Editor’s Note: Meet our Cover Couple! Noah Mirucki (12), from Wellesley, Massachusettes, and Alicia Bonaciu (11), from Natick, Massachusettes, are Junior I Ten-Dancers (Ballroom and Latin) who have been dancing with USA Dance for two years. American Dancer enjoyed meeting these talented kids and you will too! In this article, their Mothers, Helen Livson (Noah) and Katalin Popovici (Alicia), tell the story of raising talented American Ballroom stars.
Ladies First – Alicia
Challenges in Raising Young Dancers – A Mom’s Perspective
By Katalin Popovici
In today’s era when youths use technology, smartphones, and social media nearly universally, it becomes even more important for a child to find an offline and device-free activity. Alicia discovered her passion for dance when she stepped into a local studio to take a few trial lessons at the age of 8 and a half. She instantaneously got hooked into this beautiful world of dance and music, largely because of her gorgeous, young, and welcoming dance teacher.
It didn’t take long to face her first challenge as she started to attend the children’s group class. She was the youngest among all, with no dancing experience, while other kids had been dancing for 2-3 years already. She was struggling to follow the steps, music, and everything else. As a parent, you start questioning whether this is the right sport, class, or studio for her; but her perseverance and desire to take more lessons pushes you to do something about it. Whether it involves showing her dance videos on YouTube, practicing together at home basic steps like Cha-Cha New Yorker, or just listening to ballroom music instead of today’s hits on the radio. All helped her improve her skills, become more confident, and continue growing her love for dance. Eight months later, she had her first competition, full of excitement, jitters, and joy. And that was just the beginning…
So, what do you as a parent when you see your bundle of joy getting more and more serious about DanceSport? How do you support your child in achieving her goals?
Obviously, finance is a big factor in supporting young dancers. The lessons, costumes, shoes, practice wear, travel, competition fees, guest coaches, etc. all end up being significant expenses that many cannot afford. If your family is lucky enough to support such expenses, then the rest is easier.
As for any athlete, hard work and discipline are the keys to success. I’m a very lucky parent, as Alicia, similarly to many other kids, understands and practices these on her own. She has always been self-driven and ambitious in pursuing her dreams. In her case, over-involvement and burnout are the things to watch out for. How far and to what level is she willing to dedicate herself? How will she prioritize dance in comparison to other enriching activities? Does she have a reasonable amount of time and energy to contribute to her schoolwork and social life? Time spent in athletic pursuit should be carefully rationed, just like screen time. Obviously, as her parent, I need to help her set up a good schedule, whether it’s on the day of the competition or just a regular weekday, that gives her plenty of time to complete her homework before her dance training, and enough sleep to recover physically and mentally before and after a competition. Good healthy nutrition is also essential to keep her energy level high at every practice and at every dance event.
Learning to dance and compete in partnership with another child can be very special and rewarding, but it presents its own challenges. Often kids dancing together don’t share the same commitment, passion, or goals. As a parent, you must help them navigate through their own difficult situations and learn to compromise. When tensions are high, it’s easier to get angry with your partner than to support each other with respect and encouragement. This is true in any partnership or relationship, but it’s even more prevalent in the case of children who are not mature enough to understand, value, and invest in teamwork.
Another important aspect for children to stay in dance is to have “good” coaches, and “good” means different things for different kids. In the case of Alicia, she needs coaches who are fully committed to her training and truly care about her progress. As she has big dreams, she needs to continuously grow and improve in bigger and better ways. A good coach knows how to do this, whether by improving technique, teaching new steps, or choreographing a more challenging routine. Our coaches are exceptional and are doing their best to help our kids. Of course, having fun is also important and makes the lessons more enjoyable! Hard work combined with fun is always much easier!
Despite these challenges, DanceSport is one of the most beautiful artistic sports that your child can pursue! I will never miss an opportunity to watch Alicia dance, whether it’s a class, a competition, or just her practicing on her own. It makes me a very happy and proud parent!
…And the Gentleman – Noah
Life of a Teenage Boy and his Dance Mom: The Competitive Ballroom Edition
By Helen Livson
I am the proud mom of a teenage boy, who is deeply involved in the competitive world of Ballroom DanceSport. Watching my 12-year-old navigate the changes inherent in adolescence is difficult. When you add in the glitzy world of Cha-Chas, Tangos, and tuxedos, life becomes exponentially more complicated. While Ballroom DanceSport adds a layer of complexity that can often feel overwhelming, the program begets rewards that outweigh the challenges.
From his very first class, Noah embraced the sport of Ballroom with enthusiasm and determination. As his skill and artistry matured over the past two years, the practices, performances, and competitions have helped develop both his self-esteem and confidence. At a young age, Noah performs in front of large audiences, has been recognized for his talents, and has interacted with seasoned professionals.
Competitive dancing has created opportunities for him to practice discipline, time management, and teamwork. These skills will undoubtedly contribute to his ongoing success, not just in dancing, but in any future pursuits he decides to take on.
Of course, competing in any sport at an elite level requires a dedication that is, by its very nature, all-consuming. Noah spends multiple days of the week at the studio with his partner, Alicia, practicing and rehearsing. This commitment has required him to make many difficult choices and sacrifices; he has had to forego other interests and activities to focus on his training. As with most pursuits that require this level of dedication, Noah experiences moments of frustration and doubt and even the occasional proclamation of, “I don’t want to dance right now!” But these moments pass, and he returns to his practice with renewed energy. He is keenly aware that his growth as both an individual and together with Alicia has been a direct result of all the hours of hard work he has put into the sport.
As the parents of a ballroom dancer, coordination of schedules between the partners is a logistical puzzle, with classes and practices often conflicting with school and family events. As a ‘dance mom,’ I have had to master the art of safety-pinning event bibs and creating the perfect slicked-back hairstyle with gel, pomade, and a touch of hairspray. I’ve learned the importance of diet to keep my teenager both hydrated and energized. Furthermore, all of the excitement of traveling and competing is balanced by pressures to perform well, so there is also the emotional aspect of dealing with the highs and lows while supporting Noah through any and all of his triumphs and disappointments. Finally, the financial aspect of the sport is notable, with lessons, costumes, travel expenses, and competition fees quickly adding up.
Ultimately, the experiences and memories that Noah has created through travel, practice, sacrifice, and competition have been incredibly rewarding. I love watching my son grow as a dancer, a dance partner, and a young man who is disciplined, resilient, and able to handle both success and disappointment with grace. Being a ‘dance mom’ to a competitive ballroom dancer is definitely a wild ride, but I am looking forward to seeing where this dance journey will take him.
