Competitive Team

The Basics

Valparaiso University's Competitive Team takes ballroom dancing to the next level. The team competes intercollegiately, attending six competitions each school year. To prepare for these competitions, the team spends at least four hours each week practicing, with a major focus on technique. Practice hours include group practices, and group and private lessons under the instruction of VU Ballroom’s coach, Sara Dalton.

All the competitions that the team attends, with the exception of the Ohio Star Ball, are one-day events. VU Ballroom will help you find a partner, register for the correct events and levels, and aid you in traveling to the competition. At these competitions, you will dance along with all other couples in your event. Judges select the dancers they believe demonstrate the best techniques of the dance. If you dance well, you just may make the finals and bring home some ribbons!

The Core Dances

American Style

Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, and East Coast Swing

International Style

Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Cha Cha, Rumba, and Jive

Fun Dances

Hustle, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Paso Doble, and Merengue

Don't know what this all means?! Attend a social lesson to meet team members and learn more!

Costs

Ballroom dancing can be a VERY costly sport, but VU Ballroom does everything it can to keep costs low for competitors. It is VU Ballroom’s belief that inability to cover costs should never be what keeps someone from dancing. Free social lessons and advanced dancers help newer dancers learn the basics. Group and private lessons are offered by Sara at very affordable rates.

For competitions, VU Ballroom is budgeted for all six competitions, which allows competitors to attend competitions for a total cost (transportation, hotel, and entrance fee) lower than just the entrance fee to most competitions. Naturally, certain dress is required for competitions, though the collegiate dress is much simpler than professional attire and probably is already in your closet. Talk to your fellow competitors before making any large investments!

Interested?

For those interested in competing, please contact Mandy Chalk at mandy.chalk@valpo.edu. To compete you do not have to have any prior dance experience or even a partner. We can find you someone to dance with and teach you everything you need to know to compete and win!