Ukrainian,
Bulgarian, Estonian and Italian can be heard spoken as mothers of these
heritages prepare their 5, 6 and 7 year olds for a ballroom dancing class at
the Water Tower Recreation Center, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. 
Victoria Scotti brings 5 year old Isabella, who also takes ballet, both
for the music and the chance to dance with boys.  Instructor Alina Fiorella, a teacher of 17 years,  says she stopped professional
competition in ballroom dancing which led her to two Ukrainian national
championships when she started a family. But she began instructing young
children when she was a teen in the Ukraine and continues to do so, now
bringing her class to Chestnut Hill.

Fiorella
listens solicitously as one child asks for more snacks and another complains of
a sore arm. After addressing their concerns, she firmly directs her students
through the hour lesson in both dance etiquette and a variety of dance, along
with music or with voice commands alone.

Of
the  promenades, polkas and such,
the “Box dance” is 7 year old Emma Barton’s favorite. Late in the lesson they
heel-toe-heel-toe, “Shuffle off to Buffalo and then come back to Mexico.” And
then their tired selves are taken up in their mothers’ arms.

Watch video here.