Homecoming Lecture Discusses The Power of Dance as a Medium of Service and Spirituality
Ballroom dance alumna Cheryll Treu returned to Brigham Young University as this year’s Homecoming Honored Alumni, discussing how dance has shaped her life and the lives of thousands of students.
Treu, who graduated from BYU in 1984, reflected on how the University’s motto, “Enter to Learn; Go Forth to Serve,” continues to guide her work. “I learned that this light is a way to reflect divine attributes and bless others,” she said. “For me, ballroom has always been a way of holding up light in darkness; not just for performance’s sake, but for growth, for healing and for service.”
After teaching dance for more than 25 years, Treu co-founded the Danzinskule Education Foundation in 2008, along with fellow BYU alumni. The nonprofit organization brings ballroom dance to public schools and provides curriculum, teacher training and events for K–12 students. What began in three schools with 54 students has now grown to 35 schools, 42 teachers and more than 10,000 participants.
“Ballroom dance strengthens the body, mind and spirit while engaging in a physically demanding activity,” Treu said. “It is a conversation, a connection between two people, between art and discipline, between past and future.”
Treu described how ballroom dance teaches respect, trust and teamwork. “To dance well, you must learn to listen, to trust, to lead with kindness and to follow with grace,” she said. “When two dancers move together in harmony, they are not just creating beauty. They are practicing how to align with something greater than themselves.”
Treu also shared stories from her students, including those who discovered belonging and confidence through dance. “Ballroom gives young people a place to belong and pursue educational opportunities that otherwise might be out of reach,” Treu said. “It teaches discipline, patience and humility. It brings people together across generations and backgrounds.”
As BYU celebrates its 150th anniversary, Treu encouraged students to remain “tethered” to the University and to use their education to serve others. “Ballroom dance, when taught in the right spirit, can mirror discipleship itself,” she said. “Service is just like that. It is the harmony of working together and lifting others back into rhythm.”