Ballroom with Elizabeth

10/31/2023

Music is NOT extra.

10/26/2023

No class tonight! Apologies for the short notice. Stay safe!

10/26/2023

It's not just for children, either. All of those benefits work for adult dancers, too!

10/11/2023

Dance is what you make of it. If you're an adult beginner, it can be anything from an entertaining hobby to an all-encompassing passion, but you get out of it what you put in to it. Ballet is something you pretty much have to start as a child in order to do at a very high level or even professionally. Ballroom, though, doesn't have that restriction. Take enough lessons, spend enough time practicing, and you'd be surprised how far you can go!

Empower your students. Give them a sense of influence over their own dance lives. Discuss with them the power of their brains and bodies. Remind them that not one single professional dancer they idolize or admire was born able to do what they eventually accomplished. Virtuoso dancers were born with talent for sure, but they did not come out of the womb able to perform an airborne saut de chat. They chose to set goals and do the work. Professional dancers are not creatures born with magical powers; they are not “other.” Professionals dancers are humans, albeit born with some gifts, who pursued their goals from a young age until they got what they wanted. Tell your students they are not stuck where they are; they always have the power to pursue a greater goal and grow from where they are now.

Photo: Wide Eyed Studios

10/10/2023

My Cha Cha and Foxtrot class in South Portland starts October 12 and runs for six Thursdays from 7-8 PM. So far I've got a good mix of familiar students and new faces. There's still room for you to join us! You can give it a try as a walk-in student on the 12th and 19th, but after that the classes build on each other. Students get handouts in class about the steps we learned that day, as well as a follow-up email with links to videos to help you practice between classes.

Starting the Thursday after Thanksgiving, I'll be doing one-off classes until early January. If you want to give ballroom a try, but aren't ready to commit to a six-week session, or you have holiday house guests you need to get out of the house for an hour, these classes are perfect!

Reach out to me with any questions and to reserve your spot!

10/06/2023

I mentioned this video to one of my students the other day. It's a great example of a great leader. He has no idea why it's important to her, but he know it IS important, so he takes it seriously and matches her energy. He's still leading, he's still choosing the steps, but you can see him taking a lot of cues from her to help build a dance together that they'll both enjoy.

10/06/2023

Music isn’t the poor cousin of any other subject.

09/17/2023

This is an excellent article. Argentine Tango is distinct from ballroom as a style, but partner dancing in general shares some of the same challenges.

When I start a new class of students, I briefly go over the responsibilities of the leaders and the followers. I do acknowledge the traditional roles of men and women, but if there's an odd number of students, more often than not I end up on the lead side, despite being a woman. I ask my students to pick the side they will feel the most comfortable on, because they'll be learning that part for the full length of the class.

Inevitably, there's at least one couple- often long-married- where he is absolutely the follower, and comfortable in that role, while she is absolutely the leader and excels in that role. The problem is, social expectations have placed them on the wrong sides of the dance floor, so he ends up allowing her to back-lead him in the dance. This ends up frustrating both of them because ballroom dances are designed to be lead by the leader, not the follower.

There are an increasing number of women who lead in ballroom largely due to the lack of men to take on that role. When we go out to dance, we'll do what we must to get up on the floor! I have yet to have a male student confident enough in his masculinity to be comfortable as a follower, but I remain hopeful. Whether you lead or follow should depend on your skills and personality, not your gender.

Leading and Following in Tango Should Leaders Really Be Men? Should Women Be the Leaders? Why Leading Ladies Want To Lead Men Alpha Females' Got-To-Dance Persona Iconoclast Personality Keep the Curiosity in Tango!

09/17/2023

Shana Tova and a Happy Jewish New Year to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashana! ❤️

Photo of Nathalia Arja in Firebird choreographed by George Balanchine. Photography by Alexander Iziliaev.

09/16/2023

09/14/2023

Now that everyone's getting settled into the back-to-school rhythm, it's time to get back on the dance floor, too!

Reach out to me to reserve your spot in the foxtrot and cha cha class. To sign up for the Adult Ed classes, use the links in the comments.

09/09/2023

AMEN!!! Life is all about the dance ❤️

08/29/2023

Oh I like this! The same could be said of movement coming from the body and dance coming from the heart!

08/27/2023

Local dancers doing their thing! How cool is this?

08/27/2023

We had another fun dance social up at Bear Mountain Music Hall last night. A mix of brand new dancers and experienced dancers all enjoying the music and dance space together! I'm looking forward to doing more of these next year, so keep an eye on our pages for updates!

08/26/2023

Did you know that ballroom and ballet share the same roots? No matter what your sport or art, cross-training is important!

BALLET STUDENTS: If you have any aspirations to dance professionally–even in a ballet company or as a teacher, you must take classes outside of ballet classes. Non-ballet classes like jazz and modern teach you new ways to move and think about your body, build versatility & coordination, and help you develop a sense of personal style. In today’s world, even ballet companies incorporate contemporary movement styles into their repertoire. Don’t kid yourself into thinking they are anything less than a foundational part of your training as a ballet student!

This photo is of my beautiful student Ashley Fitzgerald Kelly. She studied with me (and other wonderful teachers) at a ballet school, took her jazz classes, etc., and has had a brilliant performing career including Broadway!

Photo: DAG Photography
Dancer: Ashley Fitzgerald Kelly

08/25/2023

We had a great first class, and there's one more week for folks to join us. Message me to reserve your spot for Thursday the 31st!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the first class for the Hustle and Waltz session in South Portland was postponed to Thursday, August 24.

That means it's not too late to sign up! Send me a message to reserve your spot today- partners are welcome, but not required!

