AMERICAN DANCER Magazine November-December 2014 by AMERICAN DANCER MAGAZINE

November–December 2014

The BEST THINGS IN

DANCE come

FULL CIRCLE Reflections on the power and opportunity of dance to make a difference in people’s lives, forever.

The Gift of Dance for the Holidays

Official publication of USA Dance Inc.

EUROPE & BLACKPOOL 2015 SNOWBIRDS - SKIP THE WINTER 2015 or 2016 ® QUEEN MARY 2 Transatlantic Crossings to/from Full or Partial World Cruises on the Three Queens

the 90th Blackpool Dance Festival (5/21/15-5/29/15) Up to 121 days. January-April 2015 or 2016 include: 16-day Yokohama (Tokyo) to Singapore 3/18/15 NYC to Southampton 5/10/15-5/17/15 and/or 10-day Singapore to Dubai 4/3/15 Southampton to NYC 5/27/15-6/3/15 25-day Cape Town to Sydney 1/27/16 5/17/15 10-day British Isles w/overnight in Liverpool 10-day Hong Kong to Yokohama 3/10/16 for Cunard 175th Anniversary Celebration & Blackpool 10-day Yokohama to Hong Kong 3/20/16 18-day Cape Town to Southampton 4/22/16 MEDITERRANEAN MIX AND MATCH 13-day Australia/New Zealand 3/12/15 ®

QUEEN VICTORIA

Combine 7-, 14 -, 16-Day Cruises to Spain, Italy, France, Greece and the Black Sea (May- Nov. 2015/16)

ROUND TRIP NEW YORK CRUISES QUEEN MARY 2 ® 12- Day Caribbean Holiday Fiesta 12/22/15 7– or 14-day Canada/New England 9/27/15

(Double overnight in Quebec)

NORTHERN EUROPE QUEEN ELIZABETH ®

Baltics 14- days 6/30/15 or 8/9/15 Iceland 12- day 7/14/15

South Pacific QUEEN VICTORIA®

19-Day San Francisco to Sydney 2/19/15 48-day roundtrip Los Angeles 2/17/15

South America QUEEN MARY 2 ® 15-day Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso 2/2/16

PANAMA CANAL (book early; some options wait-listed) QUEEN ELIZABETH® 1/18/15 18-day (or 15-day)

New York (or Fort Lauderdale) to Los Angeles (or San Francisco)

QUEEN VICTORIA® 2/2/15 15-day (or 17- day) Fort

Lauderdale to LA (or San Francisco) or 4/6/15 15-day (or 19-day) LA to Fort Lauderdale (or New York) or 1/22/16 16-day Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco

Luxury cruises for adults who enjoy dancing and dressing up. Real ballroom music, dance teachers and dance hosts on EVERY cruise. Largest dance floors at sea. Not all cruises are escorted. We will help you find a cabin mate. Visit www.cunard.com for a complete list of voyages, but call us for our group rates and special offers.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Vivian Beiswenger 215.855.2711 or (toll free US and Canada) 844.921.2144, info@blsdc.com, www.blsdc.com. Join our mailing list for updates at www.blsdc.com. © 2014 Cunard Lines. Ships’ Registry: Bermuda

November-December 2014 Lisa Dubinsky

DEPARTMENTS President’s Message 5

USA Dance 2014-15 38

6 Milestones

In The Public Eye 40

Socially Yours 18

Ask A DanceSport Athlete 43

Grassroots 20

Legacies of Dance 46

Yang Chen, President of USA Dance

Action Report from USA Dance National

By Jean Krupa, Social Dance VP

Chapter Highlights & Achievements

DanceSport Calendar

By Angela Prince, PR Director

Rog Greenawalt

Tribute to Peter Pover

Lisa Dubinsk y

Visiting Team Iceland and Team USA captains shake hands prior to the team match at the New England DanceSport Championships NQE. Story p. 24-25. Rebecca Rogers

FEATURES

NEDSC Volunteers Mona Yaguda-Ross and Beverly Sinkiewicz

Cover Story 12

32 Preserving America’s

Coming Full Circle: Best Things In Dance

Perspective on Volunteering by Ann Durocher

11 Tribute to Jerry Bonmer

35 Years of National Membership Service

Dancing through the Holidays 16

From Thanksgiving to New Years

New England DanceSport 24 Championships NQE

USA Senior Couples Supporting 28

Growing North American DanceSport

During National Ballroom Dance Week, the Louisiana Gumbo Chapter 5031 and American Legion Kenner Post 377 sponsored a Wounded Warriors fundraising gala. Several dancers donated quilts to the cause.

Heritage and Nostalgia Dance Halls & Grand Ballrooms

Carolina Fall Classic 36

NQE Showcasing Girls Solo Proficiency, WDSF Senior I, II Standard/Latin

At The Finish Line: 39

Derby City NQE, Louisville, KY

WDSF World Championship 42 In Chisinau, Moldova

Youth Standard

USA Couples at the WDSF German Open 44 WDSF World Championship 30 Proving Ground at Largest Open World Competition

In Ostrava, Czech Republic

Adult Latin

November–December 2014

The BEST THINGS IN

DANCE come

FULL CIRCLE Reflections on the power and opportunity of dance to make a difference in people’s lives, forever.

The Gift of Dance for the Holidays

Official publication of USA Dance Inc.

FRONT COVER: Dancing jive at the Manhattan Amateur Classic NQE 2014, Dave Firestein & Nicole Shtern (NJ) placed 2nd in Pre-Teen II Gold Latin, later becoming National Champions; now competing in Novice and Pre-Championship divisions. PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Kenner Photography BACK COVER: Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova, Adult Standard, 10-Dance Divisions, USA Dance Nationals 2014. PHOTO CREDIT: Carson Zullinger

November-December 2014

regular contributors ANGELA PRINCE Public Relations Director

November-December 2014

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.

2014/Issue 51

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: President – Yang Chen, NY Vice President – Shawn Fisher, ID Secretary – Greg Warner, MN Treasurer – Michael Brocks, PA VP, DanceSport – Ken Richards, DE VP, Social Dance – Jean Krupa, FL DanceSport Rep – Inna Brayer, NY DanceSport Rep – Roger Greenawalt, IN

JEAN KRUPA

Social Dance Vice President

EDITORIAL STAFF:

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 160+ local chapters and its members.

Publisher/Editor In Chief Angela F. Prince Design and Production SPARK Publications sparkpublications.com Photography Advisor Carson Zullinger Advertising Angela F. Prince Printing Publishers Press, Inc. SUBSCRIPTION: American Dancer, the official publication of USA Dance, Inc., is published 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 11101 Robert Bost Road Midland, NC 28107 704-888-3073

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

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

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

KEN RICHARDS

DanceSport Vice President Ken Richards is the DanceSport Vice President for USA Dance, Inc, and is serving his fourth three-year term of office. As head of the DanceSport Council, he is responsible for all DanceSport programs, including athlete relations and educational opportunities, Adjudicator Congresses, the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships, the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships, all Sanctioned and Qualifying Events, USA Dance University and all industry DanceSport relations. He also serves as an elected Presidium member of the World DanceSport Federation of which USA Dance is a member organization.

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 more than 160 local chapters, soon to reach 20,000 national members, 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.

MISSION STATEMENT:

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

resident’s Message

Courtesy of Yang Chen

ooking back over the past three quarters of this year, I am reminded of the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve Been Everywhere.” I didn’t get around quite as much as Mr. Cash, but by my estimation, I have or will have covered 12 states (some more than once) by the end of 2014. I had the pleasure of visiting NQEs in my home city of New York, in Bethesda, MD, Baton Rouge, LA and Louisville, KY. More recent stop: Charlotte, NC for the Carolina Fall Classic. The National Chapter Conference in Irvine, CA and USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore, MD were highlights during the month of March. This month, in November, I look forward to attending the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships in Columbus, OH. Meeting Chapter Presidents and leaders in New London, CT, Pittsburgh, PA, and Lancaster, PA, was a privilege and delight. I plan to return to the Tidewater Chapter in Virginia at year’s end to ring in the New Year at their fabulous event. The Governing Council met twice in person this year: first in Philadelphia in the spring and then in Chicago at the end of September. For the first time,

the newly appointed directors - Hannah Cole, Jim DiCecca, Marta Pascale, Ann Durocher Steven, and Linda Succi - met face-to-face with their fellow GC members. The meeting was highly productive, and you can read about it in Milestones, on pages 6 and 8. I had the supreme honor to represent USA Dance at the WDSF Annual General Meeting in Bucharest, Romania, in June and at the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Assembly in Chicago at the end of September. These meetings introduced me to the concept of Olympism. As stated on the USOC website, “Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.” These values are shared by USA Dance, and as we enter 2015 and the 50th anniversary of our organization, we should rededicate and revitalize USA Dance’s commitment to the principles and ideals represented by the Olympic movement. Why? To answer the question, I paraphrase the USOC’s mission statement: Because we want to inspire all Americans.

