Berit Olstad
Student Since 2006
Asya Dimitrov recently announced that Berit Olstad is student of the month for April at Royal Ballroom Dance Studio, due to her long-term commitment to ballroom dancing as well as her success at competitions over the years.
Olstad’s love of ballroom dancing started in February 2006 when friends gave her a gift certificate for introductory lessons at Royal Ballroom Dance Studio in Vero Beach. After those three lessons, Berit was hooked and signed up for the Foundation Dance program, which gave her a good base in both Ballroom and Latin. The rest, as they say, is history.
“I was very surprised that I had any sense of rhythm when I began dancing six years ago,” said Olstad. “As a registered nurse, I am well aware of the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle. I was surprised by the level of physical exercise that I enjoy from ballroom dancing.”
Oleg Dimitrov, co-owner of Royal Ballroom Dance Studio, is Olstad's professional instructor as well as partner at the ballroom dance competitions she attends throughout Florida. She competed this past January at the Palm Beach Classic with other students from Royal Ballroom.
“I am grateful for this recognition (of student of the month," Olstad said. "Ballroom dancing has become an unexpected passion for me especially because of the great friends I have met during this journey.”
Olstad has been a nurse at Indian River Medical Center since 1986. She is originally from Norway and moved to Vero Beach in 1985 from Saudi Arabia.
“Many of our students start ballroom dancing as Berit did, with a gift certificate from friends or for a special occasion," said Asya Dimitrov. "We are so proud that she embraced the opportunity to try something new and now makes ballroom dancing a big part of her life.”
