Connecting with Each Other Through Dance
When Paige Sowinski’s son told her the Electric Slide and the Two-Step would be featured at his upcoming wedding, she said “OK, sounds fun” – then went looking for a place that could teach her the dance moves.
“I wanted to learn some social dancing,” she said. “I wanted to be on the dance floor and perform those dances without looking like a robot, and to feel comfortable in the dance.”
Finding Their Rhythm
What began as preparation for a wedding dance quickly turned into something more. Paige’s husband, Stephen, had danced as a young man and always enjoyed it. So when the couple from Eagle found Fred Astaire Boise it sparked a newfound passion.
“This started because of the wedding, but after the first lesson I said, ‘We’re going to continue doing this, right? And keep going after the wedding, right?’” Stephen said. “And she said ‘Oh, yes!’”
Reconnecting Through Dance
Today, Paige and Stephen are familiar faces at Fred Astaire Boise, working closely with certified dance instructors Gentry and Erin. Ballroom dancing has become an activity the Sowinskis – married for 28 years – can enjoy together.
“For me, it’s an outlet,” Paige said. “It’s a time for me to focus on my well-being. And it’s something fun that we’re doing together as a couple, a reconnection time, date-night time, and a happy time.”
Read more from the Sowinskis below about their experiences with Fred Astaire Boise and why they love being part of our dance community!
How Dancing Brings Them Together
“We love working with (our instructors) so much and that made a huge difference. We felt very comfortable and welcome. It’s a great place to focus on yourselves, it was a thing we could do for a date night as a couple. We both enjoy this and I’m happy that we have it. I always leave here happy.”
– Paige Sowinski
“I come because my wife loves it and it makes her happy. And I like it when my wife is happy. When she comes in here she gets so excited. It’s a place for us to reconnect as a couple.”
– Stephen Sowinski
How Ballroom Dancing Helps Her Grow
“I’m the kind of person that likes things that are scary sometimes. Ballroom dancing can be scary, but it’s a challenge and challenges can be really fun. That’s why we’re here. It’s good to grow.”
– Paige Sowinski
Why They Enjoy Coming to the Studio
“It was very different than what I expected. I had only experienced ballet studios with my daughters. Everything about this studio was new to me, how the lessons worked – it was refreshing. It’s a community.”
– Paige Sowinski
“It’s different here, they accommodate us the moment we walk in the door, they’re smiling, they’re happy that we’re here. They make people feel like we’re doing good, that everything’s OK. They’re very personable, very supportive.”
– Stephen Sowinski
How He Answers When His Friends Ask ‘Why Are You Doing This?’
“Everybody I talk to in my age group thinks I’m a nut for doing this. My friends ask, ‘Why are you doing this?’ I just look at them and say,
‘It’s a chance for me to wrap my arms around my girl and dance in front of people.’
And they say, ‘I just can’t dance.’ I tell them there are people here who are going to help you, you don’t have to be a dancer. You just have to come and snuggle up with your lady, or whoever you have, and it’s a good thing. It’s a great thing.”
– Stephen Sowinski
