About:
PTF’s adult ensemble, “Erwachsenen,” is an elite amateur dance group that practices year-round and performs at festivals and events across the region.

Membership Requirements:
PTF does not require new dancers to have previous dance experience, but we do expect all of our dancers to attend practices regularly, working to be performance-ready within the year. The dance director will have the final say as to when or whether a dancer will be ready to perform. Practices take place on Tuesday evenings, and you can expect a cardio workout at each one. Please notify the dance director as far in advance as possible if you need to miss a practice or are unable to commit to an upcoming performance.

Cost:
PTF is a very affordable hobby! Erwachsenen membership dues are just $65 per year, with a one-time tracht (outfit) deposit of $100 that is collected when you are ready to perform with the group and receive your custom-fitted tracht. We also have volunteer opportunities throughout the year that you can participate in to reduce your dues for the next year.

What to Expect:
Our practices begin with a cardio and stretching warmup, followed by a run-through of our most common dance steps. After that, we begin working our way through the director’s list of dances for the night, practicing each dance once or twice, as needed. Sometimes we might have a more focused practice, where extra time is spent breaking down a single dance. At some point during your first practice, we will invite you to join us for “Tampet,” a social dance that introduces you to our steps and style, but will otherwise have you observe for the majority of practice. After your first practice, where you will arrive at 7:30 PM, new dancers should plan to arrive at 7:00 PM for a supplemental “beginner’s class” that reviews basic steps and breaks down dances to set you up for success once the main practice begins. Attendance at our 7:00 class will be expected until the dance director determines that you are ready to perform. To set yourself up for success at practice, please bring a full water bottle and wear athletic shoes! After practice ends at 9:00, members often stay for a social hour, and while it is completely optional, joining in is a great way to get to know other members!

How to Join:
We invite you to try out a practice at no cost, after which, we can answer any questions you might have and discuss next steps if you would like to move forward with membership. Please contact our Erwachsenen director,
Craig Tews, and assistant director, Emily Larscheidt, at dancedirector@ptfusa.org to express your interest and find a date to attend your first practice. We look forward to meeting you!