My Dancin Days
Our Competitive Dance Experience
"Taking the competitive dance track"
Forward: Taking the competitive track in dance isn't a bad thing.. but there are roads and paths ahead you just can't see coming nor can you predict. Think very carefully as this is a pretty big decision both financially and in chosing your parnter. You will find many people have many different viewpoints and opinions.. take them all in and you decide for yourself. I can give you the pros and cons only from what I experienced. Once again.. you be the judge of your own experience.. if you weren't there for someone elses.. you can only go by what they say. Everyone understands that you will choose what to believe and what to dismiss. No matter what the outcome.. at least respect the fact that anything can happen.. good and bad.
Dedication: This is dedicated to all those who have behind us 100%. To my Mom who has now passed and never got to see my real comps. To my Dad who always tried to promote my PMA and to my number one partner who always did her best to push me beyond my limits.. and succeeded!
For all those who have been asking for this...
My dance experience began in 1996 at a place originally called "The Hoover Road House" (affectionately called "Hoover") in Warren, MI. Since that time it has changed names at least twice. I then took further lessons at "Diamonds&Spurs" in Pontiac, MI.
Later, when Diamonds&Spurs closed ( in April 2000) I began to dance at High Kicker Saloon which was also located in Pontiac. After dancing for close to 8 years.. due to injuries among other reasons I began taking a break from line dancing.
In 2003 my (then) close friend Ann (we became very close over the course of a year) approached me on the idea of taking lessons in West Coast Swing. These lessons were being offered at The Diamondback Saloon in Belleville, MI. We began to take lessons and from day one we pacticed and danced constantly. Our instructor saw potential within us and decided to point us towards competition. We began to work even harder in many different ways and between private practice, private lessons, social dance and class.. we began to excel rapidly.
It was during a private lesson that Ann and I were told we were going to compete at an event called "Da Dance Camp". I remember this well since I was holding a camcorder and upon the news .. the shock almost made me drop the camera. We were then given our first cheoreographed Two Step Routine. We worked very hard to learn this routine and practiced very hard. We worked and performed beyond all expectations. We were please to find out we blew our coach away!
It was here that our first competition was born and a promising dance career was being launched.
I couldn't have had a better partner if I tried.
Our first year's experiences were definately more than just an adventure. A lot can happen in one years time.
Ann's favorite statement no matter what when ever we got on the floor as we're about to start: "Let's Rock Ron" and "Rock On Ron"! I tried very hard NOT to let her down.. with my partner.. Ann.. there's a lot to show off.. I tried to do my best.
This picture is from our first competition in Chicago at "Da Dance Camp". It was an awesome experience!
Our first competition earned us First Place.
Over the course of the year.. we encountered many adverse situations.. one of them being this shot of us with the Pros.. Boy! Did THIS catch us off guard.. thanks Rob Royston! I think I even said "Oh Shit!" out loud.. LOL!
After that we began doing both Couples and ProAm. It was a great year however things happened and our ProAm Experiences took an early end. Our couples experience went all the way to "Worlds" in Nashville 2005.
Not the greatest shots.. I took Ann's and she took mine. I had a tad better of a steady hand.
We took 4th place in Strictly Swing. The Irony here is that Swing was not my strongest suit.
I'm sure we could have done much better had personal issues not gotten in the way.. for what it's worth we did great for our first time considering what it took for us just to go that far and actually compete at the Worlds Dance Championship.
One of my greatest memories about Worlds ... was meeting Suzi Buggus.
Her song.. "Aces" became the Theme Song for our friendship...
I'll never forget my first year in Couples dance and Competition...
I want to thank all those who cared enough to give us their support and all those who helped us in our efforts along the way.
Currently neither Ann nor I are are dancing socially or competitively for personal reasons.. so much for further dance plans..
Perhaps one day again in the future.. there will be another.
These three pictures were taken at the Diamondback Saloon.. our home
We worked extremely hard during the course of our first year...
Thank you Ann... for being a part of that experience!
Whether that experience is and was the only one we'll ever have together.. I'll Always Love You For That.
Should we ever have the fortune of dancing together again..I'd like to make our next experience ... even better.
Thanks For the Memories.
Our competitive dancing has come to a conclusion for the time being.. not the conclusion we wanted. A friendship and dance partnership takes two to make it work. You must be there for each other and it must be mutal. When it isn't.. something is wrong.
Though we've been in touch via email, We've not seen each other in 2 years.
Though we both want to dance again, God only knows what will happen next or where things will go.