What Oz Should Have Told the Cowardly Lion

There's No Place Like Fred Astaire Dance Studios, There's No Place Like . . . 

The Confidence to Compete 

Confidence. Everyone wants it; too many of us still seek it. Millions of self-help books promise it by the bucket load. It's a particularly desirable personal quality to have when facing a major life-change, like 16-year-old Riley Scott who's about to start college far from home. But, despite her academic success, Riley never found such personal strength in books. Instead, she gained it by ballroom dancing.

Riley is a Troy, Michigan native who is about to transition to her new college life in upstate New York. Like many young people in her position, she found it all a bit scary. And, like other academic students, Riley has a long-standing love affair with the printed word. But when it comes to developing real confidence, "dump the self-help books," she'd advise. And don't bother with a wizard. Instead, go to a Fred Astaire Dance Studio and take some dance lessons!

A recent article in the Bloomfield Patch summarizes Riley's experience at Evan Mountain's Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Through ballroom dance, and the personalized guidance of her teacher, Mike Fonseca, Riley traded in her old, more-timid life for one filled with courage. (Oh - and the photos here are of the real Riley Scott. The Patch's video shows Fonseca teaching Barbara Benzos to dance because before the article was finished, Riley spread her new, confident wings and flew to greater heights!)

Great job, Mike, and all the best to our good friend Riley! Here's Boosting Confidence Through Dance at Fred Astaire.' 

Lessons Make It Possible

"I'm more comfortable being myself," says Riley.

"Hope, Love, and Fancy Footwork"

From hometownlife.com (Birmingham, Michigan):

Dancers move for a good cause
Fred Astaire Dance Studio and Variety FAR have a dance partnership built on hope, love and fancy footwork.

This moves into the spotlight May 17 when nine of the Variety FAR dancers — including those with Down syndrome, Williams syndrome and autism — take to the Music Hall Center stage to show off their moves in their annual best-of-the-best showcase.

The dancers, ages 8 to 21, are performing a complicated five-dance number to music from Madagascar 2 with steps from the merengue, swing, foxtrot and hip hop.

Variety FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts is a private, nonprofit organization in Birmingham that provides creative arts therapy and recreation services for children and adults with mental, physical and/or emotional impairments. The Bloomfield Township-based Fred Astaire Dance Studio is the only Fred Astaire franchise in Michigan.

Variety FAR and Fred Astaire Dance Studio worked together for several years but, at first, the whole concept of teaching children with disabilities complicated ballroom and Latin dances was challenging to embrace, said Variety FAR executive director Arlene Kass.

“At first we were skeptical,” Kass said. “We teach dance therapy and we know how hard it is for some of the children to learn the coordination, plus no one at Fred Astaire had ever worked with special needs kids.”
But when the children came to Fred Astaire, what happened next was “magic,” Kass said.

“Lada (Reschikova, the Fred Astaire Dance Studio co-owner) did amazing things with them, I think because she expects amazing things from them,” Kass said. “They learn coordination and self-esteem. This carries over into other aspects of their life.”

Dancing Tips - Dancing Did It For Me! What About You?

By Stanley McCalla, Fred Astaire dance board member & National coach and adjudicator

I started dancing some 25 years ago when I was 12 ha-ha… I wish. Anyway, before this all started, I saw a couple performing a dance show at a club during a Christmas Holiday party.

They were rhythmic and proficient, and I thought for a moment that I perhaps could some day do that as well. After offering my congratulations, I asked them where they learned their fantastic craft. “Fred Astaire” came the reply from the male partner. To which I responded naively, "Who is that?” I was so young and so unknowledgeable these days, coming from a different country and all. The couple continued bragging about the Fred Astaire Dance studio on 5th Avenue in New York City.

To make a long story short, I called the studio two months later and registered for some lessons. For the first six months however, although I was learning and felt good about my progress, I was afraid of showing up at a Guest Party or taking part in a showcase for that matter. Why? Because I truly was concerned about not making a fool of myself in front of other people.

Well, that changed!

My teacher at the time - the most beautiful blond that I can remember - took me to her supervisor Mr. Pike, who in turn made a deal that changed the course of events: I was offered 2 free entries to the regional competition if I registered in the next small program. With Dorothy holding my arm gently and with her smiling blue eyes that could melt me any minute, I chose to say yes.

