How old are the dancers in your local community?

[KevinL]

This topic has come up before (several times, I'm sure), but I'll ask again.

How old are you? How old were you when you started dancing?

How old are the competitive dancers in your area?

How old are the social dancers?

I feel that the best thing for ballroom dance, and partner dancing as a whole, would be if _everyone_ were dancing (but I'm biased). What specific age demographic is not present in your local community? What could be done to increase the interest in dance of that age group?

Kevin

[Laura]

I'm 39. I was 32 when I started dancing. The competitive dancers in my area range from pre-teens (probably as young as 7) to Senior II's (over 50...I know some who are in their 60's). Social dancers seem to range from college age to their 60's.

[dr daffy]

i'm seventeen right now and i've been dancing for like ever. all the dancers in my community range from all ages. dancing is gradually becoming more and more popular and more parents are pushing their little kids into studios. i know my studio has dancers from the ages of three to eighteen right now. the other places around me have adult dance studios as well as little kid and teen studios.

[cl5814]

I'm 31 (started dancing when i was 27) and have been told that i am very brave to dance at some of the socials, because i am a child (age wise) compared to the other dancers. I don't discriminate age wise, if i need my dance fix for the evening, i need to dance.
I am bad at judging age, but i think the majority of people in our studios are 40's and older. ( Picture : can hardly walk any more but they are there to dance ). Then, we have the college studios and their dances. The only dance that seem to attract all age groups are USABDA dances. Most probably because the dance is held at one of the biggest dance studios.

[mamboqueen]

41; started about 3-1/2 years ago, although didn't dance regularly for about 8 months of that time.

Average competitive age in my studio is probably 35-40. We have some really good competitive dancers that are around 50, too. Gives me inspiration, for sure.

As for the social scene; depends on where you go. The place I was at last weekend was mostly 40+, with a lot being 60+. I was at once place where I was ALWAYS the youngest. Most of those dancers would stop and shoot the breeze with their pals on the floor, so we stopped going. My partner called them asteroids and we agreed that it taught us good floorcraft. I think some of the other Boston-area social enviornments tend to be a bit younger than this particular place!

[cl5814]

Most of those dancers would stop and shoot the breeze with their pals on he floor, so we stopped going. My partner called them asteroids and we agreed that it taught us good floorcraft.

:P :P :P :P

I'll have to remember this one for reminding our breeze-pals to get off the floor (if they are not dancing) this weekend .

[mamboqueen]

The sad fact is I'll be an asteroid some day! Hee hee! Right now, I'm just a lowly piece of moonrock!

The other funny thing these couples would do is dance side-by-side together. Maybe that's how it was done in the good 'ol days??

I would never want to discriminate; like I said, I'll be their age one day, too!

[Sagitta]

I'm in my late 20s and my first dance lesson/dancing early 2003, but did not really do anything until the Fall. So I think that Fall 2003 should be my starting date. Competitive is mostly college kids in my area, and for social their is a good mixture with attendee demographics varying depending on locale and who is hosting the dancing. The age demographic poorly represented are the pre-college kids.

[dr daffy]

why do i suddenly feel so young.... lol

[Sakura]

Great topic idea, KevinL! :D

I'm 15. I started dance about a month before I turned 15 (It'll be one year of dancing mid-September! :banana:).

I don't know the competitive scene/social scene very well; considering my age and lack of drivers license, my outing life is very, *very* small!!!! :wink: 8)

However, the Salsa workshop I just went to was run by the Indiana REBELS, a WCS group, (social dancing, I believe) and most of them were probably in their 40s and above, with maybe a few in their 30s. But it was still fun. =^_^=

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[dr daffy]

yay! i don't feel so young anymore, haha :P

[Spitfire]

I was 26 when I started dancing.

The competitive dancers here are mixed in age. As for social dancers the ones at the ballroom dances are mixed; lately there are more teenagers. The lindy hoppers are mainly college age and the westies I'd say are mainly in the 35-50 range.

