two of the professional dances he did with a professional partner. He is a joy to watch when he's dancing. It's plain to see he loves what he does because it simply shines through every one of his dance moves. However, he's also the one responsible for my brunette Evita Peron hairdo :-( He's explained it all to me (several times in fact) that the reason for the sleek hairdo is so it doesn't distract from the woman's dance moves or the dress, or both. Regardless, I promised him that unless I can wear my curly hair down in some fashion, he's not gonna see me competing any time soon (as in ever!!).
Anyway, not a bad first venture into the world of ballroom competition, but it also made me realize how much more I need to learn. If money was not an issue, I'd take a lesson everyday and be that much better that much faster, but reality has a way of beckoning you in the shape of kids, family, and other responsibilities you have in your day to day life. It's a good thing too, as it keeps you grounded and reminded of how balance is essential for happiness in any one's life. We'll see what the next chapter brings. I'm keeping my dancing shoes on!
