AMERICAN DANCER Magazine - November-December 2016 Issue by AMERICAN DANCER MAGAZINE

November-December 2016

THE WORLD STAGE COMES TO AMERICA World DanceSport Federation World Events in Boston GrandSlam DanceSport on American Public Television

National Ballroom Dance Week 2016

Official publication of USA Dance Inc.

THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER #6008 USA DANCE, INC. PRESENTS

Dancing in the New Year along the Historic Elizabeth River Waterfront for Four Days & Three Evenings

Earle Williamson & Charlotte Christiansen USA Dance National Standard Champions, 2016 Photo: Lisa Dubinsky

Riccardo Pacini and Sonia Spadoni Professional U.S. & Italian Latin & Showdance Champions Photo: Ryan Kenner Photopraghy

Earle Williamson & Charlotte Christiansen Riccardo Pacini & Sonia Spadoni Registration/Tickets: www.twcusadance.org Phone: 757 763-8101 Email: president@twcusadance.org

800 468-3571 or 757 673-3000 Please identify yourself with Tidewater USA Dance-2016

Dance Hosts for the Ladies New Year’s Champagne Toast & Breakfast Farewell Sunday Tea Dance A DANCE US

EW T ID

Special Renaissance Hotel Group Rates Available for USA Dance Guests for hotel reservations:

Showdance Performances by National Champions

AT E

Featuring

7,000 sf Ballroom Floor Two Reserved Seating Dinner Dances

Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel 425 Water Street, Portsmouth, Virginia

52 Dance Workshops All Styles & Levels American, International, Club Style

December 29, 2016 – January 1, 2017

TE R VA C HAP

THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER #6008

November-December 2016 DEPARTMENTS

5 President’s Message

20 Grassroots

6 Milestones

26 In The Public Eye

Ken Richards, President of USA Dance Action Report from USA Dance National

Chapter Highlights & Achievements

By Angela Prince, PR Director

16 USA Dance 2016-2017 DanceSport Calendar

FEATURES

National Ballroom Dance Week Celebration in Orlando. Matthew Langford & Jeannie Leombruno entertain the crowds with their rhythmic salsa.

12 Cover Story

National Ballroom Dance Week, Sept. 16-25 Celebrating the Inheritance of Social Dance throughout America By Angela Prince

Carson Zullinger

USA World Team at the American DanceSport Festival’s WDSF Senior I Standard World Championship in Boston (Story pp. 10-11)

10 The World Stage Comes to America —

American DanceSport Festival Attracts Top Competitors from Around the Globe.

Judi Chapman

34 Ask the Dance Historian

Raising The Bar for Ballroom Dancing

By Forrest Outman

Paper Clip Dancers

36 Central Europe’s City of A Hundred Spires

Perspective: Senior Dancers 60+

38 USA World Team Treks to Chengdu

Dancing Their Way to the Victory Podium

By Winston & Lilly Chow

Hosts WDSF Under 21 Latin World Championship WDSF Adult Latin World Championship

24 The Heart and Soul of USA Dance: A Perspective 41 Hacke & Hermanova: Now 6th in the World! By Sylvia Rose, National Volunteer of the Year

28 Roll Call: USA Dance Academy

42 Kansas City Here We Come!

30 Samantha Abaya-Campos: Best in Talent

44 Carolina Fall Classic NQE Hosts First

32 More Dancing: Just What the Doctor Ordered

46 All Teams On Deck at the GOC

Dance Education for All Dancers The New USA Dance Yardstick

Kevin Ladd

Alex Mirsakov

Paper Clip Dancers. The artistic inspiration of an engineer turned dancer. (Story p. 17)

WDSF Under-21 10-Dance World Champions

On the Pageant Stage, Inspired by Dance

By Terry Bilotta, DanceSport Competitor

4th Annual Kansas City DanceSport Competition Now in Full Swing Solo Proficiency National Championships USA, Canadian World Teams Join Forces as First North American Team in Stuttgart

FRONT COVER: Final quickstep round at the American DanceSport Festival in Boston: USA couple Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan (WA) placed 3rd overall in the WDSF Senior II Open Standard event. Photo Credit: Alex Rowan DanceSport Photography. BACK COVER: The USA Dance National DanceSport Championships showcases America’s top athletes of all ages and proficiency levels. Proud moments for Latin couple Christopher Lesesne & Anastasia Krivosheev (GA), placing 2nd in Pre-Teen I Bronze Latin. Photo Credit: Lisa Dubinsky/Boston. CORRECTION: In the American Dancer August-October issue, all Memphis Chapter Great Gatsby photos were taken by Timothy Hnat. Nancy Dew, Volunteer of the Year Finalist, was misspelled in one reference. Xingmin & Katerina Lu (last name) was misspelled in one reference. Center photo p 29 should credit Smooth competitors George Cometa & Alice Peiying Wang (MA). American Dancer online version was updated.

November-December 2016

regular contributors ANGELA PRINCE Public Relations Director

November-December 2016 Official Publication of USA Dance, Inc.

Angela Prince is the publisher/editor in chief of American Dancer Magazine. She has served as National Public Relations Director for USA Dance, Inc. since 2007. Her responsibilities include integrated communications, publicity, social media relations, sponsorship development, promotional support and brand management.

2016/Issue 62

Executive Committee: President – Ken Richards, DE Vice President – Ann Durocher, LA Secretary – Daphna Locker, NY Treasurer – Scott Coates, FL VP, DanceSport – Stan Andrews, IL VP, Social Dance – Jean Krupa, FL DanceSport Rep – Inna Brayer, NY DanceSport Rep – Roger Greenawalt, IN

JEAN KRUPA

Social Dance Vice President Jean Krupa is the Social Vice President for USA Dance, Inc., and is serving her second three-year term of office. She is responsible for the programs, communications and a 11-district representation for 156 local chapters and its members.

Editorial Staff: Publisher/Editor In Chief Angela F. Prince Design and Production SPARK Publications sparkpublications.com Photography Staff Carson Zullinger, Advisor Lisa Dubinsky

FORREST OUTMAN

Contributing Dance Historian

Advertising Angela F. Prince

Forrest Outman is a noted historian, educator, and preservationist, specializing in social dances from the late 19th Century and later. Current projects include documenting and recreating Peabody, Collegiates, Shags, The Jeep, preWWII Fox Trots and Hustle. www.DanceHistorian.com

Printing Publishers Press, Inc. Subscription: American Dancer, the official publication of USA Dance, Inc., is published five to six times a year for the membership and is included in annual membership dues. Subscription cost to non-members within the USA: $25/year Submissions: American Dancer welcomes submissions of unsolicited articles, photos and other graphics. All submissions become the property of American Dancer magazine and are not returned to the sender. American Dancer reserves the right to edit all materials for space, content, grammatical and preferential reasons. Preferred method of editorial submissions is by written proposal to the editor who will initially review the story ideas and materials and make a final decision whether to request more information and/or publish. Submissions should be sent to americandancer@usadance.org with AMERICAN DANCER submission/name of sender/story header on the email subject line. Photo submissions must be high-resolution jpegs (minimum 300-600 dpi and preferably 2400 x 3600 pixels) and American Dancer retains all first-usage rights to submitted copy and photographs/digital images. PUBLISHER’S OFFICE: AF Prince Associates 704-888-3073 Email: AmericanDancer@usadance.org

CENTRAL OFFICE: USA Dance, Inc. 800-447-9047 Fax 239-573-0946 Email: central-office@usadance.org

MEMBERSHIP: Online registration or renewals at www.usadance.org WEBSITE: www.USADANCE.org NATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: USA Dance, Inc. American Dancer Magazine Social Dancers USA Dance

MISSION STATEMENT: Twitter: @usadanceinc LinkedIn: USA Dance Inc. YouTube: usadanceinc

USA DANCE, Inc. is the National Governing Body for DanceSport in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee and the World DanceSport Federation. With nearly 160 local chapters from pre-teen to collegiate to seniors and an estimated outreach of more than 200,000, USA Dance is also the representative association for all social and recreational dancers in the country. Membership includes both social and DanceSport, pre-teen through senior, amateur and professional classifications.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

To improve the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing in America.

American Dancer Magazine Wins Coveted 2014 MARCOM Gold Award for magazine excellence, one of the marketing communication industry’s most prestigious achievement awards.

resident’s Message

n a final farewell to elected services after 18 years with USA Dance, I look forward to our promising future and would like to reflect just for a moment, offering some guidance for the future direction of USA Dance. Charity begins at home (noting the photo of a group of Swedish dance fans at the 2016 German Open Championships.) In our country, USA Dance has approximately 8,576 Social Dance members and 3,220 DanceSport members, all passionate supporters of dance. We are organized under one corporate tax-exempt umbrella as a 501c3 charitable organization and have shared a common mission for the past 51 years. What we must not lose sight of is that regardless of our charitable outreach into our communities, we are not united as an organization for the purpose of raising money for other charities, but united to support the dance causes that define us. Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of great charitable efforts being undertaken by our members. But think about it: if you join the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, etc. and participate in local or national fundraising for those organization, would you be raising money for Dance? Many of our chapters get it. They sponsor scholarships at Nationals and for our National Qualifying Events and often fund travel and training expenses for their local athletes. They also support dance education in their local schools. Recently, as an example, the Nor-Cal Chapter made a generous $900 donation so that two of their local athletes, Mike and Sophie, could participate at the GOC’s Invitational Youth Team Match and be part of the first American Team to have this opportunity. My challenge to all of our social dancers -- admit it, you love to watch quality dancers perform in costume – you’re their best fans! My challenge to our athletes -share your talent, give back to your organization whose volunteers have contributed many hours and dollars to your competitive opportunities. And give our Chapters a reason to be your “financial supporters.” In closing, I do want to thank the Governing Council for all their diligence in helping to right the ship. It has been a great six months! The back 990s and audits have all been filed; the bookkeeping

system realigned; the budget process revamped; all standing grievances resolved; collection attempts for misappropriated funds filed with counsel; the bylaws revised into a better governing document; the transition GC meeting with the newly elected 2017 team is planned; the WDSF World DanceSport public television project launched; the new USA Dance Academy launched; and began the process to adopt new USA Dance ethics and conflict of interest policies. What’s next for me in DanceSport? I will continue to immerse myself in several major projects with the WDSF, seeking re-election to the WDSF Presidium in June of 2017 and continue building support and respect for the USA. I will make myself available to our new Governing Council as needed and will participate in the GC meetings, now as a member of the Past Presidents’ Council.

Carson Zullinger

Opening Ceremonies at the American DanceSport Festival in Boston.

Ken Richards

National President USA Dance, Inc.

November-December 2016

Milestones

WORLD GRANDSLAM DANCESPORT SERIES BIG HIT ON AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION

All Photos Courtesy of WDSF

Beginning in September, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) in collaboration with USA Dance brought the WDSF World DanceSport GrandSlam television series to American Public Television stations. As the first metro markets began to air in September and October, the stations began expanding their programming to include the DanceSport programs. Hosted by dance legend Peter Maxwell, the World DanceSport programming brought the best of global amateur Dancesport, building excitement for the competitions as Standard and Latin dancers were interviewed and tested their abilities at the The GrandSlam competitions in Helsinki, Finland; Wuhan, China; Hong Kong; and Moscow, Russia are the first four episodes and focus on the highly competitive semi-final and final rounds for each style. These

episodes also feature up-close-and-personal interviews with the competitors. Then, the GrandSlam Finals take viewers to Shanghai where the top couples in the world earn their way to the podium for Latin and Standard. As additional markets are added, the WDSF World DanceSport Series could likely air throughout the next two years. More about the WDSF World DanceSport Series: http://aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/ vLinkTitle/WORLD%20DANCESPORT%20 GRANDSLAM%20SERIES?OpenDocument&SearchText=world+dancesport Local station schedules are updated as known on the USA Dance website: www.usadance.org As of late October, the following metro area stations were airing the programs: KOCE Los Angeles - KCET Los Angeles - KVCR Los Angeles - KLCS Los

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Angeles - PBS/San Diego - KQED San Francisco - KCSM San Francisco - WHUT Washington, DC – LVT Philadelphia WITF Harrisburg, PA - WQED Pittsburgh - WPBA Atlanta - Houston PBS - KLRN San Antonio TX - OPB Portland - KBTC Seattle - KCTS Seattle – PBS Rocky Mountain - PBS Denver - PTV Denver - WVIZ/PBS - WTVI Charlotte - UNCTV Raleigh-Durham – Nashville PTV Nashville WKNO - Memphis KCPT - Public Broadcasting Kansas City - Milwaukee Public Television - South Carolina ETV - WGVU Grand Rapids - UNC-TV - Greensboro - WFYI Indianapolis - WXEL West Palm Beach - WJCT Jacksonville - WUCF Orlando - WEFS Orlando - WDSC Orlando - WUSF Tampa - KENW AlbuquerqueKNME Albuquerque - PBS Los Vegas - WCET Cincinnati - WTTW Chicago Alabama PTV - Detroit PTV

AMERICAN DANCER MAGAZINE APPOINTS NEW ADVISORY BOARD

Empowering Thought Leaders Throughout the USA Dance Network By Angela Prince, Editor, American Dancer As Editor/Publisher of American Dancer Magazine, I am very pleased and honored to announce that our official USA Dance national publication has invited six prominent members of USA Dance to serve as Advisory Board Members for the magazine and each has gladly accepted their new advisory roles. Throughout the past three years, during my involvement as editor and publisher, each of the new advisory members have actively contributed to the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content and direction. They are valued thought leaders with strong connections to their chapters, to social dance and to DanceSport. Their future contributions of ideas, content and direction will enable American Dancer and USA Dance to become even more responsive to member and dance community interests and needs.

