Every night at 8 p.m. you can hear the soothing melody of Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” oozing from a pair of iPod speakers as four to five pairs of dancers gracefully move in perfect rhythm, flawlessly executing steps to the waltz, foxtrot, tango and samba dances.
Head coach Rommel Ladera and Lauren Savage lead the dancers in instruction and routines on Tuesday nights, instructing each student in each form of ballroom dancing. Thursday nights Savage works with the students on technique, such as how hips and feet play into the routine.
It is just its the first year at SMU, but the group has already earned numerous top awards in state competitions.
This year, the pair of Samantha Colletti and Brian Magnus won first place in the bronze division of the American Waltz at the Texas Challenge in March.
At the University of Texas at Austin Open on April 18, Magnus and Colletti took first place again in the bronze division of the American and International Waltz, as well as the International Foxtrot, Cha-Cha and Rumba.
“One of the things we’re specialized in is International Dancing, which is unique in the sense that most teams use American style,” explained Colletti, the team captain and club president. “International is competed all over the world, while American style is really mostly here.”
At each competition there are four different levels, allowing each team to compete with individuals who knows the same steps. Judges look for everything from footwork to posture to technique, hips and body alignment.
Right now the team is restricted to in-state competitions, but with future funding from Senate, Colletti hopes to one day compete against other dance schools such as Brigham Young University.
In the last competition, SMU defeated their biggest rival, Texas, a school that has over 40 members and full funding of their program.
“We’ve only been together for eight months and have six active competitors and 12 alternates and we beat them,” said Colletti.
Dancers perform in heels, but it’s not just the girls adding a few inches to their height.
Still trying to gather more members, Colletti says people are joining the club for a variety of reasons.
“I think for most people, it’s for social reasons,” explained Samantha Colletti. “People can make friends, and some are interested in competing. It’s fun and social and very activity oriented so people can exercise at the same time.”
The Ballroom Dance Club will host a Spring Dance event on May 2, offering free dance lessons in a variety of styles to anyone interested. The event will be held in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center from 8 till 11 p.m.
Performers will include the Mustang Mavericks and various salsa, samba, cha-cha, tango and waltz groups.
