Dancing on a Zoom Screen

Hey there, readers. I hope you’re all hanging in there. As I’m writing this, I’m anxiously awaiting Biden’s inauguration; hopefully, by the time you read this, it will have passed with no violence, and we will have a new president of the United States! To celebrate peaceful transitions of power, let’s talk about something fun.

Last week, I raved about my three main classes, but I forgot my two add-ons: once a week piano lessons, which I’ve been taking since the fall of my first year, and my PE class—dance! Ballroom dance team, to be precise.

When I started college, I never thought that I’d join a partner dance club team, or really a club sports team at all. But one of the best things about college is trying new, unexpected things.

Last winter, I signed up for Social Dance 1 to get a PE credit, and I loved it. It was an in-person class back then, full of spinning, swinging your hips, and frolicking around the dance floor with a partner. I even got to show off my new dance skills at Mid-Winter Ball!

Alas, things have changed since then. I was supposed to take Social Dance 2 in the spring; obviously, that got cancelled. I went to a few online dance practices, but they just weren’t the same. I was holding out for in-person, physically-close dance.

But over winter break, it was pretty clear that wouldn’t happen for a while… and I really needed another PE credit. So I decided to give online dance another shot!

Since social dance classes aren’t happening right now, that meant joining the team. I was a bit nervous, but luckily, newcomer practices happen every week, where the captains teach a routine using steps I mostly already know.

There are two other practices each week: one led by the professional coach, Andrea, and one Open Practice for review and workouts. This one also has an in-person, socially-distant option in Cowling Gym as conditions on campus allow! But since I’m remote, I’m all through Zoom. It’s super accessible…

…but I must admit, it also makes me miss in-person dance from last winter. I can’t wait until dancing with a partner is possible again!

Maybe when that day comes, I’ll even try competing, like these beautiful dancers. (Photos provided by the Ballroom Dance Team, taken before March 2020.)

If I’ve learned one thing from college, it’s that anything could happen.

Greta is a proud Vermonter and Carl who’s getting the best of both worlds by doing school from home. She has weathered the pandemic by writing constantly, playing piano, and spending time outdoors. Then eating lots of chocolate. She wants to learn everything, but she might major in English and minor in Latin American Studies. Meet the other bloggers!