Jerry Blemke

Jerry Blemke

Ballroom dance instruction (4/1/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

Ballroom dance instruction (4/3/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

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Ballroom dance instruction (4/8/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

Ballroom dance instruction (4/10/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

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Ballroom dance instruction (4/15/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

Ballroom dance instruction (4/17/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

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Ballroom dance instruction (4/22/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

Ballroom dance instruction (4/24/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

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Ballroom dance instruction (4/29/02) 6-9 p.m., Alaskaland Dance Center, instructor Jerry Blemke.Information: http://www.ballroomfairbanks.org/.

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May

Jerry Blemke Jerry is the principle instructor for the Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks.He's been teaching dance in Fairbanks since 1993.

Jerry grew up on a Wisconsin farm and logged a stint with the U.S.Navy.He began his dance career in Los Angeles, training with and then teaching for Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

After earning his Bronze and Silver teaching certificates in ten dances, he accepted a manager's position at the South Bay Fred Astaire Dance Studio so he could concentrate on professional dance competitions.

Jerry entered his first professinal dance with partner, Audry Alvo, in 1979, and placed second in the three-dance (tango, samba, swing) rhythm competition.
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That world-class experience helped propel Jerry and Audry to first place in the Fred Astaire Dance Studios California Rhythm Championship in 1980.
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Jerry retired from competition in 1981 and moved to Fairbanks to start a new career.In the early 1990s, he learned of a new ballroom club forming in town, and offered his experience and enthusiasm in teaching ballroom dance.He became the principle instructor for the fledgling Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks, a role he continues to fill now-when he's not mushing his dog team and spending time with his wife, Debbie, and their kids.

It's 6:15 on a crisp May night and ballroom dance instructor Jerry Blemke is standing in the center of the dance floor at the Alaskaland Dance Center.

As a small boom box blasts tunes with quick beats, Blemke glides across the floor keeping an eye on the five couples who are trying to master the moves he taught them.

Clapping his hands to the beat, Blemke suddenly spots a stranded couple and offers his assistance.A few seconds later, the couple is dancing again.

Whether it's on the dance floor, at home or on a mushing trail, Blemke has managed to make his way through life's rough spots with all the grace of the dances he has mastered.

On Oct. 2, 1955, Blemke was born, the middle child of nine brothers and sisters to Leo and Lorraine Blemke.
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The two then embarked on a trip to Europe and came back with a stronger relationship than when they left and Jerry proposed that Christmas.They married in early 1997 and found a piece of land on Chena Hot Springs Road where the two built a house by themselves.

The couple couldn't have children of their own, so they set their sights on adoption and were successful with the adoption of their first child, Elias in 1998.Today, the couple couldn't be happier as they have adopted two children, are the legal guardians for another, and have four foster children.

An avid dog musher, Blemke said he enjoys going for evening rides with his dog team under the stars."It's something to do all winter," he said.

But it's his ability to dance that has given Blanke the strength to be more assertive and outgoing on and off the dance floor."If there was a little pill that gave you all the confidence you ever needed, there'd be a line of people trying to get that pill," he said."You learn to dance, there's your confidence right there."

Name: Jerry Blemke