Ezra Amir
Ezra began dancing in his seventies and is one of BDTC’s most dogged and intellectual graduates. In addition to teaching ballroom, latin, and swing classes in his retirement community, Ezra keeps us all on our toes here at BDTC.
Val Cunningham
“I had never trained, danced, or had coaching before I met Diane Jarmolow, yet she saw in me talent and a will to dance and share. She has taught me not only to dance, not only to teach, but much, much more. Her skills go beyond teaching and the teaching of dance. She is my…
Alicia Ruiz
Alicia Ruiz took a Certification Intensive and DVIDA® exam while pregnant in July 2010, along with her colleagues at New Mexico State University. Click here to read an inspiring interview about her ballroom dance experience and goals.
Former Police Officer Now Teaches Ballroom Dance
(Original article link: timesunion.com) When he swivels his hips and takes a half step forward, it’s hard to imagine Ron Tritto wrestling an out-of-control drunk over the hood and handcuffing him. And when Tritto says in a calm voice to his sweaty-palmed students, “Let’s start off with our sugar push,” it’s hard to imagine him…
An Interview with Dancer (and Mother) Alicia Ruiz
How long have you been involved with Ballroom Dancing? I took my first social dance class, Merengue, in 2002, as a junior at New Mexico State University. At that time I was pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Dance. I was interested in a career in Physical Therapy but after taking a…
My Studio Is A Gossip Mill
Dear Diane, I’ve been taking lessons at my studio for four years. I love dancing, and up until the past year, have also loved the family atmosphere at my studio. But now I’m considering leaving the ballroom world altogether. Last year the studio got a new owner who loves dance but has little business experience….
A New Way To Train Dance Teachers
Diane Jarmolow has made it her life’s mission to change the way dance teachers are trained in the United States. And now she has created the tool to do it—Ballroom Dance Teachers College in a Box! In this article, Diane talks about the state of dance teacher training in the United States and how her…
Ballroom Dance Teachers College Training Program – www.dance-teacher.com
By Lee Erica Elder When Diane Jarmolow, former owner and director of San Francisco’s Metronome Ballroom (one of the largest and most successful ballroom dance studios in the country, now a Cheryl Burke Dance studio), founded The Ballroom Dance Teachers College program in 1991, there was no vocational training available for ballroom dance teachers. Now,…
My Non-Competitive Students Have No Focus
Dear Diane, I teach primarily competitive students, and really enjoy helping them prepare for competitions. Our lessons have structure and direction, and my students are motivated to work seriously on their dancing. I am at a loss however, with my students who do not want to compete. They enjoy their lessons, but they seem totally…
How Do I Teach My Student Not to Muscle Around His Pivots?
Dear Diane, I have been working with a gentleman student for two years, and cannot seem to teach him how to lead pivots correctly. While he does not have much natural ability, he is very dedicated and goes out social dancing several times a week. His progress up until now has been steady, but we…