By KERI SPRENGER
Staff Writer
edited
Helen Ingersoll and Danny Berardinelli are getting married in October. They have been to a combined 19 weddings as a couple since they met three years ago and want to make sure their first dance together as a married couple is perfect.
Both have had basic dance lessons at some point in their lives, but felt they could use a refresher and some new steps.
Enter Kaylin McGee, the owner and self-described “Detail Diva” for Planet Right.
“One couple, one song — total focus,” she says.
McGee specializes in choreographing that all-important first dance. She met with Danny and Helen last week for the first of 10 sessions she will spend with them.
Using typical dance moves such as an open box, closed box, traveling box and a waltz box, the couple will dance on Oct. 20 to Buddy Miller’s country rendition of “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”
But first, getting those basic steps down requires a thorough knowledge of the song and its syncopation — something that McGee does not take lightly. She spent hours with the song, just trying to get a feel for the beat.
“I just listened to it constantly until I visualize [the dance],” she said.
She asked the two what they thought their biggest obstacle might be to learning the steps.
They both agreed — Helen likes to lead.
“We’ll fix that,” McGee said confidently.
She spun them through a series of basic box steps, first individually and then together. Skating through four different moves in 45 minutes, they were ready to try an underarm turn.
The trick to the underarm turn is for the man to keep his box steps moving while the woman steps into the turn before he brings her back.
“You just want to be there and say, ‘Come to me, my love,’” McGee said as they worked out the movement.
Though it was a little awkward at times, Helen and Danny were able to laugh and walk their way through the complication of the spin.
At the end of the hour-long session, they were tired and Danny was the only one leading.
They said they enjoyed the process and are looking forward to practicing at home.
“It was great to play with the different movements and just figure you out,” Danny said to Helen. “It was very fun.”
The finished product will have a combination of about 12 different steps, all originating from the basic four.
“Everything you do in this type of dance is based off four steps,” McGee said.
Sometime toward the end of their 10 sessions, the three will take to the downtown SunTrust parking lot to avoid being restricted by the walls of Danny’s office in the Mercantile Center.
It will also give them an audience. Whoever might be walking by the parking lot and stops to watch Helen and Danny will be the test group before the two dance in front of their new in-laws.
“The fun element to it is really what has convinced these guys to do this,” McGee said.
But they found more in the process.
“I think it really does make us have to stop and pay attention to each other,” Helen said.
“In a good way,” Danny put in.
More on Planet Right
McGee began her dance training in 1979 in Durham, NC. She became nationally certified in 1980 with Dance Masters of America and Carolina Dance Masters. Over the years, McGee has taught in numerous locations including UNC-CH, local YMCA's and area Parks and Recreation Departments, including Orange County Recreation and Parks Department.
Now, she works full-time with SunTrust Mortgage. But in her spare time, she helps couples like Helen and Danny learn a dance for a special occasion, whether it is a wedding or not.
“My goal is, even if you don’t do the exact dance, it will give you a comfort zone,” she said.
For more information on Planet Right, call [919] 933-5793.
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