Benjamin Soencksen

How are you actively and currently involved in same sex ballroom dance?

Coaching same-sex couples; Judging at same-sex competitions in the US and Europe (Eurogames 2004 in Munich; Pink Jukebox 2005 in London; Philadelphia Liberty Dance Challenge in 2006, 2008 & 2009; 5-Boro-Dance Challenge, NYC, in 2007 & 2008; invited to Gay Games 2010 in Cologne); Competed in same-sex competitions since Gay Games in Amsterdam 1998 culminating in 4th Place of 10-Dance at the Gay Games in Sydney 2002 (retired since then); As the Business Manager of Stepping Out Studios for 18 years, the only Studio in NYC to have a program called OUTdancing for 17 years; Elected to NASSPDA’s Board of Directors since January 2008 (Secretary since 8/08) (see bio)

What relevant leadership experience, such as serving on a board of a membership driven or non-profit organization and/or experience in helping to create such an organization, do you have?

Established and managed costume business for 4 years (1982 – 1986, design and execution for theatre and dance); Managed several different dance studios in New Jersey and New York (1987 – present), for the past 18 years Stepping Out Studios (www.steppingoutstudios.com); Organized several small same-sex partner dance competition from within Stepping Out Studios, at the Studio and at Stepping Out Studios’ OUTdancing weekends in the 2 years prior to the Gay Games 2002 in Sydney; Served 5 years on a NYC Co-Op Board of Directors as initially as Vice-President, then as President until break-up of 12 year life partnership; Initiated the forming of DAGE (Dancesport Alliance for Gender Equality) in 2007, which is an alliance of same-sex partner dancers, mostly from the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT), sharing experiences and thoughts through an online yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dageonline/); Co-founder and currently Secretary of Dance Lab NYC (www.dancelabnyc.org), which formed at the beginning of 2009 aiming to help new emerging choreographers to bring their work onto the stage in NYC; Serving as Secretary of NASSPDA since August 2008. (see bio)