About Us
History
The Rocky Mount Chapter of USA Dance originated when Vince and Martha Tesoro accepted an invitation to sit with a small group of people at a local dance in January 2005. One of the couples at the table, Rod and Terrie Buckner, saw Vince and Martha dancing the Foxtrot and expressed a desire to learn to Ballroom Dance. Vince immediately started to organize lessons at the YMCA in Rocky Mount with instructors from Raleigh. Within a year over 100 people were taking lessons at two locations on 3 separate nights. The classes moved from the Westridge YMCA, to the new YMCA and then to the brand new Imperial Center.
By December, 2005 enough people joined USA Dance for a chapter to be formed. The chapter met on December 9, 2005, elected a board of directors, and the chapter was formed.
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Benefits of being a social dancer
Many of us are social dancers without any aspirations to compete. We attend chapter dances because we enjoy dancing, perhaps to learn a few new steps, to become a smoother dancer, and to socialize.
One of the best ways to do that is to dance with other people. This is one of the reasons we have mixers and line dances. It also gives single members an opportunity to meet and dance with those present.
Here are a few more reasons.
1. It allows the man to sharpen his skills as a leader.
2. It allows the women to adapt to the lead of someone different than her partner.
3. It strengthens and re-enforces basic bronze steps for everyone involved.
4. It encourages a polite and social atmosphere.
5. It promotes and emphasizes ballroom etiquette.
6. It encourages singles to attend dances.
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Newcomers and singles
You do not have to have any experience with ballroom dance to join. Most of our lessons are at the basic level. We will teach you!
You do not have to have a regular dance partner. We have many singles who attend our dances, both men and women.