In September, USA Dance leadership kicked off a strategic planning process. We seek to focus our common passion for dance to deliver excellence and inspire our leaders, our members and the entire dance community. Onward to an inspiring future.

Yang Chen

National President USA Dance, Inc.

November-December 2014

Milestones

ANNOUNCING NEW MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS PROGRAM MORE REASONS TO JOIN USA DANCE USA Dance launched its new national Membership Benefits Program on Oct. 1, after reaching an agreement with Affinity Marketing Group to provide USA Dance members with valuable discounts on many of the products and services they purchase

Supplies have an up to 80% discount on preferred products. And Prescription Drugs are often discounted up to 55%. Most of these services and others are easily accessible through the company’s web portals. Members will be given promotional codes to participate. Insurance products will require mailing to member’s homes or business addresses, and members can opt out of mailings any time. Membership Benefits Program details and participating companies are listed on the USA Dance website page www.usadance. org/extra/membership-value with additional links to details and online registrations. The following products, services and companies are participating so far in the USA Dance Membership Benefits Program: • Vacations: FunJet/TNT Vacations, Orlando Vacations, World Travel Holdings • Hotels/Motels: Wyndham Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof Inns, Orlando Vacations and World Travel Holdings • Auto Rentals: Avis/Budget • Long Term Care Insurance on a regular basis. Although this new mem- • Office Depot Supplies • Prescription Drug Program bership benefits program is pioneering in the ballroom dance industry, it is a proven • A zigo Online Shopping Mall • V PI Pet Insurance and popular program, similar to those offered by highly regarded associations such • Coming soon will be Health Insurance, Group Auto and Home Insurance as AARP. Please email USA Dance at Members can receive participating Hotel/ Motel discounts ranging from 10% to 25%. membershipvalue@usadance.org Rental Autos offer 20-25% discounts. Office if you have any questions.

50 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION!

At the October Governing Council Meeting in Chicago, a $50 donation pledge card for 2015 was introduced by Ann Durocher, new Director of Development, to the Executive Committee officers and directors. First to pledge and kick off The Next 50 Years was Social Vice President Jean Krupa.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

USA Dance 2014 Nationals. . . Our Future World Competitors.

Eddie Farcon

JUMPSTART YOUR SUPPORT TO USA DANCE BEFORE DEC. 31, EARN TAX-DEDUCTIONS FOR 2014

USA Dance will reach its 50th year milestone in 2015 with several new programs to be announced. Until then, USA Dance would like to remind members and sponsors that donations received before Dec. 31, 2014, can qualify as tax deductions on 2014 tax returns. USA Dance is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Needing financial support now is the USA Dance Athlete Scholarship Program that helps defray travel costs for top USA couples competing at WDSF World Championships and Games. To make a donation today, please contact the USA Dance Central Office at 1-800-447-9047 or write central-office@usadance.org. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated!

USA DANCE LAUNCHES

50th ANNIVERSARY DANCING for AMERICA™ CRUISES USA DANCE TURNS 50 IN 2015! What better way to celebrate than on the launch of the sixth USA Dance “Dancing For America™” Cruise, aboard the Celebrity Silhouette, leaving Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and heading to four Western Caribbean ports of call – Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Caymans; Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti. This first of two planned USA Dance 2015 Dancing for America cruises will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Sunday, Jan. 25 and return seven days later on Sunday, Feb. 1. Interested “dance cruisers” should reserve their cabins now to take advantage of the best package pricing and cabin availabilities. The website for complete details and contact information is available at www.dancecruiseusadance. com. (The second USA Dance cruise will be announced for July 2015.) USA Dance National Dance Cruises have always attracted dancers, families and friends throughout the country. The average cruise size is 100-125 dancers, but the record for a USA Dance cruise

is nearly 400 coming from 35 different states. It’s time for a reunion! Dancers will be attracted to this January Western Caribbean cruise for many reasons – winters are far warmer in

USA DANCE “DANCING FOR AMERICA™” CELEBRITY CRUISE IN JANUARY 2015 INCLUDES: • 7 night’s accommodations • 4 ports of call • 2 formal nights on ship • Captain's Gala Reception • Fabulous meals and buffets + 24-hour room service • Extensive wine list • Five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian and low-carb options

• 80 hours of dance workshops • More than 14 hours of social dancing • Gorgeous pools, spas and jacuzzis • Fantastic Broadway-style shows • Casino gambling • A USA Dance cocktail reception

www.DANCECRUISEUSADANCE.com

1-800-999-9302

the Caribbean; the cabin/program fee is very reasonable for double occupancy; there are approximately 80 hours of dance workshops and more than 14 hours of social dancing to great music; and not counting the on-ship sports, spa, casino and retail centers. Teaching 80 hours of dance instruction during the week will be retuning cruise favorite Dan Calloway (MD), who celebrates his 6th USA Dance cruise, and our newest instructor Jonathan Evans (DE). Both American Style and International Style classes will be offered, in all levels, from beginner to advanced. Private lessons with instructors are also available. New for 2015 —USA Dance is bringing its own dance floor on board to install in the ship’s 1800 sf Conference Center for classes and gatherings. As a bonus, the first 50 ladies who register, may participate all week in the USA Dance Dance Host Program – a real bonus for ladies without partners. For reservations or any general information/inquiry, go online to www.dancecruiseusadance.com or call USA Dance travel agents directly at 1-800-999-9302. Contact: USA Dance Cruise Director Jean Krupa at social-vp@usadance.org. November-December 2014

GOT NEW USA DANCE SPONSORSHIP DANCE? Milestones

PROGRAM

TO ENGAGE ATHLETES AT CHAPTER LEVELS, RAISE FUNDING FOR USA WORLD TEAMS Moondance Studios/Bobby Campbell

Paul Vladuchick

USA DANCE ALSO GOT SOCK HOP AT CARNEGIE MELLON WITH PITTSBURGH CHAPTER 3007 Saturday evening in Pittsburgh, following the USA Dance Strategic Planning sessions, executive officers attended the Pittsburgh Chapter’s Sock Hop at Carnegie Mellon University. The CMU students in attendance, many NCDC competitors, “danced up a storm with the chapter social dancers” even though the sock hop concept wasn’t that familiar, according to President Yang Chen (holding sign). Joining Chapter President Gretchen Brocks (back row center) and members are Secretary Greg Warner (back center), Treasurer Michael Brocks (right of Warner). Ken Pandozzi

JUNIOR II 10-DANCE 2014 NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONS & FINALISTS

By Ann Durocher, Director of Development Chapters and individual members will soon have an opportunity to share in World Team Athletes’ journeys to world events. Early next year, USA Dance will launch a new World Team Sponsorship program that will help to underwrite the cost of sending USA Dance’s World Team Athletes to represent the United States at WDSF World Championships and World Games. Incorporated into this program is an invitation for chapters across the nation to participate in one of USA Dance’s key missions -- to bring DanceSport to the Olympic Games. Participating chapters will have an opportunity to host top-ranking couples at their own fundraisers and will learn firsthand what their sponsorships can mean to the development of world-class athletes. For more information about this dynamic new program that offers everyone a chance to be involved, contact Ann Durocher at development-dir@usadance.org. 8

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

USA DANCE EXECUTIVES LEARN RED ROSES MEAN DANCE TIME FOR LANCASTER (PA) CHAPTER 3006 Following the USA Dance Executive Committee’s two-day Strategic Planning sessions in Pittsburgh, several officers attended the Lancaster (PA) Chapter’s Member Appreciation Dance in September. Since Lancaster is called the “Red Rose City”, a name derived from the House of Lancaster’s red rose symbol, all newcomers to the dance – including National President Yang Chen (center) and Treasurer Michael Brocks (far right) – successfully wore red rose pins as their “ask me to dance” invitations.