08/24/2023

These benefits aren't just for children, either! You can start dancing at any point in your life.

Dance changes everything 💕✌

08/23/2023

Music and movement and visual art are all so important to being human. Sure, math and spelling are important, but not so important we should sacrifice art in its many forms just to get in more math and spelling.

This quote was lifted a million times on the web. But it originated with The 13th Chair. Me. It originated with me.

08/22/2023

Yes we do! 💃🤗♥️

08/16/2023

All sorts of fun things are coming up! To get in on the Hustle and Waltz beginner ballroom class held on the beautiful dance floor at Basics Fitness in South Portland, send me a message to reserve your spot.

Links for the other events are in the comments. Reach out to me with any questions!

Bringing a dance partner or friends to the events is always welcome. However, feel free to come on your own and make new friends!

08/11/2023

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the first class for the Hustle and Waltz session in South Portland was postponed to Thursday, August 24.

That means it's not too late to sign up! Send me a message to reserve your spot today- partners are welcome, but not required!

12/27/2022

These reasons aren't just for kids!

12/27/2022

Aquarius New Age Playground offers private lessons and group classes for social and competitive Ballroom and Latin dances, Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango, all skill levels, from beginning to advanced. Dance training for weddings, cruises, and fundraisers.

12/27/2022

Just like in any sport, Ballroom Basics are something you will return to again and again, each time developing a deeper understanding. By introducing each element at a beginner level, you will start to develop the building blocks you use to continuously improve your skills.

1- Learn the step patterns. This will get you moving in the right direction for the dance in question. Are you moving down the floor in a Foxtrot, or are you moving side-to-side in a Bachata?

2- Learn the music style/rhythm. While Foxtrot and Bachata are both in 4/4 time, the feel of the music is very different, resulting in very different dances. The right music really helps you get into the right attitude for the dance in question.

3- Learn body movements. As a dancer, you are dealing with your own balance as well as the mutual balance you have with your partner. The more you understand and control your own body, the easier it is for both of you to find balance together.

4- Learn the cues for leading. This is for both leaders and followers, so that leaders know how to ask for a move, and followers know what move is being asked for. Proper cueing leads to prompt, balanced responses.

12/15/2022

Exciting things coming!

I will be working with several local Adult Ed groups to teach Ballroom Basics in a few different places starting in January. You can choose your day of the week, your preferred dances, or your preferred location. If you're really excited about dancing, join me in more than one location!

Links will be added in the comments as I get them, but here are the times and dates so far:

Windham: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 PM, January 18- March 1 (not 2/22) Waltz and Salsa

Gorham: Thursdays 6-7 PM, January 26- March 9 (not 2/23) Foxtrot and East Coast Swing

Scarborough: Tuesdays 7-8 PM, January 31- March 14 (not 2/21) Foxtrot and Bachata

Windham: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 PM, March 15- April 26 (not 3/8, 4/19) Foxtrot and To Be Decided

Gorham: Thursdays 6-7 PM, March 30- May 11 (not 4/20) Waltz and To Be Decided

Merrymeeting/Topsham: Fridays 6-7:15 PM, May 5- June 9, Waltz and Cha Cha

Reach out to the Adult Ed groups to sign up, and reach out to me if you have any questions!

12/15/2022

A type of ballroom dancing, which evolved from social dancing and is now a fully recognized competitive style of dance. Rhythm style consisting of Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo.   CHA CHA: An exciting, syncopated, Latin dance, which originated in the 1950s as a slowed down Mamb...

12/11/2022

12/03/2022

Aquarius Dance Project
Newington NH
February 25, 2023

- https://aquariusplayground.mailchimpsites.com/projects

11/11/2022

Group Classes & Events November 2022 - https://aquariusplayground.mailchimpsites.com
New Yoga classes

11/09/2022

As we continue our Native First series, today we honor Maria Tallchief (Osage), who not only accomplished a Native first but an American first as well.

She is said to have revolutionized ballet and is considered America's first major prima ballerina. Maria was born in the Osage Nation (Fairfax, OK) but moved to Los Angeles at eight and then to New York City at age 17.

Her 1949 role in The Firebird catapulted Tallchief to the top of the ballet world, establishing her as a prima ballerina. Her role as the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker transformed the ballet from obscure to America's most popular.

She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and received a National Medal of Arts. In 1996, Tallchief received a Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievements. Her life has been the subject of multiple documentaries and biographies.

Several states are trying to remove Native American history from their curriculum. Please take 30 seconds to help us get this type of history taught in schools: https://lakota.law/3xAH2HK

11/04/2022

Our second session of Ballroom at the Barn starts November 17! Join us for the beginning of two new dances!

What you learn:

* Foxtrot
* Cha-cha
* Floorcraft

What you also learn:

* Posture and body alignment in motion
* Moving from your core
* Balance and strength in motion
* Non-verbal communication with a partner
* Mutual balance and alignment with a partner

No dance experience or partner needed. Masks recommended.

This six-week course will be held outdoors at the barn of Wildflower Equestrian Center in Durham, Maine. Classes will be $15, or $80 if purchased in advance. Class will be Thursdays from 6-7 PM starting November 17.

Limited space, message me to reserve your spot!

11/02/2022

What you learn in dance classes of every type is never just about dance.

10/15/2022

October-November 2022 Classes & Events - *https://aquariusplayground.mailchimpsites.com*

Join us for the Halloween Dance Party 8-10PM on October 29, Saturday, 8-10PM, at the Basics Fitness Ballroom (380 Western Ave., South Portland, ME 04106). $10. Come with or without partner. Reservation required at (207) 671-7644

Join us for Stardust Weekend November 17-20, 2022 (207) 671-7644