Elegant ballroom is a place for all ages

SOUTHPARK AREA
JANET HAAS

Long before the “Dancing With the

Stars phenomenon swept the
nation, Dana Glandon was hooked
and had waltzed her way to a
successful career in ballroom
dancing
But the SouthPark resident wasn’t
always hot for the foxtrot. When
her parents began lessons at a Fred
Astaire studio in 1988, she was
reluctant to join them.
“I didn’t want to dance with old
fogies. But finally, after a year of
them asking, I went. Of course, I
fell in love with it,” Glandon said.
And she loved it so much the
then-Realtor bought the franchise
four months later, which she sold
in 1996.
Since then, Glandon has owned
and operated two more studios with
her partner, Tony Prado, their
current business being Queen City
Ballroom. She went on to become
the 2006 national Ballroom Dance
champion in the International
Standard Division.
Through her love affair with
ballroom dancing, Glandon got her
just rewards. Once several pounds
overweight, the shrewd business
woman quickstepped her way to a
sleek size 4. Glandon said, “I
transitioned from a very shy person
to a very confident person.
“I tend to stay 20 to 30 pounds
overweight,” she said. “If I have a
goal to do a competition or a show,
that keeps me focused to lose Dana Glandon and her partner at the National DanceSport Championships 
weight and be careful of what I
eat.” On July 26, the “Broadway Lights” Want to go? 
production raised $1,500. The
Her pride and Joy annual holiday gala, also While testing the waters with a
benefitting Make-A-Wish is complimentary lesson is the way to go,
Boasting a 5,600-foot floating scheduled for Dec. 20. according to glandon, you can also check
What’s the best part of her job? out the scene on Friday nights. Starting at
hardwood fdance floor, two five-
“Sitting at my desk and looking 8, a group class is offered to the public for
foot crystal chandeliers, a circular $5 at Queen City Ballroom (10403-I Park
bar and a fully equipped kitchen, out the (corner office) window and
Road). Following the class is a dance
the elegant Queen City Ballroom is seeing all the progress that each social from 9 to 11. ($10) At 10 p.m.,
a destination for people of all ages. individual has made,” Glandon students and professional dancers
Her youngest student is 6, and her said. demonstrate their moves to the crowd.
oldest student – her mother – is 90. “It’s hard to do any paperwork Open bar, coffee and cake are provided.
“She comes in every day for a because I like to watch the Details: 704-541-5440.
lesson,” Glandon said. “She won’t students.”
So you think you can dance?  From Latin, swing, shag, country-
skip it for the world.” western and ballroom dancing, the
  In addition to classes, dance Or maybe not?
sky’s the limit at Queen City
competitions, wedding receptions No worries, folks. Take a Ballroom.
comploimentary private lesson
and parties, Queen City Ballroom
with one of her 12 instructors and Janet Cooper Haas lives in the SouthPark
also showcases its talent twice a go from there. “You don’t have Area and writes about neighborhoods in
year with 100 percent of the anything to lose,” Glandon said. the SouthPark and Cotswold areas. Have
proceeds going to the Make-A- “Our job is to make (people) feel an item for her?
Wish Foundation.   comfortable and make it fun.” Write jhaas@charlotteobserver.com
 Ballroom owners taking
spin in south Charlotte
P
artners in business, dance
and life, Dana Glandon and
Tony Prado are making a 12-
year dream come true with the
opening of Queen City Ballroom in
south Charlotte.
Located at 10403-I Park Road,
the 5,625-square-foot competition
ballroom and studio will offer

