News and Information to find out where Connecticut dance enthusiasts gather.

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Another great workshop with Alex Scott! Several of us at the studio participate in dance competitions. Alex being a coach and judge himself gave us great tips on what the judges are looking for now in competition. As things are always changing it was great to get first hand information so we can adjust our training and routines accordingly.

Even if competing is not your thing these workshops are great to help you raise your level of dance and be the envy of everyone else on the dance floor! Michael always brings in the best talent out there for his students and I am anxiously awaiting the next workshop!

Latin Dance Workshop: Sunday May 6th

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Join us Sunday May 6th as we welcome back guest instructor Alex Scott for a Latin Dance Workshop. The workshop will focus on competition styling. Whether or not you compete, this will be a great opportunity to sharpen your Latin dances. RSVP to Michael at (203) 454-9200, 10am-12pm, $50 per person.

Alex began his professional Ballroom dancing career at age 18 in New York City. His training also includes Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Theater and Voice. While teaching at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, he qualified to a Gold level Instructor. Alex also passed the teaching qualification exams for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels at Arthur Murray Dance Studios in New York. He later worked and trained at Fred Astaire in Stamford, Connecticut, with owners, Gary and Lori Pierce co-founders of the American Ballroom Theater and cultivators of the Cabaret-style ballroom dance that combined elements of many different styles of dance.

In 1990, Alex co-founded and became coach of the Yale University Ballroom Dance Team. In 1994, he was awarded a national honor for his work with the team. He later co-founded the Yale University Ballroom Theater, a special performance group where he has served as the Artistic Director. While a member of the Imperial Society Teachers of Dance (ISTD), he earned degrees in:

AMERICAN SMOOTH AND RHYTHM
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ASSOCIATE
THEATER ARTS & PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Alex has choreographed for numerous venues including television, theater and film. Other studies and specialties include authentic Swing including West Coast, Lindy Hop and Savoy styles, New York Hustle and Salsa. Currently, Alex teaches at Let’s Dance in Rhythm and is the co-founder, Artistic Director and choreographer of Connecticut Ballroom Theatre.

Spotlight: Ruth

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Spotlight: Kim; Tara

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Spotlight: Tara; Nicole & Michael

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Spotlight: Teens; Sarah; Joanna; Annie

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Spotlight Juliana; Judy; Toshe

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Spotlight Nicole and Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Spotlight Ballroom Kids and Teens; Juliana

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Spotlight: Annie; Judy

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:43:00 +0000

Spotlight: Ruth; Juliana

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Student Spotlight: Theresa; Annie

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:28:00 +0000

Viennese Waltz Workshop with Guest Stephen Hevenor

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:06:00 +0000

We are excited that once again Professional Ballroom Dance Coach and National Competition Judge Stephen Hevenor will be joining us to teach a workshop in our Derby studio, Saturday February 18, from 1-3pm. The workshop will focus on Viennese Waltz, including basic natural and reverse turns and incorporating the three rhythms of the dance through groupings.
Cost is $50 per person, RSVP to Micheal at (203) 454-9200 to reserve your spot now - space is limited.

A Connecticut native, Stephen Hevenor was raised as an accomplished athlete and musician before being introduced to ballroom dancing. Soon after his first competition, he continued on to a successful competitive career, winning many Open titles, including four-time Professional American Smooth US finalist, four-time Professional American Smooth finalist at the Ohio Star Ball, and ISTD North American Smooth Champion. Through his busy training schedule, he also trained high-level amateur competitors, worked and supervised at various studios, and received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Stephen still resides in Connecticut, sharing his knowledge and passion for ballroom with amateur and fellow professional competitors everywhere.

Where Past Meets Present

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Take a look at this great video of some classic Charleston dancing once popular in the 1920's (yet still danced today by some), dubbed over with a song the from the electronic music duo Daft Punk. Not only do you see reminders of Lindy Hop, you can also find the beginnings of more modern urban street dance techniques.

The Kids/Teen Halloween Dance Party was Spooktacular!

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:51:00 +0000

It was a full house at our recent Kids/Teen Halloween Dance Party...we were so excited to see so many young dancers and some great costumes!

Photos from Jeff Cobb's New York City Competition with Nicole

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Latin Workshop Continued

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Latin Workshop August 6, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Summer Dance Parties in Derby

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:35:00 +0000

Our dance parties in Fairfield are still on hiatus as we (continue to) wait for the Scandinavian Club to fix the air conditioning... In the meantime we invite you to join us for weekly parties in our Derby studio (check our web schedule for exact dates). Our 2,000 square foot oak floor combined with a state of the art sound system and complimentary refreshments, make our parties the perfect place to meet up with friends and practice your moves with dancers of all levels. No partner is necessary. Doors open at 7:30 and $12 includes a free group lesson at 8. See you on the dance floor!

