Hi, I’m Rosemary Whitson! I received the TSF Scholarship in 2022, and it changed the trajectory of my dance journey in the best way possible. Leading up to the scholarship, I had a lot of energy and love to give to WCS but lacked the financial resources to fully pursue it. I was lucky to have the opportunity to do a Classic routine, but I was also working toward a degree. I applied to TSF hoping for the chance to pursue both paths. During the year I received my funds, I put a Classic routine on the floor and finished my degree. I was also able to dive into dancing professionally, doing lots of judging and teacher training. By the end of the year, I was judging at most of the events I attended, teaching professionally, and finding new opportunities to travel and grow as a dance professional. With the help of my degree, I’ve started a business managing social media and doing graphic design for dancers and dance events. This has led to much more financial stability, allowing me to continue growing as a dancer and pursuing new opportunities. Over the last three years, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the UK teaching, traveling, and enjoying life. I’m planning to spend a few years in Europe and the UK, exploring a new part of the world and helping support and build the dance communities there. This new chapter of my life is a dream come true, and none of it would have been possible without Doug Silton and his incredible foundation.

In 2017, I was honored to receive The Silton Foundation West Coast grant, which accelerated my dance journey by allowing me to attend more conventions, take more lessons, and meet more people in the world of wcs. Now I live in DC and give back to the community by teaching workshops, private lessons, judging, and mentoring dancers in the local scene. I’m so grateful for the opportunities that TSF opened up for me, and I’d encourage anyone with a passion for this dance to apply or donate.

My love of dance started as a child watching Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire. In college, I learned East Coast swing, and eventually Country Swing dancing once settling in Phoenix, AZ. One of my county swing leaders put me through a WCS move, I became intrigued and found a new community of people who believed in me and my potential. Having social anxiety, I live by the moto “do it afraid” when it comes to all areas of life but most especially competitive dancing. The TSF has completely changed my dancing life. The scholarship has allowed me to work consistently work with both local All-Star and Champions from around the world. My anxiety is still present when competing but the tool and training I received thanks to TSF have built my confidence to a level stronger than the anxiety. I now confidently step onto the floor knowing I have the tools I need to succeed as a dancer. I am beyond thankful for TSF and their support in my journey as a dancer. I would not be the confident person I am on the floor without them.

“The Boost I Needed.” When I first applied for TSF, I knew that I wanted to dance professionally and I knew that I had a passion for wcs in particular. I started dancing in high school, gaining experience as a performer and choreographer on a youth ballroom dance team and building an understanding of basic steps in over a dozen social dance styles. More importantly, I was nurturing a lifelong love for all dance. In addition to my dance training, I was a full time massage therapy student paying my own way through school while working a part time job. I was actively working toward a vision, but didn’t feel confident that it would ever play out. I thought I lacked the resources to actualize it. When I heard that I had been selected as a TSF awardee, it was like being told “yes, it will happen”. The lessons I’ve been able to receive have helped me to increase my skills and confidence. These opportunities helped me gain clarity on what I wanted to do in the dance world. I felt a push and my momentum began to build. I’m now working toward bringing more choreography opportunities to my local scene, while continuing to build my understanding of swing and refine my own dancing. I enjoy allowing my lens as a bodyworker to color my dancing. While I’m still in the early stages of my vision, I know that someday I will look at what I’ve done and be able to appreciate that TSF gave me the momentum I needed.

I began dancing as a young girl, always joking that I could dance before I could walk. My childhood was filled with training in various studio styles, and in early college, I even taught ballroom dance. However, during my marriage, I lost touch with dancing. It wasn’t until after my marriage ended that I rediscovered my passion for dance at the time through line dancing, and eventually, West Coast Swing. I fell in love with West Coast Swing because of its vibrant community, the playful nature of the dance, and the diverse music it embraces. The Silton Foundation has been instrumental in my journey. Thanks to their support, I was able to attend two West Coast Swing conventions this year that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. At the Monterey Convention, I earned my first West Coast Swing points in the registry, which was really exciting for me. As someone who has felt deeply discouraged at times while finding my way back to dance after so many years away, being selected as a recipient alongside such remarkably talented dancers was incredibly humbling. I am profoundly grateful for the lessons I’ve received through the foundation. To be included in something so meaningful — at this stage in life as a single mama with young kids — has been nothing short of encouraging. It reminded me that even after stepping away, there’s still space for me in the dance world I love so much. What a wonderful blessing to have found West Coast Swing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the Silton Foundation and all the generous donors.

When I found WCS, I was in graduate school that included an unpaid internship. The Silton Foundation made it possible to keep momentum on my dance journey during a financially challenging time. I was able to take private lessons and attend events that I wouldn’t have been able to attend otherwise. Now, nearly a decade later, WCS is deepy ingrained in my life. I teach and assist in event organization in my local community. I have friends throughout the country. And I continue to express myself through this art form. Thanks TSF.

Back in 2019, I was honored to be chosen as a recipient of support from the Silton Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting dancers. I remain deeply grateful, even all these years later. The impact they’ve had on my life has been profound, not only in what they gave me at the time but in the continued care and encouragement they’ve shown ever since. Thanks to the foundation, I was able to get proper dance shoes, attend several events I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, and take private lessons with Doug Silton himself to deepen my understanding and skill. It wasn’t just financial support—it was a real sense of belonging. The Silton Foundation truly feels like a family, and they helped me grow not only as a dancer but as a person. Unfortunately, over the past four years, my health has declined significantly due to long COVID, and I’ve become disabled. Doctors aren’t sure if I’ll ever be able to dance again. But even through this, Doug Silton has continued to reach out with encouragement and hope, helping me hold on during the hardest times. Their support—especially emotional—has helped me survive, especially mentally, through these incredibly challenging years. If you’re a dancer and have the opportunity to apply to the Silton Foundation, do it. It’s more than a foundation—it’s a lifeline, a community, and a source of lasting inspiration.”

Then: Newly disabled, in a lot of pain, unable to work to support myself. Loving dance but unable to do it often due to financial and physical limitations. Dreaming of doing a lot more of it. Now: My life is arranged around dance! Last year I officially launched my business, Joy in Motion, opened my own studio, and began teaching music and dance as my full time living. Not yet financially stable, especially with the upfront costs of doing business, but I aim to have things balanced by the end of this year. I’m on my way to full recovery with my health issues, having gone through much of the difficult work of finding medications and modalities that are effective for me. I have been working hard on my dance, and growing as a person, a teacher and a dancer every day. TSF enabled me to begin training in earnest, and from that experience I worked out ways to make traveling for training and events more feasible. That in turn helped me start my business. In a lot of ways, it was the beginning of this chapter of my life, and I am so grateful.

Thanks to the Silton Foundation, I was able to really hone my craft in WCS. When I moved from Oregon to Boston, I was able to share that knowledge with the community I moved to, helping countless dancers look and feel better about their dancing. At this point I’m DJing or Teaching 3-4 times a week!