Conversations with the Inspiring Chelsa Delfeld and Tee-Jay Netters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsa Delfeld and Tee-Jay Netters.

AZ Ballroom Dance Academy was founded in 2016 by Tee-Jay Netters who is a certified Ballroom and Latin Dance Instructor. Tee Jay was a late bloomer to the dance floor beginning at age 15 learning styles of Hip Hop, Stepping, and Jazz. He did not fall into Ballroom until the age of 19 where he enrolled into the American Teachers of Ballroom College with instructors Kort Thomas and Nátale Simmons. He trained in many ballroom and social dance styles, but primarily focused on the Latin categories. He went on to compete and place in many regional competitions in the Southwest and became a champion in 2012. Tee Jay also competed on the American Dance TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” making the Top 100 in Las Vegas. Since then, he has focused on sharing his passion for teaching classes and workshops for children and adults, forming service projects with community organizations and choreographing wedding dances. Tee Jay gains his energy from his students and thoroughly enjoys the process of watching their confidence grow through dance.

Chelsa is Co-Owner and Assistant Instructor with AZ Ballroom Dance Academy. Her dance roots come from a background in Ballet before her ballroom dance journey in 2010 as an Apprentice. She has placed in many collegiate competitions through the Social Latin categories and has been known for her vivacious personality and spirit. She has continued to perform at many dance venues and also teaches ballroom dance workshops to local high schools and community classes through the City of Tempe. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience of dance with beginners and making them feel comfortable on and off the dance floor.

As of 2018, we became an LLC together and are now co-owners.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Everything is a challenge but that’s what makes the process beautiful. If starting your own business and running it was a piece of cake, everyone would do it. No business doesn’t go through its own growth issues, from finding the right fit in people to space, every growing pain is a lesson. You can’t allow the challenges and failures to define you and your business, you have to use them as tools for success. This beautiful, crazy ride is all worth it when you see someone smile when they leave your class and feel more confident about themselves, doesn’t matter the age.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into AZ Ballroom Dance Academy (AZBDA) story. Tell us more about it.
AZ Ballroom Dance Academy has the vision to bring a community together and share the gift of ballroom dance through physical fitness, entertainment, and service outreach. We hold the belief that “anyone can dance” no matter the age, height, weight, shape or size. Our core mission is to shape, educate and empower beginner students into knowledgeable and confident individuals of Ballroom and Latin dance. We love being involved with our community – we’re all about sharing the gift of dance. We’re very proud that we’ve worked with a lot of high schools and local organizations who want to bring something different to their demographic. We’ve worked with at-risk youth, LGBT organizations, children’s hospitals, senior citizens/active adult communities, and more.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
For Tee-Jay and I, we’ve always really connected with the youth in our community and I believe it stems back to us really wanting to give back. We like to joke that because we’re Leo’s (our zodiac sign), we get a natural uplift feeling of helping those discover that YES, you can dance & have fun. I think we’ve always strived to pull on how tough it can be growing up and how, through dance, you can really express yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.azbda.com/
• Phone: 480-248-1645
• Email: info@azbda.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azballroomdanceacademy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azbda/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB8FLS_LHDwIppP6y8Zd46w

Image Credit:
Shannon Liebrock Photography, Celeste Marie Photography

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