Dance instructor Heidi Tracey watches students as she leads another student during dance class at the Grand Ballroom in Butler on Monday, Jan. 6. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

A newlywed couple’s first dance is a dazzling, historic tradition for weddings.

With all eyes on them, a couple will open the celebration in each other’s arms with a thoughtfully chosen song.

Also important, however, are the dance moves themselves. To prepare for the occasion, many couples opt for dancing lessons.

Those in the area may find themselves under the instruction of Heidi Tracey, owner of Euphoric Ballroom, established in 2011, on the third floor of the Grand Ballroom on Main Street in Butler. There, students can learn several dances that are popular at weddings.

“I like to think of it more like partner dancing because sometimes (with) ballroom it puts you in the mind of waltz and foxtrot and that kind of dancing,” Tracey said, “but we do swing dancing and Latin dancing too.”

She said she will teach anyone, but mostly ends up seeing couples. Many of them come to her for wedding-related reasons.

“It’s a lot of the bride and groom getting ready, and a lot of parents too,” she said. “It’s something they can do to get ready for the wedding so that they don't feel awkward when they know they'll have to dance … Just to have that comfort so they're not doing the ‘high school sway.’”

Tracey teaches her students a few opening and ending moves to help them stand out on the floor.

“(People) are not comfortable freestyling usually, and it just gives them some kind of form to go by,” she said.

Dance instructor Heidi Tracey spins a student during dance class at the Grand Ballroom in Butler on Monday, Jan. 6. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

One couple who recommends Euphoric Ballroom is Ashley Hevesy-Bronder and Forrest Bronder, who tied the knot in October.

“We kind of did it as a date night thing and then we ended up saying, ‘We might as well look at the dance for the wedding,’” Hevesy-Bronder said. “For somebody who doesn’t dance at all, ever, it definitely gives you a different mindset. It gives you a bunch of tools you can use whether you’re planning for a wedding or just out and about having a good time.”

Bronder said learning how to dance was helpful for their wedding. “Getting a feel for each other is a skill almost,” he said.

Hevesy-Bronder agreed, and said the practice helped her with trust.

“Forrest as the lead is the one that’s really in charge, and as the follow … you have to trust what they do and not try to help and take over,” Hevesy-Bronder said. “He enjoys that because he gets to try to trick me up because I’m not trying to read him as much.”

Tracey said dance lessons in general may help partners experiment with control and confidence in each other.

“The follows actually have to give up the power a little bit, which can be a little bit hard, but freeing too,” Tracey said.

Another useful skill, according to Hevesy-Bronder, is learning the correct facial expressions to use throughout the first dance.

“Not a lot of brides think about this,” Hevesy-Bronder said. “Trying to smile in the right way and being there, I would say a simple awareness on the dance floor would be a kind of gain.”

Hevesy-Bronder and her husband recommend lessons to other engaged couples.

“He used to never dance with me at all, but now he definitely has the confidence … All you need is just a couple basic movements,” Hevesy-Bronder said. “You're gonna use it at the wedding and for the rest of your life … We're still doing it every week even though our wedding's done because it's a great connection experience for the partners.”

Tracey outlined more reasons she recommends the practice for those getting married.

“I mean there's the physical reasons: It's exercise without the focus on exercise, it's a little bit more fun, and it's a good mental exercise for leads and follows,” the instructor said.

Bronder shared some advice for other bridegrooms looking to take lessons: “Don’t let fear inhibit you.”

“I thought I had two left feet,” he said. “It's really eye-opening how far you can progress with just minimal effort.”

Hevesy-Bronder said her husband will now turn down other activities to dance with her.

“As a guy saying he enjoys it too, from someone who didn’t think that he would … It’s fun,” the bride said. “He does keep me on my toes, that’s for sure.”

Dance instructor Heidi Tracey dances with two of her students during dance class at the Grand Ballroom in Butler on Monday, Jan. 6. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw