Tommies now have the opportunity to add a little bit of class, culture and elegance to their lives thanks to the creation of the Ballroom Dance Club.

Behind the curtain are the members of the German Club who got the idea last semester. They attended a Viennese ball in Eau Claire in April and needed to learn ballroom dancing in preparation. Their interest in the style of dance skyrocketed after their lessons, and they got the club approved by student government this semester.

Club member Phil DeLisle said he likes how ballroom dancing allows people to learn a more traditional form of dance, in contrast to today’s trendy dances.

“I just enjoy learning something new and being able to do a real dance to music. In today’s world, there’s not much ‘dancing’ left, it’s more whatever you can imagine would be dancing,” he said.

DeLisle was one of the founding members of the club, along with Rachel Weiss, Morgan Kaardal and club president Mitch Sullivan.

Sullivan said cultural ties are what got him interested in ballroom dancing.

“The cultural connection to Austria and Germany, as a German major, is what initially got me into it. I decided to stick with it because not only is it good exercise, but it’s also a nice skill to have,” Sullivan said. “You’ll impress anyone when you can dance well at a formal event.”

Club lessons are taught by staff from Cinema Ballroom, a local dance studio. The studio is owned by two St. Thomas alumni, Eric and Michelle Hudson.

Current club adviser Susanne Wagner dances at Cinema Ballroom, which led to the connection when the club was looking for instructors. Sullivan said the club hopes to collaborate with the studio further in the future.

“We’re working with them on putting together a college package deal where each team would get a membership to their studio and be able to use their facilities and attend classes on a weekly basis,” he said.

The club will learn various forms of classic ballroom and Latin dances this year, including the waltz, foxtrot, rumba and cha cha.

After last spring’s Viennese ball, attendees were left wanting more. Members of the club will attend the ball again this spring, in addition to hosting their own event in conjunction with other dance clubs.

“We’re planning on doing an end of semester ballroom dance where we’re going to try to invite other dancing clubs from colleges around Minnesota,” DeLisle said.

Each club meeting allows both beginners and more experience dancers to learn and improve. DeLisle said the first half hour or so is focused on a classic ballroom dance, while the second half hour is a Latin dance. The final half hour becomes more advanced and teaches dancers to dance more professionally.

Sullivan encouraged students to give ballroom dancing a try, even if it’s just to see if they enjoy it at all.

“There is absolutely no experience necessary. It’s all about learning together,” Sullivan said. “None of us are pros by any means, so I’d encourage everyone to try something new and give it a shot.”

The club meets on Sundays at 7 p.m. in ASC Dance.

Spencer Flaten can be reached at flat6148@stthomas.edu