Ballroom dancing is about learning steps, confidence, and trust

A class of four teenage couples dances to a contemporary medley of "The Anniversary Waltz," "You Light up My Life" and "Edelweiss" during ballroom dance class at the Dance Workshop.

Some are quiet in concentration. Some are chatting. Some are giggling. But the dancers seem to be laughing because they're having fun, not out of self-consciousness.

After the warm-up waltzes, instructor Ann Peters teaches the fox trot to "Beyond the Sea."

"Slow, slow. Quick, quick, forward. Back, quick, quick. Walk like you're skating."

The students turn forward, back, then take a promenade position.

"Slow, slow, quick, quick. Turn on slow or quick or both if you want to keep turning her."

Ann Peters and her husband Craig Peters are owners and instructors at the Dance Workshop in Minden.

"Guys, shoulders always go first, just like when you walk, that way your partner knows which way you're going. Give your partners the correct signals that you're the one turning," directs Craig.

"We have some really good turners in here. Gals aren't the only ones doing the fancy stuff," he said.

The Peters have noticed a renewed interest in ballroom dancing classes with the popularity of TV dance shows. Lessons are taught in monthly sessions in classes for teens or adults. The last class of the month is a three-hour session and party, complete with theater lighting and mirrored disco ball.

Besides learning the steps to tango, fox trot, cha-cha and swing, students learn basic dance floor skills.

"Some tools for dancing are to dance hip to bellybutton, not toe to toe. Slide your feet on the floor so you bump toes and not step on feet," Craig said. "After learning the first basic steps of the waltz, it's so easy to learn. Then the fox trot naturally leads to the country two-step, which makes it easy to learn the tango.

"Ann is a great teacher and I'm analytical, 'one foot here, one foot there.' We work hard to let them know that what they do is not complicated."

Craig said a dancing depends on confidence and trust.

"Women seem to catch on quicker, but since men are the leaders, they have to think what's next," he said. "And once guys get it, they really get it and have the confidence to lead. Dancing takes confidence in the leader and trust in the follower."

New dancers may be worried about learning with someone they don't know, but the Peters have the adults keep the same partners throughout class.

"First-timers need to team with each other," said Ann. "Adults come to learn to dance together for weddings and cruises. Almost all the guys get drug in here by the women first but usually like it more and are the ones who sign up for another class."

Ron McCain started dance classes about five years ago and now he and wife Julie are ballroom instructors. Ron helps teach the youth ballroom class.

He said he and Julie used to like to listen to music and dance at the summer concerts in Minden Park.

"We took a class because we were going on a cruise," said Ron. "I wanted to know what I was doing so I didn't have to drink to dance. And we liked it so much we kept taking classes and now we're asked to help teach.

"Our kids are grown and out of the house. We meet a lot of nice people - we got a life through dance."

The Dance Workshop's adult ballroom dancing classes are offered through Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department. Information at www.douglascountynv.gov or 782-9828.

Sign up for teen ballroom lessons at the Dance Workshop, 1697 County Road, Minden, 782-8717.

Ashley Gong, 17, has taken tap, jazz and ballet classes, but is new to ballroom dancing. Tango is her favorite.

"I love it, it's one of my favorite classes. Most of my friends are taking it. It's fun to learn a different kind of dance," she said.

"We're all beginners. It's not like people don't fit in. It's a way to meet new people - that's my advice for people who are chicken to take ballroom dancing."