Elementary Ballroom
Ballroom dance is everywhere these days. Whether you’re looking to land a spot on “So You Think You Can Dance” or hoping to find work on a commercial tour, having some ballroom training is increasingly necessary to stay competitive. Of course, the best way to prepare for an audition is to take lessons in the style. But what if your studio doesn’t offer any ballroom classes? Dance Spirit turned to the pros to learn a few key elements that can help you put your best heeled foot forward.
(Adam Taylor/ABC)
Musicality
“The first thing you’ll notice is that the rhythms in ballroom are intricate, and they may be different from what you’re used to,” says Center Stage Performing Arts Studio director Kim DelGrosso, who helped contemporary celeb Allison Holker prepare for “Dancing with the Stars” Season 19. Delgrosso advises paying special attention to the phrasing and musical foundation of the steps. In some styles, like the cha-cha, the step “breaks”—that is, shifts direction to the front, back or side—on the 2-count, instead of the 1. This can be tricky for dancers who are used to feeling rhythms in square, 8-count phrases.
The Lower Body
Ballet and contemporary dancers tend to have high centers of gravity, while most ballroom styles are earthy and low. Think of initiating movement from a place below your navel.
Hip action—a hallmark of Latin styles—originates from your feet. But maintaining a strong connection with the floor helps you move fluidly around the room in any style. “SYTYCD” All-Star and “DWTS” pro Chelsie Hightower notes that she can always spot ballroom
beginners because they pick up their feet too much, which creates clumsy, rigid movement.
“It has to be clear whether your weight is on your front foot, back foot, or split between them,” Hightower says. “In Latin dancing, for example, you’ll always lead with your toe, and your feet will always stay parallel in a very slight turnout.” And get comfortable dancing in heels, since they change your weight placement, making precise footwork more challenging.
The Upper Body
Whether you’re working in a standard dance frame with a partner or performing solo, a strong upper body is crucial. In a standard-style frame, Hightower suggests imagining your biceps being pulled out to the sides, while your head and spine reach up and down in opposition. “It’s like a T-shape,” she says.
When you’re on your own, make sure to mimic the choreographer’s arm movement precisely, and don’t forget about your hands. “Your hands are never relaxed,” Hightower says. “Think of holding a deck of cards between your middle finger and thumb with laser beam energy shooting out of your fingers.”
(Adam Rose/FOX)
In the Moment
In a style that rewards confidence, energy goes a long way. Louis Van Amstel, a “DWTS” pro who often choreographs for non-ballroom dancers on “SYTYCD,” says to “let your personality shine through,” regardless of your experience. (Remember how Ricky Ubeda and Valerie Rockey nailed their first-time waltz on “SYTYCD” Season 11? Their chemistry and charisma made both ballroom novices look like they’d been doing the style for years.)
While your instinct may be to apologize for being unfamiliar with the steps, stay positive and enthusiastic. “Don’t talk yourself down,” Del Grosso says. Shadow the best dancer in the room to pick up the minute details, especially those the choreographer may not be verbalizing.
Above all, don’t worry if you don’t get everything immediately. “It takes years to train in this style,” Hightower says. “But more than anything, get the flavor of what the judges are looking for. Nine times out of 10, it is about faking it till you make it. The more confidence you can have in your dancing, the better the audition will go.”