The least represented age group are elementary school age children.

[Sakura]

yay! i don't feel so young anymore, haha :P

:wink: Glad I could help! 16 this October, Junior year begins after Summer Vacation (started today!) ends! :D

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[mamboqueen]

Eeek! Now I have the sudden pressure to watch my language :)

Nice to see you younger ones taking this up at an early age; it's something you'll be so thankful for later on. I wish I had started that early!

Okay. back to your homework!! :lol:

[Sakura]

Eeek! Now I have the sudden pressure to watch my language :)

:shock: Hey! No special treatment! :evil: I'm no different from you all just 'cause I'm younger! :wink: 'Sides, I'm the daughter of a Navy Officer + Pilot, and the granddaughter of a WWII bomber! =^__^= Oh, and well, I'm in Band {'specially during the Summer Band!}; so I know my way around the Dark Side of the English Language! :twisted: :twisted: But I know *when* and when *not* to use it, which is what many people never learn, so I'm *veeeeery* careful with it!

Nice to see you younger ones taking this up at an early age; it's something you'll be so thankful for later on. I wish I had started that early!

I wish I'd started earlier, quite honestly! :D :D I can't believe I've missed out, all these years!

Okay. back to your homework!! :lol:

NEVER!!! "School's out for the summer!!!!" Whoo-hoo!!!!! :wink: :twisted:

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[dancin_feet]

I'm 31 and I started dancing when I was 9. Age range at our studio is huge, from late teens to one guy who is well into his 80's. Our studio generally doesn't teach kids, but there have been a couple of exceptions with children of existing students.

[Sakura]

Why don't they normally teach kids, d_f? Are there just none around to teach?

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[dr daffy]

haha, sakura :wink: i'll be eighteen this september so yay for me... and yay for you turning sixteen soon :P

[Sakura]

haha, sakura :wink: i'll be eighteen this september so yay for me... and yay for you turning sixteen soon :P

Whoo-hoo!!!! Tax-time cometh!!!! :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol: But seriously, congratulations to you!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[dr daffy]

hahaha... i'm looking forward to the whole "i'm on my own... i'm legal" part of being eighteen, lol. congratulations to you too... sixteen's a big year too :P

[Genesius Redux]

Eeek! Now I have the sudden pressure to watch my language :)

:shock: Hey! No special treatment! :evil: I'm no different from you all just 'cause I'm younger! :wink: 'Sides, I'm the daughter of a Navy Officer + Pilot, and the granddaughter of a WWII bomber! =^__^= Oh, and well, I'm in Band {'specially during the Summer Band!}; so I know my way around the Dark Side of the English Language! :twisted: :twisted:

I'm not even gonna ask you about band camp.... :wink:

[Sakura]

*grins* Yeah, 16 is a big year; it means that I will have the legal power to own a Beast that is *quite* adept at running over pedestrians... *cough* *cough* I didn't say that out loud, did I? *tries to look cute and innocent -- can't you guys see the horns supporting my halo??*

Eeek! Now I have the sudden pressure to watch my language :)

:shock: Hey! No special treatment! :evil: I'm no different from you all just 'cause I'm younger! :wink: 'Sides, I'm the daughter of a Navy Officer + Pilot, and the granddaughter of a WWII bomber! =^__^= Oh, and well, I'm in Band {'specially during the Summer Band!}; so I know my way around the Dark Side of the English Language! :twisted: :twisted:

I'm not even gonna ask you about band camp.... :wink:

1. *glare* Give me one good reason why I shouldn't slap you.... :evil:

2. *I* play the CLARINET!!!! *NOT* THE FLUTE!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: I don't understand why everyone thinks that *all* woodwinds are guilty of "American Pie" crimes...! *sniffle sniffle*

Nice to see you back, Genesius -- looked like you'd up and disappeared on us! :shock: And we can't have *that* happening, now can we?