The six new American Dancer Advisory Board members generally located in six areas of the country are: Winston Chow (Atherton, CA) from the North West area; Herb McGurk (Los Angeles, CA) from the South West area and Hawaii; Bonnie Burton (Minnetonka, MN) from the North Central area; Diane Montgomery (Dallas, TX) from the South Central area; Vivian Beiswenger (North Wales, PA) from the North East area; and Sylvia Rose (Memphis, TN) from the South East area. American Dancer is also preparing its new business development plan as our new national leadership teams take elected and appointed office Jan. 1. Assisting with preliminary research work is Jack Kellner (Greater New York Chapter 3004). This important work will benefit our entire organization as we identify and encourage new business partnerships, sponsorships, funding and alliances.

Winston Chow (CA)

Herb McGurk (CA)

Bonnie Burton (MN)

Retired, Research Executive Northern California Chapter 4004 DanceSport Member Member since 2001

Broker Associate, Real Estate Los Angeles County Chapter 4031 Social Dance Member Member since 2007

Financial Consultant, Governmental/ NonProfits Minnesota Chapter 2011 DanceSport Member Member since 2010

Chow

Vivian Beiswenger (PA)

Diane Montgomery (TX) Strategic Planning & Marketing Consultant, Freelance Writer/ Editor Dallas (TX) Chapter 5044 Social Dance Member Member since 2005

McGurk

Montgomey

Travel Agency Owner, Publication Editor Former Corporate Executive, Dance Studio Owner Delaware Valley Chapter 3012 Beiswenger DanceSport Supporter Member Member since 1989

Burton

Sylvia Rose (TN) Advertising/ Public Relations Consultant, Graphic Designer, Copywriter, Photographer Greater Memphis Chapter 2012 Social Dance Member Member since 2001

Rose

November-December 2016

Milestones

U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC ASSEMBLY

DanceSport, An Olympic Hopeful for Today’s Young Athletes

A humbling experience, inspiration for DanceSport By Lydia Scardina, USA Dance Past President’s Council, WDSF Sports For All Commission Member

I returned in October from the USOC Olympic and Paralympic Assembly held in Colorado Springs. It was nice to be back after a two-year hiatus and to reconnect with old colleagues and make Scardina new connections with members of the Multi Sport Organizations Council, Olympians and USOC officials. This was especially helpful to me in my role as a member of the WDSF Sports for All Commission. From 2007 through 2013, it was my honor to attend the annual Assembly as the official USA Dance representative. This year that honor fell to USA Dance President Ken Richards, and I attended at Ken’s request in order to provide continuity and offer historical perspective in meetings we had with USOC officials on continuing issues and on-going initiatives. It is always a humbling experience to attend the USOC Assembly and to be reminded of the USOC’s outstanding efforts in supporting the thousands of superlative athletes that represent the U.S. at the Olympic and Pan American Games. But that support does not only come during an Olympic year, but every year, in the form of training opportunities at the USOC Training Centers, financial support to each National Governing Body of sports in the Olympic and Pan American Games, and the resources offered in the fields of sports medicine, nutrition, injury prevention, sport performance and sport psychology. 8

Lisa Dubinsky

Because the U.S. government does not provide financial support to the USOC, all of its resources come from sponsors and donors who make generous contributions on behalf of Team USA, as well as from television contracts and royalties that allow for the world-wide viewing of Olympic and Paralympic events. At this year’s Assembly, the emphasis, of course, was on the recently completed Games in Rio, and the outstanding performances of Team USA. At the Awards banquet, with Master of Ceremonies Lewis Johnson of NBC which capped the Assembly, inspiring videos were shown of the top performances, and awards were also made in a variety of areas both on and off the field of play. For instance, USA Synchro Swimming received an award for the bigFrom the USOC Website: http://www.teamusa.org/assembly “The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly - an annual meeting of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family - was initiated in 2005 to give a voice to the various member organizations of the USOC, to keep dialogue open between members, staff and volunteer leadership helps and to further the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the United States. “In addition to a USOC board of directors meeting, the two-day program typically includes town hall meetings, joint sessions of USOC constituent councils, panel discussions and a general address from the organization’s CEO and chairman. In addition, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly Awards Gala honors individuals and programs that have made an impact in their communities.”

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

gest growth this year among NGB’s in the field of Diversity and Inclusion. Of particular interest to USA Dance this year was the opportunity for greater interaction with the NGB’s of Olympic programs and Pan American sports. The Recognized Sport Organizations on the Multi Sport Council, including USA Dance, were also brought together as a group to meet with USOC officials in order to be able to discuss areas of common interest in our various organizations. At this time the Recognized Sport Organizations on the Multi Sport Council are: U.S. Polo Association, USA Football, Orienteering USA, USA Dance, USA Ultimate, and the Underwater Society of America. This group of sports will have future opportunities to meet together via on-line exchanges, conference calls and at the next Assembly in order to form a closer alliance. While USA Dance, as the USOC-recognized NGB of DanceSport, is not yet a Pan American sport, we continue to move forward in that effort. Attending the annual USOC Assembly allows for the closer forging of bonds between USA Dance and the other sports recognized by the USOC. This building of an ever-stronger relationship pays dividends for USA Dance and its athletes in the form of opportunities to access the many services that the USOC provides, and allows for the continuing evolutionary development of USA Dance as a stronger and more effective National Governing Body.

THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION CALLED USA DANCE As dancers get ready to dance in the new year, perhaps traveling to the historic Virginia coast to attend the Tidewater Chapter’s 27th annual New Year’s Weekend event and by the time the ball drops in Times Square, not only is it the end of the fiscal year for USA Dance and its Chapters, but it’s the last postmarked date for making tax deductible contributions to USA Dance for Tax Year 2016. USA Dance is a 501c3 charitable organization, as classified by the Internal Revenue Code, which means the organization is tax exempt because of its established mission and activities, and monetary donations may qualify as tax deductions for corporations, groups and individuals. Also on or before the annual expiration

date of Dec. 31, USA Dance DanceSport athletes must renew their memberships online to be in good standing. Even though USA Dance is powered by a vast network of passionate, hard-working volunteers at all levels, annual membership dues from social, DanceSport and supporting members cannot fully fund the full operation, the many educational dance programs, nor the scholarship dollars needed to support America’s promise of world-level DanceSport athletes. Donations can also be made online at www.usadance.org. Beyond individual donations, how else can members and supporters make a difference right to help USA Dance raise more revenues before 2017 arrives?

• Take the time to invite and recruit new members at the chapter levels. If every member recruited one new member by Dec. 31, USA Dance at the chapter and national level would double in size immediately. More members also means more volunteers and more dancers on the floor! • Contact local businesses and employers you know to interest them in being a local or national sponsor. Their donations can be tax-deductible for the tax year 2015. If USA Dance needs to follow up with potential sponsors or donors, please contact the USA Dance Central Office right away. Central Office: central-office@ usadance.org or 1-800-447-9047

Herb McGurk

Supporting USA Dance Kidz. Jerry Hernandez, VP, of the Los Angeles County Chapter 4031, dancing with professional instructor Deborah Fields Perez, also Chapter board member, raised $3,700 for USA Dance Kidz at the Hot Ballroom Night charity event.

USA DANCE, INC. A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization According to Internal Revenue Code

“To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170. The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influenced over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.” www.irs.gov

Ruby Shrieves

Funding Chapter Outreach. The LA Gumbo Chapter 5031 holds an annual night of performance and dancing, to raise money for ongoing chapter dance lessons and community outreach programs. Performing are Osman Torres & Taylor Schoen, Baton Rouge area instructors and Chapter members.

November-December 2016

American DanceSport Festival’s Parade of Countries for the Senior I Open Standard World Championship.

AMERICAN DANCESPORT FESTIVAL IN BOSTON

A UNITED NATIONS OF DANCESPORT

400 ATHLETES FROM 40 COUNTRIES All Photos by Alex Rowan Photography

Ruben Viciana Lopez & Eva Moya (ESP), WDSF Senior I 10-Dance, Winners

Reading of the Athlete’s Oath. WDSF Senior I Open Standard Couple Peter Munoz-Bennett & Margarita Rudyak (MA)

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

he much-awaited American DanceSport Festival in Boston, Oct. 8-9, marked the successful return of WDSF World Championships and events to the United States. It had been six years since USA Dance hosted the WDSF Adult Latin World Championship in 2010 in Brooklyn, NY. During the interim the only WDSF events in the USA held at several National Qualifying Events and at the USA Dance Nationals – WDSF World Ranking Tournaments – which have attracted Canadian and South American couples. This first-annual ADSF at the University of Massachusetts also proved to be a glorious United Nations of DanceSport Athletes as 40 different country flags, representing nearly 400 athletes, were proudly carried during the Opening Ceremonies.

Opening Ceremonies: Exhibition by Liam Ryan & Alice Peiying Wang (MA).

USA: Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan (WA). WDSF Senior II Open Standard, 3rd; Open Latin, 2nd

The ADSF was an event of many firsts, which also included several milestones: • Hosting the first WDSF Professional Division Standard and Latin events in America. • Debuting he New North American Open Collegiate Championships. • Offering WDSF Open Events in nine divisions -- Junior II, Youth, Adult, Rising Star, Adult, Senior I, II, III and IV. Prior to the ADSF competitions, a two-day comprehensive Congress prepared adjudicators from around the world for the requirements of the new WDSF JS 2.1 judging system. Six WDSF adjudicators lectured 10 hours each per day, assisted by top world-level couples as demonstrators. Thirty four adjudicators from eight countries, one as far away as Australia, attended and took the examinations. As Director of Education Renata Shvarts commented, completion of this WDSF Congress could move a B-license judge to A-license, which is the certification required in 2017 for all WDSF World Championships. ADSF Event Organizer: Ronen Zinshtein

Michal Mladek & Sarka Hesova (CZE), WDSF Senior I 10-Dance, 2nd

ADSF World Open Latin Championship – Winners Gabriele Goffredo & Anna Matus (MDA)

ADSF 2016 Noteworthy Achievements:

•F irst WDSF World Championship in USA since 2010. • I ntroducing the NorthAmerican Open Collegiate Championships • I ntroducing the WDSF Professional Division for first time in USA 0 couples in WDSF World Open Standard. •5 5 couples in WDSF World Open Latin. •2 DSF 2.1 Adjudicator’s Congress, 34 Adjudicators from •W 8 Nations. early 400 Competitors from 40+ Countries. •N

USA FIRST PLACES OUT OF 16 WDSF EVENTS: Jiang Jiying & Zhao Yuye (CHN). Adult Open Rising Stars Standard, 4th

Senior II Open Latin – Valeriy Ort & Rita Lynn Ort (CT) Senior III Open Standard – Glenn Okazaki & Anne Chang-Ho (HI) Senior IV Open Standard – Terry Yeh & Glendy Yeh (CA) Youth Open Latin – Kristers Smits & Sophie Shvartsman (NY) Junior II Open Standard – Kristers Smits & Sophie Shvartsman (NY) Junior II Open Latin – Kristers Smits & Sophie Shvartsman (NY)

USA FIRST PLACES OUT OF 3 NORTH AMERICAN EVENTS:

USA: Kristers Smits & Sophie Shvartsman (NY). WDSF Youth Open Standard; Junior II Open Standard, Open Latin, all 1sts

Collegiate Championship Standard – Ambarish Roy & Anna Sheedy (MA) Collegiate Championship Latin – Donovan Kirrane & Daria Goryaynova (MA) Adult Championship Smooth – George Cometa & April Geyer (MA)

November-December 2016

over Story NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCE WEEK

A GRAND CELEBRATION OF DANCE ACROSS AMERICA September 16 – 25, 2016

ince 1989, USA Dance has celebrated National Ballroom Dance Week across America every September. For most chapters, it’s 10 full days of dance celebrations, ranging from social dances and formal balls, public demonstrations and lessons, shared events with local dance studios and teachers, and for some, mayor and gubernatorial proclamations of National Ballroom Dance Week. Some may say NBDW is simply a great excuse to create more dance activities, raise media and public awareness of local dance opportunities and increase Chapter momentum in the last part of the year as the holidays approach. So, whether the benefit is individual or collective, National Ballroom Dance Week serves a real community mission – bringing meaningful connection, purpose and addition to people’s lives. Most USA Dance chapters organize NBDW activities at least on the two main weekends – social dances, group lessons, mini competitions and showcase performances. Local dance instructors, studios and other dance clubs and organization are invited to join in the celebration, sponsoring activities at their venues or at least participating in the public on-location promotions. National Ballroom Dance Week is everyone’s celebration, and USA Dance is proud to be the national sponsor.

