Run a quick Google search on ballroom in Cincinnati, and for good reason, Brian McNamee will immediately flash across the screen. Champion of dozens of competitions across the United States; long-time winning professional participant in Cincinnati’s hugely popular Dancing for the Stars charity gala; and co-owner, along with Leigh Bradshaw, of the Queen City’s top ballroom studio, The Cincinnati Ballroom Company, McNamee has earned his reputation as one of the most distinguished dancers in the region. His style has been described as both elegant and athletic—it has certainly given him his winning edge! But, where did he learn to be a champion on the floor? The answer would surprise many.
“I joined the army on a whim—it was a totally impulsive decision—when I was 18. I was out with my friends one day as they were headed to the recruitment office. I walked in with them, and thought, ‘Sure! Why not?’ I signed up for the National Guard on the spot and headed to Basic Training.” Suddenly, McNamee found himself thrust into a world of regimented daily life, exigent expectations for precise appearance and behavior, and extreme physical demands. As a happy-go-lucky teenager, it was a bit of a shock to his system, but one that eventually helped set him apart on the dance floor.
Basic Training forced McNamee to push himself—hard. He learned quickly that when he needed to do something, like jump out of an airplane or get down and pound out 100 push-ups, the best approach was to just get it done. As a dance instructor, he now draws upon that lesson to motivate his students to get on the floor and excel. “I tell my them all the time, they’ve got to plunge in. The steps may seem complicated, or they may freak out at the idea of dancing in front of a bunch of judges, but you just gotta take that first step, literally. From there, it’s all about practicing till you get it right.”
Discipline, it turns out, was another gift that McNamee’s time in the army kept on giving. “When I was in the army, discipline was probably the most important value you could have—or you’d better learn it quickly!” he laughed, “I love dancing. And, almost all of my students sign up because they think it will be fun—and it certainly is! But, to get better, especially if you’re interested in competing, you need to be disciplined about it. The students who excel are the ones who make dancing a priority—they come to lessons, practice consistently on their own, and basically make ballroom a serious part of their lives.”
While in Basic Training, it was impressed upon McNamee that precision was everything: from the way his uniform was ironed to the how his face was shaved, every detail counted. “One time, ONE TIME, I didn’t bother to shave. They made me carry a razor and a pile of shaving cream in my pants pocket for a week,” McNamee recalled, shaking his head, “Let’s just say from that day on, my face was smooth!” He credits this same attention to detail for giving him the extra edge needed to win competitions. “Everything counts! Your posture, and every step and turn--of course! But also, your costume, your smile, even your hair. It all matters if you want to win. I have to credit my time in the army for getting that through to me.” The Cincinnati Ballroom Company’s wall of trophies and competition photos certainly pay tribute!
Has McNamee ever taken any flack from his army friends for being a ballroom dancer? Did Gene Kelly go far enough in Anchors Aweigh! to erase every misconception that a military man wouldn’t be caught dead on the dance floor? “Oh, yeah, they’ve poked fun at me,” he admits with a grin, “but all I have to do is challenge them to a workout. Dance is a sport, and, because of that, I’m in better shape than most of my buddies. It’s very physically demanding: it takes hours and hours of practice and quite a bit of off-the-floor conditioning to be strong enough to lift and lead your partner. Ballroom is not at all a challenge to my masculinity, that’s for sure.”
While McNamee didn’t end up making a career of the military, still, like most who have served our country, he is grateful for what his time there contributed to his character, and by extension, to his success as a dancer and business owner. “I don’t think about it all the time, but I have to say that my service did give me some important core values. I know how important it is to be disciplined, precise, and courageous in the face of a new challenge. And, I know have the army to thank for that.” As does the Cincinnati ballroom community. Thank you for your service.
Article written by Jill Landis, Cincinnati Native, Small Business Owner, another of 5 & Freelance Writer
