Adventures of a Dance Teacher
by Rick Archer
Last Update: February 2006

It has been over 30 years since I first entered the world of Dance in 1974. And to borrow a phrase from the Grateful Dead, what a long, strange trip it has been!!  It is true that I have had a dream profession. With the exception of some rough times the first few years, it has been fun almost every step of the way.   

I have had a career that has taken many twists and turns.  Although in many ways I have led a charmed career, no one can say there weren't plenty of bumps along the way, "learning experiences" as they say.

In 2006 I decided to combine many of the stories listed below into "The History of SSQQ". In this article, you will see many of the stories listed below referenced as they become important.

It is of course a cosmic absurdity that a guy with minimal dance talent somehow managed to create the largest dance studio in Houston, Texas (and quite possibly in the entire United States). 

As you will read in these pages, I openly admit I am not a natural dancer, have never won a dance contest, do not perform, choreograph, or put on shows, nor have I received any teaching awards or professional recognition whatsoever.  

This article - which is basically an abbreviated Autobiography of my dance career - answers the following question: "How did he do that?" 

I might add the story of how I got started should be strong encouragement for anyone who has hoped to ever turn a hobby into a career. If you have an activity you enjoy, volunteer as a way to get started, then see if you have what it takes to turn your interest into a full-time job or a more meaningful use of your time.  

The list below on my Time Line is a set of stories drawn from my various experiences as owner of SSQQ Dance Studio plus some goofy side trips as well.

I hope you enjoy your reading.  RA

 An in-depth story of how learning to dance led to a career.

 Why SSQQ doesn't have dance contracts

 I teach my first dance class ever.

 I meet the worst dance teacher ever.

 Saturday Night Fever opens.

 My Big Break as a Dance Teacher.

 The Dance Curse

 The Fiasco at the Ritz

 The Clear Lake Dance Contest

 I begin to teach dance full-time for a living.

 SSQQ moves to its current Bissonnet location

 The Story of the Winchester Club

 SSQQ gets its name.

 I learn a valuable lesson in dance class.

 Tom Easley and his infamous Look-a-Like Night.

 I almost buy a Building and lose my shirt.

 SSQQ takes full control of the Bissonnet studio. 

 The Genetic Curse.

 The Bahamas Dance Contest

  Mike Fagan gives Martian Whip its name.

 The Legend of Sharon Crawford.

 Jim Smith marries Pat and breaks our heart.