Local Dancing Couples Share Their Stories
By Kristen Dee / Photography by Hacker Medias
Partner dancing requires constant communication, trust, and commitment, the same foundations that often build a strong relationship. Here, we talk to six local dancing couples who have discovered how to be a great partner, both on and off the dance floor.
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“We enjoy the expression, creativity, musicality, endless possibilities, inspiration, and knowing that you are designed and created to do something and you get to do it with the love of your life.”
Prior to hanging up their performance pointe shoes, Brian and Meg McSween both had successful careers as professional ballet dancers, with many accomplishments and accolades. “Both of us had professional careers that were over a decade long and allowed us the opportunity to perform in renowned venues such as Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl,” they share. “Meg performed leading roles in ballets by the world’s top choreographers, and Brian is in the film ‘The Company.’”
After meeting at a bible study, getting married, and dancing together for almost 22 years, they have many special dance memories, including their last dance together. “When Brian first started choreographing, he created a pas de deux (step for two) for us,” Meg shares. “We had been working on it for a while and were about three days from the performance when we found out we were three months pregnant with our first child. The dance became a pas de trois (step for three), and also marked the last time we shared the stage.”
As they both continued to pursue dance careers while raising a family, the travel and relocations became a challenge. When the opportunity came up to plant roots in a city while still pursuing dance, they knew it was the right choice. “Before Brian got the job with Chattanooga Ballet, we talked about finding a place where we could invest long term, provide stability for our family, and know that we were moving in the direction we were called,” they say. “CHA Ballet and the surrounding community have provided that for our family.” Brian is currently the CEO/Artistic Director of CHA Ballet, and Megan teaches the company artists and students in the CHA Ballet school and is a GYROTONIC® Method trainer at the CHA Ballet Annex.
Now settled in the Scenic City’s dance scene, the two can take a step back and enjoy their shared passion. “We have the shared goal of providing inspiration and joy to the audience and glory to God. We are both dedicated to our craft and have provided encouragement when the profession has been hard. We enjoy the expression, creativity, musicality, endless possibilities, inspiration, and knowing that you are designed and created to do something and you get to do it with the love of your life.”
“As our relationship has grown, so has our dancing … In the end, we have found that we are so much better at communicating and problem-solving when we work together and consider each other’s ideas and suggestions.”
While shopping at a doggy bakery, Jesse Ramos found more than just biscuits for his Siberian Husky. He also found his future wife and dance partner, Ally. Ally’s mom, who worked at the doggy bakery, promised she would bring her daughter to Jesse’s dance lessons. After following through on that promise, the rest is history. “To this day, my mother-in-law takes full credit for picking me as her future son-in-law,” Jesse laughs. The two are now happily married and have been dancing together for 15 years.
The Ramoses own a local dance studio, G2G Salsa, where they teach and practice salsa, bachata, and the cha-cha. They are proud of their contributions to the Scenic City dance scene, saying, “Our greatest accomplishment has been the growth of the local Latin dance scene. We’ve fostered an environment where people feel comfortable being their authentic selves. While it can sometimes be exhausting juggling full-time jobs along with running the studio, hearing our students’ stories about how dance has positively impacted their lives and relationships makes the long days worth it.”
Although the two own and run the studio, dancing isn’t just a job for them but a shared passion and a way to stay connected. “As our relationship has grown, so has our dancing,” they share. “Dance is all about communication, learning, practicing, and fun. These same elements have brought us closer and helped us grow into the partnership we have today. In the end, we have found that we are so much better at communicating and problem-solving when we work together and consider each other’s ideas and suggestions.”
The two enjoy building their own relationship while also connecting with others in a way that wouldn’t be possible without dance. “What we enjoy most is the social aspect. Over the years we’ve met so many people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities – connections we likely wouldn’t have made without dance,” they say. The two believe Chattanooga has a great dance community, saying, “Chattanooga is a fantastic city for dancers because of its friendly and welcoming community. Whether you’re interested in salsa, bachata, ballroom, or west coast swing, there are fun groups to help you get started.”
“We don’t have to pretend to be in love when we’re dancing. We are in love, and it’s evident on the dance floor.”
After meeting at a Christmas social at local studio Dance Tonight, Joel Thomas and Leeza Fedorenko immediately hit it off, and they have now been dancing through life together for two and half years. The two will take any opportunity to dance together, whether it’s an impromptu dance in the middle of eating chicken wings at a bar in Knoxville on Valentine’s Day or performing a routine to Ed Sheeran’s “Shivers” in front of a big crowd. “Partnership dancing allows every couple an opportunity to gain a closer connection through physical touch and communication,” says Thomas. “At any time I can take Leeza into my arms and spin her around the kitchen, or dip her when we’re in public, always bringing laughter and joy to our relationship.”
Thomas and Fedorenko have both been practicing dance for many years, with Thomas practicing ballroom, Latin, swing, and partner-focused dancing and Fedorenko practicing ballroom, ballet, tap, and jazz dancing. They are also both dance instructors locally, and they appreciate the opportunity to share their passion with others. “Dancing allows you to connect to people in such a special way. It allows you to express all types of emotions, feelings, and tell stories,” says Fedorenko. Thomas agrees, sharing, “I enjoy the different types of music, the athleticism, the storytelling of each style of dance, the creativity, and the connection to people. I enjoy sharing the gift of dance with my clients and watching them grow in their own journey.”
