Fairfield County Look - Red Hot Ballroom

Red Hot Ballroom

Photos by Ryan Kenner

How did you get interested in ballroom dancing?
I grew up with a classic background in ballet, tap and jazz and carried my interest in dance with me to Georgetown University where it continued to be my primary extra-curricular activity. When I went to my 25th college reunion many classmates asked if I was still dancing. I came home thinking, “Why not?” Someone at my gym mentioned ballroom dance; I commuted to NYC to dance until a top notch studio opened in Stamford six months later.

Where do you train for dancing and who is your partner?
Metropolitan Dance is a small studio run by two giants in the ballroom community. John DePalma and Steve Dougherty. One of my coaches, Marianne Nicole, has a number of accolades including North American Latin Champion, and undefeated US Theatrical Champion.

My partner/instructor is 29 year-old Christian Lange, the German 10 Dance Champion, who is 6’4” and spirited. It has taken me a long time to learn that ballroom dance is not an independent sport. Your success as a ballroom dancer is intertwined with your abilities as a couple. Athletic ability, musicality, expression, and chemistry are all fundamental to the partnership. Christian, Marianne and Steve’s conscientious work with me have been fundamental to our success, with our recent capture of the United States Ballroom Dance Pro/Am Smooth National Title and the World Rising Star Pro/Am Smooth Title.

How often do you train?
Practice is typically five days a week. Cross training is critical to maintain the athleticism required in this sport. I’m no spring chicken, so no short cuts are allowed.

It’s not about the competition?
We step onto the dance floor believing that our purpose is to entertain, not to compete. If we bring the audience into our world, whether it is the playfulness of a foxtrot or the joy revealed in a Viennese waltz, then everything else takes care of itself. Every time we go on the floor is different, influenced by how our bodies feel, our interaction with each other, the song, and the other dancers on the floor.

Do you get nervous when you perform or compete?
In the first few years, I was VERY nervous, which had negative results on my performance, as it was careful and restrained. The more I competed, the more I became comfortable. Now, I go on the floor excited to show judges what we have accomplished in between competitions and anxious to see how we can affect the audience emotionally.

How does your family feel about ballroom dancing?
Everyone in the family has had a brief introduction to ballroom dance but the ballroom bug has not bitten anyone else in the family—yet! My husband is a huge supporter of ours and it’s great fun to have him in the house and easy to spot as he’s usually the loudest in the audience.

Tell us about the gowns, the jewelry, your hair and makeup.
Being interested in fashion, I take the physical aspect of our presentation seriously. Ballroom costuming is very specific; the gowns need to be able to move and stretch with the dancers body and the adornment of crystals and embellishments is a specialty in itself. My coaches, Christian and I have settled on a look and design that reflect our personality. I am very fortunate to be able to work with and enjoy strong relationships with two of the top ballroom designers, Dore Design and Randall Designs, who are the designers behind Dancing With the Stars costumes. The makeup and hair is equally important and carefully thought through, as well. Like our dance, we try to push some boundaries drawing from other disciplines.

Can you wear a gown more than once?
Well, yes, and I really need to as they are quite expensive and take a while to resell. The reality though, as you become more advanced and familiar to the judges, is that having new looks is a positive thing. I do set a yearly budget for gowns but I can’t say that I am fabulous at sticking to it.

What are your next challenges in dance?
Christian and I had an agreement that if I landed in one of the three top spots at Nationals I would expand to another dance style. I have just begun to learn American Rhythm. What I love is that there is no “endpoint” to dance; it’s motivating to walk into the studio each day and be presented with some new challenge.

We compete in Atlanta this Friday, the 15th of October and Worlds are November 18th, 2010. Stay tuned!