Cultivating Young Lives

Interview of Katie Mecham for my senior project

2009-07-07T07:53:00.001-07:00

Katie Mecham-

1.) Why did you make the decision to work with youth (in particularly, becoming involved with PBD)?
Brent and I have always felt that we should find a way to be involved in the community. When we found PBD, it was the perfect mix of community, exercise, artistry, and something we both love to do. Working with youth is an amazing opportunity to influence young lives when they are at a stage of making important life decisions. They are old enough to comprehend their actions and consequences, and they can see the result of the effort they put toward a common goal. It is very rewarding to see students/youth discover something they can do for the rest of their lives, and to see the feeling of accomplishment they get when they exceed their potential.

2.) How do you think one could (particularly me) help advertise for our dance program? -What information besides these answers, pictures and statistics of youth's fitness today would you advise (or if you have direct things you would like) me to put on this page? -How would you suggest one could begin to get involved in our program? Any previous preparation, etc...?
Advertising is very tricky. To this point, we have relied heavily on word of mouth to recruit for our program. Something that I think we have not tapped yet is recruiting specifically in local schools. We have found that for people to understand what PBD is and does, they need to see us in action. So I think pictures and video speak much louder than words. Student and parent testimonials are also very effective. You don't really need any previous requirements to start our program. Any experience you have in dance is obviously a plus.

3.) How do you think participating in ballroom will build the personal and physical qualities that youth lack today?
Ballroom is truly unique in that it builds a whole person. It is a very physical sport that tones the muscles and exercises the heart. But it also teaches great skills like leadership, dedication, self- confidence, manners, healthy social interaction, and appreciation of great artistry & music. I think people are often surprised at how their involvement in ballroom dance develops the entire body & mind. Many of these things are not openly emphasized or taught in homes or school today, so youth miss out on the opportunity to cultivate these qualities.

Interview of Christine France for my senior project

2009-07-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Christine France-

1.) Why did you make the decision to work with youth (in particularly, becoming involved with PBD)?
I have always enjoyed working with youth. Especially teaching dance. I decided to join PBD because of my love for dance and my desire to share it with pretty much anyone who is interested in learning to dance. And this was my opportunity to do what I love. I have found that youth in particular have a new found vibrance about them when they learn to dance.

2.) How do you think one could (particularly me) help advertise for our dance program? Basic ways of communication, posters, internet, announcements, word of mouth.

-What information besides these answers, pictures and statistics of youth's fitness today would you advise (or if you have direct things you would like) me to put on this page? Maybe ways to get started in physical fitness. Maybe ideas in basic movement. Beginning with stretching, rhythm, dance vocabulary. For instance, you can't teach someone to drive a car unless they know the details of what they're driving. They may be able to turn the key, but if they don't know where the brake is they really shouldn't step on the gas. I hope that made sense.
-How would you suggest one could begin to get involved in our program? Any previous preparation, etc...? To begin to get involved in our program you simply need to have the desire to dance and the commitment to stick with it. From there it's really up to you how far you want to go. How hard you want to work.

3.) How do you think participating in ballroom will build the personal and physical qualities that youth lack today? Ballroom dance teaches much more that how to dance. Physically, it stretches the body, increases cardiovascular health, balance, coordination, strength. Things youth lack today. Personally, it builds character, self esteem, appreciation for others, reliance, self worth, commitment, respect for self and others. Things youth lack today.

Statistics of Health relating to Ballroom Dancing

2009-05-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some resources that I pulled together to prove that ballroom is a way to stay physically fit and a way to keep you healthy both as a youth and as an adult.

*Dancing can help:
strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints
tone your entire body
improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls
increase your stamina and flexibility
reduce stress and tension
build confidence
provide opportunities to meet people, and
ward off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression.
http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/get_motivated/lets_dance_to_health.html

*Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City studied 469 people over age 75 and found that ballroom dancing was associated with a lowered risk of dementia.
*Moderate ballroom dance burns between 250 - 300 calories per hour, and vigorous dancing can burn as many as 400 calories per hour.
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/5-05-27DancingElderly.htm

*Dancing works muscles in different parts of the body and sharpens balance and coordination. Memorizing steps, kicks and twirls also flexes the mind.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13998742/

How does ballroom dancing help the brain?
It:
*Increases blood flow to the brain from the physical exercise
*Depression, and loneliness from dancing's social aspect
*Mental challenges (memorizing steps, working with your partner)

"Dance, in many ways, is a complex activity. It's not just purely physical," says Verghese.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,160965,00.html

*Ballroom Dancing specifically helps to:
Conditions the body
Helps keep the heart in shape
Builds and increases stamina
Develops the circulatory system
Strengthens and tones legs and body
Increases flexibility and balance
Helps with weight loss
Relieves stress
Increase energy
Improve strength
Increase muscle tone and coordination
Lower your risk of coronary heart disease
Decrease blood pressure
Help you manage your weight
Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/11/02/the_health_benefits_of_dancing_--_including_specific_benefits_of_different_dances.htm

Dance Quotes

2009-05-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

"The dance floor is the only place on this planet where the lady is basically telling you 'Make me do what you want me to do'. I know you don't get that at home "~ Author unknown

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass …..
Its learning how to Dance in the rain!" :)
--anon--

"The forms of tango are like the stages of marriage. The American tango is like the beginning of a love affair, when you're both very romantic and on your best behavior. The Argentine tango is when you're in the heat of things and all kinds of emotions are flying: passion, anger, humor. The International tango is like the end of the marriage, when you're staying together for the sake of the children" ~ by Barbara Garvey, Smithsonian Magazine

"Dance is like the dance of LIFE. The whole idea is that if you're on the sidelines, you really don't join in the sort of SPIRIT of life, the PASSION of life. If you decide to take part in the dance, even if you can't dance very well, if you have two left feet, at least you're trying to be part of the DANCE. And that, I think, is a beautiful thing." ~ Randall Miller, Writer & Director

"To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as the positive - to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to joy, fulfillment, and an intensity of consciousness we did not know was possible before." --Rollo May--

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age." ~ Sophia Loren, actress

"Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they're great because of their passion." ~ Martha Graham

"Dancers are the athletes of God." ~ Albert Einstein

Introduction to the ballroom world; a look into Nationals

2009-04-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Youth Premier Team is Pacific Ballroom Dance Company's top and competition Team. Every dancer on this team will get to compete at Nationals, which is held in at Brigham Young University, Provo Utah in March.

This was the companies second year competeting with our Latin medley- We tied for third.

and our first year competiting with our standard medley- we were one mark away from receiving first place!