DANCING IN LOUISIANA Gumbo LA Chapter 5031

Dance Performances, A Win-Win at Local Mall “Bringing the benefits of dance to the attention of the general public” was the reason the Gumbo LA Chapter scheduled its annual National Ballroom Dance Week Celebration at Clearview Mall in Metairie, LA. It was the first NBDW event at this location and the audience normally ranged up to 125 spectators who all enthusiastically applauded the performances. Jennifer Beasley organized the event and was supported by many volunteers, including Joe Vaughn, who was DJ. The audience had several chances to join in the dance activities. There was a free samba line dance taught by Carrie DeLorge and then several general social dancing segments. One popular couple was a 6th grade couple from Houma.

Ben Torres & Patricia Fortier

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

“Dancing has to come from the heart.” – Mimi, Bitter Moon (1992)

“Dancing with you makes me feel all fluffy, like I was dancing on a cloud.”

Lake Norman NBDW Celebration of Dance

– Chris, Mixed Nuts (1994)

Leitha Brown

DANCING IN NORTH CAROLINA Lake Norman Chapter 6119

From Disco Fever to Multi-Chapter Social Dance The Lake Norman Chapter board began National Ballroom Dance Week with a Disco Fever dance at Dynamic Ballroom, complete with hustle lesson by Steven Freinstein, hit 70s songs by ABBA, BeeGees, Donna Summer and others played by DJ Maria St. John and a best costume prize for Disco King or Queen. Incentive to new members who joined or renewed that night was free admission to the dance. The final NBDW dance for the LKN Chapter was a Celebration of Dance at the Grace Wedding & Event Center in Statesville, organized by Maggie Rohlik and attended by members from sister chapters Charlotte 6029, Piedmont 6019, Carolina Foothills 6065 and Carolina Heartland 6092. The bonus that evening was three hours of social dancing again by DJ Maria St. John.

Duane McKenzie & Laura Hudson Photos by Kerry Lovell

Kim Parsons, Robyn McNally, Matt McNally, Maggie Rohlik, Sheila Lester

Ken Baxter

November-December 2016

USA DANCE CHAPTERS IN THE LIMELIGHT DANCING IN MASSACHUSETTS Dancers of Central Massachusetts (DOCMA) Chapter 3039

Official Proclamation of NBDW at Dinner Dance By Local Mayor At Maironis Park in Shrewsbury, the Dancers of Central Massachusetts Chapter (DOCMA) celebrated National Ballroom Dance Week once again with their annual Dinner Dance, attended by approximately 60 members and guests. Dancers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island as well as Connecticut also enjoyed a rumba lesson by Ben Champagne (Arthur Murray Studio). DJ was K&S from Cranston, RI. Special highlight at the event was also the reading of the official National Ballroom Dance Week Proclamation by the Honorable Mayor Joseph Petty of Worcester.

The audience joined in the “All Dance” on stage. In foreground are Sylvia Clarke & Tung Duong.

DANCING IN OHIO Youngstown-Warren Chapter 2015

Ballroom Dance Show at Local Mall

Official Proclamation of National Ballroom Dance Week in Massachusetts. Attending: Peter Hill, Mike Nagy, Mayor Joseph Petty of Worcester, MA, Anthony Ross, Priscilla Messinger, Richard Brisbois

Steve Volante & Cheryl Racco

Priscilla Messenger

Jane Becker, Pam Theodore

“Dancing is just a conversation between two people. Talk to me.” – Justin Matisse, Hope Floats (1998)

Four hours of show performances is a National Ballroom Dance Week tradition for the Youngstown-Warren Chapter at the main concourse of Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio. A consistent crowd of 100 spectators gathered to observe the annual Ballroom Dance Show & Celebration. In all, approximately 45 ballroom, latin and club-style showcases were performed by 84 dancers, both couples and formation groups. Performances ranged from beginner to advanced levels. The audience also enjoyed general social dancing and some line dances. Particularly memorable was a samba by the Dancing Divas and Swing-Balboa-Lindy master “Dancing Dave”, who celebrated his 80th birthday. Chapter President Sue Ryan performed with Music DJ Steve Barba, both were organizers of the NBDW event. The Chapter also sponsored a free Sunrise Dance (5 am to 7 am) that was featured on the Valley’s most-watched morning show on WFMJ TV. The week ended with the Chapters regular monthly social dance.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Rich Bucurel

Dancing Divas: Cindy Halas, Deb Lavelle, Sara Jeffrey, baby Carter Jeffrey, Lana Vanauker. Tom Curtis. Jane Hrycyk. (Instructor Deb Lavelle)

Making Social Connections, Sharing the Joyfulness of Dance DANCING IN FLORIDA Orlando Chapter 6002

Free Performances at the Mall Every year, the Orlando Chapter organizes a free National Ballroom Dance Week Celebration at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall. This year, 50 ballroom dancers performed an impressive 25 showcase numbers before an audience that numbered in the hundreds and watched from two viewing levels. The event involves area dancers of all ages, styles and proficiency levels of dance. It’s high energy, dancers are more often in colorful costumes, and it’s always a crowd pleaser. For the attentive audience, there were also six “All Dance” songs played, so everyone could come on the floor to social dance (or just watch). As Event Organizer and Chapter President John Davis expressed, the Chapter sponsors this NBDW event every year to “make the public aware of the fun and excitement of ballroom dancing.”

Giving Dance Paso Doble Team at NBDW Orlando.

Photos By Judi Chapman

DANCING IN IOWA Iowa Corridor Chapter 2100

3rd Annual Ballroom Bash

Nancy L. Rincon, Chapter VP Jerry Hernandez, Board Member Deborah Fields Perez, Marilyn Tucker.

Photos by Herb McGurk

Puttin’ On The Ritz -- Jerry & Deborah at completion of their quickstep.

DANCING IN CALIFORNIA Los Angeles County Chapter 4031

Fundraiser for USA Dance Kidz

Iowa Corridor Chapter’s third-annual “We Wanna Dance” Ballroom Bash was held during National Ballroom Dance Week at the Clarion Highlander Hotel and Conference Center in Iowa City. The Ballroom Bash was an elegant semi-formal affair and attracted 75 dancers, many who traveled 100 miles to enjoy two afternoon dance workshops, dinner and an evening show, which included collegiate, pro-am and professional performances. On the program were the Hawkeye Ballroom Dance Company Formation Team (University of Iowa), Professional Markus Cannon (Cannon Studios) and Amateur Mary Osborn, and pro performances by Derrick & Susie Murray (Dance New York) and Eric & Michelle Hudson (Cinema Ballroom). Event music director was Doug Hiratzka (Chapter secretary). A 60’ x 40’ dance floor was donated by Ken Osborn (Chapter president) and Mary Osborn (board member).

An amazing performance by Chapter board members Jerry Hernandez & Deborah Perez, helped raise thousands of dollars for USA Dance Kidz Program during National Ballroom Dance Week. The second annual Hot Ballroom Night was held at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre. The event was co-hosted by Dancing With The Stars celebrity pro dancer Anna Trebunskaya along with last year’s winner, South Bay musician Renee Safier. Board member Irina Trebunskaya and her non-profit company Dance It Up produced the event. Celebrity judges were Jonathan Roberts, Dmitry Chaplin and Ivana Surovcova. Six couples competed for additional monies raised by the various charity campaigns. Jerry and Deborah, professional instructor/owner of By Your Side Dance Studio, danced a Quickstep to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Fred Astaire. Approximately $3,700 was raised.

“To dance is to live.” – Isadora (1968)

Famous quotes from dance movies over the years provided by Jean Krupa, Social VP.

Photos by Mathew Cover

Pro performance by Eric Hudson & Michelle Hudson.

Joe Petra & Yolanda Mendoza

November-December 2016

DANCESPORT CALENDAR 2016-2017 A/A = Amateur/Amateur

T/S = Teacher/Student

SS = Same Sex Events

November 2016

Liberty Ball November 5, 2016 Events: A/A, T/S, MP, SS, C Organized by Renata Shvarts & Steve Mesh Airport Marriott - Philadelphia, PA

December 2016

California State DanceSport Championships – 2017 NQE December 3, 2016 Events: A/A Hosted by NorCal Chapter #4004 Just Dancing Ballroom, Oakland, CA Metropolitan DanceSport Championships December 4, 2016 Events: PT-Adult A/A, T/S, MP Organized by Lev & Yelena Vesnovskiy, Genadi Kijnyer Aviator Sports & Events Center - Brooklyn, NY

January 2017

Islanders DanceSport Challenge January 7-8, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S, MP Organized by Renata Shvarts Olympia Recreational Center - Staten Island, NY Manhattan Amateur Classic (The MAC) – 2017 NQE January 13-15, 2017 Events: AA, MP, SS Hosted by Greater New York Chapter #3004 Hyatt Regency - Jersey City, NJ WDSF Open Junior II Standard & Latin January 13, 14, 2016 Events held at Manhattan Amateur Classic. Winter Frolic January 28, 2017 Events: A/A, SS, F Hosted by Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Gold Coast Ballroom - Coconut Creek, FL Quest For The Best January 28, 2017 Events: A/A, MP, F Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 Kent Commons - Lynnwood, WA

February 2017 2017 Southeastern DanceSport Championships – 2017 NQE February 3-5, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S, SO Hosted by Wayne & Marie Crowder Sheraton Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Mid-Atlantic Championships – 2017 NQE February 17-19, 2017 Events: A/A, SS Hosted by Mid-Eastern Chapter #6001 North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center - Bethesda, MD

Calendars: The updated USA Dance DanceSport Calendar and Rulebook (for eligibility rules) can be found at www.USADance.org under "DanceSport". Note that Calendar information is subject to change. Please

SO = Solo Events

MP = Mixed Proficiency

Senior IV National DanceSport Championships

February 17-18, 2017 Hosted by USA Dance Mid-Eastern Chapter #6001 North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center— Bethesda, MD

March 2017

NJ DanceSport Classic – Spring Fling March 12, 2017 Events: A/A, MP, SS, SO Organized by Wendi Davies Rogers Dance Center – Hackensack, NJ WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress at Nationals March 30, 2017

USA DANCE 2017 National DanceSport Championships

March 31-April 2, 2017 Also Hosting WDSF World Ranking Tournaments: Open Senior I, II Standard Open Senior I, II Latin Renaissance Harborplace Hotel - Baltimore, MD

May 2017

New England DanceSport Championships – 2018 NQE Date and location TBA Rocky Mountain Spring Competition May 20, 2017 Events: A/A, F Hosted by USA Dance Denver Chapter #5006 Denver Turnverein - Denver, CO

June 2017

NJ DanceSport Classic - Summer Sizzler – 2018 NQE June 10-11, 2017 Events: A/A, MP, SS, SO Organized by Mario Battista & Wendi Davies Rogers DanceSport Center - Hackensack NJ Gumbo DanceSport Championships – 2018 NQE June 23-25, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S Hosted by Louisiana Gumbo Chapter #5031 Crowne Plaza - Baton Rouge LA

F = Formation

C = Cabaret

September 2017

Kansas City Dance Classic September 9, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S Organized by Matt & Ellen Pansing Camelot Ballroom - Overland Park, KS (Kansas City) Georgia DanceSport Competition September 16, 2017 Carolina Fall Classic – 2018 NQE September 29 - October 1, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S, SO Organized by Wayne & Marie Crowder University Hilton - Charlotte NC WDSF Open Events 29 - October 1, 2017 September 29, October 1, 2017 Events held at Carolina Fall Classic USA Dance National Solo Proficiency Championships September 29 - October 1, 2017 Events held at Carolina Fall Classic University Hilton - Charlotte, NC

October 2017

Rocky Mountain Fall Competition September 16, 2017 Events: A/A, F Hosted by USA Dance Denver Chapter #5006 Denver Turnverein - Denver, CO WDSF World Championship October 8, 2016 Open Senior I Standard October 9, 2016 Open Senior I 10-Dance Events held at the American DanceSport Festival Chicago DanceSport Challenge – 2018 NQE October 28-30, 2017 Events: A/A, T/S, SS, SO, C, F Hosted by Chicagoland Chapter #2001 Hyatt O’Hare Hotel - Chicago, IL WDSF Open Adult Standard, 10-Dance & Latin October 29-30, 2017 Events held at the Chicago DanceSport Challenge Hyatt O’Hare Hotel - Chicago, IL Quest For The Best October 28, 2017 Events: A/A, MP, F Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 Kent Commons - Lynnwood, WA

WDSF Open Events June 23-25, 2017 Events held at the Gumbo DanceSport Championships

August 2017

Fort Wayne DanceSport Special Olympics August 5, 2017 Hosted by USA Dance Fort Wayne Chapter #2046 Walb Student Union, Indiana - Purdue Campus, Fort Wayne, IN

reconfirm all details on the actual competition event websites before making plans. Proficiency Points: Only NQEs and the National DanceSport Championships earn proficiency points. Since a new proficiency point system is

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in development, for the period beginning April 2016 through Nationals 2017, athletes may enter the levels they determine appropriate. Event Organizers: To make event changes/ updates, please email DS-Competition@usadance.org.

Inspiration of an Engineer, Turned Artist

PAPER CLIP DANCERS TAKE FRAME ALL THE WAY TO VICTORY PODIUM The History behind the Inspiration, as told by Alex Mirsakov. . .

he paper clip dancers were born sometime in January 2014. I am an engineer, not an artist, but have an artistic mind, and the love of dance generated the desire to create something. I wanted to visualize various dance positions. And paperclips are always at hand. I first made a little primitive ballerina, and then attempted to make a dance couple. I set up the following task for myself: the model has to be very simple, use the minimum number of paper clips, and use entire clips without cutting them. When I see my first creations now, they look so funny to me, like those beginner dancers. They really evolved over time, posture and frame improved, they “learned” new positions, and I realized that without proper technique and body frame they would just lose balance. I learned dancing together with them, but they learned faster. Their positions and frames became better than mine, which made me think that one thing is to understand, other is to put it in your body. Then there came dresses, and shoes. Here, I got inspiration from my wife and dance partner Inna, who makes her own ball

gowns, and I use her fabric leftovers for my models. It is fun to see them dressed, but I prefer the “naked” models. Because this way they can’t hide technical errors, and you can see their every muscle working (well, this is a stretch). I made some oversized and small “kid” wire models, but still prefer to stay with original paper clips. I also made some video animations, including Paper Clip Samba that became very popular. People say that I should sell them, but, at least for now (as I do have a full time job), I prefer making them for fun, giving them to friends and other people who can appreciate them. I enjoy seeing people›s reactions, mostly smiles and excitement, but sometimes those reactions are unexpected, flat or disappointing, that makes me wish I didn’t give it to them…maybe too late, but it’s okay. My Facebook page Paper Clip Dancers has many photos, a couple of animations and caricatures. There are several albums, but the main album is called Paper Clips, it has over a hundred pictures, including some early funny models. There you can see the whole evolution of paper clip dancers.

Alex & Inna Mirsakov at USA Dance Nationals.

American Dancer Note: For at least a year, we heard about the famous paper clip dancers from DanceSport competitors. Until Alex presented one of his favorite “naked dancers” to us at Nationals 2016, we didn’t realize just how creative these dancers were. We should all have such frame and movement.

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/Paper-Clip-Dancers-1526462340926896 November-December 2016

Ryan Kenner Photography

At the Carolina Fall Classic NQE 2016

Thomas Hnat

At the Greater Memphis Chapter 2012 Great Gatsby Dance

IS SOCIAL OR COMPETITIVE DANCING ANY DIFFERENT FOR SENIORS OVER-60? A SENIOR PERSPECTIVE

By Winston Chow and Lilly Chow (CA) Senior IV National Champions 2015, USA World Team Members

ne may be led to believe that folks who are 60 or 65 ought be in retirement, or take that opportunity in their golden years to relax and enjoy the comforts after years of hard work, responsibilities, and the stresses of everyday living. (or making a living). Yes, in our age group, many of us have done all that. We have worked hard and finished our careers; we have raised our families; we have made our contribution to society, and we have finally come to the crossroads of our lives where what matters to us

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most is how we may live the remaining years left of our lives. And, some of us have chosen not to sit around, not to go fishing, but to seek fulfillment through ballroom dancing. Whether it’s social or competitive, dancing keeps us alive, active and well. That as we age, overall health becomes an increasingly important issue is an understatement. In contrast to when we were in our 40’s and 50’s, the 60’s poses a unique challenge, especially for competitive dancers. Let us list some the issues at hand:

Stamina

Notwithstanding, our metabolism seems to diminish rapidly with age. Controlling our body weight has become a priority, less we won’t fit into our costumes any longer. We counter this through portion control in our food consumption coupled with eating quality food with balanced nutritional value; we go to the gym for physical strength maintenance; and we exercise through our ballroom practice and regularly dancing rounds at the dance studio. All of this helps to improve our stamina.

Physical Health

The heart, the lungs, et al in our bodies is what keeps us alive. For example, the heart is the motor in our system. Without a strong and healthy heart, our quickstep will become “slow steps” in a matter of seconds. The heart pumps and circulates our oxygen-rich blood to feed our muscular system. In concert with the heart, a strong lung capacity is required to absorb the oxygen from the air we breathe and delivers it into our blood vessels. As we age, both these functions face challenges. Is it any wonder why we see our much younger colleagues fly across the floor with an apparent ease and almost seem to do loops around us?

Hearing or Audio Acuity. The ability to hear and comprehend the music is one of the dimensions which allows the mind to translate the music’s rhythms and timing into body movement through space on the dance floor. As over-60 seniors, hearing can be a make or break issue. Impaired hearing can cause a couple to be dancing off-time, can interrupt the flow or pace on the execution of a routine, pattern or figure, and possibly disrupt the ability of a couple to either lead or follow a movement on the dance floor, and ultimately the harmony in the couple’s dancing.

Physical Injuries

Mental Agility

Injuries can happen at any time. But athletic/sports functions exacerbates the opportunity for accidents and therefore possible physical injuries. This is especially true for older seniors. We’ve noticed that at 60-plus the time it takes to recover from injuries seem to take an exponential climb. Scratches and cuts seem to take twice as long to heal, and joint inflammation twice as long to mitigate. The most common injuries for ballroom dancers occurs in the feet, the ankle, the knees, the hips, the back, and occasionally the neck. We have found that 15 to 20 minutes of stretching exercises and warming up helps to loosen those tight muscles and stiff bones in our bodies. And after a hard or long session of dancing, we try to ice down our sore joints and muscles with ice packs. Some of us who are recovering from or living with injuries know and appreciate the physical maintenance involved here. To maintain or build our physical strength, we’ve elected to join a modest locally sponsored gym program which includes some form of weight training engaging various apparatus or stationary weights. Additional methods to help sustain muscular and joint health in preparation for competitions may include pilates or yoga, or other systems to complement a training activity.

We do believe that ballroom dancing and participation in ballroom competitions keep our minds active and sharp, to the extent that we can. By the time most folks reach their 60’s and 70’s, concerns over on-coming dementia and Alzheimer’s are considerable. For some of us, our minds present a greater challenge than our bodies. Because ballroom dance demands some degree of fastidiousness, we find that “senior moments” can be quite annoying, perhaps even alarming on the competition floor. We have on one occasion witnessed a senior couple, with no one within proximity to impede them, dancing the same wall of their routine two or three times consecutively around one circuit of the competition floor. No longer do we have the reflex and coordination of, let’s say, an 18-year-old. Hence, reaction times may be slightly longer which could affect decisions in floor craft and floor navigation.

Rob Ronda

USA World Team at the 2016 WDSF Senior IV World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

In general, for us dancing at the Senior Over-60’s level is still quite enjoyable. While not as agile, as flexible, as fast or perhaps as powerful as the younger age groups, it is still beautiful and wonderful to watch. We do believe indeed that Senior Over-60’s, or even Over-70’s, take pride in enjoying the music, the rhythm of the dance, the quality, and all the elegance associated with dancing, whether it is as sport or a social activity.

Rob Ronda

Winston & Lilly dancing at the WDSF German Open Championships 2015

November-December 2016

Grassroots

Leitha Brown

Pawel Skularski, Beata Skularski, Glenn Shaver At the New England DanceSport Championships in Waltham, MA, the Rhode Island Special Express formation team performed cha-cha to the song “I Feel Good.”

Rhode Island Chapter 3010

RHODE ISLAND SPECIAL EXPRESS DANCE TEAM TRAINS TO PERFORM Resource: Nettie Riley The Rhode Island Special Express is a formation team of dedicated and enthusiastic dancers with intellectual disabilities, who perform lively show routines choreographed exclusively for them. This Special Olympics Ballroom Dance Team was founded in 2009 by Dr. Linda Succi, then president of the Rhode Island Chapter, and current K-12 Programs national director. Linda, whose daughter is a member of the team, was inspired to establish a dance program for individuals with intellectual disabilities when she learned of another Special Olympics Ballroom dance program, sponsored by the Fort Wayne (IN) Chapter of USA Dance. Today, the team is comprised of 17 Special Olympic Athletes and 15 volunteers, coached and choreographed by professional instructor Dee Soares (Studio One), who is also Rhode Island Chapter president. The Team is also coordinated by Nettie Riley, Chapter vice president. Over the years, the Special Express Team has gained notoriety and performed throughout New England, including at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Warwick City Mall, The Special Olympics State Games at the University of Rhode Island, and the RI Center for Performing Arts. They have also danced at the Coast Guard Academy 20

in New London, CT and the Eastern United States DanceSport Championships in Boston. In 2015, the team danced at the New England DanceSport Championships, a USA Dance NQE, in Waltham, MA. The major turning point for the Team was when the Trudeau Center, Special Olympics Rhode Island and the USA Dance Rhode Island Chapter together agreed to co-sponsor them, and at that point, the Rhode Island Special Express officially became the second integrated dance program in the United States. On an interesting note: Back in 2010, the Team traveled to New York City, where they auditioned for the Paula Abdul’s TV show Live to Dance, and performed by invitation at Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy’s studio Dance With Me Soho.

First Practice of 2016. The 32-member Rhode Island Special Express

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Lake Norman (NC) Chapter 6119

CARNIVALE IN THE CAROLINAS Deceptive fun on the dance floor

Add a little deceptive fun on the dance floor, a promise of great music and a catered Italian dinner menu (complete with lasagna and cheesecakes) and the Lake Norman Chapter’s board once again created a winning formula for its annual spring formal. The 2016 Carnivale di Venezia masquerade ball actually marked the return of the Chapter’s first masquerade formal, a Mardi Gras theme, held in 2012, the year the Chapter was formed. The Greater Charlotte area boasts a sizeable ballroom and latin dance community, and weeks before the event at Infinity Ballroom, all 90 tickets were pre-sold – a great accomplishment for a new chapter competing with many dance organization and studio events. And more tickets could have been sold, but having room to dance took first priority. Members and guests from three additional USA Dance chapters were among the attendees, including Charlotte 6029, Triangle (NC) 6030 and Upstate SC 6078. At the event, a Mask March gave dancers a chance to merengue and compete for Best Mask. It was a tough competition as some wore true Venetian masks. The winner, judged by the chapter board, won a Prosecco gift from Italy. There was also a raffle of two Italian-themed giftbags, containing free dance tickets and lots of Italian food goodies. There were no dance performances scheduled during the masquerade ball, but having three hours of social dancing following dinner received no complaints.

Masters Class Latin dance technique. Holli Hornlien assisting Guillermo Ceballos.

Photos by Herb McGurk

USA Dance Kidz first latin dance class involved 14 high school and three college students from the Inner-City Arts program.

