Dance For 2 made quite a showing at the California Open in Irvine on February 12-14. All three students who competed with Shawn Torgerson in the pro-am competitions placed in the top three in multiple events. Shawn is so proud of the ladies dedication and effort in learning all their dances as well as their stellar performances which allowed them to bring home The Dancers Cup.

Edith Howe, who has been taking lessons with Shawn for 12 years, placed third or better in Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and West Coast Swing. Edith really impressed the judges with her skill and grace because she took first place in Rumba and both Night-club Two Step heats. Edith says that Shawn did a great job teaching and she anticipates continuing to work with him. Cal Open was a “fun experience and I look forward to the next competition”.

Joyce Kao entered in Waltz, Foxtrot, West Coast Swing, Cha-cha and Salsa. She took seconds and thirds across the board. After a year and a half of dancing, Joyce feels that she enjoys dancing more because of the competition. “It forces a greater appreciation of the detail and dedication that it takes to become a great dancer”. One of the best parts of the competition for Joyce was getting a sense of the timelessness of ballroom dance, because in forty years Joyce still plans to be out there on the dance floor competing and loving every minute of it.

This was Patty Griffitts first competition and she entered in Tango, Samba, Rumba and East Coast Swing. The most difficult part of the competition for Patty was overcoming her nerves, but overcome them she did. Patty’s Swing secured her a first place in one heat and second place in the next heat. Leaving with eight medals, Patty feels even more determined to learn as much as she can. “The competition has given me new goals for myself and for my dancing”.

The competition was a resounding success. While nerve-racking for the dancers, every single one of them would do it again; not only for the experience gained and the medals, but for the motivation it has given them to continue dancing. Congratulations to the lovely ladies and to Shawn Torgerson on a job well done.