For Brian, dancing started out as therapy and has become a passion. After decades of work as an EMT and police officer he took to running as a stress reliever. And he ran a LOT, finishing 5 marathons including the Boston Marathon in 2011. He then volunteered as a medic at the finish line at Boston, which was fun until the race blew up about 200 feet from him. The scene was horrific, but he made the transition from a happy all-day holiday party to a wartime response to an attack. He responded to the blast site closest to the finish line bridge, treating one patient at the site. Unlike a lot of other 1st responders, he could not have a reunion with his patient later on, and it resulted in sad memories.
Later in 2013 a helpful therapist wanted him to focus on things he liked. So, he remembered one summer 40 years earlier when he took ballroom dance lessons at Gordon’s Dance Studio in Lynn’s Central Square. He took about 25 lessons that summer and loved every minute, however he did not pursue dancing at that time. Then, in 2013 he began the mission to become a great dancer. He does not think he is there yet he’s working on it. He started taking lessons at Karen’s Ballroom Studio in Peabody. There, he met our own Donna Crown who got his focus on competition as he served as a lead in the Bill Morganti Dancesport series. After about 10 of those which were very fun, he became more involved with MASSAbda, volunteering in numerous ways until being asked to join the board in 2022. Brian’s love for dance and this community, and his willingness to serve has led him to become our president.