CU-Boulder JILA Fellow David Nesbitt is used to working his way around chemistry laboratories, but working his way around the dance floor is a different story altogether.
Nesbitt was one of eight celebrity dancers participating in the 6th Annual Dancing with the Boulder Stars event held on Oct. 18, 2012 at the Boulder Theater. This annual fundraiser is held by the You, Women, Children, All of us Center () in Boulder to raise money for the organization鈥檚 mission of human services, advocacy, educational programs and racial justice initiatives.
The event is similar to the popular television show Dancing With The Stars, where Hollywood celebrities and professional dancers pair up to rehearse and compete in a dance competition.
Nesbitt said the reason he chose to enter the competition was to pay tribute to his wife.
鈥淢y wife is a really good dancer, and I鈥檓 more of a fear dancer,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o this was more like paying homage to my wife.鈥�
Besides facing the perceived challenge of having two left feet, Nesbitt said time constraints and stepping out of his comfort zone proved big personal tests.
鈥淧art of it was trying to get 13 rehearsals into my teaching and travel schedule,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was quite a physical challenge, but the other part of it was getting over my fear.鈥�
While Nesbitt maintains he had no talent for dancing, both the judges and audience begged to differ. Nesbitt and his professional dance partner Pat Connelly, the director of Blue Moon Dance Company, were the seventh couple to take the stage. The duo danced a beautiful waltz, requiring both precision and elegance, and received praise from the judges and audience.
Nesbitt said that he was blessed to have the support of not only his wife, but also his family, colleagues and students.
鈥淢y brothers and sisters were curious but very supportive鈥�.It was sort of outside their expectation for me, being the professor of the family.听I鈥檓 grateful for the people in the biochemistry and several others in the chemistry department,鈥� he said. 鈥淎lso, my graduate students in my quantum mechanics class.听It鈥檚 a scary position, putting myself out there, taking a risk.鈥�
Videos of the Dancing with the Boulder Stars performances can be seen on the YWCA of Boulder County鈥檚 . The organization is also a participant in the .
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Image captured from听 video coverage of the event.
