Nerves and laughter at first Harcourts Dancing with the Stars lesson

Contestants get to know each other. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The time has finally arrived and the contestants so far of this year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars have had a meet and greet and our first practice together.

On Wednesday night I found myself seated in a circle with all the other contestants and I think it is safe to say we were all feeling some nerves.

Everyone introduced themselves and talked a bit about their backgrounds, going around the circle. There were plenty of laughs along the way!

It was great getting to chat with everyone and meet new people. It definitely felt like we would all become one big family by the time we reach the end of this journey.

It was awesome to meet staff members from the Rotorua Community Hospice at the meet and greet, as they do such great work in the community, and it is the Hospice cause we are all doing this for.

We also got to get our first taste of hitting the dance floor and learning some moves.

We were taught some basic rock 'n' roll steps, and I think although many of us had been a bit apprehensive at first, there were smiles all round by the end of it.

I'm really looking forward to the next lesson, to the whole journey we have now started and to getting to know the other contestants even better.

Don't forget the Smiths City public auditions are coming up if you would like to give it a go.

The auditions are taking place on Saturday, April 22 from 11am at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside.

Registration forms can be collected at the Rotorua Daily Post, the Hospice Shop or Smiths City Rotorua.

Visit www.rotoruahospice.co.nz, or www.facebook.com/DancingwithRotoruaStars, or contact Jan Morgan on either (021) 900 088 or pr@rotoruahospice.co.nz for more information.