Do you need a partner?
Absolutely not. You do NOT need a partner to be a member of the competition team. In fact, almost every dancer on our team has gone some length of time dancing without having a partner. Case BDS will also help you find a partner for competitions. If interested, contact our Team Captains!
I just want to dance, what is this 'ballroom team'?
If you just want to dance, then all you have to do is show up at practice space on any of the nights we offer free group lessons. You'll always learn something new, and you'll get to rotate and dance with different people who are also learning. This is what we call our social club. If you're especially serious about learning, you should sign up for the actual ballroom class international style ballroom dance class offered at the Spot. The cost of that class for the entire semester is less than the price of 1 private lesson. If you're uncertain, come the first night for free to check it out - Samara McCullough, our instructor, is an extremely knowledgable who is well worth it. You will not be disappointed.
The ballroom team competes at collegiate competitions through the semester. Most of the dancers who want to practice often and get better quickly will join the competition team. Joining the competition team is like joining a family. We all work hard to support the development of team and each other. And we also like to socialize and have a great time together.
Do you need any experience to join the team?
No! Anyone can join the team regardless of experience in any form of dance (nearly all of our competition team members started Ballroom and Latin dance in college!). Competitions even have special events for people who have only been dancing a couple weeks or months. (Many competitions make Dancesport accessible to new dancers, with levels specifically for those that have been dancing for a few weeks or months.)
That being said, if you have any experience with music, with athletics, with theater, or nearly anything else, it is all experience that can be applied to dance. The best way to get better fast is to leverage your own personal experience to accelerate your dance development. And if you do have prior training in ballroom or other dance forms like ballet, jazz, modern, tap, etc. then please talk directly to our team captains and ask them for advice on how best to become involved. Most professional ballroom dancers were trained in other forms of dance when they were younger; they are perfect preparation for ballroom and latin!
Do you need any special equipment?
Most newcomers first start dancing in socks. If you stick with ballroom, you will want to buy ballroom dance shoes as soon as possible. Proper shoes will change the way your feet feel the floor, and they will have a huge impact in your dancing. Guys in the club usually get dance pants next, while ladies may get a practice skirt, but these are not required. For competitions, costumes are usually not allowed for beginners and often veteran team members will help pick out what you should wear or even loan you some of their own clothes. We also have a limited supply of clothing and shoes to lend out temporarily.
What type of time commitment does this represent?
You can practice as little or as much as you and your partner choose. People who are just starting out usually don't practice as much as the more experienced dancers but there is no rule or requirement. Basically, you get out what you put in. The more time you are willing to devote to it, the better you will get and the faster you will improve. Or, if you're just looking to have a fun time, then show up for a lesson and stay and hang out afterwards with the dancers!