Southern Utah University students danced the night away at the Ballroom Dance Company Auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 15, each one seizing their opportunity to dance in the spotlight.
“It’s such a great way to express yourself and it’s a great way to make friends. In fact, some of the greatest friendships of my adult life were made as a college ballroom dancer,” said director Andrea Johnson, who has over 30 years of ballroom dance experience. “ It’s a great way to enhance your university experience.” After an hour-long warm up and learning session, the dancers put their skills to the test dancing in partnerships and performing electric American swing, the elegant waltz and more.
“The friendships you make are life long and because you’re dancing together every single day you become close really quick,” said auditionee Madison Kesmetis. “It gives me a way to express myself without having to find words.”
Team member Ben Polish has been with the company for three years and aided Johnson in teaching students specific dances the night of auditions.
“Being able to know how to do even just the basic dance moves, which you learn really quickly, can get you far in life and it’s a really good skill to have when you’re looking to date people.” said Polish. “Also when you’re married you have to have a first dance, right?” He described the feeling of performing on stage and hearing the audience’s applause as “surreal.”
As a touring group, the Ballroom Dance Company has travelled throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America in addition to their semesterly local performances in Cedar City.
“A lot of people don’t think they can do it but a lot of our dancers have had zero experience and with a little practice they become great dancers, great leaders, and you have this whole network that you’ll have for the rest of your life,” said Johnson.
SUU’s Ballroom Dance Company holds auditions each semester in search of students with a passion for dance and a desire to learn and have fun. If you have any questions, email ballroomdance@suu.edu.
Author: Brooklyn Beard
Photos courtesy of SUU Ballroom Dance Company
Editor: Tessa Cheshire
arts@suunews.net
