1/6/2011
HINTON, W.Va. – Ballroom and Latin dances are center stage at Pipestem Resort State Park Jan. 14-16 with a weekend that includes instruction, accommodations and meals. WV Dance, Inc., based out of Charleston, W.Va., provides the dance instruction in waltz, rumba, salsa and polka dance styles.
“ WV Dance's mission is to promote ballroom dancing and forms of dance associated with ballroom dancing throughout West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of all of West Virginia's citizens,” according to Craig Giffin, instructor and President of WV Dance. The company has taught a variety of dance styles in Charleston, Hurricane, Glenville, Parkersburg, Summersville, Spencer, and Winfield. “We cover the full spectrum of dancing from bolero, cha cha, foxtrot, hustle, mambo, merengue, nightclub two-step, polka, rumba, salsa, samba, four count swing, six count swing, American tango, American waltz, and west coast swing, Argentine tango, quickstep, Viennese waltz, and country two-step.” The workshop weekend at Pipestem is open to beginners and intermediate levels of dancing. “The setting at Pipestem allows us to work with weekend guests and enjoy a beautiful setting for ballroom dancing.”
The double occupancy price for the weekend is $206.08 per couple (not per person) and includes two nights lodging at McKeever Lodge, dinner on Saturday evening, and all the dance lessons and dances for two people. There is a single occupancy rate also available. The evening of Jan. 14 features waltz instruction followed by a Friday dance. Saturday instruction includes rumba and salsa lessons as well as polka instruction and a Saturday evening dance. The weekend agenda is posted at
www.pipestemresort.com, Special events.
Pipestem State Park is located near Athens and Hinton on Route 20. The park features the 113-room McKeever Lodge, restaurant, golf, vacation cabins, hiking and additional outdoor interests.
About WV Dance's Instructors
Craig Giffin is an accomplished dancer in both smooth and Latin forms of dance and has trained since 1998 in ballroom dancing. Craig has received instruction in both the Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray styles of dance. Internationally, Craig has taken dancing instruction internationally in places as Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cairo, Egypt, and Melbourne Australia. Locally, Craig is a member of USA Dance, the Passepied Club, the Academy Club, and the Latin Club. Craig obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Shepherd University and his Juris Doctorate degree from West Virginia University.
Julia McCormick is a WV Dance instructor. Julia has danced for more than 20 years and has received awards in various ballroom dancing competitions, including the
Heritage Classic Dancesport Championships, Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, the Atlanta Ballroom Classic in Atlanta, Ga., and the Epcot Center World Showcase, Buena Vista Palace in Walt Disney World. Julia is a member of dance clubs in Charleston, including the Passepied, University, Academy, Latin, Quadrille, and Cotillion Clubs.
Contact Information
Shirley Martin
304-466-1800
PipestemSP@wv.gov