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The BYU Ballroom Dance Company just got back from China. The group was invited to perform there as part of the Olympics.
Before they left, we sent them with a camera so they could show us just how much fun they had.
The group spent nearly a month touring in China, performing the waltz, two-step, and even the cha-cha. The Chinese people loved it. Christoffer Keene, with the BYU Ballroom Dance Company, says, "They were clapping while we were dancing, and they don't usually do that."
Dancer Marie Dayton says, "We felt privileged to go, and it was a privilege for them. They were really excited to see us."
Jessica Warren, also a dancer, added, "This Asian experience is something I will never be able to forget."
The dance company was invited to perform in the Cultural Olympics, so they got a little bit of Olympic fever while they were there. Warren says, "There's really an excitement over there. There are signs announcing the Olympics are coming and T-shirts being sold, and you're very much aware that China is in the spotlight of the world right now."
They performed six routines and should have danced more, but some dances were canceled because of the weather. Dayton says, "It was pouring rain. There were some troopers who sat with umbrellas and waited until it ended."
After the performances, the dancers say they were treated like celebrities. "After every performance they would come up and tell us how beautiful we were and take so many pictures of us," Dayton says.
When not dancing, the group also got to visit Great Wall of China and enjoyed many authentic meals. They say the people were most welcoming. "The people were wonderful," Dayton says. "It was beautiful."
Next year, the group will stay in the country and tour the East Coast.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
