Seven Great Reasons to Join USA Dance

By Melissa Baddin

Hello, fellow dancers! My name is Melissa Baddin, and I am the coordinator for USA Dance Developing Chapter #2101. This summer I began the process of starting a new USA dance chapter for Northern Minnesota. With a growing ballroom community in Duluth and the outlying areas, it seems only fitting that we become part of an organization that will help us create more opportunities to dance, expand our outreach, and thrive.

This month I wanted to present some reasons you should join a local USA Dance chapter, be it Duluth or any other chapter throughout the country. USA Dance is a great organization for ballroom dancers like us. Signing up for membership helps USA Dance continue its wonderful mission to expand the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States.

In addition to helping a great cause, here is how joining can benefit you:

1. Make new friends! USA Dance events are a great place to meet like-minded individuals of all ages who share your passion for dance.
2. Discounted admission to monthly social dances. This applies to dances that are held by any chapter, not just the one you join. Out of town for work or vacation? Check and see what the local chapter is up to while you're in their town!
3. Participation in USA Dance amateur competitions. USA Dance is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body for dancesport. If you’ve ever thought about competing, a membership in USA Dance is required for national qualifying events like the upcoming Chicago DanceSport Challenge.
4. Receive news about your local dance community. Most chapters publish a newsletter filled with great information about events that have happened, are happening, and will happen in your area.
5. Receive news about dance around the country. USA Dance as an organization publishes a bimonthly publication known as American Dancer. Reading publications like these are a great way to stay connected to the ballroom community in the United States.
6. Because there are lots of great benefits. USA Dance has recently partnered with Affinity Marketing Group to provide USA Dance members with a great discounts on hotels, vacations, car rentals, supplies, and even drug prescriptions. If you take advantage of these benefits, your membership practically pays for itself!
7. Most importantly, because you love to dance!

I hope you’ll consider joining USA Dance. See you out on the dance floor!