Owners and Instructors
Owners and Instructors » Dave Watson
Dave Watson
Our Director, and the owner of Ballroom Parkrose, is Dave Watson.
Mr. Watson has been seriously dedicated to Ballroom Dancing for over 30 years, and still teaches a full schedule of private lessons as well as the Tuesday night American Smooth Group class.
"Like so many instructors, I started out in a Fred Astaire Studio, having fun, and not really thinking that this would be my future livelihood. It was just something to do for a while -- like so many other early jobs one might have. Unlike all those other jobs, however, this one was FUN! It was also challenging, demanding, and hard. As well as learning to dance, I learned so much about people and about myself in particular."
As in all the arts, it can be very dificult in the beginning, and new teachers frequently struggle. But, Dave stuck with it, and eventually went on to be the dance director and co-owner of 3 Fred Astaire Studios in New Jersey. Along the way, he also studied Jazz Dance and classical Ballet at the School of the Garden State Ballet when that institution was under the direction of Edward Villella.
"I loved it -- I just couldn't get enough Dance. And, I wanted to KNOW, and UNDERSTAND Dance and Movement. I think that's what made me successful; the desire to really understand what was going on and how to create things with my body."
Dave Watson is proud to have been recognized as one of the top 12 competitors in the United States in the International Standard division when he competed Professionally. (He also competed professionally, and was placed, in the American Rhythm and Smooth divisions.) However, he is most proud of his work in training other instructors and students to go on and fulfill their own dreams.
"It's such a kick to see your students being recognized for all their hard work; I just love it!"
Although he has studied with just about every coach there is, Mr Watson cites 4 as those who have had the greatest influence on his dancing: "Rufus Dustin, who taught me my basics, and so very much more that I'll never be able to fully express my gratitude to him; Gary Pierce, from whom I learned that there could be diferent paths and that it was OK to pursue them and to risk being diferent -- that was very important to me; Bill Davies, who confused the Hell out of me, but from whom I now realize, I was getting some of the most important training in Smooth dancing that I would ever receive; and Jenell Maranto from whom I continue to learn and who is, in my opinion, one of the best Female dancers of Smooth dancing in the world and who posesses one of the best minds for dancing of anyone I know."
Mr. Watson continues to train with numerous coaches on a regular basis. "You have to -- there's just no way around it. If you're going to stay sharp -- if you're going to stay competitive, you need that highly trained and critical eye looking at you -- and helping you -- all the time. I'm really looking forward to studying with Beth Knoll (former U.S. Champion) more often, now that she's teaching right here in the studio; what a great opportunity that is for all of us!"
"I'm really just like any other student; I want to continue to grow and improve and try new things and dance and then dance some more. I think I'm extremely lucky to have fallen into dancing when I did, and to have been guided and trained by those who helped me so much in my career. Life is good!"
Mr Watson is a fully certified adjudicator in all five styles of Ballroom, Latin and Theatrical dancing.
To arrange lessons, or for more info, you can contact Mr. Watson directly by going to our 'Contact Center' page, and scrolling down to the e-mail links that you'll find there, or call his cell at (360) 921-5361.