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Information
Joining the team
Do I need any experience? How about a partner?
No and no. You don't need either. WCBDT (Wellesley Ballroom Dance Team) and MITBDT (MIT Ballroom Dance Team) both offer beginning level classes and no dance experience is assumed. Eventually, competitive dancers find their partners on the team, either WCBDT or MITBDT. The team does not create partnerships; dancers are free to dance with whomever they wish.What should I do if I'm an experienced ballroom dancer?
If you have had previous ballroom training experience, please contact Fil Hsu, the MITBDT rookie coordinator at mitbdt-rookie-coordinator@MIT.EDU. MITBDT offers lessons in four levels: Rookie (first year, pre-bronze/ bronze level), Intermediate (silver level), Advanced (gold level), and Open (pre-champ and championship levels) for standard and latin. It also offers smooth workshops for Intermediate and Advanced level dancers, and may be offering rhythm classes in the coming seasons. Fil will help you deterimine which level would be most appropriate for you.Is WCBDT all girls? So if it's all girls, how do the lessons work?
Predominantly, though the classes are open to male students. All students who attend the lessons will learn both the leader's and the follower's steps to everything that is taught. Even the occasional men who take the lessons. This is necessary because of the female predominance, but it also makes one a better dancer.Do the WCBDT lessons cost anything?
No. Lessons are free to all Wellesley Community members.What should I wear to lessons?
You should wear clothing that is comfortable, light and non-restrictive. Jeans are an avoid because they are both restrictive and heavy. Also dancing can be a workout, so wear things that aren't too warm.Do I have to compete?
As a WCBDT member you do NOT have to compete. However, on as a member of the MIT Balllroom Dance Team you ARE expected to compete at least once a semester.I'm not a Wellesley College student, can I still take lessons and compete?
All members of the Wellesley College community are welcome, and any guests of Wellesley Students. However, only WC students are eligible for remibursement and subsidy of potential competition fees and transportation costs.What is the time commitment?
It's really what you make of it--for the Wellesley club. However, though the MIT team does not have a specific attendence requirement, it is highly advised that you go to a BARE MINIMUM of 3 out of the 5 classes/ practices a week. The more time you put in the more you will get out of it and the faster you will progress. This especially applies to practicing.
Dancing with MIT
What is the connection with MIT?
All Wellesley College students are considered MIT affiliates and are eligible for full membership with the [ http://ballroom.mit.edu ]MIT Ballroom Dance Team. WCBDT members may join MITBDT and WCBDT will, budget allowing, reimburse its members for MITBDT team fees and transportation costs. You are not required to join MITBDT to join WCBDT or visa versa, but you must participate in WCBDT fundraisers (once a semester) to reimbursed for any MITBDT fees or transportation costs.
Competitive Dancing
Does WCBDT offer classes/lessons for competitive ballroom dancers? Is there a fee?
Here at Wellesley we do not have a competitive team of our own--currently those who are interested in competing join the MIT ballroom dance team and the Wellesley "team" (though it's more like a club) assists those on the MIT team with their team fees. Though the Wellesley club does not offer competitve opportunities in itself, we occasionally offer social classes (about once a month) and organizing trips to socials at MIT and perhaps salsa clubs in Cambridge. The Wellesley social classes have no fees (it's covered by your student activity fee). As for those interested in the MIT competitive team, please contact the MITBDT rookie coordinator at mitbdt-rookie-coordinator@MIT.EDU.What is a competition like?
It's kind of like the Matrix, you have to see one to fully understand one.To be a little less cryptic it's usually a day long event during which about 40 events will be run. A competitor will typically compete in 1 to 8 events depending on how many styles she dances. Though an individual competitor will usually spend only about 5-15 minutes dancing (90 seconds per round), you can expect to a competition to take one full day because of the number of competitors.
Social Dancing
What social ballroom dancing opportunities are there?
WCBDT offers social beginner ballroom lessons approximately once a month. MIT also has a ballroom dance club that focuses on social dancing.What is the time commitment?
For social dancing, it's really what you make of it. The more time you put in the more you will get out of it and the faster you will progress. This especially applies to practicing.
Shoes and Costumes
What about shoes? Where can I buy shoes?
Shoes worn to lessons should be comfortable, flexible and able to move easily across the floor without slipping. Ballroom shoes have suede soles, and for women typically a 2-2.5" heel. You don't need to wear heels, socks or ballet shoes are acceptable. Practice shoes cost $50-$90 and competition quality shoes are typically $100-$140, so you are not encouraged to buy shoes until you are sure you want to continue dancing for a while.Note: If you wear heels to classes the heels MUST BE COVERED. Suede heel taps or plastic covers are acceptable. This is to prevent scratching the floor.
If you want to buy shoes, we recommend two stores--Boston Dancewear and Patterson's Back Bay Dancewear (http://www.backbaydancewear.com/Contact.html). The MIT Ballroom Dance Team will probably be organizing trips to both of these stores sometime early October--please check the Firstclass conference for exact dates and times.
What about costumes?
Just envision rhinestones...sparkly, sparkly rhinestones.
Finding a Partner
How do I find a dance partner?
If you are only on the Wellesley team (i.e. not competing), you do NOT need a set partner to dance. However, if you are on the MIT team, most people eventually (i.e. within the first semester) find a steady partner, though some may take longer. It is not necessary to find a partner right when you join. The easiest way to find a partner is to meet one during class. Female couples are quite common at collegiate competitions. You can also put up a partner search add via the service the MIT team offers called MITBDT partner search, a facebook "ballroom" application.If you can’t find a partner on the MIT team, you can also seek partners who dance with other teams (such as Harvard, BU, Tufts, etc.). These people may also take lessons with you at MIT but must pay double the team fee and do not have many of the privileges of MITBDT members.
Subsidies
What subsidies are there?
Depending upon our funding for the year, WCBDT can give subsidies for transportation to and from lessons at MIT and in Boston.