Brookfield’s Dancing with the Chamber returns March 21, bringing 10 local business owners and community members to the stage for a friendly, high-energy dance competition.
Modeled after “Dancing with the Stars”, the event pairs first-time dancers with professional instructors and features a variety of dance styles choreographed by Teresa Swanson, owner of Sway Dance Chicago and Brookfield resident. While the competition crowns a winner, the focus remains on community connection, personal growth and stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
“It’s a competition, but it’s a very friendly competition. We try to break up the dances so all 10 dancers perform different styles. That’s why it’s such a nice variety of a show. There are three judges. I’m one of them,” Swanson said.
When asked what makes Dancing with the Chamber different from other dance or fundraising events, especially for people who have never danced before, Swanson said that the key is that none of the competitors are dancers.
“To perform in front of 500 people, learn a dance, and follow through to really accomplish something like that is pretty amazing. It’s a huge challenge, like I said, to step outside your comfort zone and really push yourself to try something new,” Swanson said.
Swanson explains that participants learn the skill of dancing, which adds to their lives. Many from previous years have continued taking her classes and are still dancing, which she finds exciting. The experience sparks their interest, helping them stay active and accomplish something significant
Sway Dance Chicago recently expanded to Brookfield with a new studio offering Latin ballroom and swing classes, including popular styles like salsa, bachata, swing, and tango. The classes, available as six-week group sessions or private lessons, are designed for dancers of all experience levels.
“Sway Dance Chicago is the dance studio I own in the city, and it opened in 2010. I live in Brookfield, so for years I was just renting space from local businesses and teaching here and there. Finally, I really wanted to have my own space in Brookfield, where I live. I still have my studio in the city, but my teachers there are really taking over, which allows me to spend more time out here,” Swanson said.
