By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Janet Collins said she was lucky to grow up in an active family — she spent her childhood in Omaha, Nebraska swimming and running and trying to keep up with her mother and siblings. She said she participated in pretty much everything but dance, which is ironic considering that ballroom dance has become a big part of her life, especially since her retirement about three years ago. She now dances competitively with her instructors from S Style Dance Team. She and her husband of 15 years, John Schwartz, live in Palencia.
Q: How did you come to live in NE Florida?
A: I moved here with my second husband. We were living in New York City at the time and I had a job with Hanes Hosiery servicing the Macy’s account. He was downsized from his job, so we looked at trying something new and almost purchased a business in Florida, but that fell through. We moved down here anyway and I got a job as Director of Membership Services for Sawgrass Country Club.
Q: What did you like best about your job at Sawgrass?
A: I’ll never forget it. I loved every minute and I especially loved the members. We had a great staff. I actually met my present husband, John, while working at Sawgrass Country Club. He was one of the members and we were friends. When my second husband passed away, John would check in on me. He was very nice. Then he broke up with his girlfriend and said he was interested in someone else … and that someone was me! He was very patient with me though; we didn’t get married for eight years.
Q: When did you retire?
A: I finally decided it was time to retire about three years ago. I thought it was time for the next generation to take over, and I feel like I left everything in great hands. They’re all doing extremely well. I had friends who told me that they were bored once they retired, but I knew that wouldn’t be me. I had been working since I was seven years old when I had a newspaper route with my brother.
Q: How did you begin ballroom dancing?
A: I had been taking lessons from Dance Alday in Ponte Vedra Beach, but found a place closer to my home. One day I saw a sign for a new studio opening soon, so I went and knocked on the door. The owners were there putting in the dance floor and they invited me to the grand opening. I went and now am dancing and competing with the S Styles Dance Team.
Q: What styles of dance do you do and which is your favorite?
A: We do all genres. I have two instructors, one for Smooth dancing, which includes waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz; and one for Latin dances. It’s so hard to pick a favorite because all of the dances are wonderful — but I do really love to waltz.
Q: How do you prepare for competitions?
A: I train approximately eight hours per week. I have the time to do this now that I’m retired and I absolutely love it. My goal is to keep progressing to a higher level and to dance until I’m 100! We are getting ready for a competition March 5 – 8 in World Golf Village known as the First Coast Classic Dancesport Championships. It will be held at the Renaissance Hotel over three days and I would encourage anyone interested to come and check it out. Ballroom dancing is so wonderful because the dance community is very accepting and non-judgemental. Plus, this kind of dancing is something you can do for your entire life.
Photo courtesy Janet Collins
Janet Collins