USA Dance Masters Class instructor Guillermo Ceballos

USA DANCE KIDZ

INNER-CITY ARTS IN LOS ANGELES ENGAGES TEENS IN LATIN DANCE USA Dance Kidz is alive and well in LA! For the past two years, the Los Angeles County Chapter has raised funds for the USA Dance Kidz educational program and with the support of Senior II Latin National Champion Holli Hornlien, Chapter board member Irina Trebunskaya and the Inner-City Arts program, the first USA Dance Masters Class was held in September at the Rosenthal Theater in the middle of Los Angeles’ downtown garment and business district. Supporting sponsor was the Work of Art program at Inner-City Arts, and the class coincided with National Ballroom Dance Week celebrations. Holli is programs manager for the Work of Art program at Inner-City Arts. Masters Class instructor was Guillermo Ceballos, a national American Smooth and Salsa champion, assisted by Holli, who together taught an hour-and-a-half free cha cha and rumba classes to the inner-city arts teens – 14 high school students and three college students. Guillermo and Holli also demonstrated the dances and held group discussions about the world of social and

competitive dance. Music selections were popular pop-chart cha cha and rumba tunes, which kept the students engaged. The Masters Class event followed the second-annual DWTS-style charity fundraiser Hot Ballroom Nights, in which USA Dance members Herb McGurk in 2015 and Jerry Hernandez in 2016 have performed to raise money for their “favorite charity” – USA Dance Kidz. (See story p.15) The LA Chapter plans to provide dance educational opportunities tin 2017, and a continued relationship with Inner-City Arts. As Herb McGurk, Chapter president, commented, “Through a unique partnership with USA Dance Los Angeles County Chapter, the Inner-City Arts program will provide an additional outlet of expression for students through the art of dance.” And as Holli added, “Welcoming USA Dance Los Angeles and Guillermo Ceballos onto the Inner-City Arts campus during National Ballroom Dance Week was a wonderful marriage of my two loves – working with youth and ballroom dance.” November-December 2016

Grassroots CALIFORNIA STATE DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS NQE

Offers Teacher-student events, automatic qualification incentive for nationals By Lydia Scardina Photo by Mark Scardina & James Kleinrath The Nor-Cal Chapter 4004 is pleased to announce that the California State 2016 DanceSport Championships NQE will be held on Saturday, Dec.3, 2016, at the Just Dance Ballroom near the Oakland International Airport. This event is the only National Qualifying Event west of Chicago in which to qualify for the USA Dance 2017 National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore. Per a recent USA Dance decision to assist competitions in the western part of the country, all entrants will qualify for events in which they dance regardless of their results. Latest News: In addition to all of the events regularly held at an NQE, this year for the first time the Cal State will also be offering Teacher/Student single dance

events from Pre-Bronze through Gold Star. Hosted by the Nor-Cal Chapter 4004, Cal State is among the longest-running USA Dance competitions. Competitors will appreciate the very spacious, permanent competition and practice floors, as well as the changing room accommodations. For competitors coming from outside the area, there are a range of hotels nearby that are listed with contact information and directions on the event website. Early December is a wonderful time to visit the San Francisco Bay Area. The competition venue, being just a bridge away from downtown San Francisco, allows for an easy trip into the City for some early Christmas shopping and dining. For additional information about the California State DanceSport Championships: www.usadance-norcal.org

CALIFORNIA STATE. Standard & Smooth Events

27 YEARS & COUNTING. . .

MANHATTAN AMATEUR CLASSIC NQE RETURNS TO JERSEY CITY; JUNIOR MAC ON SUNDAY

Lisa Dubinsky

The MAC. Latin & Rhythm Events

Organized by the Greater New York Chapter 3004 of USA Dance, the Manhattan Amateur Classic, a USA Dance National Qualifying Event, celebrates its 27th year and has earned its long-standing reputation as the premier DanceSport competition in the New York area. Each year, the MAC attracts more than 1,000 amateur competitors throughout the USA and from around the world, as well as collegiate dancers representing 30 or more colleges and universities. MAC 2017 will return to the elegant Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, NJ for its second year and will offer three full-days of DanceSport competition, beginning Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 through Sunday, January 15. Athletes of all ages (preteens to senior IV) will compete in the American and International styles of dance, at all proficiency levels, from syllabus to open. The MAC will once again host World DanceSport Federation World Ranking Tournaments on Friday and Saturday evenings – Junior II and Youth Open

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Standard and Open Latin events. Junior MAC will be held on Sunday. Syllabus and Same-Sex events will be held during the matinee sessions, beginning Friday, with Open events during the evening sessions. A special feature of the MAC this year, according to event organizer Daphna Locker, Championship-level dancers in Youth, Adult, Senior I, Senior II, Senior III and Senior IV, dancing in divisions that have at least a semi-final round, will have a DanceOn prior to their final round. There is also a new College Incentive Program, where points earned can be applied toward team discounts at the MAC in 2018.. The Hyatt Regency is situated across the Hudson River from NYC and is a one stop on the PATH train from the new World Trade complex, a short ride from Newark Airport in NJ. Registration & Ticket Information: www.o2cm. com and http://macnyusadance.org/

Photos by Richard Collette

Southern Star Florida Chapter 6038

BELLE OF THE BALL PROJECT INSPIRES TAMPA DANCERS By Jackie Blount, Chapter Vice President

Our Southern Star Florida Chapter has embarked on a very special mission to help supply ballroom gowns, shoes, evening bags and accessories to The Belle of the Ball Project. This project’s motto is “No girl should be denied the opportunity to attend her high school dance because of financial difficulties.” Belle of the Ball Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which provides homecoming and prom dresses to in-need, low income high school girls. Girls are referred by school guidance counselors, teachers, churches, non-profit organizations, foster care, the guardian ad litem system and other civic organizations. The anonymity of the girls is highly guarded. This wonderful project was founded in 2003 by Susan Schwartz, who during the years has provided over 4,000 gowns to girls in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. The entire project is operated by volunteers, and all gifts and donations go for the girls. Our photo shows just a sampling of the 96 gowns, 24 pair of shoes, 22 handbags and assorted necklaces, earrings and bracelets donated by our dancers along with the participation of Blissfully Yours, a boutique owned by Patricia Norris. All of the gowns are dry cleaned by Sun Country Cleaners at their many locations, free of charge. The give-away of these gowns started in August prior to homecoming in most high schools. The next giveaway will be Spring 2017 prior to graduation and prom time. Thanks to Belle of the Ball Project in Tampa Bay, we have found a the way to not only recirculate our gowns, but give them to some needy, deserving young high school girls who would never be able to afford one of their own. My sincere hope is that when other chapters read of this beautiful community charity that they will want more information on starting their own project. November-December 2016

Jerry Hernandez

Kerry Lovell

California Chapters Los Angeles County 4031 and Orange County 4018 volunteers assisted with the National Chapter Conference.

David Chin

In September, Gumbo LA Chapter 5031 volunteers organized and promoted National Ballroom Dance Week performances and social dancing at a local mall.

Zaya Star

Dennis Summers

Minnesota Chapter 2011volunteers planned the chapter’s 25th Anniversary Grand Ball in 2016, among many social dance activities.

Heartland (IN) Chapter 2022 volunteers plan New Year’s celebrations and other social and community activities throughout the year.

HEART &

THE VOLUNTEERS of USA DANCE DANCING ALONG TOGETHER

By Sylvia Rose, National Volunteer of the Year Volunteer Hat Wearer, Greater Memphis Chapter 2012

ndividuals, collectively known as Volunteers, from 156 Chapters of the national USA Dance organization pursue the unilateral dream of “Teaching the World to Dance” — dancing along and working together in harmony. Every dancer at one time or the other has known a volunteer who helped someone on the way to becoming a part of this world of ballroom dancing. Always there is someone working in the shadows behind the Rose dimly lit dance floors to bring social enjoyment and DanceSport to millions of dancers around the world, young and old.

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Wearing many hats over the years as a volunteer, I feel that national volunteers and chapter volunteers are kindred souls who encounter many similar snags in overcoming and planning a productive social and competitive dance calendar, year after year. To name a few important tasks: electing a dedicated Board of Directors, committees and committee chairmen, communications, dance community relations, media and public relations, and charitable outreach programs – all with one thing in common -- working together for the good of the Chapter and the National Organization. Some chapters are small, some large, but the common denominator for all is working and supporting each other for the good of all dancers, whether it be competitive or social. Our national volunteers are always striving

Lisa Dubinsky

For the past 27 years, Greater New York Chapter 3004 volunteers organize and manage the thee-day Manhattan Amateur Classic NQE.

Courtesy of Chapter 3007

USA DanceSport Kids and DanceSport Council Delegate volunteer to teach dancing at Nickelodeon’s World Wide Day of Play in Brooklyn, NY.

SOUL to meet the challenge and demands of the chapters, building relationships, supporting world-class organizations, reaching out to enhance the global view of competitive dance as a sport, implementing new programs such as the new USA Dance Academy, which certifies instructors, trains adjudicators and competitors and sets the new syllabus standards for American and International dance. These are the people working for all of us. Our chapter officers and board members are working too and realize that there will always be participants and members voicing criticisms, who never offer solutions, the naysayers, the fuddy duddies who say “it’s never been done that way,” and sometimes the lame excuse, “I’m too busy.” So, if you want something done, give it to a busy person. You are thinking, the same folks are doing all the work. Maybe so, but these are the peo-

Pittsburgh Chapter 3007 volunteers organize Dancing in the Square in downtown Pittsburgh, an annual city-supported event during summer and fall months.

ple who are keeping the show going, keeping our members and dancers happy, supporting youth and adult scholarships at competitions, organizing the competitions, setting up the monthly dance, always smiling, always supplying the venue with good music, good food and a friendly atmosphere for dance members and guests. Without these volunteers whose efforts revolve around their love of ballroom dance, dedicated to those goals and ambitions of the larger organization, there would not be a 156 Chapter Strong and Growing USA Dance organization. I am proud to be a part of an organization run completely by volunteers. Members, supporting the volunteers, supporting the national organization, constitutes the real Heart & Soul of USA Dance – in harmony, “Dancing Along Together.”

Heart and Soul we fell in Love with you Now we see what just one dance could do – Look at us, loving you madly –

November-December 2016

IN THE

PublicEye JHAILYN FARCON:

DANCIN’

WITH THE

BEIB PURPOSE WORLD TOUR – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Cosette Rinab

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leven-year-old Jhailyn Farcon, ballroom dancer and NBA Brooklyn Nets Kid dancer, like millions of kids around the country knew Justin Bieber’s 58-city World Tour for his new album Purpose would culminate July 18th at Madison Square Garden in New York City before heading to Europe. Just getting a ticket to attend would be a dream event for fans. The Purpose World Tour at Madison Square Garden would be the tour’s grand climax for The Bieb, who went from YouTube star discovered in 2007 to one of the highest paid and followed superstar pop singers of all times. The Brooklyn Nets entertainment director told its kid dancers that the Purpose

American Dancer interviewed Jhailyn about her “On Stage With The Bieb” experience (and the photos tell the rest of the story):

Were you surprised to be chosen? Yes, I was very surprised to be chosen, because I knew there would be thousands of submissions. With so many Beiber fans, I knew my chances were very slim, like winning the lottery! Were you nervous being on stage? Of course. I was nervous because it was a onetime performance, unlike with dancing with Mariah Carey, which was one week of performances. I was also a bit nervous, because we only had one 15-minute rehearsal before the show along with Justin Beiber’s talented adult tour dancers. The audience at the concert was a much younger crowd, closer to my age, which made it even more exciting. Dancing at the Beacon Theatre for Mariah was a much smaller crowd than at Madison Square Garden of over 18,000! What was it like on stage with The Bieb? Because the song was titled “Children,” the spotlight was on us. We were acknowledged by him and introduced individually. I will never forget the high five and the big hug he gave me! I told my parents not to ever wash the baseball jersey I wore.

Cosette Rinab

World Tour was auditioning for four dancers (two boys, two girls) under the age of 13 to perform on stage in different sets as Justin performed his hit song “Children.” For Jhailyn, dancing in public alongside celebrities had become a more and more comfortable setting. She had performed alongside superstar Mariah Carey for the past two years at Rockefeller Center and even at the White House for President and First Lady Obama. Jhailyn had also danced for two seasons during the Knicks intermissions, even performing a Cha Cha there at age five. But, dancing on stage with teen idol The Bieb? It was worth sending in a video audition anyway. Then finally, weeks later, the famous “Take A Deep Breath” letter arrived at the Farcon home – Jhailyn had been selected from thousands of auditions.

Did Justin say anything to you about your performance? Justin said I did a good job.

Eddie Farcon

JHAILYN FARCON (NJ)

Age 11/6th Grade Ballroom Central NJ Chapter 3059 DanceSport Competitor - Latin & Ballroom Dancing Since Age 3 Dances at Arts in Motion Academy (NJ), Spencer Nyemchek DanceSport (NJ) Member of Brooklyn Nets Kids November-December 2016

Technique discussions. Demos by Earle Williamson & Charlotte Christiansen, Adult Standard National Champions at an open Adjudicator’s Congress.

