The Old Dungeness Schoolhouse at 2781 Towne Road is lit up on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Inside, the sound of laughter, catchy music and many feet moving together signifies that the adult students of world-class ballroom dancers Shimkiri and Werner Figar are practicing their steps and moves.
Sequim Ballroom has been operating out of the Schoolhouse since January 2024. Someday they may hold their classes somewhere else, said Werner Figar, but right now they are content where they are.
They are seeking to “build up the ballroom dance community in Sequim,” he explained.
Children’s lessons are offered afternoons, organized by age group, and adults’ at night.
Adult beginners attend on Wednesdays and intermediate to advanced attend on Thursdays. The types of dances are taught on rotation, said Figar to “give everyone an opportunity to try something they like.”
February beginner’s classes, starting the 5th, will feature Tango at 6 p.m. and Salsa at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and for intermediate to advanced, Tango at 6 p.m., Cha Cha at 7 p.m. and Swing at 7:45. Classes last 45 minutes each.
Teenagers, said Figar, are welcome in the adult classes.
Indeed, last Thursday night there were people from teenage to silver haired dancing together.
People come to class with or without partners, said Figar. He said that dancers rotate partners, unless they want to stay with the same partner.
Private lessons are also available.
Brie Rocha, who said she has been dancing all her life, is an intern at Sequim Ballroom. She is the “follower” to Figar’s lead in demonstrating dances, as Shimkiri is currently home with the couple’s infant, their third child.
But what is ballroom dance?
Figar said “Ballroom dancing includes all dances that are done with a partner. From a more formal Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot to a Rumba, Cha Cha, Salsa, etc.
“Within ballroom there are certain dance styles which specify different dances. For example, American Smooth, International Standard, International Latin, American Rhythm and Social Dances.”
He added that “At this point we teach only ballroom but might expand to other dance styles – modern dance, ballet, hip hop – in the future.”
History
The Figars first came to Sequim to take a class from Katy Bowman of Nutritious Movement, after reading her New York Times best seller.
They had been looking for a place with a lot of nature in which to raise their children and Sequim seemed just right, except for being so far from their dance studio in Jersey City. Currently Figar returns to it every month.
Figar is originally from a small town in Austria and Shimkiri from California. They met while competitive dancing, said Figar, and began dancing together professionally.
Figar said his interest in dancing began when watching scenes from the movie Dirty Dancing at age 7. Before that he was a gymnast, according to his online biography. He danced competitively with his sister with whom he was a “three-time Austrian Latin Champion.”
Figar said that Shimkiri has been dancing since she was very young, but became a mechanical engineer before moving to New York and becoming a competitive dancer.
According to her online profiles, she is “an international Latin dancer who is the undefeated Edison Ballroom Champion, Vice-Champion of the NJ Open Rising Star Latin and finalist in many US competitions.”
The two have much more extensive professional biographies, including teaching.
Figar said that their eldest child, Seraphina, takes classes because she is interested in dancing, but “we don’t force it on kids. They can be whatever they want to be.”
A student’s perspective
Dance student Debra Van Dusen said she has been taking classes on and off since the Sequim Ballroom opened. She said she was “a very rusty dancer,” when she started taking the classes.
“I was really happy when they started teaching,” said Van Dusen. “It’s wonderful to have ballroom teachers.”
She said that about half the people who attend come to class without a partner and that each person can choose to be a “leader” or a “follower” when they dance; some people will alternate between each role.
“It’s very safe on the floor,” she said.
Van Dusen said that everyone has a turn dancing with the teachers.
About Figar’s teaching style, she said that he is “very warm, he’s humorous. I don’t think anyone has to feel anxious,” about how well they can or can’t dance in his classes.”
About Shimkiri, she said, “She’s very nice,” and a good role model for being a follower. “Brie as well.”
Van Dusen said that in the “beginning class most of your peers are in the same boat.”
She advised taking the beginning classes over and over. “Learn what you can and keep coming back,” she said. What seems too challenging at first will make sense over time.
She said that there are a lot of places in Port Angeles and Sequim to dance. “It’s good to know the basics of popular dances,” she noted. “People are nice. If you’re willing and want to learn, people will want to include you. Come with a classmate.”
Van Dusen added, “Movement to music is just really beautiful. If you can get your mind out of the way and let your body do it over and over again you’ll develop a relationship with the music.”
For more information visit sequimballroom.com.