Spotlight on dancing

A dance studio owner says he goes out of his way not to pressure clients and simply offers "a way to make you feel better about yourself.''

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 22, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Jay Hunter, owner of the 15-year-old Spotlight Ballroom in New Port Richey, realizes that many people have negative impressions about ballroom dancing studios, and he thinks a lot of it is deserved.

"That's because most studios don't give value for the money," he says. Worse, some dance instructors prey upon clients, especially older clients, to sign expensive, long-term contracts, pay exorbitant fees to attend multiple out-of-town contests, buy expensive outfits through the studio, or to "invest" in their studios.

Hunter and his staff go to what many would consider extremes to make sure their clients aren't pressured to do any of that.

"We don't have the (students) sign contracts, because my people don't want them," Hunter says. "I don't sell (dance) dresses or shoes, and I would never let anyone invest so much as a penny in this studio."

As for contests, fewer than 20 percent of his students enter them, and then only every few years. "I don't want to deplete their finances," Hunter says.

Perhaps most important, if any of his dance instructors are found to be fraternizing with a student other than at studio-sponsored events, Hunter considers it grounds for immediate dismissal.

A check with local and state regulating agencies shows that neither Hunter nor his business has ever had a complaint filed against them. In fact, Hunter supported 1992 legislation to regulate dance studios, including the imposition of a sizable performance bond. "It may be a little bad now, but it will make it better for the future of the industry," Hunter said at the time.

That said, Hunter moves on to talk about what his and other reputable studios do offer: "A way to make you feel better about yourself," whether it's on the dance floor or merely living life.

"Some come here on a doctor's recommendation for the exercise," Hunter said. "Some come to socialize in a safe, secure environment."

Many, such as Robin Stiles, 46, say dancing is their hobby.

"I love to dance, and I always have," said Mrs. Stiles, a Bayonet Point resident whose husband doesn't dance. A church secretary by day who helps her husband at his bar and grill at night, Ms. Stiles says the Spotlight Ballroom is the only place she would go to dance.

"I can come here alone; this is a safe environment," she said. Her husband and two children heartily support her hobby, she said. "My son Joe will swing dance with me sometimes."

Lucy Wu Mainer, of Holiday, who started lessons in November and recently won 10 first places at the Millennium 2000 Dancesport Championships held in Belleair, started dancing for the exercise.

"I joined some health studios, but it was soooo booooring," she said. "I love this."

It all starts with an introduction to dance, either at an open house such as the ones held at 7 p.m. Tuesdays during the season (the first one of this season is on Tuesday at the studio; call 845-0213 for a reservation), or when someone signs up for the "10 lessons for $10" special that includes two private lessons, five group lessons and three practice parties where students go over their steps with each other or with the studio's instructors. The private lessons are spent learning dance steps and patterns, and the group lessons are used to reinforce and expand upon those patterns.

As for the Friday night practice parties, "We want to create a live environment for students so when they go out, they feel comfortable," Hunter said.

"Single women can go and enjoy themselves and go home alone," said Martha Hobbs, an award-winning competitive dancer for six and a half years who lives in Port Richey. "This is not a pick-up place."

After the introductory period, students can either continue with private lessons at $68 an hour, payable at the time of the lesson, or purchase a package of eight lessons for $320 or 15 lessons for $600, bringing the cost down to $40 a lesson -- similar to the price of a round of golf in winter. The advance money is placed in an escrow account and drawn out as the lessons are taken, Hunter said.

Most students take two lessons a week, but some take only one and others take up to five, said John Rohner, who has been a Spotlight Ballroom instructor for 15 years. Most lessons are given between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., though instruction is available until 9 p.m. weekdays.

Any student who takes at least one lesson a week can also attend a minimum of three group lessons and a practice party each week for no additional charge, Hunter said, effectively getting five-for-the-price-of-one.

The instructor places each student in a category based upon ability. Bronze is the first level, silver the second, and gold the highest attainable level. Once any of those levels is reached, the student can enter a national Dance Council of America showcase and vie for trophies and cash prizes. About 10 to 15 percent of Hunter's students enter major competitions every few years and about 15 to 20 percent enter regional showcases, a lower-level competition.

Betty Thatcher, who turns 81 next month, has been Hunter's pupil since 1990 and won the Triple Crown (top prize at three separate major competitions) a few years ago. She has kept an account book of her expenses over the decade, an amount that has run to several thousand dollars, including the cost of her elaborate competition dresses, which can cost from $1,000 to $5,000 apiece, depending on fabric and style.

"I don't begrudge a penny of it," Mrs. Thatcher said. "It has meant so much to me since my husband died. It keeps me active."

A couple of years ago, Mrs. Thatcher dropped out of lessons for a couple of months.

"Her daughter called me and said, "Get Mother back in there,' " Hunter said.

Mrs. Thatcher chuckles at the telling of the story.

"My daughter understands the pleasure I get out of it and out of keeping myself physically fit," said the trim retired nurse in a slow, Georgia accent before twirling around the floor in her chartreuse Latin dance outfit with Hunter.

Students learn a wide variety of dances: foxtrot, quickstep, merengue, rumba, salsa, mambo, swing, tango, waltz, international, American, to name a few. Some work out elaborate dance routines for contests; others perfect steps so they'll feel at ease on any dance floor and never go to a contest. Many young couples sign up for lessons in anticipation of their wedding receptions.

Ballroom dancing has become a major activity throughout the world in the last half century, with its own worldwide regulators, the World Dance and Dance Sport Council, to impose standards and oversee competition in Asia, Europe, Australia, South America and North America. In April 1999, the U.S. Olympic Committee granted affiliated status to the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, which makes the dance association eligible for USOC training and assistance grants.

Dancesport is expected to become an Olympic sport in either 2004 or 2008.

Are there some people who simply can't learn to dance?

"We don't tell people they can't learn," Hunter said. "We just tell them it's going to take longer. We tell them it all depends on their time, their finances and their interest.

"Then some get discouraged and go elsewhere for their activity," he says diplomatically.

Spotlight Ballroom & Dance Co. is at 5412 Main St., New Port Richey.

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