Ballroom Story- "Come Dance!"

Barb Kaitz

A wise teacher of mine once explained, that the desire or reason you are drawn to something often is not what keeps you with it.

Not long ago, I realized I wanted to learn to dance and had wanted to for a long time, yet never acted on my desire! I admitted (to myself) that if I didn’t do something about my interest in dance soon, it would simply never happen. It was a deep desire…I wanted to move to the music effortlessly and I realized that it took great effort, instruction and discipline to accomplish that! I listened to my heart and I began studying ballroom dance. The nuances, techniques, styles and dances were hypnotizing me and I was addicted. As I committed more time and brain power to my dancing, I finally had the epiphany that I was stepping out of my box, out of my safe-haven, out of my comfort zone and into a new world and a different box. A box that moved and had its own rhythm. Music held new meaning and new messages, as did “partnership” and many other familiar words like: “step”, “feel”, “listen”, “lift”…and of course – even “box!”

Every Child Has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does
Anything weird,
But the God who only knows four words
And keeps repeating them, saying:
‘Come dance with me.’
Come Dance.

I accepted the invitation. I went and I danced…. I danced 12 different dances. I had newcomer entries, beginner entries and intermediate entries. All I could think of was that I was insane for any and all entries! And then I was escorted onto the dance floor for my first official dance! All doubt evaporated! I knew all along that I was blessed with a magnificent teacher. I was well prepared. I was ready! I was in a way, Liza Doolittle!

I had been groomed on everything…really, everything. I knew how to walk on to the dance floor and I knew how to exit the floor. I knew how to dress and “coif”. On the outside, well, it was a pleasant picture….but my dancing came from some where inside.

My teacher, a many time Ballroom Champion had drilled me with technique. I was even beginning to feel less mechanical and more expressive as a dancer. The greatest achievement for me was in trusting my teacher and myself. Forrest Vance and I were a dance team when we stepped on the floor together. Forrest had been patient and diligent, exact and repetitive with me. He was funny and kind and precise and patient. Forrest taught me the rules, and the do’s and the don’ts, the how to’s, and he was PATIENT!

Forrest is my CHAMPION. He teaches magically. Forrest Vance was there to showcase me and I was there to “listen” to and follow him! He always told me that he would be my music. Grace and partnership were sure to envelop us on the floor. And it was a royal experience.

I cherish the excellence, dedication, wisdom, spirit, energy and talent of my teacher….the way he teaches and his great patience. It is my courage and his example that keep me dancing, not just the fun of it! His gentle yet strong and clear “lead” has power and panache. It’s no ordinary “box” with Forrest! It’s an honor to study with Forrest and it is that great honor and my respect for Forrest Vance that keep me on the “wood”! Perhaps

it’s no surprise that a quote by Jane Austen expresses my feeling about what could lie ahead for me… “Fine dancing, I believe like virtue, must be its own reward."

My teacher recognized my fascination and commitment. He led me out of my gentle predictable world to a dream of excitement, glitter and greater passion for dance when he combined the words goals and competition in the same sentence. We were talking about dancesport….not simple or simply dance now. The passion for excellence, the willingness for a firm foundation and the community of dance were all appealing so I was OK with setting goals. The concept of competition was uncomfortable and unpleasant!

It was unfamiliar; it didn’t sit or dance well within me! Competition is not thrilling or inviting to me. What a spin when I found myself in Tampa, at the Florida Superstars Competition with my teacher and 5 other of his students. I was amazed! Before arriving in Florida I pondered and panicked thinking of the rites of passage to this brave new world. Would the “wood” feel more like quicksand devouring me, or could I actually slide and skim and float across the “wood”, smoothly and seamlessly, with composure and elegance…….like a dancer!

Barbara's Links

http://www.forrestvance.com