Dance To My Rhythm Offers the Unique in Dance Classes and Wellness

If “passion” were a business, Shevon James could open this said biz on any street in any town.

Call is Happiness, LLC, and this guy’s the CEO.

“My secret to success?” he responds to my question. “Stay humble, and hold onto a dream.”

James, who originally lived in Toronto, Canada and moved to Belleville in 2004, is owner of Dance To My Rhythm at 382 Union Avenue, and his is, in his words, “bringing something new” to Belleville, especially the Brancee dance form. “This brand of dancing is lots of international steps for ballroom dancing made whole and current.”

Dance To My Rhythm, which prides itself on being affordable, providing professional classes with integrity, also features the unique Brancee Cardio Belly Dance Program, and James claims he is the only male teaching it right now in New Jersey. “Belly dancing is the true exotic form of professional dancing.”

What James also offers is encouraging men (yes, men CAN dance, too – and more on that later), women and children to get healthy. “I want to get people out to move their body.” He then leans in. “When you come here, you have issues from the world. You want an outlet? THIS is your outlet.”

James, 40, comes from a family where both sides were fond of dance, and he used to watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers dance on television while growing up. He has also been in and won many ballroom and other style dance competitions, and believes that dance is 90 – 95% is art. “Dance is an exploration – an exploration of self, and what you want yourself to become.”

There are a variety of classes to be found at Dance To My Rhythm, including Tiny Tots Ballet for 4 -6 year olds, Children and Teen Hip Hop, Unique Active Adult 50 and older Dance and Fitness Classes, “Your First Dance” classes for brides and grooms, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, and much more. A full list of what is offered can be found at www.dancetomyrhythm.com.

Regardless of what James offers, he recognizes an impediment when it comes to appearing on any dance floor for any dance class: an apprehension to stepping out of one’s comfort zone. “Going out of your comfort zone makes you vulnerable,” he claims. “People think they have two left feet, two left arms, no coordination. They were made fun of when they were younger. Well, if you’re with the right person, you’ll become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Dance is in everyone. When you’re in the right environment with the right instructor, you’re in a humble place. You become very sociable, and all your insecurities leave.”

James, who opened Dance To My Rhythm on May 18 of this year and has a number of excellent instructors, believes that more men should be involved in dance, and women do not have an advantage when dance floor bound. “That’s myth!” he says with a laugh. Men do come out and they love their wives, and they wind up being the Rico Suaves of the night. This is great conditioning exercise, especially for the mind. And ballroom dancing – which has a lot more to offer – makes you think. And that happens at any age.”

Dance to My Rhythm, 382 Union Avenue, (973) 759-4917, www.dancetomyrhythm.com and www.brancee.com