Ballroom dance arose as the standardization of various folk partner dances around the start of the 20th century. Over the subsequent hundred plus years, it has evolved into a formal canon which is technically-involved and increasingly athletic while retaining the classic (Ballroom) aesthetic.
Heyday
At one point (more or less my mid 20s though early 30s), my partner and I were ranked in the top 20 Amateur Ballroom dancers in the US.
I also used to teach Ballroom dance, both coaching individual couples as well as running group classes. During grad school I spent three years as the Standard Ballroom instructor/coach at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dance Coaches Over the Years
I've been fortunate to be able to train with some of the best Ballroom dancers and teachers in the world over the years.
Deserving of particular mention are Christine Harvey who initially fostered my love of dance, along with Emanuele Pappacena & Francesca Lazzari who were my primary coaches and mentors for many years.
Alphabetically
Sara Andracchio
Alina Basyuk
Roberto Borelli
Jonathan Crossley
Andrea Ghigiarelli
Marat Gimaev
Massimo Giorgianni
Anne Gleave
Richard Gleave
Stephen Hannah
Christine Harvey
David Kloss
Lenka Kovalcikova
Ihor Kravets
Martin Lamb
Francesca Lazzari
Igor Litvinov
Anna Mikhed
Roman Nagibin
Yuriy Nartov
Emanuele Pappacena
Oscar Pedrinelli
Mikhail Perevertaylo
Ira Pollack
Heather Smith
Evaldas Sodeika
Irina Suvorov
Igor Suvorov
Kenny Welsh
Marion Welsh
Katusha Wilder
Jonathan Wilkins
Snieguole Wood
John Wood
