My Decision

I'm pretty sure I want to get back into the world of Ballroom....

I've been toying with making the decision for the past five or six months. In junior high, I was a ballroom dancer, and I even toyed with it during my freshman year of high school. Sometime around then, however, I decided it wasn't "cool" to dance, and decided to pursue a career in drama, as well as participate in the after-school sports of track, cross-country, and wrestling. As well, I was on the Editorial staff for the school newspaper, managing anywhere from 2-5 pages each issue. It was a good life, and I didn't think much of my decision to abandon the dance world.

My sister chose another path. She recently finished a long stint as a member of the BYU Youth Ballroom team, competing on both their Latin and Standard formations. I think it was her fault that I managed to stay so close to the sport that I now found I really do love. I'll blame her, even if it isn't her fault.

Last year, I took a bronze-level International Latin technique class, and loved it. My skill was mediocre to decent; but the excitement, the rhythm and the passion of competing drove me to WANT to dedicate many hours a week to practice. This semester, I have learned to fall in love with my bronze-level International Standard class, and while I don't enjoy it quite as much as Latin, I have been told by numerous sources that my technique is better than the previous class.

Thus, my dilemma. I am a full time college student, currently with a double major (Spanish and Journalism), considering a second minor (Portuguese), and now wanting to be seriously involved in the world of DanceSport. I have decided that the best competitions for me would be the American Rhythm division, and the International Latin division. As a Rhythm dancer, I would compete cha-cha, swing, mambo, rumba, and bolero, virtually as a slightly toned down Latin dancer. As a Standard dancer, I would compete waltz, Viennese waltz, quickstep, tango, and international foxtrot. I feel that the bill fits.

Now, I have to find a partner, a coach, practice time, and a way to pay for the countless hours of technique training and competition fees. If anybody can help me find any of the above-mentioned necessities, please let me know ASAP.

The world is just opening up to my new-found passion; Will I live up to the expectation?