When, I started dancing is a debate in my family. My grandmother says I’ve danced since the day I was born. My mother says
I was dancing long before I was ever born. But regardless of when I started I owe my love of dancing to these two very
wonderful ladies. Whether I was waltzing on my grandma’s toes or we were kicking up our heels in the living room doing the
charleston she shared her love of dance with me from the time I could wiggle a toe. My mother shared with me her gift in
freestyle dancing. Ever heard the saying “shake what your mama gave you” we shook it all to the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music
as we danced to my uncles band or just bogging in the basement we had a great time together.

I started taking dance lessons when I two years old. I loved every minute of it and all I ever wanted to do was dance. I would
choreograph routines for my sisters and me to do so we could put on a show whenever they would do it with me. I started
teaching dance when I was in high school. I opened my own school for kids. We would have lessons after school and every
couple months put on a show for their parents. We’d wear tie-dyed shirts because our costume budget, from my job in high
school, was very small. We always had fun, as I got older I started teaching wedding couples for their first dance.

I have always kept my dance training current and loved getting real life social dance experience by visiting other countries
and getting involved in cultural dancing done in their area. I love the diversity of dancing found here in the United States
throughout our different regions too. One of my goals in my teaching is to teach people to dance so they can go anywhere
and dance with anyone and have a great time.

Through the years I have done many kinds of dancing and instructing. I have taught young people and people young at
heart. I have taught those with ambitions to win the next Ohio Open and those that want to have fun dancing in their
basement. I have danced in grand ballrooms in exquisite gowns and fancy shoes; I have danced barefoot beside a pool in a
bikini. It doesn’t matter to me what I wear, where I am, or who I’m dancing with, I just love to teach and dance.  

My career has taken me in many directions from a very small rented studio, to a World renowned Corporate International
studio. I have worked with and learned from some of the best people in the dance community.  Like my students, I continue
to learn and perfect my craft.  I travel to multiple dance training seminars and other dance events each year.  I work hard to
stay current with the many changes that happen in the different styles of dance.  I enjoy getting to bring that information back
to my students and share it with them as well.  I love seeing the enthusiasm they have for dancing.

I have danced in malls and I have danced in front of a panel of judges. I have danced with my coat and I have danced with
celebrities. From grocery store isles to international soil, I am happiest when I dance with my dance family at A. Rhythmic
Time.  The sounds of friends and laughter, the sights of happy people and smiles; these are the things I hear and see at A.
Rhythmic Time. Everyone is always welcomed with open arms.  At A. Rhythmic Time, you are just you; you don’t have to be
anyone else for others to want to get to know you. It’s hard to understand that unless you are here with us. There is no other
place in the world where the outside world doesn’t seem to exists for a little while, it feels like you’ve entered your own secret
dance world and you’ve never felt happier.

So I’d like to end by answering the question, who is Brenda Thames? That’s easy, I’m just me. Here’s a quote I’d like to share
with you in closing because it means a lot to me:

“No matter the song, No matter the tune, We dance in the light, of the very same moon.”
(Author unknown)

Come out and dance with me, I can’t wait to see you,


Brenda Thames
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