University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Dance classes breed confidence

Amberly Panepinto, assistant director, Counseling Services, and her husband, John, assistant professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, practice during a recent ballroom dancing class. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

Published: March 25, 2009

They may not be ready for their television debut on “Dancing With the Stars,” but some UB faculty and staff now are much more confident on the dance floor. That’s because for eight weeks they were students in a Ballroom Dancing class sponsored by UB’s Wellness and Work/Life Balance initiative.

The classes were held on Wednesday evenings on both North and South campuses, and taught by the husband-and-wife team of Dick and Sue Murray. Students learned the basic steps of some of the most common ballroom dances, such as the rumba, foxtrot and swing. Dick Murray says that from the very first week of class, students were able to learn dance steps well enough to look presentable at a weekend wedding. And the dance classes can help burn up to 500 calories an hour. Murray claims a brisk dance, such as the Viennese Waltz or a Quick Step, can even burn 1,000 calories an hour.

John Schank, a nurse practitioner in the Student Health Center, found the class made him happier after work. “Here you get a second wind.” Admitted occasional dancers, Schank and his wife, also a nurse practitioner, decided to take the class because they wanted to be decent dancers at their son’s upcoming wedding.

Cindy Todd-Flick, a production coordinator in University Communications, believes she and her husband have better posture since taking the class. Her husband, who is eight inches taller, always draped himself over her when they danced. The classes changed all that. “He now holds his head up high and I don’t lead anymore,” she says.

Some UB faculty members were more apprehensive about taking ballroom dance lessons. Terry D. Connell, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, admits that his wife, whom he described as an incredible dancer, dragged him to class. “I’ve learned a few steps here and there. I can’t say I’ve learned the enjoyment of dancing yet, but it’s been OK.” His wife, Patty Masso-Welch, adds: “He should get a Purple Heart.”

For Phillip Smith, director of development in the Graduate School of Education, and his wife, Debbie, “Dancing With the Stars” inspired them to take the class. The Smiths have been dancing since their days as UB students—“a long time ago, before the North Campus was built.”

“We thought maybe we’d get some official training since we were self taught,” Philip Smith explains. They found the class well worth the time. In addition to learning the basic steps to several dances, they ended up laughing at each other “because [the steps] don’t fit our normal steps.” Debbie Smith says.

Although the ballroom dance classes ran for only eight weeks, the dancers interviewed all hope that instruction under the Murrays will continue at UB. “I’m hoping we’ll continue because you can’t really get better unless you practice, and going to class seems to be the only way to make time to practice,” says Schank.

Todd-Flick agrees. “Unfortunately, we can’t commit to practicing at home—too many errands, kids’ sporting events and household chores. So going to class is the best bet for us.”

—Julie Wesolowski