LAYTON—Get out of the heat, make some friends and exercise without even knowing it – take up dance. Whether it’s ballroom, Country Swing or West Coast Swing – get up and get moving. 

“Life was super busy,” said Justin Carmony, a student at Premier Ballroom dance studio. “I’m a single dad and with kids and everything, sometimes I felt cooped up and I wanted to socialize with adults. My friend said I ought to try dancing at one of the drop in classes.”

Carmony said he decided to do West Coast Swing. “I’ve never danced before in my life but I enjoyed it so much. I got hooked. Learning to dance has been fun.”

It’s a great option to get out of the house, he said. “I’ve made several friends. It’s open to all ages. I’ve danced with 20-to 40-year-olds all the way up to someone in their 70s.”

Sophie Robert teaches the West Coast Swing class. “I was dancing Country Swing and discovered West Coast Swing. I took my first lesson in 2018,” she said. “I never went back after that.”

Robert became an instructor when someone else didn’t show up to teach. “I ended up taking over the whole program.”

A 12-week beginner class starts in September, she said. “It’s very popular. Students learn the basics. With West Coast Swing you can dance to a lot of different kinds of music like the blues, music from the 50s, popular music and hip hop, they're all fun to dance to.”

“I started dancing when I was little,” said Country Swing instructor, Mariah Wood. “I took ballet and then ballroom in elementary school. I could only be on a team though so I got my brother to do it. I did it in junior high and high school. I was introduced to Country Swing through ballroom.”

Wood said she started dancing every week in Logan while she was in college. “I did ballroom at Premier and thought about opening my own place. I went to my sister’s ballroom concert and asked if I could teach sometime.”

Every Friday is country swing at Premier Ballroom dance studio. The first 45 minutes is instruction for line dancing and partner dancing. Courtesy photo

 She ended up teaching Country Swing. “Every Friday we do social dancing,” she said. “It’s line dancing and partner dancing. The first 45 minutes is instruction and then from 9-12 we play songs you can dance to.”

It started small, said Wood. “There were about 14 people, now there’s almost 90. We regularly get 40-50. It’s grown a lot.”

Wood met her husband through Country Swing. “It’s a new way to meet people instead of apps,” she said. “You just ask someone to dance. Some of my best friends come from swing dancing.”

A lot of people come without a partner, said Wood. “Most people do. The cool thing is you don’t need a partner to line dance but we have both with and without partners. It’s an any age thing.”

It’s super easy to pick up, she said. “Everyone is willing to help each other out – that’s what I love about it. Even if you don’t have rhythm that’s OK you can just do the moves.”

“Sophie has created a ‘no judgment come as you are’ atmosphere,” said Carmony. “At first I was super skeptical but it’s been a great experience. For a guy who’s never danced before in his life it’s been a blast.” 

For more information and a schedule of dance classes and drop-in socials visit https://www.premierballroomacademy.com/premieradults.