Why I Dance

My name is Erin and I am a line dancer and instructor. I started general dancing as a child and have been in love with the art of dance since I could understand movement. I started with ballet and tap, the basics for early childhood. I always am dancing when there is music and sometimes when there is not. There is always music whether I am playing it or its in my head.

I started line dancing when I saw my friend Tracey dancing to Copperhead Road one night at karaoke. I fell in love right then and there with line dancing and went home and looked up that dance and learned it. I then proceeded to go out to the bar hoping that I would run into Tracey again, at that time we hadn't become friends yet. But to no avail, she would not come into my life again until months later. I did make a new friend and he taught me some more dances and we jumped into teaching together. The rest was history and here I am today.

I dance for lots of reasons, but it is definitely a strong passion of mine. I really started this as an adult after I recovered from a major surgery to remove a giant cancerous tumor from my lung and lost 2/3 of my lung. I needed some movement, and a social life which was non existant. I also was looking to make some new friends. I needed a circle in my life that I could feel I truly belonged. Dancing gave me all of the above plus more.

I dance because it is incredible exercise, the cardio is more intense than HIIT training. I dance because I make friends, my social circle has become what I needed in life.

I dance because it helps my memory to learn and remember a choreographed piece.

I dance because it fun, no matter what mood I'm in, it cheers me up and makes me feel better.

What ever your reason to dance, keep dancing an don't let anyone discourage you, including yourself! doesn't matter how good of a dancer you are, it matters how dancing makes you feel and the experiences you will have if you keep going.