Personal Reflections on the Past Year at Universal Ballroom Dance Center
By Susan Milicia
The beginning
With gift certificate in hand, my husband Anthony and I walked into Universal for the first time on January 7, 2012. My sister Diane, who had been dancing for some time, won the certificate and since it was a Social Dance for Beginners Class she passed it on to us. It was just the thing to finally motivate us from “going to take lessons” into actually doing so.
Prior to the first session she filled me in on what to expect, not so much on the actual class but the caliber of teaching that we would receive at Universal. She had touted the expertise of Sandra Fortuna and the studio, letting me know that it was the best place in which to learn ballroom dancing properly and that Universal was where other teachers went to learn.
We were greeted by Joshua Brownlie and met the other new students. He announced we were going to start with the Cha Cha. Now for someone who had never even gone to a school dance, well you can imagine my apprehension. The simple basics were a challenge for me. I tried not to look at my feet as I stumbled through the steps and falsely smiled through it all. After class I texted Diane this message – I SUCK! One class down, five to go and then this idea that I could possibly learn to dance would be over. Joshua took our contact info and said see you next week.
Next week came and it was a little better, although my nervousness was constant. But Josh was very patient and reassuring so at the close of the six weeks Anthony and I decided to continue with the group lessons. Eventually we started taking private lessons with Josh. Little by little we built a rapport, got to know one another and saw the passion he had for this beautiful art form known as ballroom dance.
The reality of learning
The desire to dance was irresistible but not without frustrations. We joked that we were not bronze level students but tin! There is so much to learn. Ability to keep proper frame (yes, we have experienced the “frame master”), being sensitive to your partner, keeping time, and trying to coordinate it all with style and grace has taught me that learning dance figures and being a dancer is definitely not the same thing.
Throughout the year we had opportunity to watch more accomplished dancers. Wishing that we could go out on the dance floor with their confidence and skill they kept telling us the same thing – that everyone was once a beginner and someday it will all come together. So gingerly we kept on trying, Sandy and Josh kept on encouraging and one learns to enjoy the process and realize that anything worthwhile will take time and work.
Practice makes perfect perfect
During one of our private sessions in November Josh asked Anthony and I to help him work out a Foxtrot routine for the Christmas Party on December 8th. Halfway through the lesson (read: entrapment) he said that all we needed was a few other couples to join us at the showcase. Anthony took it in stride but not me so when Josh asked if I would be more confident dancing with him I agreed to give it a try. We recruited Diane to dance with Anthony, and Karen, who recently joined our class, would dance with Don Simione, another experienced Universal teacher. We had our troupe!
Anthony and I practiced in our private lessons, with the group and at home (I just couldn’t get that underarm turn!). We were fairly certain that we knew the routine. It was very basic, lasted about 50 seconds yet the thought of doing so in front of an audience was unsettling. The week before the party Karen started getting cold feet, so since Anthony and I were more familiar with the Foxtrot it made sense to have Karen dance with Josh and I with Don. However, my security was threatened with the change.
Take a bow
Saturday night came and we arrived early to do our last run-through of the routine. Afterwards we had about 45 minutes before the party would begin so Anthony helped Karen practice some more, Don worked on another routine and Diane went off to socialize. I walked about and took in the hustle and bustle of the preparations. Watching the other groups as they practiced their dances and seeing everyone happy and excited made me feel warm inside, mysteriously calm and dare I admit it – confident!
The time came for our routine. We lined up, stepped out on dance floor to the introductions, the music started playing and then as quick as it began it was over. We did it! For myself I don’t know if every step was done with skill or finesse but I do remember feeling my dress swirl when I twirled, and counting quicks and slows in my head (I hope they were in my head!) It then occurred to me that my confidence was due to not only knowing the routine but also from being part of a whole, a family one could say, that all shared the joy and happiness that comes with dancing.
This February Universal Ballroom Dance Center celebrates its 20th Anniversary in Collingswood. So my invitation to anyone reading this that has thought about learning ballroom dancing is not to hesitate, come on over and give it a try. Who knows, you may just find yourself dancing in the next showcase!
