Being an Ametur Medalist dancer, my story will obviously not be as impressive as those told on Strictly, but here it is all the same.
I first started dancing aged three, I was technically to young to attend the class, however, my Nan, having taken my Mum and Auntie to the same class, took me along regardless. It was nothing fancy, a group of older ladies teaching a group of children how to step and point for the majority of it. Every saturday me and a friend would drag our parents to sit and watch, cramped along the side of the church hall with other ' enthusiastic' audience memebers.
I remained in this class for six years, as when I turned nine years old, the main teacher retired, thus leading to the imminent closure of the dance school. Throughout the six years at Keynsham dance school, I learnt the basic, fundemental skills that would help me to develop through the examined stages of medallist dancing. I achieved tweleve rosettes, the first exam being taken in May 1995( 4 months after my 4th birthday). It seems odd to me now that the first dance exam I took was based upon the two dances that I now struggle the most with. - Samba and Foxtrot.
The other dances examined at rosette level followed within the next three years. Completing exams in Quickstep, Two step ( 1996), Rumba, Old time Tango, slow Waltz, quick Waltz and Cha cha cha ( 1997), The final three being Paso Doble, Tango and Rock 'n' Roll taken in 1998.
Following the rosettes, I took a series of one dance exams ... which lead to what I didnt know then, a period of time that would seal my love for Ballroom and Latin dance.
My attempts at dance have not always remained within the field of ballroom and latin however, once my teahcer retired, a street dance company took over and out of habit, the ballroom class began to inhabit the new school. Speaking entierly for my self here, it wasnt a good idea. My rhythm and coordination escaped me, and I felt awkward and out of place within the class. Yet I still stayed there for a year, and managed to
take and pass one exam in that short time. Looking back now .. thats nothing short of a miricle!
Thankfully ... a year later, a friend told me she was going to ballroom lessons again - taking me with her, and its that class that I have been with for approaching on 10 years.
Ive had varied success in this class, ive competed and taken exams.
Terrys dance school 2005 - Medal presentation day. ( I am front right ( green top and glasses thankfully not looking like that now!) - medals are 1st gold bar in B/room and Latin. Im also holding my gold award in C/S)
Since joining Terrys dance school, I have taken 9 exams, the 10th approaching ever so rapidly. This works out at approximately 90 different sequences learnt so far.
Each time you are examined you get a report card, each dance you start with 100 points, and for each mistake you lose points. Looking over my reports my highest being 95/100 for Classical sequence and 85/100 for Balroom and Latin. My lowest scores have been 70/100 ( just a pass) again in Sequence ... which I will hold my hands up and say that I am pretty shocking at, the 95 points being a fluke!
Competitions havent always been my strong point either ... I usually get on the floor to dance and freak out. I did come first place in Paso Doble however, when I was about 14/15. But only because I was the only competitor. I still had to dance for it though!
Currently working towards my third stars in Ballroom and Latin, and second star in Classical Sequence ... it feels like I have been dancing forever. I suppose I have really.
Few more pictures to add - once I figure out how to get them on the pc !
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