“That’s so cool.” “WOW, how did you get into ballroom dancing?” “You’re the first ballroom dancer I’ve ever met.”
These are a few of the top responses I get every time I tell someone I’m a professional ballroom dancer.
The answer is quite simple. I LOVE DANCING. I love the way dancing makes me act… the music, the cardio, the way it sculpts my body and gets my endorphins pumping.
I equally love the way dance makes YOU FEEL. I cherish the moments with my students when they pick up their first step, move onto an advanced sequence, or compete for the first time without passing out from nervousness. I love how I see my (and other ballroom dancers’) dancing inspire, motivate and captivate audience hearts.
Dance is addictive. I fell in love with it at the early age of 3 when my mother put me in my first ballet recital (I started ballet when I was under three, in fact, I was so small that carrying my arms above my head almost made me fall over backwards onstage- yep, it’s all on video LOL).
Later in life I somehow got away from dance and into things like horses, swimming and tennis. But dance was always on my mind. Luckily my latin friends got me moving my hips and I fell in love with dancing all over again but this time it wasn’t ballet or jazz or tap: it was ballroom.
Yep, I was addicted after my first session. In fact, my first coach was so amazing, we went on to do shows together and I even named my little Yorkie Vasco after him. That’s how much dancing changed my life.
Add travel to the dancing and competing. Yes, national and international travel. See what I mean?
My partners and I (yes, I had a few as we all do in the ballroom dance world) competed all over the US. One of the highlights of my career was making the World quarterfinal round of our professional American Smooth in Colombus Ohio. Funny place for a world dance competition, right? From Brooklyn to Las Vegas and Miami to Asheville NC, Toronto and Italy… you can dance and compete in all of these exciting places!
Yes, YOU CAN.
One of my most memorable competitions was with my partner Jason. We were dancing at the Brooklyn Marriott hotel over the Fourth of July weekend. Here we were, a bunch of rhinestone covered, overly tanned dancers running around in full stage makeup and high heels amidst a large group of nearly 700 individuals attending “The Little People of America Convention.” It was wonderful! One of the attendees even looked up at my 6’4” partner and said “little people and ballroom dancers, what an interesting combination.” We were all laughing at how great it was. We had two such unique, distinct groups at the hotel for such a fun holiday in one of America’s greatest cities. And everyone was dancing and rocking out to their own beats!
When I’m on the dance floor I forget all of life’s troubles. I let the music take me into this incredible place where all I want to do is feel, breathe and let go, interpret the music, and perform for my audience to the best of my abilities with my partner. I want my passions to ignite the audience’s passions! I want my waltz to make you cry. My foxtrot to uplift you and make you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. I want my tango to bring out your strongest emotions, your fears, your strength, your courage and the fire that burns inside of you and makes you who you are. The Vienesse Waltz? I save that for me… I love this particular genre so much, it’s when I’m at my most emotional and expressive self awareness.
Years ago I tried acting school but was somehow always inhibited. I felt shy and awkward. Not with dance. I swear I could have been a stripper and not cared (kidding, well kinda ha ha)– anything to dance and be one with the music.
Give me any beat: samba, salsa, bachata, merengue, rumba, jive or cha cha… my hips cannot help but start to move. I incorporate these moves in as many fitness routines as my classes will let me get away with!
That’s part of the reason that although I’m now retired from professional competition, I absolutely LOVE teaching and dancing with my students at competitions and shows to showcase their skills! Seeing their passions ignite and their dreams become reality is a remarkable thing.
Dance is a form of therapy. I’ve seen students come into a studio extremely lonely and frustrated with life. Months later, they’re making friends, dating, attending parties and performing in shows. Dancing gives you the self confidence to do anything your heart desires. It gives you the power to get through this crazy thing called LIFE.
I’ve seen dance work miracles. Change people for the better. Give people a sense of meaning and purpose. Dance gives individuals a way to express themselves in their art when oftentimes, they don’t know how to express themselves to their spouses, families and friends.
Dance changed my life. Becoming a dancer was the best decision I ever made for my mental and physical well being. Dance is wellness. It forever changed my life and I enjoy (so much) how I see dance changing the lives of my students each and every day, all in positive ways.
If you guys have any questions on how or where or when you can start dancing, in any discipline, please please give me a shout out! I would be so happy to have you come to one of my classes or visit our studios. And if you’re not in San Diego, I have so many friends all over the globe who I can recommend to you for dance classes! I’d love to hear how dance has improved your lives!
xx Shanna
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