Beginner Ballroom Dancing to Pro Am Ballroom Dance | Rubina’s Story

How beginner ballroom dancing turned into confidence, community, and a new lifestyle.

Some ballroom journeys start with a spark of childhood inspiration. Others begin with a single invitation. For Rubina Motta, it was a mix of both — a long-held dream and the right moment finally arriving.

Today she is an active part of the pro am ballroom dance community, performing, competing, making friends, and growing with each step. But her story didn’t begin with confidence. It began with curiosity, fear, and courage — the perfect ingredients for any beginner ballroom dancing success story.

Rubina stepped into ballroom around 2013–2014, after years of admiring the elegance, beauty, and musicality from afar. Dancing With the Stars reignited her love, but it was a chance invitation that changed everything.

A client’s husband invited her to watch his showcase. The moment she saw him perform, she was captivated.

“He was having so much fun. It was phenomenal to watch.”

After attending the event, the studio offered her a free introductory lesson — and she instantly fell in love.

Rubina’s first dance was the rumba — the classic starting point for beginner ballroom dancing.

“It was tragic,” she jokes. “But it’s the easiest dance to start with. Slow, simple, and focused on basics.”

Despite her nerves, she wanted more. She wasn’t chasing perfection — she wanted to feel confident enough to dance without hiding.

Rubina describes herself as a lifelong wallflower — someone who prefers to blend into the background. Ballroom challenged that identity in the best possible way.

When her instructor suggested a showcase, her reaction was pure panic.

“I recoiled. I was ready to go rock in the corner.”

But she said yes because she refused to let fear win.

And that performance changed everything.

“Everyone was so welcoming and supportive. I found my people.”

That supportive environment is what kept her coming back — growing step-by-step in technique, confidence, and presence.

Although many students jump into parties early, Rubina took her time. She wanted to learn enough steps to feel comfortable socially — cha-cha, swing, rumba, and more.

At her first social, she didn’t know many steps — but people guided her graciously.

Even when she didn’t feel prepared, she still had fun.

About a year into lessons, she tried her first pro am ballroom dance competition.

At first, she resisted the idea completely.

“I wasn’t dancing to compete. I was doing it for me.”

But after talking to her son — who raced dirt bikes — she realized she was ignoring her own advice about practice, confidence, and experience.

So she entered her first comp: The Yankee Classic, a local Boston-area competition.

The costume, the hair, the makeup — all of it felt overwhelming. But she kept going.

And eventually, competition became fun, exciting, and empowering.

With time, Rubina expanded her ballroom experience beyond lessons and events.
She began staying overnight at out-of-state competitions and discovered a deeper level of connection.

“I found my people. I made friends. We go to dinner. We talk about dance. It’s a whole community.”

Ballroom transformed from a hobby into a lifestyle — full of friendships, creativity, purpose, and joy.

Today, ballroom is Rubina’s primary hobby and social life.
She trains regularly, competes, performs, and continues to grow as a pro am ballroom dance student.

Ballroom gives her:

• Confidence

• Community

• Structure and goals

• A healthy outlet

• A supportive environment

• Joy

What began as a free intro lesson became one of the most meaningful journeys of her life.

Rubina’s journey shows that:

• You don’t need experience to start

• You don’t need confidence — ballroom gives you confidence

• You don’t need a partner to dance

• You don’t need to be fearless — you just need to take the first step

Her transformation reflects the heart of beginner ballroom dancing:
It’s about growth, courage, connection, and finding your place.

If Rubina’s story inspires you, why not take your first step?

MI Fiesta Dance Studio now welcomes new students at our ballroom dance studio in Natick, offering:

• Private lessons

• Beginner ballroom dancing programs

• Pro Am ballroom dance training

• Group classes

• Social dance parties

👉 Claim your FREE Intro Ballroom Dance Lesson.

Beginner-friendly. No partner needed.

A welcoming community waiting for you.

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