Though members of the Badger Ballroom Dance Team have fun learning how to dance, when it's time for competition, they're willing to work hard.
\The people involved try to learn ballroom dance techniques, but the primary goal is competing,"" said Julia Velikina, a co-captain on the team.
The Dance Team is a group open to all students who want to learn how to ballroom dance. It gives lessons every Monday at The Right Step, 6424 Monona Dr., in Monona, and holds practices on campus every Wednesday.
Everyone who joins is encouraged to compete, but it is not mandatory. The Dance Team can be used for learning how to ballroom dance for situations like social dancing. However, the competitions are also a great way to learn.
""It is valuable to go to competitions to watch and learn, and some members do travel to the competitions just to watch,"" Velikina said.
These competitions are for college students, and the Dance Team attends two or three each year. Competitions include three different levels: beginner, intermediate and expert.
""There are two classes on the team: a Bronze class for beginners, and Silver class for people with more experience, usually a year or two on the team,"" Vassilieva said.
The team is composed of students ranging in experience from novice to around five years.
""The newcomer's level is for people who have had one semester or less of formal dance lessons,"" Velikina said. ""The biggest competition is in Ohio, and we also go to a competition at Purdue.""
In 1999 the Badger Ballroom Dance Team took first place at the Ohio Star Ball, beating out 20 other universities. However, many of the older people graduated so the team did not win again last year, according to Velikina.
""Some people have been dancing for years, others just learned which foot is the left one,"" said Maria Vassilieva, a team member. ""Unfortunately people tend to get older as they get more experienced and then they graduate.""
The team practices four chosen dances every week of the semester, which it will perform at the competitions. A coach trains everyone, and, with the help of other team leaders, walks through the dancers, giving tips.
Velikina said that sometimes the team has trouble finding places on campus to practice.
""Practice is either at Union South or Memorial Union, but space is a problem,"" Velikina said. ""One time we practiced in the hallway, which was actually good publicity.""
One of the large recruitment pushes the team does is the Badger Ballroom Dance Team Showcase, being held March 8 this year.
""At the Showcase, 5 to 10 couples from the dance team perform at the Memorial Union, and people can come to watch,"" Velikina said.
The showcase, along with the money paid for lessons and some ASM money, pay for the competition trips. These things are the main fund-raisers.
""People join the dance team because they enjoy dancing, it's a fun way to meet people, and because ballroom dancing is an art form that allows people to express themselves and to work with someone else at the same time,"" Vassilieva said.