It's all happening Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:22:00 +0000

We like to get out on the town a little ourselves once in a while so we're excited join the festivities at Derby Day this Saturday 6/25, on the green. Stop by our booth for some "sweet" deals or if you have a friend that's interested in dance, come take a FREE lesson with us at the studio (Saturday only).

If the duck race down the housatonic or the shopping hasn't worn you out (or the tour of the haunted opera house!), then come back and party with us at our Kids+Teen dance party from 6-9pm. $10 includes pizza, snacks and plenty of dancing!

Smooth Workshop June 11th

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:36:00 +0000

We're really looking forward to this Saturday's Smooth workshop with four-time Ohio Star Ball finalist and ISTD American Smooth Champion Stephen Hevenor. If you'd like to deepen your knowledge of the smooth dances or are thinking of competing, this is a great workshop to attend--no matter what level you are.

The three hour intensive will be broken into sections including:
Posture + Position
Movement + Partnering
Musicality + Presentation

Join us from 1-4pm at the Derby studio, 33 Elizabeth St. Derby, CT. Cost is $75, RSVP to Michael at (203) 454-9200

Here's what Ballroom DanceSport students are saying about Steve:
"Steve's coaching is of the highest level, totally focused and just fantastic- he really was instrumental in preparing me for last week's comp- and certainly deserves credit (with Nicole, of course) for helping me finish first!" - Jeff C.

“Steve was a huge help to me in preparing for last weekend’s competition. He is so encouraging and positive but also so instructive. I feel like he has enabled me to raise the level of my smooth dancing.” - Kim R.

“Lessons I took with Steve were critical in winning a good mark at the competition last week. To the foundation I am trying to build with Nicole, Steve added the refinements which were still the essentials of "dancing". After all dancing is profound. Steve helped me feel the deepness of this art.” - Toshifumi B.

What to Bring to a Dance Competition

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:07:00 +0000

We’ve practiced and practiced (and are still practicing!) and now we’re getting ready to head up to Springfield this weekend to the Dancing a la Carte competition. To help make sure you have everything you need, we’ve put together this check list of things we find useful.

Clothing

Dance clothes or costumes you will wear (more detail below)
Street clothes to hang out in or drive home in
Shoes: more than one pair if possible for back up or depending on the condition of the floor (fast or slow)
A sweater, shawl or even light robe to keep you warm (it’s usually very cold in the ballroom) and to protect your dance clothes from spills or snags

Dance Accessories

Towel – for perspiration
Safety pins – you never know when you’ll need one (and we have!)
Breath Mints
Water
High protein snack such as nuts or a protein bar. Sometimes it can be a long while between your heats
Dance shoe brush
Small bag to carry it all in

Men

Dark Socks
Belt(s)
Vest/Dance Jacket
Tie
Pants
Shirts (Ballroom and Latin)
Dance Shoes (Ballroom and Latin)
Hair Spray
Dark Underwear (in case you have a rip)
Vaseline (if you have patent leather shoes)

Women

Outfit: We recommend a trial run in your lesson ahead of time
Smooth dress
Latin dress
Pantyhose/Fishnets (if you wear them)
Dance Pants (very important if they are not built into your dress)
A button down shirt for the morning of the comp – you don’t want to ruin your hair after you spent so much time putting it up.
Dance shoes (closed toe for Ballroom, open toe for Latin)
Jewelry: Be sure it will stay secure and not catch or injure your partner

Make-up

Foundation
Blush
Face Powder
Lipstick
Eyeliner
Eye Shadow
Mascara
Nail Polish
Fake Eye Lashes (if applicable)
If you are doing any self-tanning, be sure to do this a day or two before the competition

Hair

Bobby pins
Hairspray
Gel/Glue

Misc

Hand Cream or body lotion – if you put it on your legs it keeps your dress from sticking to you
Baby Powder
Aspirin/Ibuprofen is always a good idea
Something to wash your face off with at the end of the day especially if you are leaving right after the comp
Safety pins – you never know what may happen
Clothing tape to avoid wardrobe malfunctions
Camera (although you may not be able to photograph or video in the ballroom)
Nail polish for touch ups or if you have a stocking run

Good Luck!!

Tiny Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:20:00 +0000

One of the greatest things we love about ballroom dancing is that it doesn't matter if your 4 or 84... Take a look at students Michelangelo and Isabella (4 year old twins) working on their box step. If you have a budding ballroom dancer on your hands, ask us about our Kids/Teen program - a great summer activity!

JuJu & Michael

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:18:00 +0000

Nicole & Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (michael) — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:40:00 +0000