Helle Rusholt at DTCB

Helle Rusholt, coach of the BU Ballroom Team, was very good, outlining differences between the International and American competitive styles and giving us a teaching technique for Chacha lock steps.
She also stressed that dance as a creative art form should not have too many rules, though she certainly knows all of them since she was a competitor in the International DanceSport scene. She especially likes East Coast Swing as opposed to Jive, though Jive has its place for bouncy music.
A brief lecture set out her theory of judging dance, socially or competitively.
In first place came Musicality, the response to the music: tempo, timing, rhythm, phrasing and style.
Second was Beauty, which encompassed all the choreography, steps, feet, torso, arms, pointed toes, posture, and even the person's size and the colorful costumes.
Third came Connection - the partnering and communication between dancers. I actually think posture has to be part of this, but I didn't speak up.
Add these all up and the result will be Speed and Power.