Hi Team!
Happy Sunday! Today we had a wonderful lesson on Quickstep and Samba from Steve and Susan at the IMSB! If you missed it, or if you have questions, make sure you attend DTS and the Thursday review lesson. If you’re looking for fun stuff to do this week we have tons of events planned including a bar crawl, board game night, and ice skating! We also have the Meet the Pre-C courtesy of our wonderful curric chair Alan who definitely doesn’t embellish anything or make things up ever. Enjoy!
Announcements for Everyone:
- Michcomp Hosting: Other teams graciously host us in their homes at competitions to help us save on travel costs, and we do the same for MichComp! Please fill out this form to help host our friends on other teams by Friday, 3/21.
- Michcomp Registration: Registration for MichComp 2025 is open! Come compete with us at our home competition on April 5th. More information, along with registration, can be found in the email Nate will send out or on our website right here.
- Shoutouts: We will be having shoutouts in our program at MichComp! This is a great way to support your friends on the team! It consists of a message and an optional photo. You can/should also send this to your parents if they’d be interested. The cost is $20 per shoutout. If you’re interested, fill out this form. The
- Michcomp Advertising: Advertising Assignments have been sent out! You must have contacted all of your businesses a second time by this Friday, 3/21. Please let Nate know if you have any questions, and come pick up your materials (posters, etc) at DTS this week or print them yourself.
- Elections: Ballroom board elections are coming up! Elections for the new board will be held at our EOS party on April 19th. Nominations are due on April 5th at 11:59 pm and platforms will be distributed to the team on the 6th. If you are interested in running for the board, be sure to read the overview of each board position and the election information.
- St. Patty’s Bar Crawl: We will be having a bar crawl this Monday starting at 4 PM. We will be starting at Connor O’ Neill’s. There will be updates in the group chat when we move to a new bar.
- Board Game Night: We will be having a game night in Mason Hall 3437 on Saturday 3/22 from 6:30 – 10. Bring whatever games you want to play!
- Ice Skating: We will be going to ice skating at Yost Sunday 3/23 from 1:30-2:50 before the newcomer lesson. We hope to see you there!
- Themed DTS: Themed DTS every Wednesday. This Wednesday’s theme is St. Patrick’s Day! Wear your green or get pinched.
- Partner Search: If you want to find a partner to practice and/or compete with, please look at this partner search sheet for you to find a partner on.
- W25 Approved Teachers: We recommend only asking for help regarding dance moves and technique from a list of couples approved by Steve and Susan. See the list here.
- W25 Competition Schedule: Check here for the dates of the competitions we’ll be attending this semester.
- Feedback Form: Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the team? We want to hear from you! Let us know by talking to a board member or by using the team’s anonymous feedback form on our website. Anything you report to us is 100% confidential.
- Other Practice Spaces: Some great places to practice are the IMSB multi-purpose room A (where we hold lessons) and B (bottom of the stairs). Check here to find a time where the IMSB is not reserved for another group. The ballroom dance club is generally also available for lessons and open practice on Sundays 6-9pm in the Rogel Ballroom in the Union (free for UMBDT dues paying members). Check their schedule here.
This Week’s Schedule…
Monday 3/17
5 pm: St. Patty’s Bar Crawl starting at Connor O’Neill’s
9:30-11:30 pm: Open Practice at DTS
Tuesday 3/18
9:30-11:30 pm: Open Practice at DTS
Wednesday 3/19
10 pm-12 am: Open Practice at DTS, wear your St. Patrick’s Day green!
Thursday 3/20
9-11 pm: Newcomer lesson and guided practice at the IMSB
Friday 3/21
Finish up your MichComp advertising!
Saturday 3/22
6:30 – 10 pm: Board Game Night at Mason Hall 3437
Sunday 3/23
1:30 – 2:50 pm: Ice Skating at Yost!
3-5 pm: Newcomer Lesson in the IMSB
6-9 pm: Ballroom Club in the Union Ballroom
Meet the Pre-C
Alex and Nelly
Alex is a junior studying doing a double major in Neuroscience and Philosophy and this is his 3rd semester on the team. He enjoys International V Waltz, American tango, and International Rumba, and he was ranked in the national top 50 for number of ski runs raced in the 2020-2021 season. Nelly is a freshman who doesn’t know what she wants to do! This is her 2nd semester on the team and her favorite dance is V-Waltz. Fun fact about Nelly, she speaks Chinese (better than Alan who is a disappointment to his ancestors).
Jack and Emily
Jack is a freshman studying Nursing, and this is his second semester on the team. His favorite dance is Cha Cha, and he has a younger brother, but ate his twin sister in the womb, proving his supremacy. Emily is also a freshman, majoring in Movement Science, and this is her second semester on the team. She loves Smooth Waltz and Viennese Waltz. Fun fact about Emily: she has extra bones in her feet but still falls over somehow when turning.
Marlin and Kate
Marlin is a graduate student studying RF Circuits and Applied Electromagnetics, currently in his second semester on the team. His favorite dance is Cha Cha. He was born and raised in West Philadelphia, played a lot of basketball growing up but got into some fights. His mom thought he’d be better off spending time in Bel Air with his aunt and uncle. Kate is a freshman majoring in Interarts Performance, and this is her second semester on the team. She loves Latin dance styles. Fun fact about Kate: she loves to choreograph musicals and play guitar!
Liam and Taryn
Liam is a freshman studying Biology, and this is his first semester on the team. His favorite dance is Jive. Fun fact: he was part of his high school show choir and even competed nationally, placing 5th at Show Choir Hearts of America in Nashville! Taryn is a freshman majoring in Communications and Media, and this is her second semester on the team. She enjoys Smooth Viennese Waltz. Fun fact: she has designed costumes for three musicals!
Qingyue and Avy
Qingyue is a graduate student in Computer Science and Engineering, and this is his first semester on the team. His favorite dance is International Rumba. Fun fact: he almost lost $100,000 to a scam! Avy is a freshman studying Economics, and this is her second semester on the team. She loves Viennese Waltz because she likes being dizzy. Fun fact about Avy: she once ate a soap bar from a bake sale because she thought it was mint-flavored chocolate—it was spicy and made her mouth bubble for three minutes!
Audrey and Sarah
Audrey is a junior double majoring in Biochemistry and German, and this is her fourth semester on the team. Her favorite dance is Samba. Fun fact: she has both flown a plane and jumped out of one! Sarah is a super-senior studying pseudo-psychology sciences who’s in her second semester in school. She supremely sashays across the studio, specializing in Samba. Fun fact: Sarah secretly surfs sporadically, seeking spontaneous sea shenanigans!.
Ben and Juliana
Ben is a sophomore studying Kinesiology, and this is his third semester on the team. His favorite dance is the Viennese Waltz. Fun fact: he once drowned in the Huron River, and three months later, he lost his phone in the Atlantic Ocean. Juliana is a sophomore double majoring in BCN (Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience) and Cognitive Science, and this is her fourth semester on the team. Her favorite dances are Mambo and Samba. Fun fact: people pay her back with chocolate chip cookies instead of money!
I hope to see you guys around DTS or any of the other fun events going on! I also hope that you’re all doing well and that school isn’t taking too much out of you. Remember to get good sleep, drink water, and take breaks. We’re getting closer to the end of the semester but keep in mind, grades aren’t everything. If you need anything come talk to me!
Love,
Nicolette
MBDT President