About Dance Directory / Our story
An eye for movement.
A vision for connection.
From a photographer’s first encounter with ballroom dancing to a directory connecting its community, Dance Directory began with a simple idea: help people discover more of the world they love.
The person behind the pages
Gary
Spencer
Founder of EAB Press, Ltd.
Publisher of the International Dance Directory
Publisher of the International Dance Directory
01 / A new way of seeing
It started
with a moment.
In 1994, Gary Spencer attended a PBS television taping of a professional ballroom competition as a guest of the organizers. An internationally respected commercial photographer, he was captivated by the form, grace, and beauty of the dancers.
He soon brought that perspective to print with Championship Ballroom Dancing, a coffee table book of black-and-white photographs celebrating professional dancers. The response to his first publishing venture encouraged him to look more closely at what the dance community needed.
Across the United States, ballroom dancing had an enthusiastic following. What was missing was a cohesive way for people in different places to discover one another and share their passion. Spencer set out to make that connection.
The story continues with you