Ballroom dance lessons at D'Wilfri are checking off a lot of boxes I didn't realize were open. I…read moretake both classes and private lessons from Wil and Ingrid.
Full disclosure, as of this writing, I am about to turn 59 years old and January marked my two year anniversary at the studio. My previous dance experience is zero. As a high schooler I participated in the marching band and all the plays. As an adult I was busy raising a family. I often use the #TarablyAwkward on my social media because grace is not intrinsically mine.
An unidentified part of me was missing--an outlet, an expression--that surreptitiously appeared in class one day in front of that wall-to-ceiling mirror in their studio. I cried because my soul was showing and the vulnerability was too much too soon. I had started lessons because I'm a huge fan of "Dancing With The Stars" and I wanted "to do that!" I hadn't anticipated that an innocent decision to take dance lessons instead of pickleball or golf would put me on a path I should have been on my entire life.
I'm not going to sugar coat here and pretend that in two years I've mastered ballroom dance. I did not grow up with cultural or familial dancing. My music background is rock and country. So for me, the learning curve has been tremendous.
The classes and private lessons at D'Wilfri have introduced me to the various rhythms of Latin music. I'm learning how to talk to my different body parts so they do what I want instead of performing their own solo. I'm learning balance and technique and dance steps like salsa, cha cha cha, rhumba, bachata, Viennese waltz, tango, merengue, cumbia, mambo, jive, hustle, etc. I'm even learning how to cha cha to classic rock music! So fun!!!
Most importantly, dance at D'Wilfri is teaching me how to be me.
The hardest lesson to learn is to be comfortable being a learner in an environment where everyone is at a different level. Like, when you walk into class and see fringe skirts and think, "Oh my god, what am I doing here!"
We cannot compare our beginning to someone else's ending. Ingrid has taught me to fight for my personal expression, my confidence, my strength, my passion, and beauty. She curates the classes to increase our skills and raise us to the next challenge. I spent the first year in classes scratching my head, like, "What are they doing? I don't get it, I can't keep up." Patience! It's ok to be a learner. It's wonderful to allow yourself to be in a position to grow.
Wil and Ingrid are incredible. They are professional dancers with a long, interesting history of performing. The care, the professionalism, the expertise, and the creativity they bring to their classes and private lessons is limitless. They are so patient with every student and so passionate about meeting each student where they are. They encourage their students in a way that passes the inspiration of movement to everyone that walks into their studio, regardless of skill level or goals.
And speaking of goals...some people come for the exercise and some people come to compete. Some people come to learn a wedding dance. Sometimes a group of ladies will come to celebrate a birthday with a line dancing class. All are welcome and encouraged.
D'Wilfri--Wil and Ingrid--has changed the trajectory of my life in so many ways. Not just in physical health but also in mental health; it's the ultimate freedom of dancing like people ARE watching and enjoying what I have to offer.
That's what was missing that I found in class that day in front of the big mirror: I needed to give myself permission to be on the dance floor, to feel the joy, without feeling embarrassed or ashamed like I have to wait because I'm not good enough yet.
Even though I still scratch my head and utter a few curse words because I don't understand how to move my hips or properly transfer my weight, Wil and Ingrid are teaching me to slow down and be patient with what I have to offer RIGHT NOW and to spread the joy of dance in my soul, not just on the dance floor but in my everyday life.
I am forever grateful to them. I highly recommend this studio and I can't wait to see you in class!
