ASHTON AND AMBER - A FUN AND GLAMOROUS WEDDING
“We have a unique first dance song and we need help choreographing to it!” Amber and I felt an instant connection when we spoke on the phone the very first time. When she told me about her first dance song, “Boy with a Coin” by Iron and Wine, I screamed out of excitement because that is one of my favorite songs! After meeting Amber and Ashton for their wedding dance consultation, I fell in love with this couple not only because of their great taste of music but also their fun personalities and positive energy that they bring into the lesson. Amber and Ashton’s first dance was a romantic Rumba mixed with Flamenco-influenced dance moves. Besides taking private dance lessons in preparation for their first dance, they came to the Friday’s BYOB group dance classes for fun and to get more practice in. A month after their wedding, they are now back to the studio and learning how to Salsa and Cha Cha! You may see them showing off their dance moves at a Latin dance club very soon!
“Szewai choreographed the most unique and breathtaking dance ever. She combined many different dance styles and went above and beyond to make it very unique...It has been an incredible experience for my husband and I and we look forward to growing more with her!”
Amber and Ashton wowing their guests at their wedding. Photo by eight one seven photography.
BOB AND RYAN - A JOYFUL CELEBRATION
Every Saturday, Bob and Ryan would drive for an hour from the suburbs to take dance lessons with me. During their first lesson, looking nervous yet excited, they told me their goal was to be able to dance together and not look awkward. As a spanish teacher, Bob knew in order to learn a new language (dance), they would need lots of practice until the vocabulary (dance steps) became second nature. And so did Ryan, an electronic technician, who has spent many many hours perfecting his skills. And yet, dance is unlike any form of practice. It is a language without words - a physical and visceral communication between two people. While practicing the same move repeatedly, Bob and Ryan learned to trust each other more through movement. And at the end, they learned to rumba to their beautiful first song, "Real Love" by the Beatles. They have been having fun learning to dance ever since.
“The dances at our commitment celebration were absolutely perfect. We owe it all to Szewai...We had a blast learning to dance with Szewai and look forward to many more lessons and laughs together.”
Bob and Ryan dancing the Rumba at their commitment celebration.
DAN AND AMANDA - A WHIMSICAL VINTAGE WEDDING
With their unique eye for detail, Dan and Amanda treated their wedding as a piece of art and I felt honored to be part of the art making. They are one of the most creative couples I have ever worked with. Everything in their vintage style wedding was thoughtfully crafted and many of those were DIY! Their first dance was a mixture of foxtrot and swing, which went perfectly with their 50s themed wedding. Dan and Amanda's fun and lively energy was contagious and made the lessons so enjoyable for me to teach! After months of learning to dance together, not only did they learn a dance that is skillfully choreographed like everything else in their wedding, but also fun and spontaneous just like them.
“Szewai was amazing! She is so patient, clear, laid back, and a lot of fun! We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. When it came time to perform our dance at our wedding, we didn’t even have to think about it! We knew the steps so well, that it just felt natural...We can’t wait to go back, even after our wedding.”
Dan and Amanda dancing the swing at their wedding. Photo by Love Is A Big Deal.
RYAN AND KIM - A CLASSIC AND ELEGANT WEDDING
After months of mastering the princess turns, the grand entrance, the free spin and the perfect dip, Ryan and Kim were ready to wow their guests on their big day. With a drive for perfection, learning to dance together was not a smooth journey but one filled with small challenges. One of the challenges they experienced was learning to lead and follow. Like many other couples, Ryan had to learn how to direct clearly with his body and movement while Kim had to learn to let go and allow him to lead. With patience and persistence, they successfully overcame all the challenges and mastered their first dance, a slow foxtrot/swing to "You Are The Best Thing." They received lots of compliments from their friends and family at the wedding. And now, months after their wedding, they have been learning to waltz and salsa!
“We started lessons 5 months before our wedding with Szewai. We started pretty stiff but ended with an amazing dance Szewai put together. I felt like a true “princess” during our first dance at our wedding. Our friends and family are still raving about how amazing we were!”
Ryan and Kim dancing at their Chicago wedding. Photo by Todd James Photography.