Retail &
Restaurants
ASHLEY M.
GIBSON

lessons in tangos, salsas, foxtrots,

cha-chas and more. The studio
took 10 months to plan and build. It
has 14-foot ceilings, mirrored
walls, crystal chandeliers and pro-
fessional theater lighting by
Barbizon Charlotte Inc.
“The hardest part was finding a
large enough space that didn’t have
poles running up and down the
middle of it,” says Prado, a profes-
sional theater dancer who will
teach at the school. “This repre-
sents our complete wish list.”
He declines to say how much it
cost to build and outfit the ball-
room. Morgan Construction Co.
Inc. renovated the studio, Gail
Shook is the interior designer.
Glandon and Prado think now is
the perfect time to open such a stu-
dio in Charlotte, since ballroom
dancing or “dancesport” hopes to
attain Olympic status in 2008.
Tony Prado, left, and Dana Glandon will offer lessons in tangos, salsas, foxtrots, cha-chas and more
at Queen City Ballroom.
The ballroom converts into a the-
ater for shows and will be offered
for weddings and other events. It
includes a full kitchen, a bar and
wrought-iron café tables and
chairs.
A small retail component has
been added in which dancers can
purchase special suede-bottomed
shoes, CDs, false eyelashes, body
glitter and accessories.
Queen City features more than 15
instructors trained in over 20
dances including the quick step,
shag, Latin, swing, tap, jazz, ballet
and the traditional waltz. Gunar
Photo/ASHLEY M. GIBSON
Ejups, the ballroom’s architect, is
also a part-time instructor.
Queen City will be open Monday
through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10
p.m. for a slate of classes and on
the weekends by appointment.
Every Friday night the ballroom
will be open to the public who, for
a 10-spot, can dance the night
away.
This article appeared in the March 15, 2002
issue of the The Business Journal of Charlotte. It
has been reprinted by the The Business Journal of
Charlotte, and further reproduction by any other
party is strictly prohibited. Copyrighted 2002 by
The Business Journals of North Carolina, LLC,
120 West Morehead St., Suite 200, Charlotte, NC
28202, (704) 973-1100.
Focus On Success v2 08 7/23/08 1:03 PM Page 67
Queen City Ballroom Creates Community BY MEAGHAN CLARK
D
ana Glandon is an astute business owner
who turned a hobby into a successful
business, not once, but three times. As
owner of Queen City Ballroom, her third
ballroom dancing studio, Glandon has built a pros-
perous business, as well as a community for dancers,
students, friends and partners. Her passion for dance
and for people has proven to be a big part of what
makes Queen City Ballroom one of the top dance stu-
dios in the country.
Queen City Ballroom teaches the most popu-
lar dances in both American and International
styles, offering classes for recreation as well as for
competition. Many of the students and staff reg-
ularly compete in the most prestigious matches in
the nation, and the trophy case at the front of the
studio attests to numerous victories. “Our dancers
have won many awards and it’s because of the
hard work done here,” says Glandon.
The 5,600-square-foot studio is the largest in the
2 0 0 8 - 2 0 0 9 T C W R E S O U R C E G U I D E
Focus On Success
Dance Like A Star
city and comes equipped with floating wood
floors, a state-of-the-art sound system, private class-
rooms and a theater with stage lighting. The full
kitchen allows Queen City Ballroom to function as
an event venue for parties and receptions, as well.
Queen City Ballroom is open Monday through
Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends
by appointment. Every first lesson is free. Social
events, such as Friday night parties, allow for
dancers of all levels to meet and dance together.
The studio also offers couples private lessons so
they can, as newlyweds, confidently display “first Dana Glandon
dance” techniques at their wedding reception!
Many students who come to Queen City
Ballroom looking for a sense of community Queen City Ballroom
develop strong friendships —and strong dance 10403-I Park Rd.
skills — along the way.
Charlotte, NC 28210
“We’ve had many people go through complete
704/541-5440
transformations here,” Glandon says. And that, she
adds, is the most rewarding part of her job. TCW www.queencityballroom.com
T O D A Y ’ S C H A R L O T T E W O M A N 67
MOA 0209 1/22/09 10:30 AM Page 77

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hen ballroom dancer group classes to one-on-one pri- Call Today For A Free Consultation ~ 704-544-7535
Dana Glandon opened vate training, instructors at the
Queen City Ballroom studio create a dance experience
in 2002, she spared no that is designed for dancers of all
expense in creating Charlotte’s levels to enjoy.
first and most elegant grand ball- According to Glandon, it is the
room. Every aspect of the studio combination of elegance, exer-
communicates the glamour of cise, and a friendly atmosphere
the ballroom dance lifestyle. that makes ballroom dancing a
Crystal chandeliers adorn a 14- unique experience. “What’s won-
foot, coffered ceiling. Floating derful about ballroom dancing is
hardwood floors, a circular bar, a that it brings so many people
digital sound system, theater together,” she says. “It’s a great fit-
lighting, and Hollywood-style ness activity that you can start at
dressing rooms all add to the any age, from pre-teen to senior.”
ambiance. The full kitchen allows Glandon firmly believes in
the Ballroom to serve as an event giving back to the community
venue for parties and receptions, that supports her. “For over 20
as well. years we’ve produced two
Glandon is a national ball- Broadway-style shows a year to
room dance champion who benefit local charities,” she says.
knows the right steps both on “So, I’m always ‘dancing with
and off the dance floor. Through- the stars!’ ” TCW

ToLearnMore
Queen City Ballroom is located at 10403 Park Road, Suite I. Hours are Mon. through
Fri., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sun. by appointment. For infor-
mation, call 704/541-5440, or visit www.queencityballroom.com.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9 77
 

Tony had no intention of leaving

behind his career in broadcasting when
he first agreed to go dancing years ago.
“A friend said, ‘We’re going dancing,’”
Tony says. “I thought we were going to
a club.”
Instead, they went to a ballroom class,
and Tony was instantly hooked—he
started taking lessons once a week,
dancing everything from the Mambo to
the challenging and athletic theatre arts
style, which incorporates intricate
aerial moves, eventually teaching his
own classes and competing in dancing
competitions.
“Dancing is the forgotten social
connection,” Tony says. He made the
leap (so to speak) from broadcasting to
dancing full time, and now co-owns
Queen City Ballroom.
“When I was in broadcasting, I felt like Photo: Deborah Triplett 
I had my finger on the pulse of
society,” he says. “With dancing,
I feel like I have its heart.” And wearing a skirt? “Well, after 13
What’s your favorite thing about years of dancing, I’ve got the legs to pull
reading skirt!? “It’s like dancing. It’s it off.”
a way for men and women to  
communicate and use their differences © 2008, Skirt Magizine
to create something where the http://charlotte.skirt.com/node/24845
 
partnership is greater than the
individuals.”