While they enjoy teaching and helping others on their dance journeys, they often get the most out of dancing together. “I love dancing with Leeza because she brings such a vibrant energy to the dance floor. She is fun, playful, and captivating, making every performance we do electrifying,” says Thomas. For Fedorenko, she is proud of how their love comes through when they dance together, saying “We don’t have to pretend to be in love when we’re dancing. We are in love, and it’s evident on the dance floor.”
“Dancing with someone is always a few minutes of connection, but dancing with someone consistently is a long-term conversation of ups and downs, mistakes and successes, and voiceless speaking.”
Wendy Carson and Travis Donley use dance as an opportunity to keep learning and growing, in their relationship and in their dancing. “We love that dance is a never-ending endeavor,” they say. “You can never say ‘I’m done, I’ve learned everything.’ There’s enjoyment in figuring out a new dance style or variations. We love the challenge of adapting our movements to create something truly enjoyable together. Dancing with each other has taught us patience and graciousness while giving us a shared passion.”
The two believe that dance is a “reflection of your relationship,” and that the practice is all about partnership and communication. “Dancing with someone is always a few minutes of connection, but dancing with someone consistently is a long-term conversation of ups and downs, mistakes and successes, and voiceless speaking. We enjoy the euphoric feeling that dance brings, and the fact that we can share it with each other,” they say.
After dancing together for 16 years, the two have many special dance memories to look back on, but their most memorable was an Art Deco dance trip in 2022. They share, “We dressed in 1920s and ‘30s clothing and went on a two-and-a-half week trip to England. We came back on the Queen Mary 2, a beautiful reproduction of 1920s luxury sailing. We had a ball every night with a different theme and a live orchestra. It was amazing and we look forward to doing it again in 2025!”
Carson and Donley founded the Chattanooga Vintage Dancers in 2015, and have since taught hundreds of people various decades of dances, and celebrated the fashions, customs, and dance styles of the past. The organization hosts weekly classes at their studio and puts on several large dance events each year around Chattanooga, with dancers encouraged to find new partners and try something new. “We want to encourage everyone to check out some form of dancing,” they say. “Dancing is for everyone – you simply have to find out what speaks to you!”
“We enjoy dancing because it brings us together … we’re constantly working on communication and learning about each other.”
Many couples are nervous about doing the first dance at their wedding and go to great lengths to take lessons, practice, and prepare. For Margie Tuttle-Innecco and Diego Innecco, they felt it would be best to wing it. With Margie as a dance instructor and Diego as her student, they’d been practicing west coast swing dances together and felt confident in their abilities. “We didn’t want to choreograph it,” they share. “It was completely improv and so special.” The dance turned out perfect, and is now a very special memory for the couple and their wedding guests.
This confidence in their dancing was a reflection of Diego’s growing love for dance, thanks to his talented instructor and now wife. “Diego has gotten out of his comfort zone. He has learned to dance, plus competed twice, and has definitely been feeling more comfortable dancing. He’s enjoying learning, coming to classes, and even assisting me in teaching,” Margie shares. Diego agrees, saying “I enjoy being able to create my own style on the dance floor, and most importantly get out of my comfort zone.”
While Diego is a newer dancer, Margie has been dancing her whole life, winning many competitions and becoming a champion-level dancer. With Diego as her new partner and student, the two enjoy the fun and challenge of dancing together, saying, “We enjoy dancing because it brings us together. It has challenged us in different ways by learning how to communicate in a teacher and student way, not just a married couple way. So, we’re constantly working on communication and learning about each other.”
As they continue to grow their partnership on and off the dance floor, they are enjoying the local dance scene. Margie offers public and private lessons at the Chattanooga Westies, a west coast swing dance club that hosts regular lessons and travels to compete. “The west coast swing community in Chattanooga is small, but everyone is super friendly and so close,” says Margie. “I enjoy being able to connect with different dancers as a teacher. I’m truly grateful to be a part of people’s dance journeys and help them learn and progress.”
“Dancing is a great and magical way to express yourself.”
For dance teacher Lenny Seasonwein, and his wife, Jackie, dance has been a constant thread throughout their relationship. “We met at a weekly dance hall named Kismet, (a Middle Eastern word that means ‘destiny’) so you could say our joining was meant to be,” recalls Lenny. “Two months later, our first date was at a dance venue, where we later decided to hold our wedding. Dancing has played a rather large part in our connection!”
Now 18 years into marriage, the two dance, teach, and even perform together, practicing ballroom, Latin, hustle, and swing style dancing. “Dance has brought us closer,” Jackie says. “We tune into each other and communicate with movement and expressions. We enjoy moving together and the communication of leader and follower. Plus, you can flirt a bit and have fun.” Lenny enjoys dancing with Jackie, as they are “physically and musically in sync with one another.”
In addition to deepening their own connection, the Seasonweins also believe that dance is a great place to find community. “Dancing is a wonderful social event where you can meet people to enjoy their company. We’ve made a lot of friends through dancing. Dancers tend to be fun people who are interesting and make great friends,” Jackie says. Lenny agrees, saying that Chattanooga is a great city for dancers as there are many dance opportunities every night of the week for various styles and preferences. Together they teach various styles of dance lessons on Tuesday nights, with Lenny leading and Jackie helping the students. Whether it’s the couples they teach or their own relationship, the Seasonweins focus on how to “dance better together,” a goal that has strengthened their relationship and brought them and their students plenty of joy along the way.
Ultimately, Lenny sees the practice as self-expression. “Dancing is a great and magical way to express yourself,” he says. “After learning the steps, the next phase is applying your own personality to the steps – and expressing what the music makes you feel. In effect, you make the steps all your own.”