WHY USA DANCE SUPPORTS THE

‘THE POWER OF SPORT’ MULTI SPORT ORGANIZATION USA DANCE JOINS DIALOGUE AT 2014 U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ASSEMBLY

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly - an annual meeting of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family - was held Sept. 25-26 at the Hilton Chicago 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. USA Dance had opportunity to participate in these important discussions, represented by National President Yang Chen. USA Dance is a member of the Multi Sport Organization Courtesy of Yang Chen Council (MSOC) as a recognized Olympic sport member organization. “The Power of Sport” was the theme of this year’s Assembly and attendees discussed ways in which the Olympic family and all of us as individuals could all work together more effectively to transform lives and communities through engaging in sports. “At this important meeting, current and past Olympians and Paralympians encouraged us all to become a strong and integral part of the Olympic movement. The experience was inspiring, and for USA Dance to be involved as a Multi Sport Organization is a privilege and honor,” emphasized Yang Chen. More than 400 participants attended the meetings in Chicago, representing Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American National Governing Bodies; U.S. Olympians and Paralympians; MultiSport Organizations; the Athletes’ Advisory Council; the Paralympic Advisory Committee; USOC board members and staff involved in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly Awards Gala also honored various individuals and programs that had made an impact in their communities.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR DANCESPORT AND OLYMPISM AS A WAY OF LIFE The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organized, universal and permanent family, carried Olympism is a philosophy of life, out under the authority of the exalting and combining the qualities International Olympic Committee, of body, will and mind in a balanced by all individuals and entities whole. Blending sport with culture who are inspired by the values of and education, Olympism seeks to Olympism. Through education create a way of life based on the joy and programming, the movement of effort, the educational value of blends sport with culture to create good example, social responsibility a standard of friendship, solidarity and respect for universal fundamenand fair play. tal ethical principles. The Olympic Movement repThe goal of the Olympic Moveresents the belief in grassroots ment is to contribute to building successes and podium triumphs, a peaceful and better world by and the strength of sport to educating youth through sport unify communities, nations and practiced in accordance with the world. Olympism and its values. As the steward of the Olympic Resource: www.TeamUSA.org Movement in the United States, the U.S. Olympic Committee is responsible for preparing athletes for the challenges they face. The USOC is committed to providing the support and training services athletes need to excel and realize their full potential. No matter if U.S. athletes win gold or struggle in its pursuit, the USOC’s goal is to make sure they are better citizens for participating in the Olympic Movement.

OLYMPISM

Yang Chen

The U.S. Olympic Movement is built on the following core values: • Excellence: Giving one’s best, on the field of play or in life • Friendship: Building a peaceful and better world through solidarity, team spirit, joy and optimism in sport • Respect: Respect for oneself and one’s body, respect for one another, for the rules as well as the environment November-December 2014

Milestones

FROM THE DANCESPORT COUNCIL MEETING

IMPORTANT RULEBOOK CHANGES, NEW NATIONALS MANAGEMENT TEAM, INTRODUCTION OF ‘SAME-SEX’ COMPETITION OPTIONS FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS By Ken Richards, Vice President, DanceSport

The USA Dance DanceSport Council (DSC) held its annual meeting over three days in August at the Newark, NJ Airport Hilton. The meeting was attended by voting council members: Inna Brayer, Stan Andrews, Ray Kaufman, Rog Greenawalt, Wayne Crowder, Scott Coates, Taras Savitskyy, Todd Kirrane and President Yang Chen; Vice President Ken Richards and two guests: Daphna Locker and Dan Calloway. Important topics dealing with DanceSport matters related to rules, fairplay, development/training and the impact of international and national politics of dance on USA Dance as the National Governing Body of DanceSport in this country. While many of the specific actions involved ratification by the Governing Council and further application to the USA Dance National Budget, with others as works-in-progress, the DanceSport Council is pleased to share many of the specific new items to be released in an upcoming rulebook. • A Team of Invigilators met in October to refine the rules and develop a future Syllabus Training Video to help coaches train athletes and develop competition choreography. •W ith respects to Junior I Dress Regulations, a few refinements are being implemented to match the changes from the World DanceSport Federation, but the #1 topic in this area was now allowing Junior-1 boy athletes to wear patent leather shoes, which was previously restricted due to the lightreflection caused by the material. •P roficiency Points will be restructured to accommodate the issue of couples pointing into the next level too quickly for attending multiple NQEs. •O ne of the more discussion-worthy topics dealt with by the DanceSport Council was the inclusion of Same-Sex Dance 10

Competitions under a USA Dance sanction. It was determined that it was in keeping with USA Dance’s widely published Freedom of Participation Policy. The DanceSport Council voted unanimously that this should be allowed. It should be noted that the exact language of applicable rules will be released in the 2015-2016 Rulebook, following the 2015 Nationals. For further clarification, the basic premise is that “same-sex events” would be run as separate events from the current competition structure, yet adhering to the existing DanceSport rules. These new events are optional, and can be offered by organizers in conjunction with current events or as standalone competitions. • Request For Proposal (RFP) for Senior IV National Titles hosting (Syllabus through Championship) for the years 2016-18 is underway.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

USA Dance 2014 National DanceSport Championships, Youth Standard Championship Division

Carson Zullinger

•A nother important change coming out of the meeting is a Management Team Approach to organizing the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships. With the growth and popularity of the event, even with qualification restrictions, the DSC asked for the development of a team management approach. As of this writing, key members of the new Nationals team will be Ann Durocher, Amanda Ashcraft, Mark Tabor and Daphna Locker. Meetings will be commencing under the guidance of the DSC with VP Ken Richards, and Eligibility Director/Assistant to the VP Stan Andrews playing key management roles. • Something all Bronze syllabus dancers should look out for, on the Nationals entry form, is the expansion of the Bronze Syllabus Dances at Nationals in all Disciplines. For example, the current qualifying dances in Latin are ChaCha/ Rumba. But dancers will also now be provided the opportunity to dance Samba/ Jive as an additional entry option.

Tribute to JERRY BONMER LONGEST SERVING USA DANCE GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER

By Lydia Scardina, Immediate Past President, USA Dance

erry Bonmer, USA Dance’s longest serving member of the Governing Council, retired from his position as Membership Director on July 31, 2014 after 35 years of service. When Jerry and his wife, Sue joined USA Dance (then known as U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association or USABDA), there were fewer than 100 members in the organization, and during his tenure Jerry saw the organization grow from that small number to the 16,000+ members we have today. For a long time, Jerry knew all the members of USA Dance personally and

also competed for many years in Adult and Senior Latin, achieving well-earned championship status in that discipline. He understood what members expected from USA Dance, and he never failed to deliver. Jerry is the last founding member of USA Dance to leave the Governing Council. However, his friends look forward to continuing to see him and Sue at USA Dance events; and when you do see him, please remember to thank him for his record of dedicated service, which is unmatched in the history of our organization. Thank you, Jerry Bonmer!

CELEBRATING A 35-YEAR MILESTONE called them friends. When my husband Mark and I joined USA Dance in 1985, it was Jerry who sent us our membership cards, and that’s when our friendship of 29 years with the Bonmers began. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Jerry at GC meetings for many years, and Jerry was never shy about speaking his mind on any issue before the GC. There was never anyone better than Jerry at turning the direction of a meeting around that had headed off course and making sure that the GC concentrated on the most important thing, which was keeping the interests of the membership front and center in any discussion. In addition to being founding members of USA Dance, Jerry and Sue were present and involved in many of USA Dance’s milestones over the decades. Additionally, Jerry could always be counted on to assist at Nationals every year for decades – handling any and all competitor membership issues right there, so that all who were eligible to compete were able to do so without delay, and assisting in any other capacity as needed. Jerry knew the importance of good service to the members, because he and Sue had

By Sandra Fortuna, Jerry’s dance teacher, pro-am partner, friend Jerry and I danced in pro-am ballroom and Latin, starting in the late ‘70’s, moving up through the medal levels to Championship. Jerry and Sue, as an amateur couple, did the same in an event we used to call ‘novice,’ which was medal level ballroom and Latin, and continued up through to Championship. They were one of the few couples who did 10-Dance as Senior Amateurs. They always did well, and they always looked great. I have a clear memory of Jerry dancing gold level jive for the first time at an ISTD competition. He got stuck on the Stalking Walks. Instead of moving on to the next jive figure, he kept taking a stab at the Stalking Walks. I said, “Jer, the music is almost over. Can we move on?” He said, “No way, I want to get this thing right.” That’s Jerry. He’s a stickto-it-ive kind of guy who doesn’t quit until things are done right. Our favorite competitions, were the three USISTD events in Cherry Hill, NJ, La Classique, USBC, Ohio Star Ball, VA State,Yuletide Ball. The Bonmers also went to all the local and National USA Dance events back in the days when it was USABDA—both the competitions and the fundraisers. They didn’t mind traveling to have fun dancing. Jerry and Sue went to Blackpool one year to compete. They brought back competition pictures over which we drooled for weeks. People talk about benefits dancing brings to one’s life. Jerry and Sue always brought the benefits, to the dancing, the dancers and dance venues: enthusiastic participation, honed skills, love of the activity, excitement about seeing dance friends, support and creative energy directed towards whatever would be the next dance event.

