Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Zwerling.
Hi Charles, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Many years ago in 1987, I saw a movie called “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. I was fascinated by the dance scenes and decided to take some social ballroom dance lessons with Arthur Murray in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was fascinated by the art and science of partnership dancing and soon began to expand my interest into competing in the pro-am divison. I decided to create the Heritage Dance Foundation (HDF), a 501-c non profit foundation, in 1992 to help other dancers and organizers with scholarship money for teaching both amateur and professional dancers. In 1998 the HDF purchased DanceWeek, a weekly newsletter, created by Dick Mason in 1976. In 2026 we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary of the publication which has become international with over 5,000 subscribers. In 1992 the HDF joined the National Dance council of America (NDCA) so we could assist competition organizers for sanctioned dance competitions through out the USA. The Heritage Dance Foundation worked closely with the NDCA during Covid 19 to help teachers and studio owners to survive financially. I am proud of the creation of the United States Dance Congress in 1998 which we eventually donated to the United States Dance Championships (USDC) in 2022. I was honored with the John Monte Award by the USDC in 2023 for my contributions to the ballroom dance industry.
The Heritage Dance Foundation created Top Hat Ballroom Dance Studio in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1996 to function as a place for dance instruction as well as the offices for the Heritage Dance Foundation. Over the years the HDF particpated in numerous original dance productions and shows as fund raisers for the local community. To date we have raised and donated over $500,000 for various non profit organizations ranging from education, dance, and medical illnesses to the helping our beloved animal pets.
Today, Top Hat Ballroom is still actively teaching young and older dance students. We are blessed to have Carl and Joy Williams and Marty and Jo Ann Barbour as our instructors for Top Hat.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our biggest struggle was Covid 19. Overnight we went from teaching numerous students and performing various theatrical shows to being closed. All teaching and shows stopped. All scholarships and many professional dance competitions closed. It was a nightmare for everyone. But, we survived and now we are back to normal operations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Heritage Dance Foundation?
My actual professional career is as an ophthalmologist. I have practiced as an eye surgeon in Goldsboro for 44 years. I have now transitioned into being a full time board certified disability specialist specializing in eye illnesses, diseases and/or injuries that have affected our military veterans. I travel on a weekly basis to Jacksonville and Fayetteville North Carolina to help our disabled veterans obtain disability compensation for their injuries or illnesses during their military service.
On occasion I also serve as a forensic expert in ophthalmology. I became board certtified in this field about 20 years ago. My most famous case was the Abaroa Murder trial about 10 years ago. This case was decided on the forensic analysis I performed on recovered contact lenses remnants. I have participated in numerous television shows in the USA and internationally about this unusual case.
Lasstly, I am proud of my contributions in the field of micropigmentation. I have authored 3 textbooks on the subject and created the non profit American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM). The AAM is now international in scope and offers teaching and board certification exams in the field of permanent makeup.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I feel blessed that I found Goldsboro, North Carolina. I have had the honor and privilege of taking care of thousands of eye patients over the years. The people welcomed me immediately even though I came from New York. I can’t think of a better place to live and raise a family. We are close to Raleigh and the beach. It is perfect.
The best compliment I could give would be if I had to do it over, would I still have chosen Goldsboro? My reply is an absolutel YES!
What I like the least about Goldsboro would be grits and collards. I am sorry I truly have tried them numerous times and prepared in numerous ways, but I just never acquired the taste for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ballroom.org