However, it looks as though you're still up to your old tricks of being mean to me! *sticks out her tongue* Which obviously means you're feeling well... Which is good... So long as you're being nice! :wink: Or at least, not *unusually* cruel.... *laughs* Again, great to have you back.

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

(PS-You know I'm mean to you 'cause it's fun, right? :twisted: )

[tj]

Eeek! Now I have the sudden pressure to watch my language :)

:shock: Hey! No special treatment! :evil: I'm no different from you all just 'cause I'm younger! :wink: 'Sides, I'm the daughter of a Navy Officer + Pilot, and the granddaughter of a WWII bomber! =^__^= Oh, and well, I'm in Band {'specially during the Summer Band!}; so I know my way around the Dark Side of the English Language! :twisted: :twisted:

I'm not even gonna ask you about band camp.... :wink:

Wasn't American Pie rated "R"?

[dancin_feet]

Why don't they normally teach kids, d_f? Are there just none around to teach?

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

I think it's more just a company policy thing, protecting the instructors from the personal contact with someone who may misunderstand and try to get too close to the instructor.

This has happened before, and I think they are just trying to protect themselves. That's why it's only children of existing students (there are two that I know of) that can take classes under the age of 18. They have their parents in the same situation to guide / supervise.

[Sakura]

Wasn't American Pie rated "R"?

Yes. And no, I didn't see it myself. But you have *NO* idea, the number of people who hear that I play the clarinet and immediately start up, "This one time, at Band Camp...!" ! :evil: :evil: :evil:

Seriously, I have to take it with a smile, or a playful, "NO! I PLAY THE CLARINET!" sort of thing; but you have *NO* idea how degrading it is to me as a musician that people seem to think some insulting idea about a girl sticking her flute up her twat, (to be blatantly frank, I'm sorry to those whom I've just offended) is funny, and that they can throw it at anyone who plays an instrument that's in the same family, and expect that the musician won't be offended, even the tiniest bit, pisses me off to no end!!!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: In all honesty, the number of adults who have said that to me is absolutely astounding!! I'm just so sick of it...

Not that I'm yelling at you in particular, tj. :oops: :oops: =^_^=;;; I've just needed to sort of get that off my chest; and I can't exactly break out into that little tirade in some huge public place; or indeed, one full of little kids. =^_^=;; (That was where the most recent occurence happened; a place full of little kids, with another bloody adult saying that to me... :evil: I *HATE* having to be civil to ignorant, offensive adults... He actually would have been just fine by me if he hadn't said, "This one time, at Band Camp..." ... Rawr. :oops: :roll: )

Okay, well, that's my ranting, thanks to you DF members who have heard me out or skipped it entirely! :D Back to being in happy-hyper-mode!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Sakura]

Why don't they normally teach kids, d_f? Are there just none around to teach?

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

I think it's more just a company policy thing, protecting the instructors from the personal contact with someone who may misunderstand and try to get too close to the instructor.

This has happened before, and I think they are just trying to protect themselves. That's why it's only children of existing students (there are two that I know of) that can take classes under the age of 18. They have their parents in the same situation to guide / supervise.

Ahh, so it's based on the idea of not wanting the young children to fall in love with/ become attracted to their instructors. *nods* I suppose that makes sense. But I also see the flip side of denying children with an honest interest in dance the chance to get into it. :? 'Tis no wonder it's called a "double-edged sword."

See you later!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[dancin_feet]

I'm really not sure of the policy, maybe if the child showed a genuine interest and one or both of the parents were happy to at least supervise the class, it may be OK. One girl has been with the studio almost 5 years and is now 17. Her mother took classes with her and they are both at the same level.

[Sakura]

:D That's cool. =^_^= At least comprimises may be allowed.

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[ShyDancer]

25 here, started dancing at 23 or 24...cant quite place the month I started...somewhere about a year-ish ago! :lol: :lol:

Most of the dancers socially are at least 10 years older. Id place most of them to be 35-40.
There are a few younger ones , but not too many!