Jerry Bonmer & Sandra Fortuna Courtesy of Sandra Fortuna

November-December 2014

over Story

THE BEST THINGS in DANCE

By Angela Prince

COME FULL CIRCLE Riverside School

School Programs. Richmond (VA) Chapter 6006

or nearly 50 years, USA Dance and its now 160 chapters have provided social and competitive dance opportunities for people of all ages, vocations, backgrounds and abilities. Thousands upon thousands have passed through the many studio doors, dance halls and community centers to new worlds they never knew existed. And whether they stayed for an hour, a day, a year or even a lifetime, their lives were impacted by dance one way or another. Those who embrace their new dance lifestyle meet new friends, learn new things, push their physical and mental capacities, become at times both frustrated

and inspired; and, if dance truly makes a difference in their lives, they become compelled to share the experience, giving back to others in return. It is said that the “best things in life come full circle.” It’s considered human nature to return to our birthplaces, reunite with schoolmates, pull out the old photo albums, make a call to long lost friends. Throughout life, we form circles, sharing bonds with family and friends. So we dance, hand in hand. May our circles of dance be unbroken, and we find the charity in our hearts to make a difference.

Alex Rowan DanceSport Photography

THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION CALLED

USA DANCE

National Collegiate DS Championships

Lisa Dubinsky

WDSF World Championships. Junior II

As USA Dance closes its fiscal year Dec. 31 and begins a new one, awareness and appreciation of the organization’s charitable organization as classified by the Internal Revenue Code is vitally important to achieving the fundamental mission of USA Dance at both chapter and national levels. Fundraising becomes an important part of supporting USA Dance’s mission. Membership dues contribute an important foundation to achieving those goals. And even though USA Dance is powered by a vast network of passionate, hard-working volunteers at all levels, annual dues from social and DanceSport members cannot fully support all the total operation, the many educational dance programs, nor the scholarship dollars needed to support America’s promise of DanceSport athletes.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

How can members and supporters make a difference right now to help USA Dance in its mission? A few suggestions to consider — • Take the time to recruit new members at the chapter levels. If every member recruited one new member by Dec. 31, and every year afterwards, USA Dance at the chapter and national level would double in size immediately. More members, more volunteers, more dancers! • 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 2014 (Dec. 31 is the deadline.). Let the USA Dance Central Office (central-office@usadance.org or 1-800-447-9047) know about potential sponsors, advertisers or donors.

USA Dance, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization “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 Swing Time by the American 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure Legion Band, Post 175 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 Resource: Kerry Lovell. All Photos by Rebecca Rogers section 501(c)(3), other than testing for safety Our country had just celebrated its July 4th Independence Day and organizations, are eligible to receive taxthe new stories of America’s returning soldiers from Afghanistan deductible contributions in accordance and Iraq had moved the Louisiana Gumbo Chapter leaders to with Code section 170. considering during their July 26th board meeting, a way the The organization must not Chapter could honor its country’s veterans for their sacrifices and be organized or operated for help local families through their financial challenges. the benefit of private interests, With National Ballroom Dance Week in September, there was just and no part of a section 501(c) enough time – 53 days exactly -- to organize a Wounded Warriors (3) organization’s net earnings Fundraiser. Other chapters had successfully supported this cause may inure to the benefit of any Tunes from the 40s for years, and the Gumbo Chapter had an exceptionally strong track private shareholder or individual. If deserved a little record for raising money through dance events. After all, it was only a the organization engages in an excess foxtrot. few months ago that they raised more than $10,000 for scholarships at the benefit transaction with a person having Gumbo DanceSport Championships. For the Wounded Warriors event, they decided substantial influence over the organization, if a minimum of 100 people attended, it would be successful. an excise tax may be imposed on the person Fortunately, a member of the Chapter was on the executive board of the local and any organization managers agreeing to American Legion Kenner Post 377. When the Chapter board met to present their the transaction.”

LOUISIANA GUMBO CHAPTER UNITES COMMUNITY THROUGH DANCE to SUPPORT

WOUNDED WARRIORS

• Share your American Dancer magazine and its online links (www.usadance.org) with businesses and sponsors. Ask them if they’d like to advertise. Advertisers in the national magazine have an affordable opportunity to reach the full USA Dance membership and the dance industry. • Participate in the new Chapter DanceSport Fundraising Program. Although the details of this new grassroots program won’t be delivered until Jan. 1, chapters can already plan at least one dance event next year to raise money in support of the many USA Dance social and DanceSport programs. Remember that USA Dance is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in need of support throughout the year, and that volunteer time and donations are its only lifeblood.

vision, he quickly saw the mutual opportunities, and that led to both organizations co-hosting the fundraiser and what became one of the Chapter’s grandest National Ballroom Dance Week celebrations. The creative planning sessions were highly productive. Passion for success ran high, and the event would be able to promote through the area’s 122 American Legion Posts, through the USA Dance chapters and to the general public. USA Dance would plan and run the event; American Legion would handle advertising, donations and food. After that, community support kept coming. The owners of Jefferson Orleans North, where the Chapter holds its dances, were honored to participate and dramatically reduced the venue’s rental rate. And even on such a short notice, two highly popular bands – American Legion Post 175 Band and the Jerry Embree Swing Band – volunteered their services. Then celebrity emcee Jay Ceravalo donated his services, entertaining the crowds and introducing the 15 dance exhibitions by Chapter members and other dancers. The Wounded Warriors Fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 26 became a standing-room only event with more than 420 people attending. Ticket sales and donations that night totaled $8,000, and as the bands played their best patriotic, Broadway and swing music, there was little turning room on the dance floor at times, but the dancers never missed a beat. The LA Gumbo Chapter proudly presented the donation check to the Wounded Warrior candidates during the American Legion, Post 377’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. November-December 2014

over Story

PERSPECTIVE ON BEING A VOLUNTEER WHEN THE ‘JUST A HOBBY’ DANCING TURNS INTO ONE’S LIFELONG WORK Moondance Studios/Bobby Campbell

Gumbo DanceSport Championships NQE Baton, Rouge, LA – June 2014 Charlie Clement

Mr. DJ, Music Please! Ann Durocher presented a special appreciation award to Richard Stewart, long-serving DJ for the Gumbo DanceSport Championships NQE.

