As one of the dance directors/instructors for the Bristol Chapter of the National Junior League of Cotillion, I always called on Kris Johnston to demonstrate ballroom dancing during class. Kris is a well-rounded dancer who can perform the sequence of steps for each dance with precision. He is great at leading his partner and keeping with the beat of the music. We could always rely on him to make the dance look good. We will really miss him next year as a Junior Assistant in the Cotillion program.
Besides ballroom dancing, Kris is a great athlete. A senior at Abingdon High School, he is a member of the soccer and cross country teams; both are district champions. This year in cross country, Kris individually placed second in the district, eleventh in the state, and thirty-fifth in the region. In the future he hopes to become a physical therapist and specialize in sports medicine.
Kris, how did a high school athlete like yourself become a ballroom dancer?
Three years ago I joined the National League of Junior Cotillion, Bristol Chapter. Along with etiquette, ballroom dancing is part of the curriculum. My mom forced me to go. At first, I did not want to go, but now I'm glad she did.
How did you feel about the ballroom dancing portion of the Cotillion Program?
I really dreaded it at first because I was not very good with my feet. It was rather embarrassing being the person who did not know the dances very well and the one who always messed up.
When did your feelings change about ballroom dancing?
After my first year in Cotillion, I started getting much better, and I really began to enjoy dancing and really got into it. Then the director asked me if I would be a Junior Assistant. As a Junior Assistant, I helped teach the ballroom dances to the first and second year students (middle school age). For high school Cotillion, I often demonstrated the dances with a partner.
What did you learn from being a Junior Assistant?
First of all, I learned the dances very well because I didn't want to mess up in front of everyone and I wanted to be able to demonstrate what the dances were supposed to look like so the students would know what they were doing. I also learned that it takes patience to teach the younger students.
What are the dances you have learned in Cotillion?
Foxtrot, Shag, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Salsa, and the Two-Step are the dances I have learned with a partner. We also do line dances: Thriller, Electric Slide, Cotillion Stomp, Cupid Shuffle, Disco Dances, and Slap Leather.
Which were your favorite dances and why?
My favorite dance has to be the Cha-Cha because it is a dance you can put a lot of energy into it. I like the Waltz because it is an old "fancy" dance. I also like the Foxtrot because it is easy and fun to dance. As for the line dances, Slap Leather and the Cupid Shuffle are fun but not really my thing.
What do you think about ballroom dancing now?
Now that I have experience in ballroom dancing I think it's a great way to express yourself and have fun. Before Cotillion I had absolutely no experience with dancing, dancing was entirely new to me. At first I really disliked ballroom dancing because I had no clue what I was doing and I would make a complete fool of myself. I was not coordinated at all! However, after my first year I managed to find out that I had a right and a left foot instead of two left feet and I started getting much better. Now I really like ballroom dancing.
What are some ways ballroom dancing have affected your life?
Well, ballroom dancing has made me enjoy many things that I did not like in the past such as dancing, dressing up, and getting into the dances.
Have you done any dancing outside of Cotillion?
I recently started attending some local ballroom dances that are a lot of fun.
What do your peers think about you ballroom dancing?
I had several of my classmates in Cotillion with me. That was a lot of fun because we already knew each other. It was reassuring to know some people in the class when I started. My English class is creating a prom based in the 1930s and the dances I've learned in Cotillion have been influential in being able to dance the new dances and help others learn them.
About the National League of Junior Cotillion: The organization has 300 directors nationwide. The mission statement is "to act and learn to treat others with honor, dignity, and respect for better relationships with family, friends, and business associates in life, and to learn ballroom and popular dancing." Classes begin with each school year for grades K-12. For information about the Bristol Chapter, e-mail cotillion@btes.tv or call 423-989-3316.
About Kacey Wilson: A native Bristolian, she is a history major at Virginia Intermont College who will graduate in May. She works as a ballroom dance instructor for the National League of Junior Cotillion and assists Bristol historian "Bud" Phillips. She is the designer of Washabag, a children's art bag.
