Success Stories

Brandee Selck, Professional Dance Instructor

Brandee’s is a perfect example of a person entering the world of ballroom dance mid-career. In January, 1999, four years into a successful career in the computer industry she took a dance class for fun. Soon after that she learned about the Ballroom Dance Teachers College. She says, “I couldn’t believe it! I had absolutely no experience teaching anything! But when I spoke to my friends (thinking they would be shocked), they unanimously supported my decision. They said, ‘this is perfect for you, you are a people person, you are not meant to sit behind a computer screen.’”

Eight months later she taught her first private lesson, and over the next year began to make her living entirely from teaching. In July 2000, the Metronome in San Francisco hired her to teach dance for group classes. “I listened to my heart and took a leap of faith. The transition was much smoother than I could have imagined. As a dance teacher, I get to use all my analytical and former career skills, breaking down new information and making it accessible and easy to learn. Changing careers and becoming a ballroom dance teacher has been one of the best decisions of my life. It is a career that continues to engage and challenge me, and brings me great joy and satisfaction.”

Melissa Saphir, Professional Dance Instructor

Melissa’s story is a wonderful inspiration for new dancers and dance teachers choosing a career in dance as an adult. She grew up in Austin, Texas where, aside from a few “line dances” in PE class, she never danced as a child. As a young person, she thought of herself as “a brain.” In 1999, after getting her doctorate at Stanford University and planning to become a professor, she happened to take a Lindy Hop class at the Metronome Dance Center. From there she progressed from dancing each night for fun, to attending the San Francisco BDTC in 2000, to becoming a full-time teacher at the Metronome in 2001.

How does Melissa explain this newly found love of dance? She explains, “Dancing engages all parts of me – the physical and artistic, as well as the intellectual. It is so much fun and a wonderful change from spending so much time in my head.”

Alise Halbert, Professional Dance Instructor

Alise Halbert was enjoying her dance lessons, doing administration work for the dance studio in exchange for classes, but she never planned on becoming a dance teacher. Then a life changing event convinced her to embrace dance teaching as a career. Her father's near death after being hit by a car "was a real wake-up call," she says. "Being raised in an environment of self-suppressed dreams and frustrated creativity amidst downtown office cubicles...I finally thought 'why fight and struggle...why not just do the things I love to do?'" From that point it was a very natural progression for Alise. "I love dancing. It's a great way to express yourself, and it makes you happy!"

Midwest Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy