The Sacramento Amateur Ballroom Dance Company at Sacramento State began practice in Yosemite Hall with a warm up and the promise of post-practice push-ups.

“We get pain in the hips from shaking them a lot. It’s like, be loose and squeeze at the same time,” president Amanda Bugbee said.

The dance company, under the direction of Amy Farhood, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in Yosemite Hall.

The junior business administration major has been dancing with the company for two years. Her favorite dance is the Pirate Waltz. “It’s raunchy and fun,” Bugbee said.

Farhood taught the company a variety of different dance styles including a theater arts style dance, swing dance, fox trot, samba, tango, the rumba and the pasa doble.

“Anyone can do it with hard work and a positive attitude,” Farhood said.

Farhood’s program is free except for necessary dance materials such as shoes and a costume. Though the costumes are made to be flashy and fun, Farhood said she understands students are usually on a tight budget, and the company tries to keep costs low.

In fact, last year one of the girls made all the costumes by hand.

“Costumes are sparkly as possible because light reflects off the sparkles,” Bugbee said.

But it isn’t all about sparkles. The Sacramento Amateur Ballroom Dance Company is undefeated and works hard, practicing its routines for up to 10 hours a week.

“It’s so fulfilling, it didn’t feel right to receive payment for it,” Farhood said.

According to Bugbee, Farhood used personal experiences to create her choreography.

“She had a friend who was dying of cancer,” Bugbee said. “This friend’s boyfriend married her and took care of her throughout her life until her death. The slow sensual movements were choreographed for him and his struggle and pain.”

The program has grown, due in large part to Farhood’s leadership. Two years ago, the company barely even existed when there were only eight participants. That number has more than quadrupled since.

They have even established an advanced group, consisting of 14 of the most experienced members.

“Some are naturally talented, some grow into their talent,” Farhood said.

The ages range from 16 to 50 years old with Sac State students, alumni, UC Davis students and one high school student dubbed a “junior” member.

Bugbee said Farhood has a gift for matching women with complimentary counterparts.

“Amy pairs guys with girls who look good dancing together,” Bugbee said.

Not many students come to the Sacramento Amateur Ballroom Dance Company out of the ballroom dance course.

“Few people cross over from class to company at CSUS,” Bugbee said. “Most people take the ballroom class as a P.E. class.”

Clubs in the Sacramento area, such as the Ballroom of Sacramento on Folsom Blvd., encourage companies like this to succeed, and do their part to help.

“We’ve practiced at the Sacramento Ballroom,” Bugbee said. “They helped us a lot.”

Three different dance groups – two intermediate and one advanced – participate.

“The advanced group does most of the competing,” Farhood said.

During rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday nights, the group dances to different styles and songs. The music ranges from a Latin Medley to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”

“I like the Pirate Waltz the best,” sophomore family and consumer science major Dale Bettencourt said.

Bettencourt joined the company almost two years ago and has been hooked ever since. Said Bettencourt: “The girls down the hall said, ‘Come dance with us.”

Lauren King can be reached at [email protected]