Meet John Hofmeyer

HOFMEYER

Posted By: Mistina Christner (email)
Date: 7/6/2018 at 07:08:02

Source: Iowa City Press Citizen 11/17/2011

By Benjamin Roberts

Meet: John Hofmeyer

Why you should know him: John Hofmeyer, 25, is a third-year law student at the University of Iowa and the president and founder of the Hawkeye Ballroom Dancing Company. The 70-plus member group meets weekly to hone their skills on the dance floor at Old Brick, and about two dozen of them do so competitively. That group will be competing this weekend at the Ohio Star Ball. Hofmeyer lives in Iowa City with his wife, Brooke, and Great Dane, Kaiper.

How I got into ballroom dancing: I started dancing when I was 5 years old doing tap, jazz and ballet. When I went to Iowa State (University), I found the (Cyclone) Ballroom Dance Company and was running that, then I came here and started the Hawkeye Ballroom Dance Company. At the time, it was the only Big Ten school that didn't have one.

The toughest thing about ballroom dancing is: The people, by far. People who get involved in performance art are passionate, so the hardest part is managing human resources. Dancing is easy; the administration is hard.

The most rewarding thing about ballroom dancing is: Getting to see other people dancing and enjoying it when they couldn't afford it otherwise (outside of the university).

My favorite style of dance to do is: The Hustle . . .but also the waltz, tango, foxtrot. There's something to be said for all the classics.

When I'm not on the dance floor, you'll find me: At law school or at home with my wife and my dog, who is almost the largest member of our family.

The TV show I could watch all day: Football: College or NFL. Arena, too, it was on TV.

The last book I couldn't put down: "The Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan.

The thing I'm most proud of: In five years, looking back and seeing (Hawkeye Ballroom Dance Company) be a self-actuating company.