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| Photo courtesy of AP |
Ballroom Is Back
By Simisola Komolafe, 9.20.06
Dance fever has crept its way into the hearts of young adults across America. Premiering with over 20 million viewers in September, ABC’s third season of “Dancing with the Stars” reflects young adults’ interest in ballroom dancing.
Neilson ratings showed a 19 percent increase in viewers ages 18 to 49 compared to “Dancing’s” season two premier.
Dance studios have also seen an increase of young adults coming through their doors. Rebekah Ives, an instructor at “A Time to Dance” studio in Virginia has seen a steady increase in enrollment from people ages 20 to 30 over the last year.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Ives said. “You can meet new people, hang out with your friends, enjoy music and learn a new skill.”
Ives believes shows like FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” have inspired a younger audience to sign up for dance lessons. She remembers being the youngest dancer in her class when she started ballroom dancing five years ago.
“Everyone was 50,” Ives said.
After her first lesson, Ives had such a good time dancing she signed up for private lessons and attended dance parties held at the studio on weekends. Eventually Margo Hayes, studio owner, asked Ives to join their team of dance instructors. Today several instructors from this dance company are in their 20s and 30s.
The influx of young adults to dance studios has led to relational opportunities as well.
“It is a great way to socialize,” she said, adding that she met her boyfriend, a fellow instructor, through ballroom dancing.
“Ballroom dancing is a great way for guys to meet girls,” Ives said.
Ives explained that ballroom dancing is a civilized environment where guys learn how to treat ladies appropriately and where girls have the opportunity to wear nice dresses.
Ashley Larsen, a 22 year old graduate student in Virginia agrees that ballroom dancing is a great way to meet people. After taking her first lesson, Larsen found ballroom dancing to be extremely fun.
“I liked it a lot. It was a very good experience,” Larsen said.
“You never know in the future when you might need to bust out with real dancing instead of booty dancing.”
A fan of dance movies, Larsen watches all the TV dance shows when she has time.
“I love dance movies, and anything that has to do with dance,” Larsen said.
As for the future of ballroom dancing among young adults, Larsen has hope for its growth.
“Pop and hip-hop are starting to bring rhythms and sounds of music you would ballroom dance to. I think that might keep it growing,” Larsen said.
