In March, 14,349 spectators and 33 national judges descended upon the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University to watch as 2,953 registered couples and teams joined in the U.S. National Amateur DanceSport Championships. Through hosting these championships and upholding high standards of dance and morals, BYU’s ballroom dance program continues to make a great impact on the international world of dance.
When Alma Heaton formed the Ballroom Dance Company at Brigham Young University in 1953, it is unlikely he had any idea that the dance program at BYU would develop into such a world-renowned program.
Contestants from all across the country come together every year to contend for a United States Amateur title, a prize of $48,450, and a chance to represent the United States in the World Championships in Paris, France. Vibeke Toft, a former world champion and visiting judge, regarded the occasion in Provo as one of ballroom’s “most anticipated events . . . truly an experience that cannot be found at any other event in America.”
Although the competition is tough, BYU is well represented by its students in the championships every year. Two of the four National Amateur titles–American Smooth and Cabaret–have been dominated by an unbroken string of members from the Ballroom Dance Company for over 10 years. Many of these competitors have continued compete professionally after their success at DanceSport. Six recent BYU students have become national finalists in four separate professional event and three of which were crowned champions.
Yet perhaps more important than any accolade is the immense influence BYU has established within the dance community. “BYU is, without question, the most influential school in the nation in terms of identifying dance as both a sport and a respected curriculum,' says Brian McDonald, president of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).
John Kimmins, president of Arthur Murray International, echoes this opinion, describing BYU as “a major factor in the development of ballroom dancing in the USA.”
The prominence that BYU achieves through regularly hosting the United States National Amateur DanceSport Championships has not only promoted the art and precision of dance, but has also exposed the entire ballroom world to the influence and standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The championships present the aims and values of the Church and of BYU in everything from the opening prayers to the music selection and modest costume regulations.
“BYU has a strict moral code and a sense of spirituality which promotes good will to others and purity of thought,” notes current National Amateur Latin Champion Denys Drozdyuk.
His dance partner, Antonia Skobina, agrees, “It is nice and refreshing to dance in this atmosphere, which is unique among the ballroom dance competitions in the USA. . . . It is motivating and conducive to the creation of art.'
Donnie Burns M.B.E., president of the World Dance Council (WDC) and the most influential figure in ballroom dance has attended the DanceSport Championships at BYU. Impressed by the experience, Burns chose to offer a renewable scholarship, on behalf of the WDC, to support the continued efforts of BYU and the BYU Ballroom Dance Company. Over past couple of years, Arthur Murray International, Inc. and other nationally acclaimed judges have joined Burns in extending scholarships that go towards both academic tuition and touring fees of BYU Ballroom Dance Company members.
“These United States Championships over the last 10 years have become the very best that America has to offer,” says Brian McDonald. As BYU's ballroom dance program has developed into a moving force in the dance community, it is clear they have accomplished the University's directive to “greatly enlarge Brigham Young University's influence in a world we wish to improve.”