Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Ballroom Company Teaches the Steps

Since the ABC hit show Dancing with the Stars first aired in 2005, ballroom dancing has trended upward in popular culture. Long before the television sensation, residents of Northwest Ohio have been shaking up the dance floor thanks to The Ballroom Dance Company.

Two to tango

Since 1993 The Ballroom Company has been a key location for recreational and competitive ballroom dancers in the Toledo area.

Owner Gil Aromas says that the company offers lessons over a variety of dances, explaining that “Most dances that fall under the ballroom umbrella, we can do.” Dances include anything from classic to Latin, and swing to the Argentine tango — with over thirty different types of dances offered at The Ballroom Company.

Even though ballroom dance requires a partner, you don’t need one to sign up. Aromas explains, “singles are absolutely welcome to sign up… group classes rotate partners which encourages students to switch partners.” By switching partners regularly, the individual gains a better understanding of their own skills and what areas they need to work on. “You need to be good as an individual dancer before taking a partner,” he explained.

Classes are offered year round and can be taught through private lessons, workshops, seminars, master classes, and group classes. Group classes run for six week cycles, and according to Aromas, “generally they cover at least two types of dances, sometimes three.” These group classes are offered for all skill levels; from the newcomers who have no experience to advanced competitive dancers.

Casual to competitive

Competitive dance is very popular in the United States, and as Aromas says, “There are anywhere from 2-4 competitions in the U.S. on any weekend.” Many of the competitions that dancers from The Ballroom Company compete in are in the Professional/Amateur style, which is when the instructor pairs up with their student to compete together in categories based on experience and age. So far this year, the company has taken dancers to Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dearborn for competitions.

The Ballroom Company also hosts a weekly Friday night beginner group class. The class is open to the public and is followed by a Friday night dance party. A Saturday dance party is also held once a month, with an intermediate class preceding the event.

During the year, dancers have the opportunity to participate in a showcase, which Aromas compared to Dancing with the Stars. Each couple has the floor to themselves and is then judged and critiqued by experts who are brought in for the occasion. After the showcase, the judges are featured in an exhibition dance performance. Lately, many of the judges— who are professionals in ballroom dancing— have been offering a master class the day following the showcase.

The Ballroom Company, 2319 S. Detroit Ave., Maumee | 419-893-1850  
theballroomco.com/home

 

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