OUR MISSION
Pacific Ballroom Dance builds character in youth by providing a positive ballroom dance experience.

OUR VALUES
• Inclusiveness
• Dedication
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Fitness
• Respect
• Excellence

OUR VISION
To provide youth with a positive artistic, social and athletic experience designed to help them be productive community members.

OUR HISTORY
Over a decade ago Pacific Ballroom Dance was launched as a community organization to provide youth access to a ballroom dance program. Through this program parents and volunteers had as goals to instill in young people strong service values, development of leadership and team building skills. Striving to fill these goals, then as now, will help these young people grow into productive citizens.

The volunteer leaders, with strong parental support, enjoyed considerable success. The youth members had many opportunities to perform before local audiences.

In 2003 this cadre of volunteers and parents envisioned expanding the program to reach more youth. This would require more support from the entire community and eventually a permanent studio. Up to this time through the generosity of several South King County School Districts and community centers, Pacific Ballroom Dance used space in various facilities with frequent changes of venue.

Pacific Ballroom Dance became incorporated in Washington State and an application was made to the IRS to achieve status as a 50l(c)(3) organization; this was granted.

During the next several years the program grew. The original volunteers who started the program stepped aside. Several dance teachers joined the group with strong skills in choreography and team dancing. In addition to community performances, the formation teams began to compete locally and at the annual United States DanceSport Championships held in Utah. By 2009 the Standard Formation Team was ranked second in the nation and the Latin Formation Team was third.

The use of “borrowed” facilities was becoming a significant challenge by mid 2008. Space that would be easily accessible to the majority of participants (residing in North Pierce County and South King County) and be of adequate size was sought. Space in an Auburn business park (near the Supermall) has been leased. Community members, foundations, and businesses generously provided funds to renovate the space making it suitable for this dance program. We are also grateful to the many volunteers who shared labor and expertise.

As Cherie Ponder, one of our founders has stated, “ I (am) secure in the knowledge that Pacific Ballroom Dance will continue to provide, wonderful, wholesome, growing experiences for the youth that participate. The directors, teachers and parents involved have a tremendous talent and vision for the growth and development of the young people in this organization through ballroom dance!”