My weekly routine at Princeton University always carves out time for the graceful world of ballroom dancing at Dillon Gym. Leaving behind problem sets for a few hours, I immerse myself in lessons and practice, a journey that began in my very first semester. My initial foray into dance was through an Argentine tango lesson before arriving at Princeton, an experience that unexpectedly sparked joy and fascination. Despite not considering myself naturally graceful, I was drawn to the challenge. To my surprise, I found myself grasping the steps, discovering the inherent fun and accessibility within dance.
Alt text: A diverse line of ballroom dancers in formal attire, showcasing the elegance and poise of the dance form during a practice session at Dillon Gym.
Ballroom dancing at Princeton proved to be a captivating yet more intricate endeavor than I initially imagined. I soon learned that the tango embraced by the university team differed significantly from my prior experience. The team specializes in the international style, a structured syllabus of ten dances – the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, and quickstep in the standard category, and the samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble, and jive in the Latin category – a style refined in Britain in the early 20th century. Often, when one mentions “Argentine tango,” they evoke images of an elegant, sensual dance characterized by a deep connection and fluid cooperation between partners. In contrast, the international tango presents a more assertive and dynamic character, sometimes described as a battle between the man and the woman. It seems to echo the bravery and combative spirit associated with Argentine tango, yet it diverges by shedding the layers of nostalgia and sentimentality, focusing more on dramatic flair and precise movements, a distinction highlighted by sources like The Economist. This contrast underscores the diverse expressions within tango itself, from the intimate elegance of Argentine tango to the powerful elegance of its international counterpart.
Alt text: An elegant ballroom dance couple in motion, captured mid-performance, highlighting the intricate footwork and graceful posture that define elegant dancing.
However, the descriptions “rough” or “battle-like” are far from reflecting my relationship with my ballroom dance partner. Like many on the ballroom team, I primarily practice and perform with a dedicated partner. After navigating through various partnerships during my freshman year, I found a consistent partner in Brian during my sophomore year. He is a chemistry major, a year junior to me, and since then, we have developed a strong and enduring dance partnership.
It’s a common jest among dancers that the partnership can be more demanding than a romantic relationship. This humor stems from the reality that dance partnerships encounter similar challenges in schedule coordination and collaborative effort, yet without the romantic dimension to smooth over the rough patches. However, my experience with Brian has largely defied this notion. We’ve successfully navigated the demands of partnership with minimal conflict, and the camaraderie I’ve cultivated with him, and indeed with the entire ballroom team, stands as one of the most cherished aspects of my involvement in Elegant Dancing.
Alt text: A joyful group of ballroom dancers, post-performance, showcasing the team spirit and camaraderie fostered through elegant dancing activities.