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

By Ann Durocher Director of Development, USA Dance, Inc. Event Organizer, Gumbo DanceSport Championships Member, Louisiana Gumbo (LA) Chapter 5031

“Mom, do you realize that you have turned a hobby into work?” This is a question my son asked of me recently. It caused me to stop and think about my motivation to get involved so deeply into the dance community. I always wanted to dance and upon facing early retirement, I made a list of things I wanted to do. Learning to dance was near the bottom of that list, but I managed to work my way down. All the other items on that list were quickly forgotten after I took my first dance lesson. When I learned that a ballroom organization was being formed in our city, I joined because it seemed I could not get enough. I wanted to learn more and I wanted to be with this diverse new group of fun loving friends. I passionately immersed myself into the chapter and in 2002 my professional skills became as valuable as my dance knowledge, when I became the organizer of what is now the Gumbo DanceSport Championships. I fell in love with a hobby that swept me away into DanceSport. Initially, I became involved to fill a void in my life, but through the years, things have changed and my life is fuller than I ever dreamed it could be. Dancing and the dance community has provided a quality of life that I only imagined as a young girl watching Katherine and Arthur Murray glide across the TV screen. “But why continue to work so hard, Mom?” My answer is quite simple. There’s much to be done and I am committed to do my part. Over the years our Gumbo planning committee has evolved into a strong core team, all committed to give our community the very best competitive event we can, while giving the competitors a fun, high quality experience. We love being part of a team that enjoys working together to accomplish a common goal. We make planning fun, because we view the project goal as the big picture, leaving no room for personal agendas. Heading up the Gumbo team has helped me grow as a manager of people. In my professional career, it wasn’t so hard to get employees to do things because of the evaluation and pay check hanging over their heads. As a volunteer manager, those tools aren’t part of the deal, so I’ve found that leading by example is the

In Dance, The Best Things In Life Come Full Circle… best motivator I can use to inspire my team members. While I try to inject fun into our meetings, I also feel that it is critical to operate like a business and to have expectations of the individual members. Each volunteer is given a job description with clear objectives. By meeting once a month over dinner, we’ve grown to care for each other and respect what each one brings to the planning process. Oh, we sometimes have lively debates, but by keeping our focus on the big picture those times rarely get personal. Functioning as a team helps us to be as committed to each other as we are to our dance community. With our core team functioning as a winning team, many volunteers come forward to be part of the team when the weekend event draws near. Work? It’s not work when I see a young man who was struggling in school, introduced to dance as a fifth grader, came to the Gumbo for his first competition experience and, with hard work, has turned into a beautiful dancer and a delightful young gentleman. Work? It’s not work when a highly respected championship level couple tells you that they feel strongly they were able to get that little extra to reach the top because of the support given them by our team. Work? It’s not work when my granddaughter tells me that she wants to be my assistant next year. By being involved in the dance community, I have been richly rewarded by having many dear friends who have become part of the Gumbo dancing family. So many people have touched my life in a positive way and I shudder to think of the life I might have had were it not for taking the first step to help out in our local chapter. The rewards of my efforts make up for the times I can’t take my own dance lesson because I am off “working” for USA Dance. And the rewards ease my conscience when there is extra dust on my furniture driving me crazy because I’m too busy getting ready for our competition. While I was planning this article, I looked through one of the past American Dancer magazines and found a quote that just about says why I do what I do for dance and why I feel the need to give back for the blessed life I enjoy.

Something The True Dance Volunteer Knows Well. USA Dance Chapters and Members Each Find Their Personal Reasons and Collective Missions To Give Back To Their Organization, Their Communities and To Others. Together, Hand In Hand, They Know The Circle They Form Will Continue To Give Back, Enhancing Lives and Communities Forever.

GREATER MEMPHIS CHAPTER 2012 YEAR AFTER YEAR, CHAPTER LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS RAISE FUNDS THROUGH THEIR ANNUAL DANCE GALA TO SUPPORT THE LE BONHEUR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.

Amy Ford

PITTSBURGH (PA) CHAPTER 3007 CHAPTER GATHERING IN FRONT OF AN ICONIC DANCER STATUE, CELEBRATING AN EXTENSIVE YEAR OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING AND PROMOTION OF BALLROOM DANCING.

Charlie Hurka

USA DANCE MEMBER AUBREE MARCHIONE AUBREE’S LIFELONG MISSION IS HER DEDICATION TO THE TEACHING OF WHEELCHAIR DANCING AND SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AMERICAN DANCEWHEELS FOUNDATION’S EFFORTS TO BRING LIFECHANGING OPPORTUNITY TO THOSE CONFINED TO WHEELCHAIRS.

“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” — Jackie Robinson, baseball icon

Editor’s Note: The Gumbo DanceSport Championships were held in Baton Rouge and also hosted the National Championships for Senior IV and Junior II. The September-October issue of American Dancer featured this event and the accomplishments of the 2014 Gumbo Team – 100+ volunteers strong — under the direction of Ann Durocher.

Aubree Marchione and Paralympian Nick Scott Courtesy of Aubree Marchione

November-December 2014

E C N A D A S U E T V A E S ’ C I R A G E A Y M W E Y N A O D T I L ANKSGIVING HOM TH FRO

? T S I L R U O Y G MAKIN IT T WICE! CHECK nd the e cou ntr y fi th t u o h g u l da nce hapters th ro pla n specia to e m ti SA Da nce c ct e in g to son the perf t Tha n ksg iv a rs e n holiday sea in d wa n za a om pot luck h ristmas /K C t a s se activ ities, fr a c out a nd show r’s Eve. So a rity ga las at New Yea s st od ies a black tie ch o g to e ay n nt holid h a mp a g e c d t a h c e ig d n e id to m es that ons, th holiday tu n ive decorati ic st lg fe a e st th o n e c om d a ll the ’oeuv res a n r sw in gs. a nd hors d y fox trots o ll a u ct a re e few k new w

s ters sta rt a some chap r fo s n h o ti ig ph lebra most pick u e da nce ce de da nces, W hereas th ra e Eve. It’s u s r’ sq a a e m oween h New Y ll g a u H ro s a th y g rl ea a ti me ksg iv in r da ncers – from Tha n fo r m a e tu y n e e m th o m r reflectin g me of g others, fo nd g iv in g ti a in l lp a e ic h g r a fo m a p sta rt iation, ti me to ju m in g apprec ct e ss rf re e p p x a e r d fo a nd d…a n new fou nd ccomplishe ncin g w ith a on a year a d re o m f w yea r o a bra nd ne nd fa m ily. g fr iends, a in d n a st g n lo

nce, one a a D A S U From wishing every able r o m e m & e f a s joyous,

! g n i c n a d n o s a e s y a d i hol

Tidewater (V A) Chapter

6008 New Ye

ar ’s Eve nt

Thankful for the continuing support, volunteering and attendance of our members and friends—and their patience until we found a new venue around the Lake. Maggie Rohlik, President Lake Norman (NC) Chapter 6119 16

apter ’s X ) Ch T ( s n ce a Dall i al D a a s So c m t s i hr

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

USA Dance Dallas gives thanks for our freedom to dance and express, our vital volunteers everywhere, our members and entire dance community, and our two exceptional venues in which we dance and celebrate each other. Board of Dallas (TX) Chapter 5044

FloridaDanceVacations.com BALLROOM, LATIN, ARGENTINE TANGO, SWING, HUSTLE, CW

Upper SC C hapter 6078 Meals on W heel s C ontr ibution

Beach by Day - Dance by Night! Fort Lauderdale • Miami • Palm Beach

CREATE YOUR OWN DANCE AND BEACH VACATION

The Music City Chapter is grateful for the generous spirit of a diverse community of dancers and dance studios in Middle Tennessee supporting amateur ballroom dancing.

DANCE VENUES DANCE CALENDAR DANCE LESSONS SPECIAL EVENTS ATTRACTIONS ACCOMMODATIONS

Leigh Wieland, President Music City (TN) Chapter 2064

FloridaDanceVacations.com (954) 283-1111

We are thankful for the unification of our dance community with USA Dance. Studio affiliations are not important and it’s great to see everyone dancing together.

Karen Adams, President Hattiesburg-Laurel (MS) Chapter 6116

We are thankful to Southwest Florida and local studios for supporting dance lessons, social/ specialty dances, and programs. Three weekly well attended dance classes are attracting newcomers.

ARE YOU REALLY THE BEST YOU CAN BE?

DANCE BETTER

THAN YOU EVER DREAMED POSSIBLE! P R O F E S S I O N A L - C O M P E T I T O R - A M AT E U R

Tom Timmons, President SouthWest Florida Chapter 6049

Wichita Area Chapter is thankful for our “giving” professional The Chapter is appreciative dance instructors, of its Board members, its who volunteer their volunteers, filming, the time to give free National Conference, and dance lessons at recognition as the 2012-2013 each of our monthly Chapter of the Year. Jerry Hernandez, President tea dances. Los Angeles County (CA) Chapter 4031

Dr. Bonnie Tandoc, President Wichita (KS) Chapter 2098

THE MISSING DIMENSION IN DANCE!

RESERVE YOUR PROGRAM INTENSIVE 601.297.2185 -or- sherriwimberly@gmail.com www.percelldance.com 2014 DanceKinesis and Angelisms are trademarks of Percell St. Thomass. ©2014 Photography Percell St.Thomass. All rights reserved.

