“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,” Marina Stadlbauer, the German teaching assistant, said as she led a group of students in the Viennese Waltz. The event brought together members of the German Club and others with an opening 5:00 p.m. Feb. 13.

The dance comes one day after important Austrian politicians and other members of society danced the night away at the largest ball in Austria.

“It’s just a high society thing,” Stadlbauer said. “It’s beautiful, remembering our past.”

She alluded to the balls put on by the emperor in Austria’s history. Stadlbauer herself was one of the debutantes at the ball the year before, and while her student learned their steps, a slideshow of photos from her night at the ball passed on the screen.

On Feb. 12, German Club watched the livestream for the opening dance. “It is an important part of the opening ceremony,” Stadlbauer said.

The dance used to serve as the place where young women would present themselves to society, but the meaning has changed to something that is more about enjoying the ball and its nostalgia.

“It used to be this whole coming out and being ready to be found by a man, but nowadays, it’s just, ‘I want to feel like a princess for a day,” Stadlbauer said.

At the end of the lesson, Stadlbauer asked the students if they would like to continue learning the Waltz at another time, and when many of them agreed, she let them know she would attempt to organize a time for them to meet. For more information, contact her.

Gilberto Galvez can be reached at [email protected]