By Susan Milicia
The beginning
With gift certificate in hand, my husband Anthony and I walked into Universal for the first time on January 7, 2012. My sister Diane, who had been dancing for some time, won the certificate and since it was a Social Dance for Beginners Class she passed it on to us. It was just the thing to finally motivate us from “going to take lessons” into actually doing so.
Prior to the first session she filled me in on what to expect, not so much on the actual class but the caliber of teaching that we would receive at Universal. She had touted the expertise of Sandra Fortuna and the studio, letting me know that it was the best place in which to learn ballroom dancing properly and that Universal was where other teachers went to learn.
We were greeted by Joshua Brownlie and met the other new students. He announced we were going to start with the Cha Cha. Now for someone who had never even gone to a school dance, well you can imagine my apprehension. The simple basics were a challenge for me. I tried not to look at my feet as I stumbled through the steps and falsely smiled through it all. After class I texted Diane this message – I SUCK! One class down, five to go and then this idea that I could possibly learn to dance would be over. Joshua took our contact info and said see you next week.
Next week came and it was a little better, although my nervousness was constant. But Josh was very patient and reassuring so at the close of the six weeks Anthony and I decided to continue with the group lessons. Eventually we started taking private lessons with Josh. Little by little we built a rapport, got to know one another and saw the passion he had for this beautiful art form known as ballroom dance.
The reality of learning
The desire to dance was irresistible but not without frustrations. We joked that we were not bronze level students but tin! There is so much to learn. Ability to keep proper frame (yes, we have experienced the “frame master”), being sensitive to your partner, keeping time, and trying to coordinate it all with style and grace has taught me that learning dance figures and being a dancer is definitely not the same thing.
Throughout the year we had opportunity to watch more accomplished dancers. Wishing that we could go out on the dance floor with their confidence and skill they kept telling us the same thing – that everyone was once a beginner and someday it will all come together. So gingerly we kept on trying, Sandy and Josh kept on encouraging and one learns to enjoy the process and realize that anything worthwhile will take time and work.
Practice makes perfect perfect
During one of our private sessions in November Josh asked Anthony and I to help him work out a Foxtrot routine for the Christmas Party on December 8th. Halfway through the lesson (read: entrapment) he said that all we needed was a few other couples to join us at the showcase. Anthony took it in stride but not me so when Josh asked if I would be more confident dancing with him I agreed to give it a try. We recruited Diane to dance with Anthony, and Karen, who recently joined our class, would dance with Don Simione, another experienced Universal teacher. We had our troupe!
Anthony and I practiced in our private lessons, with the group and at home (I just couldn’t get that underarm turn!). We were fairly certain that we knew the routine. It was very basic, lasted about 50 seconds yet the thought of doing so in front of an audience was unsettling. The week before the party Karen started getting cold feet, so since Anthony and I were more familiar with the Foxtrot it made sense to have Karen dance with Josh and I with Don. However, my security was threatened with the change.
Take a bow
Saturday night came and we arrived early to do our last run-through of the routine. Afterwards we had about 45 minutes before the party would begin so Anthony helped Karen practice some more, Don worked on another routine and Diane went off to socialize. I walked about and took in the hustle and bustle of the preparations. Watching the other groups as they practiced their dances and seeing everyone happy and excited made me feel warm inside, mysteriously calm and dare I admit it – confident!
The time came for our routine. We lined up, stepped out on dance floor to the introductions, the music started playing and then as quick as it began it was over. We did it! For myself I don’t know if every step was done with skill or finesse but I do remember feeling my dress swirl when I twirled, and counting quicks and slows in my head (I hope they were in my head!) It then occurred to me that my confidence was due to not only knowing the routine but also from being part of a whole, a family one could say, that all shared the joy and happiness that comes with dancing.
This February Universal Ballroom Dance Center celebrates its 20th Anniversary in Collingswood. So my invitation to anyone reading this that has thought about learning ballroom dancing is not to hesitate, come on over and give it a try. Who knows, you may just find yourself dancing in the next showcase!