Volunteer Report

An Introduction from the New Editor in Chief of Sheer Dance

By Taylor Wall

Hello fellow dancers!

I am excited to introduce myself as I join the Sheer Dance team, and to have been welcomed so warmly into my new role. I'm enthusiastic to continue to build this publication into a wonderful experience to look forward to each month; connecting all parts of our diverse and exciting ballroom dance community. I anticipate spending a lot of time working for our readers and would love to hear all of your stories and dancing journeys, so I would like to take this time in my first edition on the team to share a bit about myself.

I began dancing as a small child in ballet, and joined the world of ballroom dancing in 2010 when I joined the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club. I began my engagement in ballroom dance as a social dancer and quickly developed into a competitive dancer, competing in American Smooth, American Rhythm, and International Standard on both the collegiate and amateur circuits with my partner Michael Kasinkas.

In addition to my experience as a dance participant, I have previously spent three years as an officer in the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club, including two years as the publically-elected President. While there, I led the young club to rank as the fourth place collegiate ballroom dance team in the country, behind teams three and four times the size of the University of Minnesota. I've also had the opportunity to engage with a wide array of ballroom dance students, professionals, and coaches in the two years that I spent working as a Studio Coordinator at Dancers Studio. In addition this past year, I've directed a group of students in their own study of American Styles.

Since graduating and leaving the University, I have spent the last year developing local competitive events such as Minnesota Ballroom Blast and Dance Fest. I have worked on both of these projects as Volunteer Coordinator and Professional Liaison and currently serve on the Board of U Partner Dance.

Many thanks to Mary Beth Beckman, who developed this publication and faithfully shaped it into what it is today. And many thanks to the innumerable volunteers that worked with her to develop this extraordinary publication and the many I hope to work with in the future. I look forward to serving you as Editor in Chief and working toward a bright and exciting future for Sheer Dance.