Student of the week – Idgy Menzies

Name: Maureen “Idgy” Menzies

Town you Live In: Nashua

How long have you been dancing? 12 years

How did you get into ballroom? My boyfriend told me he dreamed of dancing tango at his wedding one day, so I signed us up for a sampler introductory class. Now he is my husband and yes, our wedding dance was American Tango!

Which dance do you enjoy the most? Argentine Tango presents the steepest learning curve, but it’s the most rewarding to me. There is no dance that is more connection-driven. At milongas, we get to dance a tanda — a set of three songs without changing partners — and you can feel the partner connection grow with each piece of music.

What is your favorite dance memory? It’s difficult to choose one, for there are so many. Mostly I love having made so many wonderful friends through dance. There are two experiences that stand out: working on and performing in small group samba and rumba showcases; and getting to dance to the music of my favorite Argentine Tango band while they performed a live show.

What dance goal would you like to conquer next? I’d like to get better at V-Waltz. It’s still scary.

What are your other hobbies? Fitness, travel, reading, teaching yoga, exploring the world of fine wines and spirits.

Tell us something you think most people don’t know about you. I am a certified Wine Master.