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Arts & Entertainment

Fit Agoura Q&A: Agoura Hills Dance's Damian Whitewood

Ballroom has waltzed its way into Agoura Hills thanks to this "Dancing with the Stars" veteran.

When you watched Pamela Anderson shake her tail feathers with partner Damian Whitewood in the tenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, did you think to yourself, "I wish I could do that"? Well, now you have your chance. 

Beginning on Monday, Australian dancer Whitewood, alongside Burn The Floor co-star Peta Murgatroyd, began instructing ballroom dance at Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center. When interviewed about his new venture, Whitewood shared his reasons for coming to Agoura Hills, his experience on Dancing with the Stars with Anderson, and his love for dance. Read the full interview below.

Agoura Hills Patch:  Why did you decide to at led you to teach ballroom dance in Agoura?

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Damian Whitewood:  After working at the studio (Agoura Hills Dance & Performing Arts Center) with Pamela, I saw there were no ballroom classes yet, so I thought it was a great opportunity to introduce a new style to the academy. Besides, it's always a bonus if a dancer knows how to do other styles that involve partnering work. 

Patch:  What was it like working on Dancing with the Stars?

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Whitewood: It was an amazing experience. I had the best time with the cast and crew. I had just finished on Broadway with the show Burn The Floor and … come from a Ballroom competition background, so reality TV was a whole new experience and challenge for me.

Patch:  How was it dancing with Pamela Anderson? 

Whitewood: She was a fantastic partner. The best thing about Pamela was that she could dive into all sorts of characters, coming from an acting background. She was a hard worker and wanted to learn how to dance, so it made my job a whole lot easier. She just wanted to have fun, and that's what we did.

Patch: What about the art of ballroom energizes and inspires you?

Whitewood: I love the music and personally, there is nothing sexier than a man and a woman dancing together.

Patch:  What style of ballroom is your favorite and which is your least favorite?

Whitewood: I definitely prefer the five Latin dances, because Latin gives you more freedom to express yourself. But it all depends on your mood and the music that is being played. If I were in a romantic mood, I would say the waltz. If I were in an edgy, cheeky mood, I would say the Cha Cha.

Patch:  What do you love about teaching ballroom?

Whitewood:  My life has revolved around ballroom dancing since I was 10, so it's just been a natural thing to want to teach. When I teach, I learn as well. You become a better dancer when you teach someone else.

Patch:  What was it like competing in ballroom championships growing up?

Whitewood:  Dancing was definitely not my first choice growing up. I just wanted to play football with my mates. Going through high school was a little tough, with the normal amount of teasing a dancing boy would get, but who's having the last laugh now? I bet all boys would die to dance with Pamela Anderson.

Patch:  Do you ever feel insecure when competing?

Whitewood: I know that every time I got out on that competition floor, I've had to shed all of those insecurities and just dance. The more you hold on to those insecurities, the more everybody else can see them too.

Patch:  Professionally, what goals do you still have that you want to accomplish?

Whitewood: I have exceeded nearly all my expectations of where dancing could take me. I have danced all around the world with Burn The Floor, competed all over the world, and have now been on one of the highest rated shows in America. Maybe the next step is remaking an old Hollywood movie? I would love to keep doing more and more.

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Whitewood's Ballroom Class Schedule:

 

Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Ballroom / Kids 10+

8 week course, $120

Foxtrot, Salsa, and Swing

 

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Intro to Ballroom / Teen & Adults

8 week course, $120

Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba

 

Fridays, 6:30 p.m.

Intro to Social Dancing / Teen & Adults

6 week course, $90

Salsa and Cha Cha

 

Check out AHD's full schedule here.

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