Jim Mastro, B.S., M.A.
Ballroom

Jim first took up dancing as a sophomore at San Diego State University, after seeing people dance the jitterbug in a movie. “That looks like fun!” he thought, and immediately signed up for a ballroom class. Indeed, it was fun, and Jim has been dancing ever since. He focused his studies on ballroom, but also studied jazz dance at San Diego’s famous Stage 7 studio. One year after his first ballroom class, he began teaching and performing. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Zoology, he and his partner became two of the leading performers and instructors in San Diego, bringing jitterbug, west coast swing, cha-cha, waltz, tango, nightclub freestyle, and of course street hustle (the most popular, couples disco dance) to the stage and studio. They taught hundreds of people to dance; competed in (and won) dance contests; performed at conventions, charity benefits, and in television commercials; and were half of a four-member dance troupe employed by a popular radio station to do promotional performances.

While attending graduate school in English at UNH in 1991 and 1992, Jim taught ballroom dance at Rochester Movement Arts and took tap lessons from Christine Hounsell. Afterward, he spent several years in Antarctica, where he taught a weekly jitterbug swing class (for people, not penguins). Since returning to New Hampshire, Jim has taught ballroom occasionally at Sole City Dance, often serving as a substitute teacher for Joyce Goldstein. Jim believes few activities are more joyful — or more healthful — than dance. It helps you stay in shape, lifts your spirit, and keeps you young. He is excited to be doing his part to keep ballroom dance (especially swing and street hustle) alive.