I’m a new dancer. What is a Pro-Am competition?

A Pro-Am competition at the MadMAC is a competition where, if you are not a professional dancer, you can dance with an experienced professional dancer of your choice. You’ll be dancing lead & follow and attempt to show off your best dancing. You’ll be competing against other amateurs just like you with their pros. For many dancers, this is the most fun and safest way to get introduced to competitive dancing. And, it’s great to know your dance partner will really make you shine!

How do I find a professional dance partner for the Pro-Am?

If you know of an accomplished swing dance teacher in your area, talk to them about doing the Pro-Am at the MadMAC. If you don’t know of any (or if you’re far away from any swing dance clubs), you can check our Pro Dancers Registry. The registry has e-mail, phone and city of origin information to help you find the pro nearest to you. Once you contact the pro, ask them what criteria they have for dancing with you. Oftentimes they would like to meet with you and give you pointers about your dancing. This can be done informally or as a private dance lesson. Sometimes they already know you and your strengths and are happy just to meet you at the MadMAC to dance.

Do I need to have a pro selected before I sign up for the Pro-Am?

You can sign up for the Pro-Am competition in advance if you like, and match up with a pro at the door. Just pay the competitor fee and put “TBA” in the Your Pro registration form line. Be sure to check the box that says “Help me look for a Pro.”

How do I pick what pro-am to do?

You can place yourself in one of two levels of the Pro-Am, Novice or Intermediate. Follow the guidelines to determine your level of dance. WCS Pro-Am Strictly Males will be judged separately from Females. Routine divisions are mixed male & female.

I’m a Dance Teacher/Professional Dancer. How do I find amateurs for the Pro-Am?

Mention the MadMAC dance event to your dance students if they have not heard of it. If you’d like to dance in the Pro-Am with novice- and intermediate-level amateur dancers and would like help finding amateurs to dance with, you can add your name to the MadMAC Pro Dancers Registry. Send your name, phone, e-mail and city. Check the box on the Registration form that mentions adding your name to the Pro-Am registry and send it in.

I’d like to bring a lot of amateurs. How many can I dance with?

You can dance with up to seven amateurs per level (novice & intermediate) in the strictly swing Pro-Am competition. If you dance with five or more amateurs in the Pro-Am, your competitor registration for the Advanced Strictly Swing is free. Also, if you recruit 10 people (whether or not they are dancing in the Pro-Am with you), you may get your event registration paid for as well. Make sure your recruits include your name on their Event Registration form under “Recruiter (Pro).” In routine divisions, you are limited to three amateurs per level.