If you hear music or a rhythmic “one, two, three” coming from Memorial Union’s room N214A on Monday nights, it is probably Mizzou Ballroom Dance Club’s coach, Larinda McRaven, leading her students through a waltz, foxtrot or other styles of ballroom dance. 

McRaven said she has been teaching ballroom dance for 32 years, and this is her second time coaching the club. The first time she taught MU students was five years ago. The organization has been less active due to the pandemic, but is now working to return to its previous strength. 

The Ballroom Club’s vice president, freshman Sam Haines, became an officer with sophomore President Kira Bennett this year to rebuild.

“We’re hoping to get [the club] to [a] competition point again, because they used to do that in previous years,” Haines said. “We’re really chugging to keep it alive right now. We want it to get a lot bigger and a lot more well known.”

The club currently has 12 active members, but usually has about 12-15 students per lesson. Faculty advisor John Howe said the club is working to gain recognition among students and recruit more members.

“We got a late start on the recruiting and publicity,” Howe said. “I’m hopeful we can get closer to 20 [members].”

People with a wide range of skill levels attended the class on Jan. 24. For sophomore Dana Lee Beattie, this was her first ever ballroom class. Haines, on the other hand, has a background in ballet, but has no previous ballroom experience. Beattie said she was drawn to ballroom to learn more about herself and her body.

“Learning how to dance … learning your body and learning to express it in a good way is very exciting,” Beattie said. “I look forward to learning my body and how to treat it properly.”

McRaven started her lesson by having the students choose whether they wanted to be leaders or followers, and then had them work on simple footwork with their partners before starting the music. Partnership and human connection are integral elements of ballroom dance, as they form close bonds among those who participate.

Mizzou Ballroom Dance Club is hosting a Valentine’s Day dance 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb.13 in the same room they hold weekly lessons. It is open to the public. The club hopes that this dance draws more people to the art of ballroom and to the club itself.

“[Ballroom] is social,” Howe said. “It’s fun to meet people. There’s a lot of mind-body connection and a lot of partnership.”

McRaven also shared her love for partnership in ballroom dance. When she started dancing ballroom, she was in college. She said she immediately found it fascinating, and her favorite part about it is the connection it fosters.

For interested students, the club has Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, all under @mizzouballroomofficial. They can also be reached at mizzouballroomofficial@gmail.com. Classes are every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Memorial Union, Room N214A.

Edited by Emmet Jamieson | ejamieson@themaneater.com