While NYU Club Sports are not currently meeting due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Department of Athletics continues to feature and provide insight into our various offerings. Today, we highlight NYU's Latin and Ballroom Dance Club.
 
Previously, NYU's Figure Skating Club and Table Tennis Club have been featured.   

Laurie M. Scherer (CAS '10), who coaches New York University's Latin & Ballroom Dance Club was a freshman at the University in 2006.

"I immediately fell in love with the Club, and went from Vice President during my sophomore year to President as a junior and senior," Scherer revealed. "After graduating, I would guest instruct as often as possible. When my former instructor and good friend, Meagan DiBartolo -- the Club's fabulous coach for the previous 10 years -- asked if I would be interested in taking over for her, I couldn't say no!"

Scherer is proud of the fact that as many as 100 NYU students show up each year to join the club, though not all stay through the end of the season. Matt Eng (CAS '20) was a two-year team member.
 
"When I joined as a junior, I was also a member of the NYU Judo Club and my coach would tell stories of how practicing the Tango improved his footwork," Eng explained. "I had explored all types of dance clubs in college, from hip-hop to break-dancing, so I figured why not give another style a shot?"      

The coronavirus pandemic has kept the now-Dr. Scherer (Psy.D) from mingling with her dancers. The Club's big event, Top Hat & Tails, is usually held in the Kimmel Center every December. It is a semi-formal social dance and casual competition that allows
Club members to experience what it feels like to compete in a fun, yet low-stakes way.

"Students, friends, family, and alumni all come out to celebrate the event at the end of the semester with good food, good dancing and good times," Scherer explained. "We have been hosting this event every fall since 1988, so not having it this year is certainly disappointing. An NYU law student who first started the Club, Yang Chen, still comes back yearly to Emcee and DJ for us. Club instructors, often alumni like myself, judge the competition and award medals at the end of the event."

Top Hat & Tails was an eye-opening event for Eng.

 "When I originally joined the club, never did I imagine that I would be dancing Tango around judges with a number on my back," Eng laughed. "It was awesome."
 

 In addition to the Tango, many dance styles are explored by the Club, including Salsa, Hustle, Lindy Hop, and the Charleston.

"We have a quirky, yet incredibly strong community," Scherer said. "Our alumni are the heart and soul and have truly created a family that grows every year." 

Having been around the Club as both a student and now the coach, Scherer has a keen sense of why it is so popular.  

"Social Dancing has a feel-good way about it that's timeless," Scherer concluded. "Generations converge with that nostalgic, primal way of being."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Despite the pandemic, the Club was able to produce a video entitled "The QuaranTime of Our Lives", which can be accessed here. 

PHOTOS by Matthew Levine.