November-December 2014

photos (2): Richard Givney, Jr.

ocially Yours By Jean Krupa, Social VP Marion Falbo & William Bodtmann, Ballroom Central of NJ Chapter 3059

re you a good dance host for your chapter? I am not talking about paid dance hosts at dance parties or on cruise ships. Perhaps dance ambassador is a better term to describe the many hospitable dancers who just want to help new dancers and those without partners to feel welcome at social dances. When you participate in a chapter-sponsored social dance, are you helping to further the USA Dance mission? The impression you make on others can stay with them for a long time. Dancers do take notice, and they stay or never come back because of these impressions.

Gerry Scharfenberger & Briant Mosolgo, Ballroom Central of NJ Chapter 3059

KEY TO HAPPINESS ON THE

FLOOR

DANCE AMBASSADOR THE

Anyone who has ever been to a social dance notices that not everyone is having a good time, or at least not equally so. While some sit out many dances, others are constantly in demand. These fortunate dancers seem not only to have a great time; they also transfer their sense of joy and happiness to others around them. There is something about them that transcends good looks and dancing skill. How do they do it? What are the personal qualities, habits, and skills that lead to success on the social dance floor? The single biggest secret of success in social dancing is making your partners happy – being a good dance ambassador. Once dancers succeed at this task, their popularity will usually soar, and they will never have a shortage of willing and enthusiastic partners to dance with. A few precautions. If you are compelled to correct your partner on the dance floor, there is a good chance this will make your partner feel small and humiliated. Not exactly a great way of encouraging him/her to dance with you or others. Followers, when you ask or accept to follow someone in a dance, you implicitly agree to let him or her lead. While this doesn’t mean you have to be a perfect follower, or even a particularly good one, it does mean that you should not try to lead or explain what should have been done. It is simply inappropriate to back18

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

lead on the dance floor — it means you are rejecting their contribution to the partnership. Good dance ambassadors know their roles and go with the flow. As a dance ambassador, you are there not only to have a good time yourself, but also to entertain your partner. This means, among other things, making him/her comfortable, dancing at a level that is enjoyable for both of you…and maintaining a good sense of humor if something goes wrong. If you are a perfectionist, best to let it go at a social dance. Just having a good time in dancing goes a long way. Look at your partner and smile (except in tango perhaps). Focus more on your partner. Believe it or not, the most popular dancers are not necessarily the most skilled, but they are the ones who make it clear how much their partner’s company is appreciated and enjoyed. Most people would rather not dance with someone who acts uninterested or obligated, no matter how wonderful their dancing is. It is worthwhile to repeat to yourself the age-old mantra of social dancing: You are happy when your partner is happy. As a dance ambassador, nothing compares to the thrill of moving to a beautiful piece of music with an appreciative (and happy) “partner of the moment”.

DANCE HOST WORDS TO THE WISE...

Everyone’s A Ginger Rogers ‘Of The Moment’

t goes without saying, when the music begins, dancers had rather be on their feet than on their seats. So the greatest challenge of any social dance planner – whether for a chapter dance or a group night-out on the town -- is having the right balance of leaders to followers to keep everyone moving…and happy. Some planners will say a 50:50 ratio of leaders to followers is ideal. Leaders often say the ideal is having more leaders, so they can at least take

MEET RAOUL WEINSTEIN

self-esteem and “get back in the world,” and that cruise did everything I needed and more. It opened up a whole new world for me — and for 10 years I have had the most unbelievable opportunity to see the world.

Upstate SC Chapter 6078 USA Dance Member: 19+ years Dance Host: 10 years Type Dancer: Social now Practice Time: 1-2 times/week Proficiency Level: Silver Status: Married

What is the role of a dance host? The role of the dance host is to make each dance with each lady as comfortable and enjoyable for her and at her level of proficiency to the best of his ability. Why did you become a dance host? I became a dance host in 2004 on the first USABDAsanctioned dance cruise after a breakup with my dance partner/ fiancee. I needed to rebuild my

What are dance host “rules of etiquette”? Top five rules: personality; personal hygiene; proper wardrobe; physical shape; social skills. (This is already assuming appropriate dancing skills.) What has been your most rewarding experience as a cruise dance host? It is always a rewarding experience as a dance host when a lady in our group tells me how much she enjoys dancing with me and how much difference my being one of the dance hosts has meant to her. What has been your most challenging moment? There are many challenges that dance hosts face. For me, they are usually one of the ladies trying to get me to dance with her more often than the “rotation” calls for. I usually handle it by complimenting her. What social skills must a good dance host have? Proper manners at the dinner table; pleasant and even-tempered personality; ego that can be contained; no uncalled-for fraternization with the ladies.

a refreshment break, make a pit stop, cool off (after all dancing is aerobic) or simply catch their breaths. Either way, it’s a challenging balancing act, but well worth the extra planning effort to recruit volunteer leaders who are solid social dancers willing to be everyone’s Dance Host. American Dancer asked two very popular social dancers – Raoul Weinstein (SC) and Jesse Gellrich (LA) – to share their experiences as official Dance Hosts. Both have also attended USA Dance cruises.

MEET JESSE GELLRICH Louisiana Gumbo Chapter 5031 USA Dance Member: 5 years Dance Host on USA Dance Cruises: 3 years Type Dancer: Social, Competitive Practice Time: 5 days/week Proficiency Level: Silver/Gold Status: Single

What is the role of a Dance Host? He should provide fun and encouragement for all partners so that they want to dance again with him. He should therefore lead effortlessly and never teach, unless he is directly asked by his partner. When did you become a dance host? In 2010, I was nominated by my chapter, and I jumped at the chance: I wanted to help out and enjoy the adventure of “dancing across the Caribbean.” What are dance host “rules of etiquette”? Smile. Look directly into the eyes of your partner upon asking her to dance. Introduce yourself. Let her feel that she alone is the focus of the moment and the music. Never teach. Lead clearly, but never forcefully. Know your part perfectly, and never do figures you have not mastered fully. Be impeccably courteous. Return your partner to her place. And thank her earnestly. What has been your most rewarding experience as a

cruise dance host? Helping other people discover and enjoy the personal and social rewards of dancing. Seeing their new access to social interaction is like helping them learn a new language. That is reward enough for me. What has been your most challenging moment? Hands down, the most rewarding and challenging moment was dancing with a blind woman on a stormy sea. We both laughed our hearts out, and she never missed a beat. What social skills must a good dance host have? To leave his ego back in the cabin and turn his full attention to presenting his next partner as his Ginger Rogers of the moment.

Vintage “Dancing Tonight” Poster Courtesy of Carson Zullinger.

November-December 2014

Grassroots RECAP: NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCE WEEK

FROM SHOPPING MALLS AND GROCERIES

TO CRUISE BOATS AND WAREHOUSES USA Dance chapters celebrated in their communities in very creative and inspiring ways, from Sept. 19 through the 28th. From public performances in shopping malls, grocery stores and in public plazas to social dances in grand ballrooms, warehouses and on cruise boats, USA Dance members never lost

the beat to share their passion for ballroom dancing and the many benefits it brings. But Chapters didn’t dance alone. They encouraged and successfully partnered with local dance studios and instructors, their local municipalities and government leaders, media celebrities on air and off air,

GREATER DAYTONA (FL) CHAPTER 6026 BALLROOM DANCING AT VOLUSIA MALL BALL THRILLS AUDIENCES, ATTRACTS NEW MEMBERS

Geoff Davis

Paralympians and Olympians, schools and various charities. In special commemoration of National Ballroom Dance Week 2014, USA Dance unveiled its brand new NBDW logo, which chapters incorporated quickly into promotional banners, ads, flyers and even on Facebook.

IOWA CORRIDOR CHAPTER 2100 CHAPTER PRESIDENT KEN OSBORN BUILDS DANCE FLOOR SO MEMBERS COULD KEEP ON DANCING!

Doug Hiratzka

NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO CHAPTER 5047 NYS CAPITAL CHAPTER 3014 CELEBRATING ON A RIVER CRUISE WAS JUST THE NOVEL IDEA FOR PUBLIC DEMOS – STARRY MAGIC TO ATTRACT DANCERS OUTDOORS DANCING IN THE GROCERY AISLES, EVEN IF AMONG THE PUMPKINS

Sherry Dickinson

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Dorn Ciccone

RICHMOND (VA) CHAPTER 6006 RETURN TO REGENCY SQUARE MALL DRAWS BIGGER CROWDS FOR SOCIAL DANCE, PERFORMANCES

Gabe Pascaella/Ginny Engler

PROM NIGHT IN HOUSTON MIX GLAMOUR, GLITZ and

DANCING By Dr. Linda Runyon It was Prom Night in June…and Houston Channel 39 (KIAH) was on hand to film the Houston Chapter 5003 event for the Houston Subculture NewsFix segment. Amid interviews and camera shots, candle lights flickered on table tops, music swelled, and dancers waltzed, quickstepped, and foxtrotted their way around the dance floor. Swing, jive, and rumba rounded out an evening of dancing. A photo booth was available for dancers to crown themselves Prom King or Queen and capture the special moment. After the cheers and applause for professional dancers Cristiano Callegari and Katia Kuznetsova, who demonstrated an elegant tango, the night’s Prom Court selected the King and Queen. The video can be seen at http://newsfixnow.com/2014/06/25/this-subculture-lovesto-dance-the-night-away/ The Chapter Board of Directors choose themes for the monthly dances. Invitations are emailed to members and guests. And dancers are encouraged to dress the part. From ugly Christmas sweaters in December to 1940s fashion for the Hangar Dance at the Hobby Airport airplane museum, costumes liven up the evening. Getting people out on the dance floor is not a problem in Houston. A Meet Up group attends most monthly dances. Tables labeled “Shall We Dance” which are reserved for Dancers without Partners buzz with activity as both men and women ask others to dance. The evenings begin with an hour dance class that affords even the newest dancers the opportunity to learn a few steps. Prom Night was no exception, beginning with instruction in Rumba, which appealed to the large number of new dancers. A large group of college students from The University of Houston, Rice University and St. Thomas University also enjoyed reminiscing about their proms with members whose proms were decades ago. Diversity is the key to Houston’s success. Dancers come from a variety of cultures, ethnicities, and ages. Exhibitions have ranged from elegant tangos performed by professionals, to playful sambas performed by pro-am teams, to formation swing performed by students from a local school.

One of Houston’s many Prom Kings and Queens.

Mary Ann Bradford

November-December 2014

Grassroots JAN 16 – 18

MAC 2015 NQE CELEBRATING 25TH YEAR IN NEW HOTEL LOCATION, SPONSORING WDSF WORLD RANKING TOURNAMENTS

By Daphna Locker, President, Greater New York Chapter 3004

The MAC in 2015 will celebrate its 25th anniversary, which makes the Manhattan Amateur Classic one of the longest continuously running competitions in America and the second longest running of all amateur competitions. The MAC will once again be held during the Martin Luther King weekend, Jan. 16 – 28, 2015, and hosted by the Greater New York Chapter as a USA Dance National Qualifying Event. The MAC will also host of the WDSF Junior II Open Standard and Latin World Ranking Tournaments. Ryan Kenner

Ryan Kenner

Latin and Rhythm Events at The MAC

MAC 2015 has a brand new location this year. Due to an increase in the rent at the Manhattan Center, we have had to leave our home in NYC. However, we have found a great new hotel location that hopefully can become the new permanent home for the MAC – the Empire Meadowlands Hotel in nearby Secaucus, NJ. 22

Stand ard an d Sm ooth Events at Th e MAC

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

At the Empire Meadowlands, the room rate will be only $95.00/ night with an option to purchase a $10.00 breakfast voucher. Parking is free, and it’s an easy commute from the New York City and Newark, NJ airports. In 1990, the MAC started as a small competition run in conjunction with the NYU team at the University. After a few years, the MAC outgrew NYU and the Greater NY Chapter organized the MAC at different locations during its 25-year history -- in church basements, wedding halls, various college centers and gyms, musical venues, catering halls and for the first time this year, in a hotel. Twenty five years ago, the MAC was also a one-day event, and over time it grew to a two days, then alternated between one, one-and-a-half and two days depending upon entries. For several years now, the MAC has been a consistent three-day event, with competitors exceeding 1,000. As one of 10 National Qualifying Events for the upcoming USA Dance Nationals in Baltimore, DanceSport athletes will compete in Pre-Teen through Senior IV in all four styles and all proficiency levels. The third day of the MAC is the traditional Jr. MAC day which highlights Pre-Teen through Youth. There are also a few very popular dance events that are not qualifying events for Nationals -- Pre-Bronze and Masters of Syllabus, open to all proficiency levels. The World DanceSport Federation’s World Ranking Tournament for Junior II Open Latin is Friday evening with Open Standard on Saturday evening. Hotel Reservations: 201-348-6900. Group block “The Greater NY Chapter of USA Dance”. General Information: www.nyusadance. org Entry Reservations: www.o2cm.com

Daniel Popovskiy & Alexandra Borkov (MA), Junior II Pre-Championship Standard

BOSTON

BRAGGING RIGHTs

By Lisa Dubinsky & Angela Prince All Photos By Lisa Dubinsky

MA SSabda Board Members Larry Rumbaugh & Donna Crown

James Her bert & Sharon Jon (MA), Sen es io Champion r II ship, Senior III P Champion reship Rhythm

NEW ENGLAND DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS NQE

ttracting 16% more competitors and a 34% increase in entries over the previous year, the New England DanceSport Championships, a National Qualifying Event for the USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships, has now rightfully earned its Boston Area and National bragging rights. Traditionally, the NEDSC has been a one-day Saturday competition held during National Ballroom Dance Week, preceded by a Friday night of social dancing, dinner buffet, a group dance lesson and afterwards, a Jack & Jill competition. The organizing team, chaired by MASSABDA President Jim DiCecca, has had a straightforward plan -â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even though NEDSC was just a one-day

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Arthur Lu e & Sarah Won Adult Stan dard Cham g (M A), pionship

competition, it would be an unrivaled one-day competitionâ&#x20AC;Śand it would attract a loyal audience of local dance fans, social dancers and, of course, competitors of all ages and proficiency levels from around the country. The 2014 NEDSC took place in Waltham, MA on Sept. 19-20 at the newly renovated Westin Hotel and offered competitors a beautifully decorated and lit ballroom, and for travelers, close proximity to Boston and some

Members of Team Iceland, International 10-Dance Championship Winners

TEAM USA ready to take the “Iceland Challenge.”

REFLECTIONS ON

THE NEDSC…

by Event Chairman Jim DiCecca

Ask Jim DiCecca, preparations for National Qualifying Events, the successful ones, never really end. Even after the last ribbon is awarded and everyone has vacated the ballroom, the event organizers and volunteers still have lots of details to close; and truth be known, they’ve already started planning for next year — the bigger, grander one.

of New England’s most picturesque tourist sites. s os R At the event, there t Tony pter Presiden . ce n da al DOCM A Cha were competitions, night soci (c) at Friday 124 in all (a 38% increase over 2013), for all levels and divisions of International and American styles, from Pre-Teen I to Senior IV. And for the first time and now a new tradition, the NEDSC hosted the highly contested 10-Dance International Team Match. Invitations had been sent to dancers in Iceland and Canada to compete against Team USA. This year, Canada was just short a full team, but Iceland stepped up to the invitation to compete in all five Latin and five Standard dances (Canada will be back.). Both the USA and Iceland teams showcased couples from different age groups. The excitement in the ballroom was intense as both teams streamed onto the floor in a processional, carrying their country’s flag and as the team captain’s shook hands center floor. The spectators appreciated the couple’s competitive energy and skillful technique. Winner for 2014? Team Iceland, demonstrating along with the USA couples, the true meaning of Olympism – of good sportsmanship and fair play and the pursuit of athletic excellence. One special tradition at the NEDSC is the attending senior citizens from the Sunrise Senior Living center. This year, dozens of seniors attended to support the dancers and to try their own skills on the dance floor during competition breaks. They were an audience favorite! For competition results, please visit www.o2cm.com. For more photo highlights, visit the New England DanceSport Championships Facebook page.

