Be beloved, be a dance ambassador

I love talking to fellow dancers about their first “dance ambassador.” We all generally have favorite first instructors, but often there’s an experienced dancer in the community who went out of their way to welcome and help us feel that initial, electric bliss of connection.

My partner, Erika, spoke with longtime dancer Heber Farnsworth last Friday, and said he’d mentioned how he enjoyed dancing with beginners, honing his own skills while helping them create positive experiences. And almost everyone I know, in certain circles, has a Don Morgan anecdote. Don is particularly gracious and adept at forging welcoming, memorable stories for new dancers.

Creating inviting spaces for beginners is vital for most any dance community, and it takes effort and care. So what makes for a great dance ambassador? In their article about welcoming new dancers, a UK Swing group shared a few tips and, in addition to keeping a lookout for new faces and acting invitingly, I strongly agree with:

1. Be gentle — Dance with a clear beat, keep moves simple, take it easy and slow
2. Be reassuring — Encouraging words, for a beginner, can go a long way; introduce them to other dancers who you know to be kind and helpful
3. Avoid unsolicited feedback — Don’t do it, no matter how tempted; new dancers are typically overwhelmed, and often the best way to help them have a memorable experience is to — simply, skillfully and humbly — help them feel successful.

Being someone’s dance angel, the person they reminisce about with faraway eyes and loving relish, is something we may all aspire to. Indeed, at times, dances with beginners can be the highlight of my night. Their unbridled joy and gratitude is heartfelt and, if they go on to become stellar dancers, you can always say you knew them when.

Be on the lookout for new dancers and unfamiliar faces at the wonderful variety of classes and events listed online at the Seattle Dance Info Dance Calendar.

See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan