There are Jack and Jill competitions where you don't have a predetermined partner or routine. Or how about at a major ballroom competition where everyone has to switch partners.

West Coast Swing has lots of these Jack and Jills and Benji is a master at it.
However, it is only one dance compared to ballroom. The show "So you think you can Dance" was a test of a versatile dancer in lots of dances, even solo.

Most competition dancing is very well defined with predetermined choreography, partner and technique. Not much, if any freestyle dancing.

My parter got irritated with me the other day and stated that she was a better dancer than me. We do about 15 different dances, so I asked her in which dances. This stumped her since she is better at some dances than me, but I am better at some than her.

What is your take on what is a great partner ballroom dancer? How can this even be evaluated or measured?

Partner dancing--as in ballroom--is not about the individual.
Cliched as it sounds, it is about the team.
Thus stating that one is better--or worse--than one's partner is really NOT getting the point of PARTNER dance.

It is about how both dancers dance in perfect accord with each other and create ONEness.

Asking who is better between the two of you is the antithesis of partner dance.
It is selfish, individualistic, and self-centered.
A great ballroom dancer is generous, whether dancing with a beginner or a world champion.

You see, great ballroom dancers never dance for themselves.

They dance for their partners.




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Dimitri, the male latin dancer on "So you think you can dance" is an example of being a good individual dancer, but not so good as a partner dancer. He was a little full of himself and made all of his partners nervous and not dance so well with him. He even told one partner that he was an expert in Latin and knew a lot more than her. Their dancing showed that she was nervous and there was no dance magic with them. Yes, he had a better presence and was a great dancer, but he could not bring out good dancing from his partners. He even attended some psychological training to help him with partners during the show--don't think it helped much.

One pro told me once that with ballroom dancing the man is just the guy in black and it is his job to make the lady look good. The guy is sort of like a supporting actor and should know how to bring out the very best in the lady. The lady is the show and what everyone is looking at with the gowns and makeup. You have to make the lady comfortable and look good or your dancing will suck. And you should never try to out dance your partner like some show off males.

Benji on the show brought out the best in every partner he had. He clowned around and used his personality to help their dancing.

Anonymous. If your partner thinks she is that good, let her try choosing a girl and dance the mens steps.Good Luck