Competitive ballroom dancing is often seen as only for the young and vivacious. It may come as a surprise to know that many of our older students enjoy competitive dancing as well. One such esteemed competitor is Suzanne Dills. If you happen to frequent the studio during our daytime hours, you surely have seen Sue! Taking lessons on almost a daily basis, Sue has become a fixture at Aria Ballroom and a wonderful ambassador for our competitive #TeamAria. We wanted to catch up with Sue and ask about her dance background and what her plans are for her dancing future.
It turns out, the competitive edge runs in her veins. She was a swimmer for much of her life and competed in the United States Masters Swimming circuit until she was 70 years old! Throughout her swimming career, she managed to win numerous national records and even a few world records. And if that weren’t enough, she competed in 40 different Olympic length triathlons and represented the United States at World Championships! Needless to say, Sue loves to compete.
Sue with Atanas at the USA National Championships
But when it came to dancing, in her words, “I had absolutely no background in dancing.” So how did a world record swimming triathlete happen upon ballroom dancing? It all started when her daughter gave Sue and her husband Jack a Groupon certificate for Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Ballroom dancing sounded fun, so Sue and Jack headed down to the closest Arthur Murray to get started. At the age of 70, a whole new world was opened up in front of Sue. Naturally, this instinctual competitor found the excitement of competitive ballroom dancing intriguing to her, and was soon competing with her teacher.
“Arthur Murray lessons did teach me to move my feet,” Sue reminisced. But after attending Arthur Murray’s famous Dance-O-Rama events, she “knew there was something more after watching the other dancers [at those events].”
A fellow student at Arthur Murray, who also happens now to be a fellow student at Aria Ballroom, told Sue about Aria. Once she stepped foot in Aria Ballroom, she knew this was what she was looking for.
“I had no idea how complicated, difficult, frustrating yet rewarding ballroom dancing could be,” she admitted.
Sue started taking lessons with both Simeon and Atanas and remembers how difficult that transition from Arthur Murray was. “They were rough! It took me a while to figure out his ‘tough love’,” she added about Atanas, “but I liked the challenge.”
Sue wanted to dance all four styles. At first, she danced Latin and Smooth with Atanas, while focusing on Rhythm and Standard with Simeon. We’re just now coming up on the anniversary of her first competition as a part of Team Aria. Dancing with both Simeon and Atanas, she competed at the Desert Classic Dancesport Competition in Palm Desert, CA.
“I was hooked!” she exclaimed.
At that time, Aria Ballroom Principals Simeon and Kora were still in the midst of their professional competitive careers and were busy travelling around the world representing America in addition to running the studio. Because Atanas was more consistently at home, she eventually switched to dancing only with Atanas at competitions. She continued to compete with Atanas up until the beginning of this month, when she competed with Atanas for the last time at the Emerald Ball Dancesport Championships in LA. Even though Atanas is making a career change and leaving the dance world, Sue doesn’t even consider giving up her dancing. “My goals,” she said, “are to continue to improve my dancing with the help of Aria [Ballroom].”
We asked Sue what it was, specifically, about Aria Ballroom that she likes so much.
“What I like about Aria is the excellent level of teaching,” she replied. “It doesn’t matter your age or level of dancing, all the dancers at Aria have a change to learn and improve with the encouragement of the excellent dance professionals.”
Sue taking hold with Atanas at the Showcase
That makes the staff here at Aria Ballroom so happy to hear. One thing that the teachers at Aria Ballroom pride themselves on is creating accessibility for students of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of ballroom dancing. We are so grateful to hear from students like Sue that she feels we have succeeded in that.
She also enjoys the camaraderie of the studio, and how dancers of all ages can mingle together and learn from each other. She danced at our 10-year anniversary showcase and her husband, Jack, came along to watch. “Jack and I so enjoyed the recent Showcase,” she said, and added “(especially) watching the young dancers.”
We also asked Sue what her favorite dance is. With a little laugh, she replied, “My answer is ‘the one I am currently dancing.’ “ We can totally relate!
Many times, potential students write themselves off from ever becoming dancers because they’re afraid they might be starting too late in life. Sue is living proof that it is never too late. She started dancing at the age of 70, and is now the currently the World and National Silver Smooth and Standard Champion! It has been a thrill to watch Sue improve and grow as a dancer over the years and she truly serves as an inspiration for all of our students. Sue is the embodiment of the philosophy that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Interested in giving competitive dancing a try? If you’re feeling a bit nervous, how about just tagging along for a competition and cheer on your fellow Team Aria competitors? Sue’s debut competition with Team Aria, the Desert Classic Dancesport Competition, is coming up on July 7th-10th and once again, Aria Ballroom will be attending and showing up in force! Spectators are always welcome and encouraged to tag along. Just reach out to any member of the Aria Ballroom staff and we can help get all of the appropriate information into your hands.
We wanted once again to thank Sue for taking the time to talk to us about her dancing journey, and to wish her all the best in her future dance endeavors!
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