Minnesota Dancer: Ember’s Dance Story, Part II

During the pandemic, Ember realized how much dance—and the dance community—were essential to her well-being. She missed both. She turned to her second love—writing, to capture the impact partner dance made on her life and the lives of others.

Ember began writing for Sheer Dance, a local digital monthly dance publication. She enjoyed interviewing people and writing stories in their own words. She was so moved by the people she interviewed that she wanted to share their incredible stories in order to inspire others to discover the benefits of dance. From these experiences, her book, The Dance of Resilience, was born. The book highlights people who have successfully fought through depression, managed grief, resolved anxiety, and recovered from severe illness or injury with the help of ballroom dance. Many stories are about Minnesotans whom she knew or who were referred to her.

The stories Ember heard led her to research health connections to dance. She learned that partner dancing is 76% more effective than any other activity in the prevention of dementia, and that it can reduce or reverse Parkinson’ symptoms. The last part of her book advocates that dance should be covered by health insurance providers. One major health insurer has already stepped up to fund dance sessions for Medicare Advantage patients, and, in some states, doctors are prescribing social dance lessons paid by insurance.

Ember was at our monthly dance on December 20 at Cinema Ballroom to sign copies of her book for you. If you missed the dance, books are available at your local bookstore or from her website www.thedanceofresilence.com. The book becomes available online and in bookstores on January 13, 2026, and is distributed by Simon & Schuster.

By Suzi Blumberg, originally featured in Minnesota Dancer