Dancer of the Month - February 2020
Meet Elizabeth Davis, AKA Bette, our February 2020 Dancer of the Month! Bette is a California native who had intermittent stops in Arizona and Nebraska before calling Chicago home. Bette has been a part of BDC since very early on; she’s danced with Matthew since 2010 (almost 10 years!!!). In that period of time, she’s been a staple at BDC parties and social events and often lends a hand to hang a painting or take photos. We love Bette and wouldn’t be the same without her!
Why do you keep coming back to Ballroom Dance Chicago?
For me, dancing is holistic - music, exercise, freedom, fun, escape. BDC offers all that. The music played during lessons is always fun and often surprising - who knew there was so much modern music applicable to the ballroom! Instruction is great and techniques are explained in an understandable way. My dance card skill set has really opened up - learning cha cha, triple step swing, smooth swing and trying to hone my skills on the Waltz, Foxtrot, and Salsa. (there is room for improvement and I struggle with a bunch of dances (e.g., Tango, West Coast Swing, Rumba), but BDC patiently keeps trying.) Lastly, and most importantly, the folks at BDC are lovely.
Do you have any dance goals?
To have fun, get some exercise, and be a bit social. Yes, I want to learn the technical parts of the dance and be proficient, but it's not my primary goal. The instructors intuitively understand this and have an uncanny sense of where I want to go during my lessons. Lessons are always fun and I feel uplifted afterwards.
Do you use your dance skills in any social settings?
Not on the regular, but it is nice to feel relatively confident about your dancing skills if you are in a social environment.
What is your favorite style of dance?
The list keeps growing: I love the cha cha (because it's fun), waltz (it's like flying), two-step (because I can do it), smooth swing (it's so versatile), and the list goes on.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about taking dance lessons?
Do it!