By Casey Neill
Dance helped Zac Van Grondelle to find his tribe.
“I started when I was 10 because my grandparents owned a dance studio years ago and then my mum wanted to take me to dance classes to continue the family tradition,” the Ballroom Baby Geelong director said.
“I had no interest but my mum made me go.
“From the first few classes I loved it, and I kept going.
“As a kid, I thought it was just an activity I really liked doing.
“I really liked the music, I liked meeting other people of all ages.
“Looking back on it now as an adult, it was probably not quite fitting in at school…”
Zac met people with the same hobbies and interests through dance.
“Looking back now, I think ‘what would I have been like if I hadn’t met those people?’,” he said.
Meeting people as an adult who didn’t get the chance to find their tribe really solidified his appreciation.
“I was so lucky to have that opportunity to be me and meet other people who were like me,” he said.
“I had my own interests. I didn’t have to fit in.”
As an adult, Zac wanted to give other kids in Geelong the opportunity he had – and more.
He didn’t want other young dancers to have to choose between travelling or giving it up.
Zac’s seen all kinds of children and teens give dance a go.
“The kids who come through here are really musically inclined. They love singing and moving to music,” he said.
“We also have kids who are really shy and don’t know how to socialise or express themselves that well.
“I think dance suits both those types of personalities.
“We have kids who are doing other sports like football and basketball, but also enjoy dance.
“It helps with other skills like balance and coordination for those other activities.”
There are also option competitions, for kids and teens who like to put their skills to the test.
Zac said dancing taught resilience and helped young people to accept feedback and try to improve.
“For me, as an adult, that’s a skill that I’ve taken into other jobs,” he said.
Social skills are another benefit from dance classes.
“A lot of kids don’t have as many social skills, especially post-covid, in this technology age,” he said.
“Through dance classes they learn to speak to adults and talk about themselves.
“Dance, particularly, can make you feel vulnerable.
“Standing in a room with people you don’t know…
“That teaches you a good skill as well.
“I can stand up in front of other people and be confident.
“Dance in itself keeps you active and moving – it’s a good physical activity.
“Long-term it instils this enjoyment of being active and being fit.
“Exercise doesn’t have to be absolutely pushing yourself to the max until you drop.”
