The fifth-grade students stood frozen in position, their arms interlocked and chins raised as they waited for the music to begin. The 11 couples encircled their instructor.
“One, two, three, four,” he said, clapping the beat.
A blend of black-, maroon- and silver-sequined costumes enclosed him as the students performed the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango and waltz.
The fifth-grade students, from several Chicago elementary schools, showcased their moves Saturday afternoon at Patten Gym as part of Northwestern’s first ballroom dance competition.
About 60 dancers from seven different colleges, including Northwestern, participated in the competition as part of NU’s Ballroom Latin And Swing Thing collaboration with Chicago public schools.
The gradeschool-aged dancers were part of the pilot program, “Having a Ball,” which is based on curriculum established by Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau of New York’s American Ballroom Theater. The program teaches fifth-grade public school students ballroom dances during a 10-week period.
BLAST member Jennifer Chin, who organized the event, said she wanted to make the ballroom competition unique and fun while sharing her love of dance.
“My main goal in organizing the event was to bring ‘Having a Ball’ to Northwestern to show the kids there is a connection between what they’re doing and what college kids are doing,” said Chin, a Medill senior. “I wanted to inspire them not only to stay in the arts, but to be inspired by the atmosphere and environment of the university.”
Stella Davis, a Madison Elementary School special education assistant who chaperones the children, agreed that the most important accomplishment of the day was introducing the children to something new.
“This performance really boosts their ego,” Davis said. “I told them, ‘You’re at a famous university.’ After this, their minds will be open to more opportunity and challenges.”
McCormick junior Michael Weinstock, a BLAST member and competitor, said he was impressed by the turnout at the first-time event. About 50 spectators attended on Saturday.
BLAST also hosted the competition in order to spread awareness of ballroom dancing in the Midwest. Chin said the competition is the only intercollegiate program in the Chicago area.
“The event was not too big, but big enough to start a name for Northwestern with ballroom dancing in the Midwest,” said Diana Carlson, a Weinberg sophomore and BLAST participant.
Awareness of ballroom dancing is quickly spreading throughout the Chicago area. “Having a Ball” plans to double its program from 18 to 36 elementary schools next year. BLAST members said they hope to organize another competition at NU.
“People often find ballroom dancing intimidating, and they don’t know how to get into it,” said Chin. “Competitions are hopefully an inspiration of the way people can take something that is inclusive and closed off and open it to other people.”
Reach Emmalee Miller at [email protected].
