Georgetown Ballroom Dance, a Great Sport

Most people think of ballroom dance as a scene in Gone with the Wind or a black-and-white photograph in a history book that illustrates the decadence of the czars of Russia. If they are even aware that ballroom dance still exists today, they might put of ballroom dancers in the same category as those who reenact Civil War battles, dressing up in whimsical costumes in a vain effort to recreate an age that has succumbed to techno music and grinding. How surprised they would be, then, if they were to find their way into the McShain Room on Wednesday nights, where today's ballroom dancing is being learned by those on the Hoya DanceSport Team.

These dances are anything but passé, as they are being danced to popular music that ranges from Eric Clapton to Disney, from Enya to Acid Jazz. It's true that the 'Standard' portion of ballroom dance still includes the Waltz and the Tango. It's not true that these are relics of a prudish past; these seemingly haughty, stuffy dances require more body contact than most racy club dancing. More important than the footwork in Rumba, for instance, is the attitude. This dynamic dance is built upon the magnetic attraction between the dancers. Ballroom is not for the weak of heart.

Ballroom is also not relegated merely to lessons in a dance studio. The focus of the Georgetown Ballroom team is competition; they learn and practice here on campus, then take their skills around the country. Competitions include the Ohio Star Ball, the DC Dance Inferno, the Manhattan Amateur Classic and the International Dance Camp & Festival, a weeklong event held alternately in Daytona Beach and England. They regularly bring home ribbons and trophies for all levels and dances. Jennifer Ashley, president of the ballroom team and a John Carroll Scholar, adds that, "being on a sports team creates a feeling of companionship and teamwork; not only do members of the ballroom team find a great new group of friends, but they also learn that it's extremely important to work together in order to achieve success."

As well accomplished as the Georgetown team is, they have no plans for resting on their Laurels. As Salvati says, "We have the potential to be more nationally competitive. I'd also like to see ballroom become a more visible group on campus, and hopefully work with other groups to sponsor on and off campus events."

This attitude stems from the belief that, unlike other ballroom clubs, competition is not all that we do here at Georgetown. As Lauren Salvati, Treasurer of the club and one of several John Carroll Scholars on the team, says, "I've always loved to dance socially, and I knew that Georgetown's ballroom team combined professional instruction from internationally known coaches, a chance to dance competitively, and an array of social opportunities." The ballroom team makes weekly trips to social dances around the DC metropolitan area, as well as periodically holding their own dances, right here on campus. Jennifer Ashley adds that "at social outings, we meet and get to know students from all over DC, and it gets us out into the city instead of just staying holed up in our little corner of the world."

These dances are open to ballroom members as well as those who have never had a dance lesson in their life. Every dance has a beginner's lesson beforehand, as well as many accomplished dancers who are more than willing to discuss dance or teach it. This desire to reach out to the community, to share such a valuable passion, is one of the things that have consistently attracted so many John Carroll Scholars to the club, who also enjoy that it now fulfills the Carroll Program's sports requirement.

Kimberly Howell, a sophomore scholar, is a regular teacher of the Thursday night Swing lessons, which are offered at a nominal fee in order to promote dance here on campus. The social dance lessons equip their participants to dance in nearly every social dance situation-from Dip Ball to swing dances to Latin clubs. Salvati explains that "ballroom is a social activity with a strong sense of community, which makes it ideal for JCS. Moreover, the John Carroll Program seeks out well-rounded individuals, not simply those who are academically successful. Requiring a sport encourages pursuits that are not strictly scholastic."

This very sports requirement is one thing that befuddles many applicants to the program, who believe that physical and mental energy are separate entities. As President Jennifer Ashley stated, "there is no question in my mind that an activity such as ballroom is an essential aspect of the life of the mind."