By Juliana Goodwin

News−Leader

Never mind that Dee Claiborne is a 4−foot, 11−inch 64−year−old woman.

She can tango and cha−cha with the best of them. Inspired by the ABC show “Dancing with the Stars,” Claiborne enrolled in ballroom dance classes nine months ago. “You always want to dance in your head, thinking ‘I would love to be able to do that,'” Claiborne said. “I’m a believer you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow.”

Ballroom dancing is sizzling in dance studios across the country and the Ozarks. The trend has been propelled by shows such as “So You Think you Can Dance.” Once viewers get off the couch and into dance studios, they discover the benefits of dance.

“It’s hot with all ages,” said Don McCarty. “Before it used to only be adults; I have 6 years old all the way up to 80.” It’s a good thing to know when you’re 15. You know; for the ladies.

Shane Thompson smiles and nods when asked if girls are impressed he can ballroom dance. There’s been a surge in interest among people his age.

“I think it brought more people who are younger, like teens, but it also brought more people to dancing,” Thompson said.

For the past year, Debbie Clause, owner of Springfield School of Dance, has received several calls a week inquiring about ballroom dancing.

“They just want to learn to dance like ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” Clause said. “Unfortunately, I don’t teach that type of dance. I teach children, ballet, tap, jazz.”

After 32 years in business, she has seen this swell of interest twice before, once when the disco craze hit and then when swing dancing swept the nation. Both times she added classes to meet the demand and is toying with the idea of adding ballroom dancing. Clause will attend two conferences this summer to learn more about ballroom dancing.