Former Eglin member wins national ballroom title

  • Published
  • By Capt. Lisa Citino
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A former Team Eglin member "completes" his dream, winning national dance title this month.

After last year's upset, Capt. John J. Scheuren, formerly of the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, recaptured the coveted U.S. dance title in the U.S. Open Pro/Am Cabaret category Sept. 12 in Orlando, Fla.

Nicknamed "Tiny Dancer" among friends, there's nothing small about Captain Scheuren's recent achievement. By leaps and lifts, he became a two-time, national dance champion within three years of taking his first lesson--an uncommon feat in the world of ballroom dancing.

"The same qualities John possesses to be a good military officer are the same required to be a dance champion," said Georgia Ambarian, Captain Scheuren's instructor. "He plans and follows through, always focused, always overcoming challenges."

As three-time world cabaret winner, Ambarian knows what it takes to get to the top. Not easy and not always fun, training to compete against others of the same caliber requires the immense talent, energy and drive Captain Scheuren demonstrated, according to Ambarian.

A trained musician and vocalist, Captain Scheuren understood artistic discipline and as a college athlete identified with strength and endurance. However, the mental and physical demands of ballroom dancing require unique capabilities the captain said he never experienced before. Cabaret, described as a spectacular form of exhibition, presented greater challenges.

"Cabaret is very lift intensive. It's about breathing together," said the captain. "It's a different partnership than in traditional ballroom. Not really a lead and follow as much as perfect synchronization of breath and motion, so lifts look effortless."

According to the captain, the rule is to save the girl at all costs when a lift goes awry.

"Even if you have to throw out your back or break a hand to do it...she puts her life in danger every time she's 10 feet in the air," he said.

To enhance his strength and stamina, the captain turned to 1st Lt. Mitchell R. Kieffer, a certified personal trainer and Air Force triathlon coach. Lieutenant Kieffer, also a scientist with the Air Force Research Laboratory, trained Captain Scheuren to perform at high intensity with minimal fatigue.

"You have to use every muscle in your body, heavily relying on your muscular endurance, core strength and aerobic capacity," said the lieutenant. "When you are throwing a girl up in the air with one arm, having her land on your shoulder upside down, followed by her swirling around your neck before helping her to the floor, you need to be in peak physical shape."

An injury to his partner delayed the captain's training for months. In addition, a recent military transfer to the Joint Test and Evaluation Center in Suffolk, Va., left the captain unable to practice locally. Uncertain about his fate, a temporary duty assignment to Fort Rucker, Ala., presented itself. Coincidence or divine intervention, it was what he needed to fulfill his dance destiny.

A 130-mile drive from Alabama over two weekends before the competition, Captain Scheuren raced against the clock to prepare for his last shot at national victory, something he would describe after winning as "complete."

"After losing the previous year, delay in training and relocation, it didn't seem possible that we'd be able to pull together and win one more time," said Captain Scheuren. "It was both humbling and fulfilling that a ton of work and training paid off immeasurably."

The captain attributes much of his success to the overwhelming support of family and friends.

"Friends have been especially supportive. They've been at every dress rehearsal for the past three years, and at least five friends consistently watch me dance," said the captain. "My mom has been at every single competition for the past three years, except this one. My success would be impossible without everyone's continued and constant support."

Male co-workers initially snickered at Captain Scheuren's passion for dance, according to Maj. Fred C. Parker, former supervisor and deputy director of the joint test program office here.

"It's not like he was a champion rugby player or Greco-Roman wrestler," said Major Parker. "After learning of his success and seeing his passion and dedication toward dance, John gained significant support and respect from his coworkers. He personifies the Air Force core value of excellence in all we do." And that respect would inspire the major to also pursue ballroom dancing.

For Captain Scheuren, whose passion began with a "Dancing with the Stars" charity show and a flier for a free ballroom dance lesson, this has been an amazing journey.

His next ambition is to enter the professional circuit to compete in the U.S. National Championships then perhaps at the world level.

To learn more about U.S. National Open & Pro/Am and National Championships and ballroom dancing, visit http://www.unitedstatesdancechampionships.com.