Dance club offers lessons for proms

Area high school students are encouraged to take a spin on the ballroom dance floor.

STAFF REPORT

Prom is an important night for many high school students, but after the dresses are paid for and the tuxedos are pressed, one question remains: How can I impress my date on the dance floor?

Susan Ryan, of the Youngstown-Warren chapter of USA Dance, said she has the answer.

Ryan is teaching free ballroom dancing lessons at two area high schools to urge high school students to become more active in the ballroom dancing scene.

Students from Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties can learn how to dance the salsa, cha cha, tango, waltz and East Coast Swing from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14 and 21 at Austintown Fitch High School and Boardman High School.

In order to participate, Ryan said students should fill out a registration form that can be found at all area high schools or downloaded from the Web site, http://usadance2015.bravehost.com/. The form must be signed by a parent and returned on the day of the lessons.

“Ballroom dancing is a wonderful sport and very popular right now. It’s good for your heart and your mind,” Ryan said. “It’s a wonderful way to interact with other people, building confidence and skills that they’ll have with them for the rest of their lives.”

Ryan said she hopes to see male and female students attend the classes.

“The gentlemen who know how to dance become very popular, because women love that feeling of looking beautiful on the dance floor,” she said. “I would encourage any young gentlemen to do it.”

She said the program is going into its third year, and began at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. Last year the lessons were split between JFK and Boardman High School and about 75 students attended.

Ryan said about 30 students have returned registration forms so far this year, but she expects more will show up at the door.

“Students should expect a wonderful time,” Ryan said. “Anyone can dance, so come prepared to learn and have a good time.”

She said each class will be limited to the first 100 couples who register.