Amanda Gold, a second-grade teacher at McQuistion Elementary School, practices with partner and competitive dancer Michael Gherling in preparation for the Dance with Butler County Celebrities event set May 11 at the Crystal Room at the Days Inn.

Mike Manipole did not dance at his wedding.

However, the vice chairman of the Cranberry Township supervisors hopes to find the right step in an upcoming dance competition.

Manipole, also a seventh-grade health teacher in the Seneca Valley School District, is one of eight participants in the upcoming Dance with Butler County Celebrities event. Organized by the Butler County Symphony, the inaugural event will benefit the symphony’s Education Outreach Program.

Local celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers, who will each choreograph a two-minute routine. Dance teams will compete for the judges’ award and a people’s choice award.

The dance competition is the first fundraiser of its kind hosted by the symphony. It is being coordinated by Dance With Pittsburgh Celebrities and the symphony’s fundraising committee.

Manipole laughed about how he occasionally shows his students moves he learned in dance practice, adding that they laugh hysterically.

One of his students even devised a scheme during which they would rush the dance floor and bullfight with Manipole if he has a mishap during the competition, he said.

“My instructor says it’s like dancing with Sasquatch,” he said through laughter.

Manipole and his dance partner, professional dance instructor Luanne O’Brien, will dance the foxtrot. A smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the floor, the dance has multiple turns and twirls. Manipole said he will even flip his partner.

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