West Virginia sole registered certified professional dance competitor, teacher and adjucator with the National Dance Council of America and his dance partner and wife, Tim Bennett and Amy Wing, participated in a dance competition recently in Reston, Va.The Virginia State Dancesport Championships were held July 20.

“We did incredibly well,” Bennett said, “especially since we have not competed tor three years.”

The couple danced Saturday morning in the Freestyle Division where teachers and their students compete. The couple danced five dances including the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and the quick step. The couple took first place honors in each of these dances.

They followed up with single dance championships where they again took first place in each of the five dances.

The evening competition was extremely tough, Bennett said. The couple placed fourth in that competition out of five couples.

“We were pleased with that,” Bennett reiterated.

The final competition was the Scholarship division where 12 to 14 couples were on the floor at one time. With such a large number of entries, Bennett said it was necessary to break a bit from the practiced routine to simply avoid floor crashes with other dancers. Only the top six couples in this category were called back for the next round of competition and Bennett and Wing were not among those.

The couple have relaxed their grueling practice sessions somewhat now that competition is over; however, they will maintain a regular routine in preparation for potential future competitions.

In addition to those practices, Bennett will continue teaching independent courses of ballroom dancing at the Shepherdstown Community Club. From time to time he offers Ballroom for Beginners, a seven-week course that features the foxtrot, waltz, tango, swing, rumba and cha-sha. He also offers private lessons on a regular basis.

Also offered to individuals in the community is a once a month beginner class and dance party. August offers “Swing” as the feature dance and the night is tonight, Friday, Aug. 1. The dance floor is open in the Community Club’s upper level for any and all who want to come out and learn and dance a little. Doors open with lessons at 7:30 and the dance party at 8:30 p.m. For $12 per person, learn the steps and share the floor with others who share the desire. A partner is not required and one does not have to be a current student of Bennett.

This once per month beginner lesson and dance party is held the first Friday of each month.

For more information about Bennett and the lessons he offers, visit www.abcdancesport.com.