The competition went great, that is, I did not black out, succumbing to my fears. However, noticing 6 couples on that floor besides us, I could not stop my trembling cheeks, nor prevent my lips sticking to my teeth. By some divine intervention, I managed to win both the Rumba and the Meringue that I signed for. Needless to say, my confidence shot up to Mt Everest… well not quite. The result of this competition was such that four young female students at the studio lined up to partner with me at the next National Competition in Miami Beach, Florida, an event that was equally successful for me.

Every year that Fred Astaire holds an event of that caliber, I reminisce and thank my teachers and supervisor for having giving me the nudge since I don’t know if I would be where I am today without it.

This coming April, Fred Astaire is holding their biggest ever competition at the Luxor in Vegas. I am here to proudly encourage you all to join and be part of this historic moment. If you are still undecided about joining, if you think that you are not ready yet, or that you are too much of a beginner, or just like the younger me, you are afraid of testing the waters, my advice is: JUST DO IT. You will have a great experience and an historic time. And who knows, just like me, your life could change for the better.

Happy New Year to you all!

Stanley McCalla

A Student's Perspective: Looking Back On 10 Years With Fred Astaire

Mr. Jack Rothweiler, the President & CEO of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios, recently received this letter from a long-time student in New Jersey:

Dear Mr. Rothweiler:

On September 22nd 2008, I celebrated my 10th anniversary in dance and as a member of the Fred Astaire family.

So here is my story:

In the summer of 1998, I was preparing to go on a cruise. I thought it would be a good idea to learn a few dance steps. I scheduled a free lesson at both another chain and at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Ridgewood, NJ. I went to the lesson at the other chain and had a good time with Christine. The next night I had a lesson scheduled at FADS. I was having problems at work. I called up the studio and talked to the manager (Mr. John Penatello). He asked if I could make a 9:30 p.m. lesson. Little did I know it was the luckiest day of my life that I was able to make it.

I got to the studio and met the manager and studio director, Jean Penatello (a former undefeated US champion). Then I was introduced to the teacher. This was the first time I met Christina. From the very beginning you could tell that this was a very special young lady. I could also tell she was a much better dancer and teacher than Christine. We hit it off right away.

At the end of the lesson, I realized that the FADS studio I was going to was much better than the other studio, and I signed up for their 5 lesson special.

I started working on their Social Foundation Program. I attended my first Studio Party on October 2nd, 1998. At the party, the studio owner, Charlie Penatello, announced that the FADS NY/NJ and New England regions would be holding a competition. He told us that we would be competing against people of our own experience and age. So it didn’t matter if you’ve 100 lessons or 50 lessons or 25 lessons, 10 lessons, or even 5. And then out of the depths of the studio came a shout saying “OR EVEN 3.” Of course, that was Christina and by the end of the night I signed up for my first competition.

I went on the cruise on November 1st and at every opportunity I was on the dance floors, most of the time in the middle of the day, practicing my steps.
I came back to the studio on November 9th and started to get ready for the Tri-State Championships on Nov. 12-15th. I had a blast at the comp (even though when I look back at the tape I cringe about how bad I was).
That was the start of my life as a member of the Fred Astaire family.

Through dozens of regional competitions, four national competitions, hundreds of entries, thousands of lessons and coachings with some of the finest dancers in this country, from my first showcase “Whatever Lola Wants” to my most recent “When you good to MAMA,” this has been a great 10 years.

To my mentors and coaches, Charlie and Jeannie Penatello, thank you guys. You are the best. You have been there at every stage of my development with positive reinforcement and encouragement. When I’ve gotten down on myself, punched out the wall, or just needed to talk, you have always been there to help me through it.

To my teacher for these last 10 years, Christina Penatello: Sunshine, you are a great dancer, a wonderful teacher, and a good friend. I take so much pride and joy in seeing you grow into the Champion you are and one of the most special people I have ever meet. The Fred Astaire organization is very lucky to have you as part of it.

So, Jack, thank you for allowing me to be part of the Fred Astaire family. I can’t even start to tell you the impact it has had on my life.

So let’s start on the next 10 years.

Sincerely, Carl Gottlieb