Having a ball at class

In winter, Pocono folks take advantage of dance classes
By NICOLE HENNINGER For the Pocono Record

Whether it's featured in romantic renaissance movies or at a local formal gathering, ballroom dancing energizes a scene and entertains its audience.

In the Poconos, people are learning to dance at the new Studio West Dance Club in East Stroudsburg. Ballroom dancing classes are available at the club, which opened Oct. 1.

"You do not need a partner at Studio West," said Richard Sorger, owner of the ballroom dance school. "'We are all about having fun.”

Karen Hamilton of East Stroudsburg has been dancing at Studio West for a month. "I kept driving by, and I said to myself that I should join," Hamilton said. "Finally I did join, and I love it."

According to Sorger, ballroom dancing was recently found to be one of the best forms of exercise. "It's a great way to relieve stress," Sorger said. "Age doesn't matter with ballroom dancing, and anyone with any types of health problems can participate.”

Ballroom dancing is not a seasonal activity, and lessons are available at Studio West Dance Club all year long from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"When you get out of work, we start to work to accommodate your schedule," Sorger said.

"It's very entertaining and fun, and you get to learn these beautiful moves," said Yvette Reyas, a student at Studio West.
Studio West is set up in a country club fashion with "plenty of opportunities to enjoy dancing all week long."

Sorger has been dancing for 23 years and holds the highest available certification in ballroom dancing. "I always loved dancing, and I knew how much it did for me and how rewarding it was. When I could, I jumped at the opportunity to teach," Sorger said.

Sorger belongs to the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, a world organization with its headquarters in England. He has been taught by many qualified dancers, and has competed nationally a number of times.

"I liked dancing, but I wanted to learn how to do it the right way," Reyas said. "We partner off at the studio, learn together and dance together." According to Sorger, the Studio West Dance Club in New Jersey has "always had the reputation for giving a high level of customer service." The new studio in East Stroudsburg is also meeting expectations with certified and qualified teachers that teach through a combination of private, semi-private and group classes.

Private classes focus on individual habits. Semiprivate lessons teach how to dance with others while group classes focus on dancing with a large amount of people. "When you become a member of Studio West, you meet people and build a really nice family," said Sorger.

"I joined to have fun and to meet new people," Hamilton said. "It's a great place to socialize."

"We offer a complimentary lesson to show the participants how we teach," Sorger said. New students start out with an introductory special to test the programs that Studio West offers to fit particular physical dance needs.

"I feel strongly that this area has been looking for something like this."

Eileen Walden has been teaching ballroom dancing since 1979. She trained in Long Island and worked with Arthur Murray before moving to the Poconos.

She opened her business, Ballroom Dancing with Eileen, in 1996. "It's been great," she said. Walden's classes include couples of all ages and young students.

"Teenagers like all the classes," she said. "They are interested in all of them.”

Dancing is always popular, but the recent remake, "Shall We Dance?" with Richard Gere, generated even more interest.

"Once people see it, they decide it looks like fun, " Walden said.

Studio West is in the Eagle Valley Mall and teaches ballroom dancing as well as Latin, rhythm and West Coast swing dances like the fox trot, the Latin rumba and the Merengue. Call (570) 476-4300 or visit www.swdanceclub.com.

Walden teaches ballroom, Latin and swing dancing at 912 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, on the third floor: Call (570) 620-2020 for information.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

For beginners, the first lesson at Studio West Dance Club is free so that students can see what classes are like. The dance club also offers an introductory program that includes four private lessons, one of the group classes, and one of the practice parties.

The introductory special is offered at 60 percent discount to $89 per person. This program starts beginners out on the basics so that the students are able to sample a variety of dances.

Afterward, the members decide on what they would like to learn and how much time they have to dedicate to dance classes. The combined cost of group classes, private lessons, practice sessions, and parties average to about $25 per activity.

For information, call (570) 476-4300; visit www.swdanceclub.com.

ABOUT THE DANCES

Studio West teaches a variety of ballroom dances such as the fox trot, waltz, tango, Argentine tango, quickstep, Viennese waltz, and the peabody. Latin dances such as the rumba, the cha-cha, mambo, merengue, and samba are also taught along with rhythym dances such as swing, West Coast swing, hustle and the polka.

Are you interested in learning a particular ballroom dance? Richard Sorger of Studio West Dance Club describes some of the dances.

BALLROOM DANCES

Fox trot: This is a slow dance that is characterized by longer, smooth, gliding steps. People think of Frank Sinatra when they think of the fox trot.

Waltz: This is considered the mother of present-day dances. It has a rise and fall plus a swaying of the body which gives it a beautiful look on the dance floor.

Tango: The tango is one of the most beautiful of all the dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements.

Argentine tango: This tango has a lot of leg action where each partner kicks (ganchos) between and around each other's legs. This dance is known for its passion and is very dramatic.

Viennese waltz: The Viennese waltz is one of the fastest ballroom dances, and it is best known for all the fast whirling to the right and the left.

LATIN DANCES

Rumba: This slow, Latin dance has a romantic feel to it and is characterized by the movement of the hips, called Cuban motion.

Cha-cha: The cha-cha has an energetic rhythm along with the Cuban motion. It is considered a sexy dance that has a fun upbeat feel that dancers love.

Mambo: This is one of the fastest Latin lances. It is like running in place, but it is a lot more fun. The mambo combined American jazz with the Afro-Cuban beat. It also incorporates the Cuban motion for styling.

Merengue: The merengue has a continuous movement of Cuban motion that makes this Latin dance easy to learn and a lot of fun. The freedom of this dance makes it fun to make up your own patterns.

Samba: The samba is known as the Brazilian waltz and has a special rhythm known as the samba bounce (which is not really a bounce). When people think of the samba they think of Carmen Miranda who is credited with making the dance popular in the U.S. in the early '40s.

RHYTHM DANCES

Swing: This is probably the most popular dance because of the variety of music that can be used such as big band, '50s, country, contemporary, blues, etc. In fact, it is considered the only true American dance. The dance has a lot of turning of the lady, which men love to do.

Hustle: Most ballroom dances are in straight lines, but the hustle is the only one that is a circle dance. This dance has a lot of turns, spins and wraps. The hustle marked a return to popular dances where couples danced touching each other.

West Coast Swing: This dance is a slower version of the swing, and it is danced to slower music. It is known as a slot dance because the dance is in a small, straight line. The West Coast swing has intricate leg and hand movements.

Polka: The polka is a fun, bouncy dance with a steady rhythm. It has lots of fun turns. In fact, it is the state dance of Pennsylvania.

Studio West Dance Club
240 Eagle Valley Mall
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-476-4300

Studio West Dance Club
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