Video: Reporter Gives First Hand Account Of Preparation For ‘Dancing With The King’

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – My lessons for “Dancing with the King” began with the basics.

Getting in frame and staying in frame is important in any dance, but especially in the quickstep. Tammy Wilson is a professional instructor at the Dance Studio of Tupelo.

“We wanted something that would be fun and lively, so we picked “Hard Headed Woman, and we thought that we would kick it up a notch with a little quickstep so we have a rock and roll quickstep,” said Tammy Wilson, pro instructor at The Dance Studio in Tupelo.

Dancing with the King started three years ago, as a way to provide scholarships for dance lessons and to showcase Elvis music and ballroom dancing.

The event features professional competitors, like Wilson, and amateurs, like myself.

Over the space of two months, and 13 one hour lessons, the routine came together, one step at a time.

Wilson says there is one major challenge with the quickstep.

“I would say the number one thing is the speed, it’s not called the quickstep for nothing, so it is difficult in a routine, because you miss one step and it’s pretty hard to get back in, I think that’s one thing that you have excelled at is whenever we have a little tiny fumble we get right back in it. It’s a surprising thing for a newcomer to do,” Wilson said.

It doesn’t hurt to have a dance instructor who is extremely patient.

For Wilson, teaching amateurs, or seasoned dancers, and seeing the results is gratifying.

“I love it, I love working with newcomers, I love seeing that moment when someone gets it, all of a sudden, something new clicks so that’s something real exciting as a dance teacher to see,” Wilson said.

It is encouraging when it all comes together, and for a great cause.

If you want more information on the event, go to www.dancingwiththeking.com