By Dona Halliday
Dona with The Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta team.
(Left to right) Shawn Sims, manager | Ivy Edwin, receptionist | Mat Kroezen, manager | Candice Manibog, instructor | Simone Maccarrone, instructor | Dona Halliday, Best Self Atlanta magazine | Austin Aldridge, instructor | Edgar Walker, instructor | Leah Boresow, instructor (not pictured)
I’ve always been at home on the dance floor, but I’m sort of “organic” with my dance moves. I am apt to take the opposite route of any quick, quick, slow or side together side dance routine. However, I have always wanted to learn to dance beautifully — with elegance and poise. So I headed to Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta for a private lesson. I felt a little apprehensive, but also very excited. I was finally doing something I had wanted to do for a long, long time — learn ballroom dancing.
When I arrived I was given a tour of the studio. I also filled out some paperwork and talked briefly with my instructor about the social dances I wanted to learn.
My instructor was Simone Maccarrone. I fell in love with his energy, his obvious passion for dance and the easy manner in which he explained and led me through each step. After several minutes with him I felt like Jack Nicholson in “As Good As It Gets.”
Before I knew it, 25 minutes had slipped by. I had stepped on his toes only once, and I had learned the basic steps for four social dances—the Foxtrot, the Waltz, Rumba and the Cha-Cha.
My first lesson was on a Thursday night, but the experience had only just begun. Upon Simone’s invitation, I decided to be brave and return the following evening for a group class and their weekly beginners practice party that takes place every Friday night.
The atmosphere is inviting and relaxed — the lights are dimmed, the disco lights are turned on and the music is turned up. On one side of the room there are chairs and tables and the open dance floor. Before the party starts the group has a chance to get acquainted while the instructors receive dance cards with the names of each student and guest. It was so much fun! We had the opportunity to practice different dances with all of the amazing instructors and with some of the students as well …then what a treat it was to sit and enjoy a performance by Candice Manibog and Austin Aldridge, two of the instructors.
To find out more about Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta visit them at myballroomdanceclub.com
Details: 887 West Marietta Street, Suite J-105, Atlanta, GA 30318