[dr daffy]

haha, speaking of American Pie, has anyone seen American Wedding? it was absolutly hilarious, as stupid as it was, lol :P

[tj]

Wasn't American Pie rated "R"?

Yes. And no, I didn't see it myself. But you have *NO* idea, the number of people who hear that I play the clarinet and immediately start up, "This one time, at Band Camp...!" ! :evil: :evil: :evil:

(snip)

Okay, well, that's my ranting, thanks to you DF members who have heard me out or skipped it entirely! :D Back to being in happy-hyper-mode!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

Lol! So how do you *really* feel about it? :roll:

[Pacion]

tj :roll: :roll: :roll:









:nope:

[salsachinita]

Seeing that we DFers have a tendency to wander off topics lately, I will try and answer Kevin (remember him?)'s questions:

How old are you? How old were you when you started dancing?

How old are the competitive dancers in your area?

How old are the social dancers?



I am 33, I started salsa aged 19 (but only really put in real efforts in the last couple of years or so, after my return at the end of a 5 yrs hiatus).

Salsa competitive dancers are mid 20s-mid 30s.

Social dancers, anywhere between late teens to over 50s. Majority in their 20s-40s.

I can only speak for salsa :oops: ........

[Sabor]

How old are you? How old were you when you started dancing?

How old are the competitive dancers in your area?

How old are the social dancers?

i'm 31, started since i could walk they tell me, i was aware of it strating 5

we have no competitions in dance here, just social dancers with ranging levels,, most are in the age 20-30, some 30 - 40 and a few below 20..

as far as what i'd like to see,,, all and everyone dancing socially.. as long as they can breath as far as i'm concerned.. even if the are disabled in one limb or another.. i once saw a guy on a wheelchair who kept watching us dance .. by the end of the night he joined in and danced best as he can using the wheel chair and upper body.. i loved it .. the power of dance is a heavenly sight when seen on/in others.. :D :D :D

[danceguy]

I am 29, and started dancing exactly one year ago, when I was 28. Spent 6 months doing Ballroom, and have swtiched to club style Salsa for the past 6 months. I had no previous dancing experience...but I have been doing Tai Chi for about 10 years...and I think I've finally gotten to the point in my dancing where I no longer think about hitting people (save some of the other leads who really would deserve it!). Just kidding. :)

I don't know any competitive dancers in my area...I've seen a few at dances and they've ranged from 20-40 somethings...but honestly I have no real idea as I'm not into comps.

Social Dancers - For Salsa it ranges from teens to people in their 60's and some older. For Ballroom, I've seen young kids under ten and older folks in their 80's and possibly even in their 90's. My best memory was at my first live Salsa concert...and there was this couple that must have been at least in their 80's doing Salsa together...and they looked so beautiful...still in love and happy after all of those years. :D

The main crowd of Salsa folks are 20-30's...but quite a few of the regulars are in their 40's...and maybe even early 50's. Quite a wide age range actually.

Best,

SG

[pygmalion]

My best memory was at my first live Salsa concert...and there was this couple that must have been at least in their 80's doing Salsa together...and they looked so beautiful...still in love and happy after all of those years. :D



Yes. I would guess abut half of the time I go out salsa dancing, I see an old-school couple who've obviously been dancing together for years, quietly doing their thing in a corner, and out-dancing many hotshots in the middle of the floor. Not a lot of spins or fancy stuff. Just good, solid salsa dancing, that respects the music and both lead and follow. It's sweet to see. :D 8)

[Sakura]

Seeing that we DFers have a tendency to wander off topics lately, I will try and answer Kevin (remember him?)'s questions...

*meandering off of the road slowly* We do what, Salsachinita?! *looks around* Oh... Heh, heh... We *do* don't we? But that's why we're so fun! :D

Who??? *blink blink* Wait... Doesn't that kid owe me money?! *goes to look over her gambling books* Thanks for the reminder, SC! :twisted: :wink: :bouncy:

Sakura Kitty :kitty: