Team FAQs
1. How do I join?
The first step is to come to the Saturday classes and see if you might be interested in ballroom dancing. The team practices are more intense than the Saturday classes and move much quicker. The best time to join the team is the beginning of the semester (ideally fall, but spring is a possibility). We normally have a team info session at the beginning of the semester and heavily recruit/advertise for this at the Saturday classes. Since we move so quickly it is difficult to join the team mid-semester.
2. Do I have to have any previous ballroom or dance experience?
No, although the coaches will be looking for people with one or more of these attributes: a sense of rhythm, the ability to learn steps quickly, body awareness, and an open and flexible mind set.
3. Will I have to try out?
It's hard to say right now because the team is still so new and still solidifying. This past semester the team grew a lot and is approaching the number that our coaches think would be the maximum. If the numbers stay about what they are, probably. The process will go something like this - the potential new members will attend team practice at the beginning of the semester and learn a dance with the team. After a short period of time (two or three weeks) the coaches will have some sort of meeting/audition with the candidate. The candidate will have to demonstrate what they've been learning and the coaches will decide from there.
4. What if I already have ballroom experience/dance experience/really want to join even though it's the middle of the semester
Just send an email to the team captain with your background, etc. The captain will talk to the coaches. Everyone's situation is different, and some people would be able to handle jumping in right in the middle of things.
5. I want more information/have more questions.
Click here to download the info sheet passed out at the team info sessions. If you have any additional questions, email the team captain.
THE GUYS IN CHARGE
Rommel Ladera - steps and styling coach
Kirsten Ladera- steps and styling coach
Lauren Savage - technique coach
Luke Apisa- team captain
Yaw Asante- team co-captain
WHO ARE WE?
The SMU Ballroom Team is a group consisting of solely SMU student members of the SMU Ballroom Club that meet bi-weekly to practice and learn the steps and technique of the 10 International Style (Standard and Latin) dances with the end goal of competing. Currently in its second year, the team has grown from 10 couples to 17! Our team currently focuses on collegiate competitions in Texas: "Dances with Owls", hosted by Rice in the fall, and the "Texas Open" hosted by UT in the spring.
BASIC INFO
The team practices meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-11:30 Dedman Studio 3.
CONTACT
If you have any questions regarding the team, contact the team captain at:
lapisa@smu.edu