The Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Ballroom Club gathers student dancers of all skill levels for competitions, campus performances and regular practices.
The group meets to practice on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 8:30 to 10 p.m. in either the Rockne Memorial or the Smith Center to practice a variety of dancing styles.
Emma Stadelmann, a graduate student at Notre Dame and the club’s secretary, explained that the club is open to dancers of all skill levels. With this, Mondays’ practices throughout the school year are dedicated to the club’s officers teaching other students, catering towards beginners. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, coaches provide professional instruction and work on advanced technique with dancers.
“We do a progressive series of classes, where we do three different weeks that are all on the same dance,” law student and club vice president Dan Mohr said. “That way, somebody can come in, start with that dance and then have something to build on week after week.”
The club practices all American and international styles of dance that are open to competition in the ballroom circuit, including waltz, tango, foxtrot, cha cha, swing and quickstep. Dance styles are taught in blocks of two every three weeks.
The club travels to multiple competitions per year at other universities including Purdue and Northwestern. They also host their own competition, the Irish Dancesport Gala, on campus in the spring.
Club members of all skill levels are encouraged to compete at the competitions, where club officers match dancers to their partners.
On campus, the club performs with groups such as Troop ND and at events like Art Attack. The club also has a social dance each semester.
Last year, the group performed with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, where they danced a Viennese waltz feature for the “Waltzing with Strauss” concert.
Sophomore Gabriel Ortner shared how he uses his ballroom dance skills outside of the club.
“It’s very useful for things like dorm dances, SYRs and weddings. I know how to dance other than just jumping. There are tons of dance situations out there, both in and outside of college that this prepares you for,” Ortner said.
Monica Levis, another sophomore, emphasized her love for the community she has found through the club.
“I have made so many friends here, and the people are really lovely. And there is something of a bonding experience going to a competition. You’re in the car with people forever. You’re sleep deprived and tired. But, you’re all here for the same reason: genuinely, a love of dancing,” Levis said.
