Oh my. Haven't seen this thread in a while. This is where I cast my "curse" on poor Chris, that he be reincarnated as a thirty- or forty-something partnerless woman.
Boy, I do miss Chris, and Warren, and so many others who always challenged us with their clever, clever minds.
Anyway, about the business of pro-ams, I think I finally figured out, without a doubt, why I do it. I've known for a while, but was never quite so sure.
I dance because it makes me happy. I compete because it gives me a challenge to exceed my existing ability. The psychological benefits are in line with what I am willing to spend. As long as I am clear on that (to myself), I'm fine.
This summer my teacher departed suddenly back to San Diego (for a wonderful arrangement and partnership, but it's not my business to announce it until they do). It was so sudden and I was so heartbroken. I knew I had to continue and make new arrangements, but I also needed time to "grieve" for a teacher that I liked so much.
Anyway, so yesterday I had my first lesson with a new teacher. Of course he's an excellent teacher (they all are, aren't they? Bless 'em). And he's sweet, and everything. But at last I realized, without a shadow of a doubt, that I do not dance for the pleasure of keeping company with an attractive man. (That's always a plus, for sure
- but it's very, very low on the list of perks that come from dancing). There is such a good feeling in being taught to exercise a certain control over my body, and my physical movement, and then using that control to "live" the music. There's nothing like it.
This remark, naturally, is in a whole different universe from the idea of competing with a "famous" name. I know that there is a certain cache in appearing on the floor with such a person, especially if he/she is not available to others. And there is a virtual competition going on in acquiring such partners, which has nothing to do with actual dancing. To each his/her own. I'll tell you this much: Andre Gavriline was way up on my list of possible teachers, because I knew he did quite a bit of pro-am (so I would not need to cough up five grand for the privilege), and most important, I have watched him a lot with his students, and was impressed with how genuinely he relates to them on the floor. He never looked like a man who was just standing there suffering in silence, even when dancing with the relative beginners in lower-level syllabus events.
Then he won the national title. Darn. I was happy for that. But I immediately scratched his name off the list. I am NOT in the market for dancing with the current national champ. But that's just me. Don't have the gumption or the funds to play the game at that level. My loss, I'm sure, in never having a chance to dance with such a sweet person.
Anyway, this is a long, rambling post "from the other side". There is a lot more to pro-am than just shelling out easy money. For one thing, I work damn hard for mine, but will spend it gladly on something that gives me such pleasure.
