New ballroom dance studio opens in Newtown. Here's why this couple has all the moves

If you think there’s nothing in this weary world that can make you feel better, maybe you need to dance. It’s hard to be uptight on the dance floor.

Roman Doroshenko and his wife, Iryna Savushkina, know the magic that happens on a dance floor. From the first unsure steps, to the twirling, laughter and confidence.

Which is why the two dance champs from Ukraine opened the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Newtown Township. The couple worked for the franchise’s Doylestown location for seven years, and decided to open their own shop at 11 Pheasant Run.

“We like this area. We really didn’t want to move somewhere else, like Miami,” Roman said.

Bucks County seems prime for itW, especially considering once upon a time there were dance halls for grownups to meet and socialize from Bristol to Bridgeton. One of the last great ones was the Paso Doble Ballroom in Levittown (with its stellar talent seated at “Table 48”). And La Luna Dance Studio in Levittown is still around, still teaching salsa.

The couple see an opening in the market for people who may have always wanted to learn to waltz or tango. Or those who simply prefer movements more refined than the tribal-like group dancing seen at wedding receptions.

“You look better, you feel better,” Roman said.

“And,” added Iryna, “you’ll always have the people who are going to a wedding and they want to feel comfortable on the (dance) floor.”

Salsa, swing, waltz and foxtrot are still the most popular requests for people who want to learn a dance, Iryna said.

“And Argentinian Tango. People really like that one,” Roman said.

As for shy people who say they can’t dance because they have “two left feet,” the couple has a message.

“That’s the best reason to start lessons. Two left feet are our favorite students. They come with left feet, and go from here with a right foot and left foot,” Iryna said.

And those who claim they have no rhythm? She chuckled.

“Just start dancing. You have rhythm. Everyone does. You just don’t know how to use it,” she said.

Even people with disabilities can learn to dance.

“We have a program for that, absolutely,” Iryna said.

Learning to dance is also an underrated fountain of youth, they said.

“Dancing is good for your health, physical and mental, especially people with age,” Iryna said. “We’ve had students who are almost 90, but they don’t act it. When you dance, you are young.”

The couple demonstrated, and they floated and spun across the vast, hardwood studio, like a scene from an old Hollywood Golden Age movie, worthy of Astaire.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Ballroom dance studio opens in Newtown, Bucks County