At ArtInspired Studio One, we love to explore fun things that have a wellness benefit added to it. Ballroom dancing surely is one of those activities that have so many things that will really boost your life, your health and your overall well being. Let us suggest the following benefits you can enjoy with Ballroom Dancing:
Increased Knowledge
Muscle Control and Coordination
Cardiovascular Health
Positive Social Interaction
Creative Bonding with Partner
Mind and Body Connection
Flexibility and Strength
Personal Confidence Building
This is a general list of the things that we as instructors keep in mind when teaching our students. Since our studio mission is to explore the arts and the POWER of being creative and involved, naturally Ballroom dance ranks very high on our list. You can print out this list and jot down your own experience with these points and we can assist you on personalizing benefits that is unique for you.
It’s great to spend a bit of time getting patterns down no matter what level of a dancer you are. We had a great Rumba dance lesson in a workshop format on Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at ArtInspired Studio One and everyone progressed very nicely. In each lesson that we have at the studio, we make sure that the students repeat every step a great deal. But most importantly we do it in a way that the lesson flows from a vocally prompted group amalgamation, to a random order that the gentlemen leads for their partner. This ensures that the confidence in the steps are built up and then creativity takes over so that the man can lead without being prompted. I ask that in the end, the leads mix up the patterns they will use, so that the lady has no clue on what is to unfold. Her job is to follow the lead.
View these videos from our class to get a better feel of the format:
If you have every heard a very slow and dreamy song and wondered what type of dance would work well for it, then consider a BOLERO. We had the fun experience of teaching the bolero at last night’s lesson and social at ArtInspired Studio One (Yorktown, VA) and everyone enjoyed this graceful and powerful ballroom Latin dance. The bolero is an updated version of the Fandango, a very lively Spanish dance popular in countries like Portugal. The dance hit Cuba where it was changed to fit the more languish musical styles with 4/4 time complete with emoting vocals and subtle percussion.
Music that we used for the lesson included: “Lost In You” by Chris Gaines & “The Look of Love” by Dianna Krall.
The instruction paid special attention to balance and body rise. We also worked the slip pivots and leads to give the students good control and finesse on the dance floor. Most attendees had never tried a bolero before and some were beginner ballroom dancers, yet everyone mastered the lesson at the end of the hour with enough to work with. We changed partners which was very fun because not everyone had a partner, you definitely don’t need a partner for any of the lessons at ArtInspired Studio One… just a fun attitude and an interest in learning new things.
The bolero is a great addition to anyone’s dance knowledge. We look forward to revisiting it again and adding more smoothness to the way we move our bodies to the rhythm. Next Friday’s social we are teaching the Hustle. It’s going to be a fun way to dance to very upbeat music. Time to boogie!
ArtInspired Studio One is located in Yorktown, VA and serves the Hampton Roads Peninsula (Newport News, Williamsburg, Hampton, Poquoson, Seaford, York County, Smithfield, Isle of Wight). We teach dancers of all levels from the beginner dancer to the more experienced individual. We are known for fun lessons in ballroom and Latin dance for singles, couples, engagements (first dance choreography), teens and kids, and beyond. Call us for more information at 757-768-9033 or email creative@artinspired.com
Every 1st Tuesday of the month, I have the privilege of providing ballroom and Latin dance instruction to the residents of Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg. Today we went over the Rumba, a slow and romantic style of Latin dancing with wonderful hip swaying steps and elegant lines. The patterns I taught consisted of the following:
Box Step in Closed Position followed by opening of the frame into Open Position. Lead partner side step into Left side crossover pattern. Lead into Right side crossover then square with partner then repeat Right side. Square on Slow then lead Lady’s Outside Turn on Left side into Closed Position sways. Count Slow Quick Quick then lead back crossover on Left side. Square then repeat on Right side. Square then crossover turn (both partners) into Closed Position side step to Left side and then begin box step then flow into outside partner position with swivels end with box step (Forward Side Together).
After the lesson, we were treated by an impromptu performance by Steven Calderon (Professional from ArtInspired) and Jennifer Dey Smith who previewed their upcoming performance for this weekend’s Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars (See Previous Post). They did amazing and I felt that they are indeed ready for the show. It still amazes me that we started the process of rehearsing their Salsa just less than 6 weeks ago. I can’t wait to post videos of the event to show just how hard they worked for the quality of dance they are performing. It’s one of the most favorites I have choreographed.
Hope you can check out the show! Call us if you need any more information at 757-768-9033.
Join us for “Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars” on March 5th, 2011 to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters and Literacy For Life at 7 p.m. at the Phi Beta Kappa Hall located on the William and Mary Campus.
ArtInspired Studio One will be participating as PROs: Marilen Crump, Steven Calderon, Jino Fort, Rotita Dupree and Martin Lawrence. Local Williamsburg “stars” have accepted the challenge to train with a professional dancer and compete in front of a live audience and distinguished panel of judges.
We will be posting photos and videos from the event… so keep visiting our website at http://www.ARTINSPIRED.com
Here are more details:
Tickets can be purchased at the Phi Beta Kappa box office on Jamestown Road, by phone at (757) 221-2674, or online at https://wm.tix.com
Local Williamsburg “stars” have accepted the challenge to train with a professional dancer and compete in front of a live audience and distinguished panel of judges.
The following ticket options are available for our March 5, 2011 event:
VIP Package: mingle with the Stars at a 5:30 reception at the Muscarelle Museum,
then enjoy premier seating for the event and unlimited drinks during intermission.
*Only a limited number of VIP package tickets will be sold*
$115.00 per person / $100.00 with promo code DANCE
General Seating 1: View the show from a floor level seat.
$60.00 per person / $50.00 with promo code DANCE
General Seating 2: View the show from a balcony level seat.
$35.00 per person / $25.00 with promo code DANCE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula helps young people in our service area achieve their potential during their formative years by providing positive, caring mentor relationships. www.bbbsgw.org
Literacy for Life at the Rita Welsh Adult Learning Center builds better lives by teaching adults the literacy skills required for self-sufficiency, better health, and meaningful participation in society, through individualized one-to-one tutoring. www.literacyforlife.com (read less)
Tickets can be purchased at the Phi Beta Kappa box office on Jamestown Road, by phone at (757) 221-2674, or online at https://wm.tix.com
Thank you for visiting our site. This ballroom and latin dance lesson information website was built with our clients in mind. We are proud to service our community in the Hampton Roads area. We welcome you and we are located central to Newport News, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Gloucester, Poquoson, Hampton, Smithfield and Isle of Wight. We even have clients from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Southside, all the way to Richmond.
Next lesson is Swing with Lorna Williams on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 @ 7:30pm.
