Milton: a ballroom dancing hotbed?

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
mireporter@mac.com

Instructors Eleni and Samir Elabd (center) demonstrate the promenade, a basic move that can be adapted to many types of dances, in the ballroom dancing class offered by the Rec Dept. Kym and Seth Duchesneau (left) and Rick and Jane Hamilton (right) prepare to practice their moves.

As the town's assistant recreation coordinator, Kym Duchesneau attends a lot of departmental events—but none quite like the new ballroom dancing classes at Milton Elementary.

That's because Duchesneau and her husband are taking an active role there, learning to waltz, foxtrot, and—hopefully—tango before the six-week course wraps up in late March. As a newcomer to the sport, she said dancing isn't as easy as it looks, but added the hour-long, Monday night lessons are enjoyable nonetheless.

“We were not knowledgeable at all, but we're having fun,” she said.

“Fun” was one of two key criteria listed for new programs by Recreation Coordinator Sue Schlack, with the other being public interest. Judging from feedback—and enrollment of 26 dancers in the first class-- she said its been a success on both counts.

“When we put it out to the public we had an overwhelming response,” she said. “Its been a big hit for the rec department.”

The first dance course will run through March 24, with another on rhythm ballroom style to start on March 31. The six-week class is $65 per person or $120 per couple. Provided that demand keeps up, Schalck envisioned dance as a regular fall and winter offering, saying it serves an important constituency.

“I'm always looking for adult programs—it's very difficult to find something for adults to do because we have such busy lives,” she said. “The number one thing is fun, it's got to be fun.”

Similar themes were touched on by class instructor, Samir Elabd, who said ballroom dancing is great for exercise, socialization, and as shared activity between the couples.

As someone with nearly 30 years dancing experience, and having taught classes across Chittenden County since 1989, the Colchester resident said its popularity is definitely on the rise.

“I would say that people are probably more aware of ballroom dancing than ever before, because of TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and You Think You Can Dance,” he said.

While he conceded there are a lot of common fears that keep people off the dance floor, Elabd indicated they go away pretty quickly once people give it a try.

“When somebody tries it, generally, they find they love it and word of mouth is it is a very positive thing,” he added.

Coincidence also played a role in bringing Elabd to Milton: He originally came to town in his daytime capacity as an architect helping to plan the village core area. He stopped by the Recreation office several times to inquire about adding a dance program in Milton, but never when the part-time office was open.

The meeting actually came when Schlack—who is also a Colchester resident—took one of his classes through that town's rec department. She said it was a great fit from the get-go, and a great chance for locals to give it a try.

“Rec departments are a great place for trying things out,” she said. “You ask just about any tennis player and they'll tell you they got started in the local rec department.”

In related news, a similar program is being tried at the elementary school, where the physical education teachers have enlisted local dance-instructor-in-training Christine Stone as a volunteer to provide two weeks of lessons in March. Speaking beforehand, she envisioned teaching the kids the basics of waltzing and the foxtrot and perhaps sparking some interest in dance.

“Hopefully they'll gain an appreciation for ballroom dancing and want to learn more,” she said. “I want to see them dancing and having fun.”

As for Duchesneau, she's looking forward to the next wedding or social event, where she can put some of these moves to work.

“At least we'll have a little bit of experience and we'll be able to build on it,” she said.

Registration through the Recreation Department is open through March 27. Information about ballroom dancing is available through Elabd's website www.ballroomnights.com