The event may be new, but it has its rules: no rehearsing without informing Gina Wilson first.

But Wilson, the executive director of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, suspects that some of the participants in this year's orchestra fundraiser, "Dancing with the RSO," are practicing on the sly.

"I'm pretty sure that Marty Fiedler and Amy Coyle are mamboing already," she said.

"Dancing," scheduled for March 27, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Silver Spring Country Club, will pair the heads of all the dance studios in town with local personalities at a gala dinner event modeled on "Dancing with the Stars."

(Like the TV show, Wilson wants to record footage of the seven pairs rehearsing to show as part of the gala. And unlike the show, the participants can wait until they feel proficient before they invite her.) Dance music will be provided live by about 15 RSO members.

Tickets are $125 each and will be on sale through the RSO's Web site by late February.

"This thing is so much fun," Wilson said on Friday. "I'm having a blast, because people that aren't normally interested in the symphony are interested in this."

The dancers, paired in December, picked their dance styles together and then worked with RSO music director Jerry Steichen to pick a specific song. Participants include:

• Art of Dance's Coyle and East Ridge Principal Fiedler dancing mambo

• Nancy Baldwin Andrews of the Ridgefield School of Dance and Chez Lenard's Mike Principi dancing tango

• Hot Shoes' Karen Casagrande and Don Sturges of Sturges Brothers Builders dancing soft shoe

• Jeanne Cobelli of Enchanted Garden Dance and Boys and Girls Club CEO Terry Hughes dancing cha-cha

• Jessica Mancini from Ridgefield Studio of Performing Arts and First Selectman Rudy Marconi dancing swing

• Carrie Pin of MacDonald Pin Dancers (unless shoulder problems sideline her and dance teacher Holly Walker substitutes) and RSO assistant conductor Petko Dimitrov dancing quick-step

• James Robey of Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and Mrs. First Selectman Peggy Marconi dancing waltz

Ridgefielders can vote for their favorite pairs before (online) or during the gala, for $10 per vote.