Miss-Delectable
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Deaf ballroom dancer, dances through disability - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -
The steps are carefully choreographed, and each movement is precise. Once a week, Judy Hodak hones her ballroom dancing skills with her instructor, Travis Manero. But Judy is not a typical student.
"She's missing a sense that is usually vital for dancing," said Manero.
Judy is deaf, but that's never stopped her from showing off her fancy footwork. "When I was a young girl, my parents called me Cha Cha," said Hodak.
While most dancers rely on the sound of the music, Judy, doesn't have that luxury. "I feel it," she said. "That's all."
"Judy always tells me I'm her music, so I have to really be doing my part," said Manero.
After a year of hard work, the pair danced their way into the Buckeye Ball, a regional competition through Fred Astaire Studios. The duo called their performance the Sound of Silence.
"We danced to no music," said Manero. "For her, it was like she always dances, but for the audience it was a real eye opener to see what it would be like to dance with no music. One of the judges even said it was the first time he saw the music instead of hearing it."
Those rave reviews are the reason Judy's routine won top solo at the event.
"Everybody was standing up and doing the sign for applause for her, so it was a really special moment," said Manero.
It's a moment Judy can only sum up in one word. "Wow!"
The steps are carefully choreographed, and each movement is precise. Once a week, Judy Hodak hones her ballroom dancing skills with her instructor, Travis Manero. But Judy is not a typical student.
"She's missing a sense that is usually vital for dancing," said Manero.
Judy is deaf, but that's never stopped her from showing off her fancy footwork. "When I was a young girl, my parents called me Cha Cha," said Hodak.
While most dancers rely on the sound of the music, Judy, doesn't have that luxury. "I feel it," she said. "That's all."
"Judy always tells me I'm her music, so I have to really be doing my part," said Manero.
After a year of hard work, the pair danced their way into the Buckeye Ball, a regional competition through Fred Astaire Studios. The duo called their performance the Sound of Silence.
"We danced to no music," said Manero. "For her, it was like she always dances, but for the audience it was a real eye opener to see what it would be like to dance with no music. One of the judges even said it was the first time he saw the music instead of hearing it."
Those rave reviews are the reason Judy's routine won top solo at the event.
"Everybody was standing up and doing the sign for applause for her, so it was a really special moment," said Manero.
It's a moment Judy can only sum up in one word. "Wow!"