USA DANCE APPOINTS NEW

EDUCATION DIRECTOR

OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW USA DANCE ACADEMY, TRAINING PROGRAMS

T Carson Zullinger

Renata Shvarts, new Director of Education, at WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress, Baltimore.

he Governing Council of USA Dance took an important step in August toward meeting its mission to provide the highest level of dance education to its members by officially organizing the new USA Dance Academy under a Director of Education. Renata Shvarts (NJ) was appointed the new Director of Education to launch this valuable new program, and she will serve in this interim position until Dec. 31, 2016, as all new and renewed appointments of national directors become the responsibility of the new national leadership team in 2017 immediately following the national elections in November.

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As Ms. Shvarts stated, “It is my honor to be appointed the first-ever Director of Education for USA Dance and launch the USA Dance Academy. This new step forward will help USA Dance build a stronger organization that provides high quality educational opportunities to all athletes, coaches, current and future professionals, and to all social members.” The Academy will be structured to benefit all USA Dance members in ways most relevant to their educational needs. As Renata explained, the core mission for the DanceSport side of the organization will align closely with the WDSF DanceSport

At The Independence Day Ball Camp USA Dance Academy hosted America’s first official training opportunity in the new WDSF Syllabus for all 10 dances at a special five-day WDSF Syllabus Congress held at the Independence Day Ball in Rockville, MD in July. This well attended WDSF Syllabus Congress was open to all Amateur and Professional competitors of all levels, trainers and adjudicators. Instructor was WDSF Technical Examiner Viktoriya Drubetskaya. USA Dance DanceSport VP Stan Andrews explained, “This five-day WDSF Syllabus Congress through the new USA Dance Academy program offered the first opportunity in America to train comprehensively and be certified in the WDSF Syllabus figures, which have been taught, evolved and demonstrated on the competition dance floors of Europe for the past two decades.” As Dan Calloway (MD), USA Dance Adjudicator and now a licensed WDSF Chairman of Adjudicators, further explained, “These syllabus additions are monumental in their scope and the implications for the future of ballroom dancing in this country.”

Lisa Dubinsky Carson Zullinger

Academy, providing trainers, coaches, adjudicators and athletes with comprehensive and up-to-date information on all aspects of DanceSport. At the same time the Academy will seek to support and supplement the existing educational programs within the USA Dance chapters. USA Dance Academy will be responsible for the development and sanctioning of official training camps, workshops, and seminars for both DanceSport and Social Dance. The Academy will organize USA Dance and WDSF Congresses, develop a board of WDSF and USA Dance trainers and examiners who will promote the values of teacher

USA Dance Academy Dance Camp.

certifications, and help new professionals prepare for and complete their WDSF adjudicator’s examinations. During 2017, DanceSport and Social Dance members can attend numerous dance training camps sanctioned by the Academy throughout the country. These camps will include not only top USA Dance instructors and coaches but, at a minimum, a WDSF international coach, a licensed nutritionist, and an exercise specialist to help dancers develop the lifestyle changes that foster improved fitness and overall health essential to goal achievement. Participating coaches, studio owners, professional dancers and adjudicators will be

Lisa Dubinsky

USA Dance Academy Dance Camp.

able to attend curriculum seminars organized through or sanctioned by the Academy for professional enrichment. Professionals will be able to study and take adjudicating exams that will allow them to become USA Dance and WDSF adjudicators. The WDSF Congresses, including the WDSF JS 2.1 Methods of Judging-Assessment Course, recently offered at the American DanceSport Festival in Boston, will be consistently offered in the U.S., so that WDSF judges can now more easily meet the WDSF licensing requirements. For further information, please contact Renata Shvarts at education-dir@usadance.org.

November-December 2016

SAMANTHA ABAYA CAMPOS

Photos by Oscar Arcena

From Junior Champion on Dancing With The Stars To Best in Talent on USA Beauty Pageant Floor

or Samantha Abaya Campos of NJ, family has been the driving force and inspiration for every dance opportunity she is so thankful for. And for so many young dancers just starting out, having a supportive family is an important element in the journey to success and happiness. Samantha may be just 19 years old, but she has been dancing for 14 years, and the last 12 with her older brother Craig as her competition and showcase partner. As juniors in 2008, they competed on Season 7 of ABC-TV’s Dancing With The Stars and won the famous mirror ball trophy as the show’s Junior Champions. Sister Cara at age seven also danced on DWTS with partner Jaryd Farcon as pre-teens. Back in their family’s native Philippines, Craig and Samantha afterwards became youth celebrities and also won the country’s equivalent of America’s Got Talent, which led to many tv appearances and fans.

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Within USA Dance, Craig and Samantha have danced at NQE events and Nationals, consistently placing 2nd or 3rd nationally in the Championship Adult American Rhythm Division. It would be fair to say that very few dance partnerships last 12 or more years. And for Craig and Samantha, along with their sister Cara, supported by “unconditional cheerleader” mom Irene and dad Walden, it’s a family affair that simply works. Mom’s encouragement also led to Samantha’s participation in beauty pageants. In 2014, Samantha was crowned Miss Teen Philippines USA, winning all categories of talent, evening gown, swimwear and personal interview. In July 2016, she qualified for the Miss Binibining Pilipinas USA pageant in Los Angeles, making Top 10 out of 30 contestants, and winning not only Runway Model but Best in Talent. Her chosen talent? Dancing, of course, in a rare beauty pageant performance -- with her brother Craig, who also earned the “title” of “Pageant Big Brother.”

“When it got down to showtime, the inner beast came out of everyone. The only thing that differed from all the rest of the shows we have done is that this was all for Samantha. Coming from her brother may sound typical, but all I was thinking before, during, and after the performance was ‘Samantha is depending on me to make this the most perfect showcase we have done yet so I can’t let her down.’ …once the final lift hit the last beat, the judges and audience went crazy and gave us a standing ovation. The feeling can only be described as ‘There is no better drug than a cheering audience.’”

— Cr aig

A b aya - C a m p o s

American Dancer asked Samantha about her new pageant ventures and how dance led the way. What were your personal goals for participating in pageants? At first it was to boost my confidence, but then after I won my first pageant, I went on my first humanitarian mission in the Philippines in 2015 and I realized that I love humanitarian and hospitality opportunities that pageants do offer. I’ve been able to give back and want to continue helping people, giving a voice for the voiceless…and making a difference…. What was inspiring about dancing on the pageant stage? Not many dancers have the opportunity to showcase what they can do in front of the whole world. That’s why I feel I have some sort of outlet and responsibility to show that dancers do have what it takes

and can have such an amazing impact on the world. What was it like dancing with Craig at the pageant? Well, it was like a ballroom competition, but instead we were the only couple dancing. I was chosen as “Best in Talent” and was completely psyched to share to the world what I’m capable of. I love knowing that Craig is there for me every step of the way throughout my journey. Aside from our ups and downs, we still remained poised and delivered our performance. I think Craig’s experience in the pageant was that he felt he was the luckiest guy around to be surrounded by so many beautiful ladies. Did winning Best in Talent surprise you? Yes, it was a surprise winning because all the other

candidates had special talents, but I guess it was all up to the judges. Nevertheless, I was so ecstatic to have won that category. They said that we were in our own world out there when performing, and it was just the best dance talent they had ever had within four years of the pageant. What are your plans now? I’m back at school and will be graduating next May 2017 with an associate’s degree in Performing Arts of Dance & Mass Communications and plan to continue for my bachelor’s. I am auditioning for DWTS in the Philippines this year and will see where it goes. Also in two years, if God willing, I plan to move to the Philippines and train for the Miss Binibining pageant (BBP). If you win that title, you have the opportunity to compete for the Miss

Universe pageant, which would be one of my biggest dreams to come true. How has dancing changed and inspired your life? I have always gone by this motto “As I get older, I get wiser,” and I’ve realized that this is what I love to do and dance is where I am able to feel free to entertain everyone in different types of dancing. When I perform, I am a totally different person on stage and on the floor….I know choosing dance is not an easy path to fulfill, but when you have the full support system of family and friends that will back you up, especially my Mom, then that makes me more motivated and determined to go all the way. My Mom always advises me never to give up on my dreams, because God is always there for us. November-December 2016

Gumbo DanceSport Championships NQE 2016

TERRY BILOTTA

Moon Dance Studios/Bobby Campbell

ALREADY A CHAMPION BALLROOM DANCING WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE By Terry Bilotta

y husband David and I have been competing at USA Dance competitions since 2010. We started ballroom dancing about 10 years ago because two of our sons were getting married. Once we began taking lessons we were hooked. We started competing when we realized we worked harder and learned faster when we had a goal. We love it and continue to develop our skills. But at one point I felt like I was not progressing as fast as I should. I didn’t know why it was so difficult to do the things my instructors were teaching me. Then, in April 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that impedes the body’s ability to move freely. There is a gradual loss of fine motor skills, stiffness 32

and rigidity. The stride becomes smaller and all of the body movements become more compact. When the doctor first told me the diagnosis, the first words out of my mouth were, “What will this mean for my dancing?” The doctor quickly responded, “Ballroom dancing is one of the best things you can do for Parkinson’s, don’t stop.” I have since read many articles that explain how ballroom dancing helps the Parkinson’s patient by causing them to extend their movements, helps maintain and develop balance and offers auditory and sensory stimulation, motor learning, emotional perception and expression. While I do have to take medication that stimulates the neurons in my brain that allow me to move more freely, ballroom dancing has enabled me to continue to enhance all

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

of those movements. I function somewhat normally to the point that you can hardly tell I have the disease at all. In fact, at my last appointment a few months ago, the doctor said that she was quite surprised and thrilled that my disease had shown very little progression since the diagnosis two years ago. “Whatever you are doing, keep doing it!” Others have asked us from time to time why we keep competing, when it is so difficult to dance at that level. My answer is always the same. Ballroom Dancing is the best medicine I can take. Every time I step out on that floor and my husband whisks me around the dance floor, I am already a champion! Editor’s Note: David & Terry Bilotta reside in Charlotte, NC. They compete in Senior II and III Latin and Standard, Gold and Novice divisions.

AMERICAN

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xclusive

ASK THE HISTORIAN By Forrest Outman

RAISING THE BAR THE JOURNEY FROM RAGTIME TO GLOBAL STANDARDIZATION

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n the beginning, around 1911, the Ragtime ballroom dance craze began to sweep the nation ushering in the modern ballroom era of lead/follow dances that continue to this day. It was during that time as well that the middle class emerged and with it money to spend “on the town” on entertainment. The dance masters eventually realized that the power and money in this new era lay in the masses and no longer solely in the aristocracy of old. Crowds of young working class professionals began to frequent dance halls and demanded new music and dances without the pomp and circumstance of the Lancers and Quadrilles of the elite of yesteryear. The massive influx of new students created a boom in the dance industry like no other. Schools of dance were popping up left and right, Vaudeville featured dance acts from near and far, dance bands and tin pan alley rushed to supply the newest in dance music to dance mad public…and dance masters raced to supply the season’s new dance steps. So many were these new innovations that the

masters could barely keep up with the seemingly endless new offerings seen on stage. Every dance team on Broadway seemed to create their own unique steps and stylings that the public clamored to learn. The variety was so great that soon it became apparent that within one dance form they may be several versions being taught, and as such, there was much confusion on the dance floor and frustration in the teaching industry. The solution came via professional teaching organizations such as Dance Masters of America, that realized the only way forward was to agree upon the basic standard figures which defined these emerging dances, and thus every instructor’s students could all dance with another’s pupil, as well as limiting the amount of variations needed to teach current trends. No longer did solely Broadway have a stranglehold on the industry. It would now be self-regulated. While the various professional dance teacher unions helped provide some measure of reliability as to what defined a dance, they were still slaves to social trends and regional dance hall stylings. In other words, from one coast to another, a dance might share the same name, but in the dance hall the dance was uniquely evolving unique to that geographic area. It wasn’t until after World War II that the dance industry once again jumped into high gear to meet the demand, this time with the first incorporated national studio chains and teaching organizations. In England in 1945 The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD.) was incorporated as an educational charity with the goals of improving public knowledge of dance, maintain and improve teaching standards, qualify and examine teachers, and provide technique based syllabi to train professional dancers, and in 1946 introduced the Latin American division. In that same year Arthur Murray incorporated (AMI.) his franchised studios and created the first incarnation of a national syllabi, also that year the Fred Astaire (FADS) dance franchise was born and implemented their own national syllabus. Finally in 1948, the National Council of Dance Teacher Unions, the forerunner of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA). This conglomerate of teacher unions was essential to insure the standards of the various unions were compatible, again so that students of an instructor certified under any particular

Syllabus Events at Registered, Sanctioned & National Qualifying Events MidAtlantic Dance Championships NQE (MD) Peter Ung

union could dance with someone else trained by a different instructor who was trained via another union and also to insure the quality and characterization of dance forms met the industry standards. Another major innovation was the medal standard of Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The medal standard was first implemented in 1932 by the I.S.T.D. and later adopted by U.S. studios. The medal standard defined levels of proficiency of dancers as they progressed from social competency (Bronze) to advanced social dancing (Silver), and finally exhibition level dancing (Gold). This seemingly simple categorization allowed students and teachers alike to define their ability level and goals alike. The syllabi that followed were based on this powerful innovation. It now allowed teachers and students to plan and chart progress in a clear and concise, defined manner. Equally important was the simultaneous implementation of medal examinations. The use of exams for amateurs and professionals alike provided a check and balance system, as well as a proficiency goal that now carried both weight and prestige. Later after the advent of Pro/Am competition, the medal standards would be used to allow amateur dancers to compete against others of their

ability level and thus enjoy the thrill of competition much sooner than if they need be highly seasoned to stand a chance. Competition is also well recognized as a motivator providing the impetus to train with a greater vigor in the days leading up to the event. In closing, it’s clear that standardization has helped define, preserve, and raise the bar of dance globally. Also remember that while standards help define the dance of today, we must also reach beyond them to define the dance of tomorrow.

