Interview with Melissa Rutz

DWCS’ first exposure to Melissa Rutz was at Seattle Easter Swing (SES) 2002, where her dance technique clearly stood out in the Classic piece she did with Arjay Centeno. Melissa won the Novice division at that event and there has been no looking back. She was in Advanced within a year, and won the SES Advanced J&J in 2003. In 2004 Melissa began dancing at the Champion level.   

Melissa’s fan base in Toronto has grown over the years from a single voice singing her praise to a whole community of fans. What first caught our eye was her technique, as evidenced by her flight, which combined with her energy and musical expression was impossible to miss. As more and more Toronto dancers began traveling on the circuit and witnessing her dancing and performances, taking Melissa and Arjay’s classes, and dancing with her … yes she social dances at events, her Toronto fan base grew just as it has across North America. At MadJam 2008, the crowd eagerly greeted Melissa with the cheer ‘RRRRUUUUUTTTTZZZZZZ!’ Melissa is a force to be reckoned with at the Champion Level as her 2007 results show at the end of this article.  Her success show no signs of slowing with her early win of the 2008  Monterey SwingFest Champions Jack and Jill. For evidence of Melissa’s success as an instructor look to Toronto’s Rising Star Giselle Jagai who has been taking privates with Melissa for over a year.  Giselle has followed through on her privates by applying what she has learned from Melissa, and has become one of Toronto's most sought after West Coast Swing followers.

Melissa on the social dance floor.

Our interview with Melissa follows ... be sure to see Melissa Rutz and her partner Arjay Centeno when there are in Toronto for the Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships July 18-20 2008.  It will open your eyes to a whole new level of partnership dancing.

DCWS interview with Melissa Rutz 

DWCS: How did you get introduced to dance, how did you get started dancing?

Melissa: I began dancing at the age of four when my mother introduced me to a small jazz, tap, and ballet studio in San Francisco. I loved it! From then on, there was no forcing me to go to class because all I wanted to do was dance. I transferred to the San Francisco Ballet School (SFB) when I was seven. At SFB I studied five days a week intensively for seven years. In my opinion, it was the best training I could have ever had in my dance career. After SFB, I studied Ballroom, Latin, Theater Arts, and different forms of swing dance.

DWCS: Why do you dance? Has dance changed you in any way?

Melissa: I dance for multiple reasons. Mostly because I just love to move to music whether it be Classical, Rock, Country, R&B, you name it! Dance has definitely changed me, and only for the better. The best feeling in the world is to be respected and admired for something you've worked so hard for all of your life. I feel I have accomplished this by earning respect from the audience, my family, and my peers. Dance is an ever-growing experience with plenty of ups and downs. But the rewards far outweigh any of the negatives. Social and competitive dance has done nothing but broaden my horizons in the dance world.

DWCS: Of the J&Js you've seen live, which is the most memorable to you and why?

Melissa: There are so many! I can’t really pick just one, but in general, I love seeing two dancers with completely different styles fuse together on the floor. I love watching my students do well in competitions. I get great joy out of watching them evolve as dancers.

DWCS: What is your most memorable or favourite J&J draw and what was it about the dance that lingers with you?

Melissa: One of my most memorable dances was of course the first time I won the Phoenix Champion of Champions Jack & Jill with my partner Arjay. We had drawn each other almost four times that same year and never won together. It’s a lot of pressure drawing your own dance partner in a Jack & Jill because you each have certain pre-conceived ideas on how the other will lead or follow. It’s hard to keep it “raw”. So, winning not only the Champions of Champions J&J, but with my own partner, nevertheless, was very special to me!

DWCS: Who do you look up to or admire in the dance world, and why?

Melissa: I look up to anyone who puts their heart and soul into whatever dance they do. I look up to those who show respect for the old and the new and who are willing to evolve their dancing and step out of their box. Each of us has a comfort zone we like to work within, but I always admire those who stretch themselves beyond that zone no matter how silly or awkward they feel.

DWCS: When judging a WCS J&J is there anything particular you look for?  What catches your eye when you're watching a couple dance?

Melissa: To be honest, the first thing I look for is the enjoyment of the dance. It is very hard for me to put someone into a final who looks like they’d rather be somewhere else or would rather be dancing by themselves. I also look for quality of movement, control, and coordination. One of the best compliments I ever received when I was dancing in the Novice division, was from an emcee who told me that she thought it was great that I enjoyed myself so much no matter who I drew in a Jack & Jill. I’ve tried to carry that attitude through to this day at the Championship level.

DWCS: What advice do you have to new or aspiring WCS dancers?

Melissa: In order to enjoy west coast swing you must enjoy the music and the person you are dancing with. I love the fact that there is so much freedom in this dance but I always tell my students who compete to not lose sight that this is a partner dance and to enjoy the feeling of what swing is. It’s always a good idea to revisit basics. Dance professionals always review the fundamentals no matter what type of dance (ballet, swing, tap, etc.). Finally, it’s a learning process filled with ups and downs. Don’t be in a hurry to get better! Give yourself time. If you’re looking to take your partner dance skills to a new level, involve yourself in other dance forms such as ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop etc. because they will only tell you more about yourself as a dancer and you will then have so much more to offer as a social or competitive partner dancer.

DWCS: What are your next dance goals or other goals?

Melissa: Besides West Coast Swing, I love to choreograph jazz, ballet, and modern pieces. My next goal would be to start a small dance company to test out some of my work on professional dancers and take it to the stage.

Arjay Centeno & Melissa Rutz took second at the 2007 US Open Swing Dance Championships in the Showcase Division.

Melissa Rutz's 2007 results (source World Swing Dance Council)

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