A NEW youth DanceSport program is under development at
DanceSport International in Seattle.

What is DanceSport?
Competitive Ballroom and Latin dancing has been renamed throughout the world as "Dancesport" (the sport of competition dancing). Dancesport has a highly organized international competition structure and is conducted at the highest competitive athletic level. Rankings are recorded for National and World Titles in different age divisions.

Children from all over the world enjoy Dancesport. For the past 50 years Europe, Australia, England, Norway, Scotland, Russia, China, Japan and many other countries have in participated in international competitions. Children are started in competitive dance programs when they are very young. To them, partnership dancing is as popular as many sports like soccer and as other forms of dance like ballet. Europeans, Asians and Latinos consider it a cultural imperative to a learn partner dancing. It is included in most social and family gatherings. It not only affords children the opportunity to develop artistically but to develop social values based on self respect and courtesy towards others. Since the inclusion of Dancesport into the Olympics in 2000 the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association has registered over 100 new collegiate Dancesport teams. In 2003 there were over 400 American Colleges offering DanceSport activities. The number of elementary and high-school teams continues to grow as studies show that alternative methods of physical education need to be taught. Some of the outdated games of unfair play are being replaced with physical activities that require balance, coordination and also stimulate the cardiovascular system. Dancesport is continuously being recommended as a beneficial P.E. activity.

About our Dancesport Youth program
One of the founding beliefs of our program is that partner dance teaches important social values. Our students learn not only how to be graceful, coordinated and poised, but how to be self disciplined, self-confident and cooperative as well. Good sportsmanship is an integral part of dance competition. Along with attaining more refined manners and better posture our students also leave the studio with an education in different cultures. At Dancesport, students gain insight into other cultures through their study of dances and their history Dances like Cha, Samba Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango and Rumba--to name but a few. This cultural education is further supplemented by our own multicultural staff and student body. For all these reasons (and many more) we believe involvement in partner dance is one of the greatest ways to boost a child's self-esteem and help them feel comfortable in nearly any social and cultural setting. Some of our previous Dancesport competitors have competed for local, regional and national championships. The experienced gained and the friendships made while being on a team are treasured as much as the trophies and medals.

About Our Dancesport Youth Instructors & Mentors
Our mission will be to provide the highest quality of instruction from certified teachers and champion competitive dance professionals.

Dancesport International Studio Owner: Monique Hrouda
Professional Examiner for Terpsichorean Society Fellow, Member, & Associate Degrees in All Styles of Dance National Dance Council Judge

Dancesport International Certified Instructor: Shannon Knauss-Mant
Certified with The Terpsichorean Society. National Dance Council Judge

Dancesport instructors are available for "School Outreach Demonstrations" Teaching, Promoting and Demonstrating Dancesport at your Seattle school.