Noted historian, educator, and preservationist, Forrest Outman specializes in social dances from the late 19th Century and later. Current projects include documenting and recreating Peabody, Collegiates, Shags, The Jeep, pre-WWII Fox Trots and Hustle. He recently completed a project spanning more than four years, which tackled the origins of Fox Trot. For more information, visit Forrest Outman on Facebook or DanceHistorian.com or write to ForrestOutman@Gmail.com.

November-December 2016

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 LATIN SEPTEMBER 3, 2016 Prague, Czech Republic

In Central Europe, the Czech Republic’s capital city Prague, known as the City of a Hundred Spires, is often called a city of two cultural faces, both ancient and cosmopolitan. It’s history dates back to 880 and since it is one of the few European cities to have escaped all major wars and disasters, it’s grand architecture defines this 15th largest city in the European Union. The Prague Open Dance Festival enthusiastically welcomed

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Ryan & Hanna

RYAN RAFFLOER & HANNA SVERDLOV (NY) USA Dance National Titles: Under 21 Latin Champions, 2016; Adult Latin Vice Champions, 2016. WDSF Open Adult Latin Event: 1st place, 2016 Latin Coaches: Vladimir Karpov, Maria Manusova WHO ATTENDED WITH YOU IN Prague? Our #1 fans and biggest supporters, our moms!! AMERICAN DANCER: What were the most unique or memorable experiences in 36

Prague at the Latin World Championship? Ryan & Hanna: This championship in Prague has made memories that we will never forget. Not only were we able to participate in a competition that we have always dreamed of dancing in, but competing with International couples is a great experience in itself. Sightseeing in Prague was also incredibly fun. We shared a lot of laughs and really enjoyed the whole experience that this beautiful city had to offer. AD: What are the new dynamics on the floor in Under 21 Latin? R&H: In watching the other couples dance between heats, it was clear to see a common trend of performance and the high level of energy in each couple. Costuming was also interesting and different. AD: What was your best performance in Prague and why? R&H: Our best performances were probably those in Redance and most of the second round. We felt good about our dancing, and the support from the audience and our friends really helped. While we did not get the result that we had wanted or expected, we were still very happy to have had this experience.

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WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 LATIN

Ryan Ivan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlov

Tied 46-47 out of 78

Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova

Tied 48-49 out of 78

competitors from around the world to the WDSF Under 21 Latin World Championship, one of the most highly competitive divisions in amateur DanceSport. Photos by Andrej Hacke

USA World Team in Prague

AD: What is the difference between your first ever WDSF Latin event and this one? R&H: In our very first World Championship, we as a couple were very nervous, because we did not know what to expect. This time around, while still a bit nervous, we felt more comfortable and more experienced, which helped us to prepare emotionally and physically. Having the opportunities to dance at World Championships gave us a different perspective on our dancing, and it has helped us to progress and evolve in many ways.

International Championships as we can and hope to obtain the results that we want.

AD: Next step for you as a couple? R&H: The next step for us is to keep growing and improving in our dancing. We will aim to continue to compete in as many

AMERICAN DANCER: What were the most unique and memorable experiences in Prague at the Latin World Championship? Samuel & Katarina: One of the

SAMUEL HACKE & KATARINA HERMANOVA (NJ)

AGE(s): 19 USA DANCE National Titles (2015-2016): Adult 10 Dance Champions, U21 10-Dance Champions, U21 Standard Vice Champions, U21 Latin Vice Champions Latin Coaches: Elena Kryuchkova, Andrei Gavriline, Andrej Hacke, Vladimir Karpov

most memorable parts of the experience for us was definitely the support of family. Prague being very close to our home country, Slovakia, made it possible for family to come and watch us dance. It was a great feeling to hear them cheering us on from the balconies, especially since we don’t really get to see them often. AD: What are the new dynamics on the floor in Under 21 Latin? S&K: A lot of talented dancers with many different approaches to each dance for sure. One of the biggest things we noticed, especially in the top couples, was a personalized choice of choreography. You could tell they really enjoyed what they were doing and that they were proud to present it. There was a lot of emphasis on outcome and presentation.

AD: What was your best performance in Prague and why? S&K: Our best performance was the last round we danced. We gave our all each round, and each round we danced better and better. The more we danced, the more comfortable and confident we got. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a full audience, but we still managed to get positive feedback from those in the front rows. This pushed us even more. AD: What is the difference between your first ever WDSF Latin event and this one? S&K: Our first international WDSF Latin event was GOC 2014 Youth Latin. This was our first time competing at a WDSF event outside of the U.S. and we were very nervous. It is a totally

Samuel & Katarina

different atmosphere with many high-level couples, much more advanced than those in America. At this event, we definitely felt more comfortable and confident. Having the honor to attend many WDSF world championships, we have become motivated to improve

even more because we are always surrounded by very good couples. You start to see familiar faces of dancers and judges you recognize. This really helped us feel more prepared and confident to dance.

November-December 2016

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ADULT LATIN SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Even though it’s more than 18 hours travel time from New York City to the Chengdu airport in the Sichuan province of China, the USA World Team’s adrenaline and early arrival times helped them combat the inevitable jet lag that challenges North American couples who fly through so many time zones. The WDSF Adult Latin World Championship, held in China’s Dujiangyan Feilong Stadium, showcases many of the world’s most competitive dancers. In 2010, USA Dance hosted the Adult Latin World Championship in Brooklyn, which attracted 76 of the top couples from amongst the 92 WDSF (then IDSF) member countries. It was American audience’s

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 TEN-DANCE

Kiki Nyemchek & Magda Fialek

Tied 33-36 out of 74

Eric Groysman & Dakota Pizzi

55 out of 74

first up-close experience to witnessing these highly competitive dancers in action. (USA couple Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Daria Chesnokova placed 5th in the world at that event.) The 2016 USA World Team in Chengdu was comprised of two couples, both from New Jersey – Kiki Nyemchek & Magda Fialek, the current National Champions, who have danced together for eight years; and Eric Groysman & Dakota Pizzi, 4th place at Nationals, who have partnered for just eight months.

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Kiki & Magda

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Dr. Helmut Roland

KIKI NYEMCHEK & MAGDA FIALEK (NJ)

Dancing Together: 8 years USA Dance Adult Latin National Titles: ViceChampions, 2015; National Champions, 2016 WDSF Adult Latin Placements: 50th in 2014, 51st in 2015; 33rd in 2016 Coaches: Shirley Ballas, Eugene Katsevman AMERICAN DANCER: Tell us more about your experience competing at the Adult Latin World Championship in Chengdu. Kiki & Magda: Preparing for Chengdu was slightly more stressful than preparing for any other World Championship -- mainly because aside from making sure we felt ready competitively, we had the added stress of making sure we got our visas for China, etc. Actually, about a week before we left, Magda had to go to Toronto to renew her Canadian passport and then rush a visa. In terms of our dancing, the preparations were not much different than for any other 38

competition. Just making sure we felt good and confident in what we were bringing to China. We made sure to arrive in China a few days before the competition just to be able to adjust to the time change. Being in China and getting a feel for the surroundings really helped us. The day before the event, there was an organized

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practice at the venue, so it was important for us to attend that and test out the floor, position our routines. Actually, after that practice, I think we felt a lot more comfortable. . . . We try not to come in with any expectations for the Worlds, especially since there are so few WDSF events in the USA, we are a very foreign couple. But we definitely wanted

to place higher than previous years. Overall, we had a great experience at the Worlds in Chengdu. it’s always a pleasure to dance with the world’s best couples. AD: How do World-level events affect or inspire your performance? K: Dancing on the floor with the best couples in the world

is incredibly inspiring because it pushes you to be your best. Everything spikes -- your competitiveness, your energy, your performance. I think it has made us more confident in our performance and the package that we are putting out. AD: How does your persona on-the-floor differ from every day? K: I think in every day we can have a tendency to both be a little introverted and maybe even come off a little shy if you don’t know us personally. On the floor, however, we are comfortable to express ourselves. Magda tends to bring a bit more sensuality to her performance, whereas I like to bring the fun.

ERIC GROYSMAN & DAKOTA PIZZI (NJ)

Dancing Together: 8 months USA Dance Adult Latin National Placements: 2015-2016: Amateur Adult Latin 4th Place WDSF Adult Latin Placements: 55th (2014-2016 Coaches: Andrei Gavriline, Elena Kryuchkova AMERICAN DANCER: Describe

your personal experience competing at the World Championship in Chengdu.

Kiki, Magda, Dakota, Eric

Eric & Dakota Dr. Helmut Roland

ERIC & DAKOTA: Competing at the WDSF World Championships Chengdu was an experience of a lifetime. This was, for both of us, our first time dancing internationally. We were just amazed by the amount of ballroom enthusiasts and how highly they respected and admired all of the athletes. Before arriving, we tried to prepare in the same way we would for Nationals, picking up a few extra lessons a

week and extra practice time. We arrived to Chengdu two days before we competed in order to adjust. With this time, we were able to use the hotels facilities to workout, go to the competition venue to practice and overcome jet lag. AD: How did dancing at World events affect or inspire your performance? D: There is such an amazing energy at Worlds, and it absolutely motivates you. You have to give 150% of yourself on the floor and perform to your maximum, not only for the fans in the stadium, but for yourself and the USA. E: Worlds gave us a good understanding of the quality and level of dancing around the world. It also taught us what the international judges’ value in dancing. The energy and the spirit of the dancers and the community have inspired us to work hard in order to represent the United States again in next year’s Worlds.

AD: How does your persona on-the-floor differ from every day? E&D: We never feel like we’re putting on a persona while we’re dancing. Even though we might come across as more reserved upon first meeting, we think that the way we act on the floor is just an exaggerated version of our true selves. That’s what dance is -true expression. AD: How was the USA World Team received in China? D: I felt the local people, staff and WDSF organizers truly welcomed us and were more than hospitable. They arranged just about everything that we could need and more. I have never seen such an outpouring of love for dancers. There were many fans of the USA team in the stands as well, and many people asked for photos with us. Other dancers are also recognizing the development of WDSF and USA Dance in the United States. November-December 2016

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www.dsi-london.com Just enter the promotional code USADANCE when placing your order and receive 10% of

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 TEN-DANCE SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 Wetzlar, Germany

Competing at the world championship level in International style 10-Dance requires an extensive level of time and financial dedication that not every Dancesport athlete can commit to or sustain. Five Standard dances. Five Latin dances. On the floor against the world’s best couples. . .there’s hardly a day without training and practice…or travel. And there are lots of personal sacrifices just to keep the focus. But it also takes a strong support team – a rare combination of family, friends, trainers and coaches, sponsors, support organizations like USA Dance, even understanding friends and employers.

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 TEN-DANCE

Samuel Hacke & Katerina Hermanova

6 out of 46

Samuel Hacke and Katarina Hermanova (NJ) have consistently represented the USA at the WDSF World 10-Dance Championships. Since 2014, they have danced both Youth and Under-21 divisions, placing 12th and 14th in 2014, 13th and 16th in 2015. But something happened by 2016 and at the Under 21 10-Dance World Championship in Wetzlar – it just all came together. First they made semi-finals, which proved a tough round, and then they were called for the final round.

All Photos by Andrej Hacke

HACKE & HERMANOVA NOW 6th IN THE WORLD!

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SAMUEL HACKE & KATARINA HERMANOVA (NJ)

USA DANCE 10-DANCE TITLES (2015-2016): Under-21 & Adult National Champions WDSF 10-DANCE PLACEMENTS (2014-2016): World Championship Youth, 14th (2014) World Championship Youth, 13th (2015) World Championship U21, 12th (2014) World Championship U21,

16th (2015) STANDARD COACHES: Iveta Hackeova, Katusha Demidova, Mirko Gozzoli, Edita Daniute, Raimonds Pisevs LATIN COACHES: Andrej Hacke, Andrei Gavriline, Elene Kryuchkova, Vladimir Karpov SUPPORT TEAM in GERMANY: Andrej Hacke, Iveta Hackeova AMERICAN DANCER: Sixth in Under 21 Ten-Dance World Championship! How did it feel when you made finals? It was an indescribable feeling when they called our number as one of the ones that made the final. We knew it was a very tough semi-final, and that it would be difficult to get in, but that made making it all the more special. We felt an overwhelming amount of excitement and happiness that we then used to motivate us in the final. To us, it is a confirmation of our hard work and the work we have put into our dancing for so many years. AD: Why is this World Championship event and personal achievement important? This championship was open to the world, which means not only did the top couple from each

country come, but so did everyone that was great at 10-Dance. This included couples from countries like Russia, where even a 2nd or 3rd placing couple at the Russian Nationals might be as good as many of the national champions in other countries. Also, since this was a 10-Dance event, we danced eight five-dance rounds with not much break in between. Switching between Latin and Standard we had to quickly change mindsets and styles. This made the competition an even tougher challenge as it was also physically demanding. It makes us proud to have placed so highly in this difficult division. AD: What has changed since

your last Under 21 10-Dance event that made a difference? We worked hard and didn’t take time off regardless of our busy schedule. Our goal was to always be on top of our game, so that we could keep improving effectively. In the summer, we spent a lot of time in Europe training with the best coaches and attending

training camps to better ourselves in preparation for all the world championships we are attending this year. AD: How have you grown as a couple in the past couple of years? We believe we changed significantly, not only technically, but by really finding ourselves as dancers and the type of image we want to produce on the floor. Our teachers and competitors have really given us many new ideas and new ways to look at things. We are excited to present our own flavor and style more in our dancing. November-December 2016

Stephen Takata & Joanna Mielnick (CO) Senior II Silver, Gold Smooth, 1st; Senior III Silver, Gold Smooth, 1st

4th Annual Competition

KANSAS CITY

DANCE CLASSIC HIGH ENERGY, ATTRACTS ‘LOTS OF KIDS’, NEW TEACHER-STUDENT DIVISIONS By Deanna Dikeman All Photos by Deanna Dikeman

T Jon Hamilton & Dambisa Hara (OK) Teacher/Student. Adult Bronze Rhythm, 2nd; Newcomer Cha Cha, 1st

he fourth annual Kansas City Dance Classic on Sept. 10 was bigger and better than ever, with 165 dancers competing in 178 heats in 402 competitive events, at the Camelot Ballroom in Overland Park, KS. Matt and Ellen Pansing, USA Dance athletes themselves, started KCDC in 2013,

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creating a USA Dance “Registered” competition in the middle of the country, where none had existed before. Teacher/Student competition was new this year and was more than 25 percent of the 917 entries. It added excitement with a bigger audience, fuller heats, and thus more couples to watch. The judges were busier too. Jay Rhea, a teacher from Tulsa, OK, danced with two students. Jay was happy

to have a competition closer to home. His student, Kim Knutson, said that she was one of 10 students from Tulsa who came to dance with their teachers, along with four others who were dancing as amateur couples. “Amateur couples who had been here last year told us about the new teacher/student heats,” she said. Twenty professionals in all registered to compete with their students. What else was new and brought more energy this year? Lots of kids dancing. Stephanie Kong, a Kansas City area ballroom teacher and former amateur competitor, brought 18 dancers, ranging from five to 15 years old. For 12 of them, it was their first time competing. Helena Shcherbinin, age 12, was a leader for five dances and followed in five. Helena spoke about her first competition: “I was nervous at first, but then I relaxed and enjoyed it. I was surprised to have adults dancing on the floor at the same time. Also, I made a few mistakes and still ended up getting first place.” Shane Gadberry and Vicki Wells traveled from Dallas, TX for the third year in a row. Shane said, “We go all over the country, to about seven comps a year. Kansas City is the funnest.” Vicki added, “There’s no pressure, they run it right, it’s all in one day which makes it economical, and the dance floor and facility are great.” Then Shane smiled and proclaimed, “Plus, we get to eat great Kansas City barbecue.” Both agreed that the level of competition this year was tougher. “Which is a good thing,” they said. Ian Redmount and Hisako Matsuo, from St. Louis, MO, returned to compete this year. They dance Championship-level International Ballroom and Latin, so their heats were small or uncontested at Kansas City. But they didn’t mind: “We like coming here, and we’re using the floor time to get ready for the Carolina Fall Classic NQE, where we’re going in a few weeks.”

Emcee – Pete Modica Chairman of Adjudicators – Dan Calloway Scholarships - $1,600 (12 donors) Next KCDC – Sept. 9, 2017

Pre-Teen I to Junior Awards Ceremony: Yelisey Romanov, Paige Schmidtberger, Anna Schcherbinin, David Sorkin, Violette Witt (all from MO)

Clay Mitchell & Ali Ball (MO) Adult Silver Rhythm, Mambo, 1st

Michael McGinnis & Marisa Sanders (KS) Teacher/Student Bronze Youth Rhythm, Swing, 1st T/S Junior Bronze Swing, Rumba Cha Cha, 1st

Kyle Oberkrom & Jamie Daylor (MO) Adult Bronze Smooth, 3rd, Adult Silver Smooth, 4th

November-December 2016

Thomas Yu & Yuko Naululani Yu (DC) WDSF Senior II, III Open Standard Event, 1st Senior II, III Championship Standard, 2nd, 1st

Eugene Lobko & Alla Zemlyak (NC) WDSF Senior I Open Standard, 2nd Adult, Senior I Championship Standard, 1st, 2nd

Duarte Sousa & Elisabete Pera (Portugal) WDSF Senior I Open Standard, Latin Events, 1st

THE CAROLINA’S MORE TYPICAL FALL WEATHER WELCOMES DANCERS TO THE 6th ANNUAL CAROLINA FALL CLASSIC NQE, FIRST-EVER SOLO PROFICIENCY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS By Carole Barber All Photos by Ryan Kenner Photography

Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova (KY) Adult Championship Smooth, 2nd Open Nine-Dance, 1st

hile last year’s Carolina Fall Classic NQE was held during an unexpected tropical storm, this year’s North Carolina weather was warm and wonderful for the 6th annual Carolina Fall Classic in the beautiful University Hilton. Competitors not only enjoyed the traditional Saturday afternoon treats made by Wayne Crowder’s mother, Irene, but the newest upgrades to this competition venue, held Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 in Charlotte. Event organizers and hosts Wayne and Marie Crowder redesigned the ballroom to allow for a larger dance floor with an elegant curtain backdrop and new lighting for a special touch. Dan Calloway served as the Chairman of Judges with Sami Yli-Piipari as the WDSF Chairman of Judges. Music

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was provided by Maria St. John of Dance Dahlings, while Yang Chen and Tony Prado emceed the event. The Crowders’ battalion of volunteers from the Carolina Heartland Chapter 6092, Lake Norman Chapter 6119 and the Charlotte Chapter 6029 kept the water coolers filled, the floor swept, and the adjudicators fed, among other duties. Entries this year were up by 12%, which made for great competition on the floor. From bronze through championship level, many senior events were quarter finals, including the WDSF Senior III Open Standard event. The CFC hosted the WDSF Open World Ranking Tournaments for Senior I, II, III Standard and Senior I Latin. The WDSF events gave the competition an international flavor. Dancers from Portugal, Austria and a large contingent from Canada were shown traditional southern hospitality as spectators

Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert (NC) Adult, Senior I Championship Standard, 4th, 3rd Adult, Senior I Championship Smooth, 1st WDSF Senior I Open Standard, 4th

Haley Edgar Yegorov & Olga Kiyan (NY) Youth Championship Latin, 1st

called out their numbers and cheered them on. The high energy in the ballroom helped all competitors put their best dancing on the floor. More than $9,000 in scholarships were awarded to couples. Perhaps the most excitement in the ballroom was generated on Sunday when the youngest dancers took to the floor during the first-ever Solo Proficiency National Championships. Wearing pastel dresses and white frilly socks, dancers in the Pre-Teen and Junior age groups took to the floor in quarter-final heats to demonstrate their skills, while teammates, parents, and dance enthusiasts cheered, clapping in time to the music. Solo dancers competed in both Latin and Standard events. There’s nothing quite like watching pre-teen girls executing perfect heel turns in the foxtrot or clean samba corta jacas. According to Wayne and Marie Crowder next year’s plans include an even larger competition floor among other upgrades. Mark your calendars now for Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2017 when the Carolina Fall Classic returns to Charlotte.

Dmitriy Selpackis & Jacqueline Rao (SC) Pre-Teen I, II Bronze Standard, 1st, 2nd

Solo Proficiency National Championships 2016 On the Floor: Anna Vaynshteyn Pre-Teen I, II Bronze Latin

Katrina Volgina Atlanta area coach/trainer, on the benefits of dancing solo. . . “Solo dancing is essential for anyone to develop and improve their dancing skills and be a better partner in the future. Having and understanding the routine without a partner allows a solo dancer to be more adaptable and more prepared for competitions. . . girls feel they are part of the team . . .and won’t drop out just because they don’t have a partner.”

November-December 2016

NEW MILESTONE IN STUTTGART AT THE GOC USA, CANADA COUPLES INVITED TO COMPETE WORLD TEAM CUP, YOUTH LATIN & STANDARD

All Photos by Lisa Dubinsky

F Above: The North American Youth Team at the GOC: Joy Shen, Artem Kokhanov, Valerie Dubinsky, Alexandra Dubinsky, Ronen Zinshtein, Justin Lin, Murat Medzhidov, Mike Monokandilos, Sophia Brodsky

Right: Mike & Sophia, Latin Team

or the first time, the USA Dance Youth couples were invited by the World DanceSport Federation to compete in the World Team Cup Youth at the 30th annual German Open Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, the largest amateur DanceSport festival in the world. Under the direction of team captain and coach Ronen Zinshtein (MA), three USA couples and one Canadian couple formed the first North American youth team at this prestigious event. Two USA couples formed the Latin Team – Mike Monokandilos & Sophia Brodsky (CA) and Murat Medzhidov & Valerie Dubinsky (MA). The Standard Team was comprised of Canadian couple Artemiy Kokharov & Joy Shen along with USA couple Justin Lin & Alexandra Dubinsky (MA). At the GOC, all invitational teams were required to choreograph a 3.5-minute opening routine. And the new North American team with their country western “America” theme (with plaid shirts and boots) was definitely an audience favorite at this global event. Following the opening, each team competed in three different dances in their category. The 30th annual German Open Championships in 2016 held 43 competitions, attracting dancers from 59 nations, and requiring 511 volunteers throughout the six-day event.

The now famous “#AMERICA” Team!

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National Qualifying Events USA Dance 2017 National DanceSport Championships

Final Four NQE Events for the 2017 National DanceSport Championships: Dec 3, 2016 CALIFORNIA STATE DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Oakland, CA Jan 13-15, 2017 MANHATTAN AMATEUR CLASSIC Jersey City, NJ Feb 3-5, 2017 SOUTHEASTERN DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Birmingham, AL Feb 17-19, 2017 MID-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS Bethesda, MD For more information visit: www.usadance.org

Eric Austin & Yanina Kisler (MA) Senior II, III Gold Standard, 1st Senior II, III Novice Standard, 1st 2016 Carolina Fall Classic Ryan Kenner Photography

Non-Profit Standard Class U.S. Postage

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Lebanon Junction, KY Permit #542

USA DANCE

2017

NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Showcasing Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top DanceSport Athletes International & American Styles Pre-Teen to Senior III Scholarships & Selection of USA World Teams to WDSF World Championships

Hosting Four WDSF World Ranking Tournaments: Senior I, II Open Latin

Senior I, II Open Standard

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel Baltimore, MD

March 31 - April 2, 2017

USA DANCE

NATIONALS www.USADANCENATIONALS.org Christopher Lesesne & Anastasia Krivosheev (GA) Pre-Teen I Bronze Latin, 2nd Place USA Dance 2016 National DanceSport Championships Photo: Lisa Dubinsky