Silver Spring, MD (11/14/08)--While most students think of the waltz and foxtrot as dances of the past, some have ditched dirty dancing with hopes of reviving these classical genres.

After watching the reality show So You Think You Can Dance, seniors Beth Brown and Katelyn Toy were inspired to take weekly beginner ballroom dancing lessons together at Glen Echo Park. “It’s so classy, and there’s a nice rhythm to the movement,” says Brown. “Watching [it] is like watching an old black-and-white movie.”

Senior Alla Fletcher has been ballroom dancing since age nine. She signed up to learn to be more feminine, and now helps teach an etiquette and ballroom dance class. “I love meeting new people, especially cute boys, and just having a good time while dancing,” she says.

Although Brown was initially disappointed by the lack of younger generations involved in ballroom dancing, she has accepted the age difference. “[Katelyn and I are] by far the youngest students, and there are a few adults pushing, if not over, 60.” She adds, “It’d definitely be cool if there were more kids my age ballroom dancing.”

For Brown, ballroom dancing turned out to be more than just gliding and dipping. “The only negative or alarming experience I’ve had so far was when one man asked me to dance,” she says, “[and] proceeded to step on my toes about 15 times in two minutes.”

While Brown and Toy may seem anomalous, they represent a growing trend. “Many dancers…are becoming inspired to try partner dancing,” adds Brown.

With dance experience in jazz and ballet, Toy signed up for the class because of its difference from the other styles she’s tackled. “I like the fluidity and elegance of ballroom dancing,” she says.

Unlike Brown and Toy, who favor for the foxtrot, Fletcher prefers the informal steps of swing dancing, as well as the various benefits it offers. “I think swing dancing teaches you how to socialize with people because it’s so relaxed.”

With their basic knowledge of ballroom dancing, Brown, Fletcher, and Toy accept the traditional aspects of the dance and plan to continue learning different styles of this genre.

“Coming out of a spin, you picture yourself at a ball, twirling around in a floor-length sequined dress,” says Brown. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”