By Chris Frost
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — Area residents jumped at the chance to shake their groove thing at the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center on Sunday, Sept. 10, as the Dancing with Devin Class offered plenty of good fun, leaving people tired but happy.
Instructor Devin Vance has been dancing for a decade, starting at age 16, and started teaching in January after moving to Lebanon.
“I started doing competitive ballroom dancing,” he said. “Then I danced International Standard and Latin throughout Utah, northern California and North Carolina. I learned how to do social dances like Swing and Salsa dancing along the way.”
Vance said new students start with the basics, like counting the steps and holding the frame (properly holding a partner) while they’re dancing and moving their feet.
“Everybody learns at a different pace,” he said. “It depends on the couple; some get it right away while others don’t. When I start with a new couple, I start with the basics.”
Vance said it’s vital to move daily and not become couch potatoes, and dancing at least once a week gets people learning something new. Swing dancing or the waltz are good dances to start with because they are slow, simple and easy to learn.
“There’s no prerequisite,” he said. “You just have fun and keep going.”
Vance said people interested in dancing should start with group classes.
“It will give you a sense of whether or not you’ll like ballroom dancing,” he said. “Then you can pick what kind of ballroom dancing you want to do: social, and dance with your partner, or do competitive ballroom and compete in competitions and dress up, or just do some basic wedding dancing and learn to dance on a 1-2 count.”
Josh and Andrea Weik were having “a ton of fun” at Vance’s recent class.
“This is amazing,” Andrea said. “I think we’ve made good progress.”
Adam and Chelsea Bevis admitted to tripping over each other a little but were still having a good time.
“I can’t wait until I don’t have to think about what I’m doing,” Adam said. “I’m better than I was when I started.”
To sign up for an upcoming Dancing with Devin class, message him on Facebook, email [email protected] or call 603-605-5796.
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