Pro-Am Dancers

[pygmalion]

I found this article of pro-am dancers at Dancing USA, and just feel I have to share it. Take a look, and give your perspective.

Basically, the article says that pro-am dancers, at least the am half of the partnership, are not considered true dancesport athletes. Yet they are the ones being judged at competitions. They are the ones providing the revenue that keeps dance competitions alive. And there's a stereotype of pro-am dancers as rich older ladies and gentlemen being danced around the floor by young and attractive dance partners (pros).


Hmm. What do you think of that?

http://www.dancingusa.com/pages/873230/index.htm

[Vince A]

I do not agree . . . however, I can only speak for the three venues that we attend. Most of these Pros are the older ones (maybe 30ish being the youngest and 60 being the oldest). These Pros have much younger students, some students as young as 12.

However, there are older Ams, like myself, that do not readily have a an older Pro available; therefore, we more than likely will have a younger Pro. All of the female Pros that I have worked with have been younger than myself, and only one of them has been within 10 years of my age.

We've seen the movies that portray such ravings, but I believe that actual cases have been sensationalized! Old ladies dripping with diamonds and old men cropping toupees, all trying for one-minute of sacktime with a younger person. Does this really happen?

Probably . . .

[pygmalion]

Haha! I'm so evil. That's why I posted the article. Controversy. My fave. :twisted: :lol:

Almost every pro I've ever danced with has been approximately my age, so, to me the age difference has been a non-issue.

But stereotypes are often there for a reason, aren't they? *shrug* :wink:

[Vince A]

Jenn . . . you are such "an evil woman!" Hm-m-m-m-m-m-m-m :roll:

[pygmalion]

I am. And while I may be naive, I doubt that any prostitution, in the sexual sense, occurs. I certainly haven't seen any hint of such a thing.

But I have seen lots of wealthy amateurs, old and young, being danced around the floor at competitions -- and often winning "top student" awards, when all they really did was spend the most money.

Of course, on the same floor, I've seen (and aspired to be) a serious, if developing, dance athlete. My only crime, to date, has been not having an amateur partner. Hmm.

[Vince A]

I'm sure there are exceptions to every case . . . prostitution and being danced around the floor by young tasties or studs has had an influence on the judges . . . wealthies with money do have power . . . and I believe this is not the norm, nor does it happen frequently, but I'd bet it has happened somewhere, sometime!

You're admitting to a "crime?"

I need to get those handcuffs out . . . :wink:

[pygmalion]

To me, one of the biggest points the article makes is that pro-am dancers "don't get no respect." The article states that neither NDCA nor USABDA consider pro-am dancers as dancesport athletes.

I believe some reform is afoot, there. At least locally, the upcoming USABDA competition will include pro/am as well as am/am designations. So maybe things are changing a bit. (Which reminds me -- I'd better call the USABDA president, if I want to help with the comp)

For me, this is another of those fuzzy issues. Truth be told, in pro/am competitions, at least the ballroom ones I've seen, there are some non-athletes on the floor. But there are some aspiring athletes as well, I think.

[Larinda McRaven]

wow, I tired to write a reply but it was fifteen pages long and seemed to ramble wildly.
Maybe I will sort through it (I saved it) and post bits and pieces later.
Sorry,
I tried,
Larinda

[SDsalsaguy]

I'd love to see that reply Larinda, rambling or not! :D

[Vince A]

Yes Larinda, PLEASE . . . ramble on. We all take what you write to heart!