I have been teaching Ballroom dancing for nearly a decade now and I feel blessed to have introduced so many people to the joys and benefits of ballroom dancing.
I have always enjoyed dancing, including street dances like Breakdancing and Hip Hop. Many people are surprised to know that I didn’t begin Ballroom Dancing or any formal dance training until I was 25 years old. I do consider myself a slow learner, and envy those who can see a movement once or twice and mimic the pattern. In my experience being a good dancer comes from hard work, mental toughness and physical training. By training hard and slow I’ve become an accomplished dancer. Because, I am a slow learner, I have a unique empathy for others who feel dance challenged. I often say, “There are a thousand lessons in doing it wrong and only one lesson learned in doing it right”. Since I have had plenty of experience doing it wrong, I can be helpful in helping others avoid the same mistakes.
With the help of many friends and students I opened “Care to Dance?” in 2006. The studio allows others to get great training, and achieve their personal goals. “C2D” has 14 teachers and sees about 400 people a week. Recently, “C2D” was awarded the Wichita Eagle Newspaper’s Reader’s Choice Award for Wichita’s top studio. Beyond, our region “C2D” is known nationally as an enthusiastic and talented studio. Our teachers often score in the top 20% teachers nationally. For myself, I am often ranked in the top 10% teachers nationwide.
Dance has brought me many opportunities to perform and compete. I have dance for both Domingo and Pavarotti. I have performed for Sports Illustrated. I have danced in several operas, including “La Traviata”. In the “Carmen” Opera I was the Principle dancer. In the upcoming Opera “The Merry Widow” I will both Choreograph and Perform several dances in the show. I have competed in 17 National Competitions coast to coast.
First Coast Classic in Jacksonville FL
International Grand Ball in San Francisco
Savannah Dance Classic Georgia
St. Louis Star Ball in Missouri
Heart of America Dancesport KC Kansas
Holiday Classic Las Vegas NV
Atlanta Open Georgia
Magnolia Dancesport Challenge Memphis TN
DVIDA National Dancesport Championships Las Vega NV
This coming year I’m working on bring the benefits of Ballroom Dancing to people across the country.
