Meet Your Neighbor: Patti Izzo

A resident of Red Bank for more than 30 years, Patti is dancing her way through her proverbial golden years.

After decades working in the medical field as a nurse, teacher, and hospital specialist to doctors, she and her late husband created their own Real Estate Development Company. But it wasn’t until she took her first ballroom lesson that Patti found her true spark in life and her love for competing in Ballroom Dance Competitions. Ranked first in the U.S. in American Rhythm and second in the world in the same category, meet your neighbor – Patti Izzo.

My history with dancing:

I had ten years of ballet, tap dancing, jazz, and gymnastics classes. Along the way, I always danced in front of the television while watching Dancing with the Stars. I was mesmerized by the show! I studied and copied the female dancers on TV while wearing my character heels from doing community theater. I decided I had to find a ballroom to take lessons, and Brian Stark, a gifted professional teacher, returned my call in 2011. Brian, who is from Indiana, became my teacher and is my competitive dance partner to this day. I had never taken a step in Ballroom-type dancing before, though I did have one advantage – my parents were avid social Jitterbug and Swing dancers, though they had no lessons. They were very musical and very happy people. My dad also played the piano but did not take lessons.

Why I started to compete:

I have been actively competing in Ballroom Dance Sport for eight years, and it has improved my life tremendously on many levels. I stay physically and mentally fit and look forward to performing our choreography in beautiful costumes. Dance also allows me a healthy break from the everyday running of my company. The traveling and socializing itself, is amazing. The feeling of belonging to an international ballroom family is indescribable. That alone would be enough, but to win World and National Titles, and many other unexpected awards in my divisions is the best feeling in the world! I have made lifelong, precious friends, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

PHOTO: Patti Izzo and Brian Stark

Forms of Ballroom dance I perform:

We compete in Viennese Waltz, Bolero, Tango, Rumba, Mambo, Samba, Swing, Paso Doble, Peabody, Chacha, Waltz, Foxtrot, and special choreographed performances. Brian and I practice four days a week for two hours a day at USA Ballroom in Shrewsbury. One by one Brian taught me the Classic Ballroom type dances and when we competed in Stamford, Connecticut, I won Top Newcomer and received a beautiful trophy. For years we competed in city after city and came home with first and second place in our division. It was exhilarating! Then we competed in one of the most prestigious competitions in America – The Emerald Ball in California. I won a beautiful crystal slipper with pomegranate wine inside for Overall Top Student. It was so humbling and so thrilling.

My dancing went international at the Blackpool Dance Festival in Blackpool, England:

When the Blackpool Executive Board decided to open the competition up to couples who were professional/amateurs, we competed. I wanted to make history just to say we were there on that inaugural day and danced on that sacred floor. We made the podium and placed second. We won a World Title on the debut of professional/amateurs competing in Blackpool, England in our American Style Division. This past May, we returned to Blackpool and were fortunate to receive another World Title placing second again. It was a dream come true. A few months ago, we competed in Prague, Czech Republic, and placed in the top five. This is our eighth year competing around the world and I couldn’t ask for more.

Why I recommend Ballroom Dancing to everyone, especially those who are my age:

I’ve spent most of my life taking care of the health of others, and now I recommend Ballroom dancing as a Life Changer for so many people. There are so many styles and levels to choose from. One phone call took me from dancing in front of the TV to creating so much fun. And traveling the world with incredibly talented and amazing people is more than I ever expected. This pulled back the curtain on a secret world of beauty, skill, and fun. Take Ballroom lessons and live your best life! Find your Joie de Vivre!