In looking back on NEDSC 2014, Jim shared some of his proudest moments: • Officially leading the Team USA flag procession before the match with Iceland. • Working personally with Iceland Team Coach Adam Reeve, former World 10-Dance Champion and cast member of the original “Burn The Floor” global tour. • Knowing the Canada delegation, short of members to field a Team, plan to return next year. • Sponsoring once again a well attended Social Dance Event on Friday night, with a Hustle lesson by John Nyemchek, and the Jack & Jill Hustle competition. • Showcasing the pro-am performances by friends at Paper Moon Studio, who also performed their famous Zombie Cha Cha formation. • Having the MASSabda DanceSport Series in honor of friend and professional coach/judge Bill Morganti, who is still recovering from a major car accident; and raising money for his recovery through selling Bill Morganti Fan Club T-shirts. Operations Chair Thomas Weaver also appreciated watching the senior citizens from Sunrise Senior Living dancing on the floor during breaks and their receiving huge rounds of applause; and then, standing next to fellow Volunteer Mary Harvey, halfway through, and being able to say “looks like we’ve pulled off another one.”

NEDSC Milestones 2014 vs 2013

• Competitors in all age categories from Pre-Teen I through Senior IV • 238 competitors, a 16% increase • 124 different competitions, a 38% increase • 376 entries, a 34% increase • Jack & Jill competitors – 18

Chair of Judges Cathi Nyemchek Emcee Brad Morrison Music Director David Innis

November-December 2014

THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER USA DANCE, INC. #6008 PRESENTS

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

Dmitriy Solomakha & Gabiella Sevillano

A Weekend Of Social Dancing Workshops, Performances & More! Tidewater Chapter #6008 SILVER ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CELEBRATION! December 31, 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; January 3, 2015

Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center 425 Water Street, Portsmouth, Virginia

AT E

EW T ID

Online Tickets Available at www.twcusadance.org Phone: 757-287-8288/Email: gretchdanceNYE@cox.net

A DANCE US

Dmitriy Solomakha & Gabriela Sevillano

Featuring

TE R VA C HAP

Guest Performers Riccardo Pacini Sonia Spadoni

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Weekend Event Schedule of Events

Wednesday, December 31st Registration: Noon - 6:00pm 7:30pm - 1:00am - NYE Gala Main Ballroom 8:00pm - 10:00pm Buffet Open Professional dance performances during the evening Midnight Champagne Toast & Family Style Continental Breakfast Dmitriy Solomakha & Gabriela Sevillano

Riccardo Pacini & Sonia Spadoni

60 Workshops Fun Competition! Workshop Instructors Featuring Dmitriy Solomakha Gabriela Sevillano

Additional Participating Instructors Riccardo Pacini/Sonia Spadoni Katja Marc Harris Phyllis Harris Alan Hedgpeth Tou Kue Melinda Spencer Mielock Marie Rants Walter Schultz Martin Smith Ernest Williams

Main Ballroom DJ Alan Hedgpeth (All 4 nights)

Thursday, January 1st

Military Appreciation Day/Night 11::00am-8:15pm - Workshops 6:30pm - 7:30pm - VIP Reception (Reservations Required) 7:30pm 1:00am - Social Dance Main Ballroom 9:00pm - 1:00am - Club Room Ballroom/Country Social Dance Mix West Coast Swing/Hustle

Friday, January 2nd 8:00am - Noon - Fun Competition 11:00am - 8:15pm - Workshops 7:30pm - 1:00am Social Dance Main Ballroom 9:00pm - 1:00am Club Rooms Shag / Argentine Tango

Saturday, January 3rd 11:00am - 8:15pm - Workshops 7:30pm - 1:00am Dinner Dance in Main Ballroom 9:00pm - 1:00am Club Rooms West Coast Swing/Hustle American Latin/Tango Social Dance Mix

425 Water Street Portsmouth, VA 23704 Phone: (757) 673-3000 Toll-Free: (888) 839-1775

Special USA Dance Rate $81.00 plus tax Waterfront Activities Historic Area Dance Hosts @ NYE and Dinner Dances Over 7,000 sf of Competition Grade Wood Floors For best seats, purchase Online & EARLY!!! To purchase online, go to our website at: www.twcusadance.org Or contact Gretchen Allen, NYE Chairperson @ (757) 287- 8288 Or email: nyegala@twcusadance.org Mail Order Forms to: Tidewater USA Dance PO Box 62321 Virginia Beach, VA 23466 A DANCE US

EW T ID

Visit Website to Register Online for Showcase Exhibitions

8:30pm - 1:00am - Club Rooms Steppin/Urban Ballroom Event Check Website for details (starts @ 8:30pm) Salsa Club (starts @9:00pm)

Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center

AT E

Dmitriy Solomakha Gabriela Sevillano

25 NEW

Hotel Accommodations

Featured Performers

Professional Shows & Exhibitions

TE R VA C HAP

BUILDING NORTH AMERICAN RELATIONS

USA DANCE SENIORS TRAVEL NORTH TO MONTREAL TO COMPETE IN THE WDSF CANADIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

s the U.S. Department of State describes, “The United States and Canada share two borders and their bilateral relationship is one of the closest and most extensive in the world. It is reflected in the high volume of bilateral trade--more than $2 billion a day in goods and services--and in peopleto-people contact. About 300,000 people

AMERICAN

DANCER

nterview

American Dancer had several key questions to ask the returning couples about their experiences in Canada. Irina Feingold shared her thoughts below:

cross between the countries every day by all modes of transport. In fields ranging from security and law enforcement to environmental protection to free trade, the two countries work closely together on multiple levels, from federal to local.” And that bilateral relationship is shared on another fast-growing level – DanceSport. USA Dance National Qualifying Events,

especially those hosting WDSF World Ranking Tournaments, have attracted Canadian couples. The Carolina Fall Classic being the more recent event. In September, five USA Dance senior Standard and Latin DanceSport couples traveled to Montreal, Quebec to compete in the Canadian Open Championships, WDSF events. Their results were impressive.

“It was such a great opportunity for us to participate in the event to gain international experience, both for exposure to judges who don’t normally see us dance, and to dance in different kinds of venues on different floors. We met and made new dancing friends, whom we hope to see in future international competitions. What a thrill as well to take part in the parade of nations, and proudly represent the U.S.” — Arlene Yu compete in front of judges that do not know them well, and it gives our couples different prospective on their skills and level of dancing. • A nd it was a good approximation of what we are going to face at the Senior II World Cup in Vancouver.

Senior II Open Latin Champions — Arkady Rabinovich & Arlene Yu, USA, out of 6 couples.

What was the value for USA couples to compete at the recent WDSF Canadian Open Championship? •T he WDSF Canadian Open is a ranking event and USA couples get World points. •T here are strong couples 28

in Canada and competing with them hones USA couples’ skills and makes us better dancers. • It increases USA couples exposure to International dancing style, because many Canadian couples dance

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Alain Plante

more close to the style that couples in Europe do. • Montreal is as large a competition for seniors as USA Nationals and dancing in it gives a good practice for Nationals. • USA couples get a chance to

What was the main reason the WDSF in Canada invited USA athletes? They want Canadian couples to compete against couples from other countries to create a more diverse competitive field. Canadian couples are very good in sports and want to be challenged. And in general, the bigger the competition, the more challenging and interesting it is. When we compete in Europe, both American and Canadian couples support and root for each other. We do feel a closeness.

Alain Plante Vince Feingold

WDSF CANADIAN OPEN STANDARD COMPETITIONS:

Vince Feingold & Irina Feingold Senior II Championship Standard – 6th place Senior III Championship Standard – 1st place Bill Pedrick & Carolyn Pedrick Senior II Championship Standard – Quarterfinal Senior III Championship Standard – Quarterfinal LATIN COMPETITIONS:

Arkady Rabinovich & Arlene Yu Senior II Championship Latin – 1st place Senior I Championship Latin – 3rd place Robert Blank & Martha Estevez Senior III Championship Latin – 2nd place Valeriy Ort & Rita Lynn Ort Senior II Championship Latin – 4th place Senior II Championship Latin – 5th place

Alain Plante

old Vince Feing

Senior III Open Standard Champions — Vince Feingold & Irina Feingold, USA, out of 16 couples.

Dance Carolina Fall What model did the Classic followed the WDSF Canadian same pattern and it felt Open set for other really good. countries to follow? Also, competitors They had the repaid in kind and parade of Nations. were very disciIt is an amazing and plined. They were touching part of the present and ready in competition. You walk , u time for their heats as a team with the narle n e Y ovich & A in b n a ti R a y L d and that allowed tional flag, and it gives Arka II Ope n Se nior I, competitions to run you a feeling of internasmoothly on time withtional competition out overtaxing organizers and competitors. They had great respect The organizers adhered to the rules to for the competitors – the quarter final a letter and maintained proper spacing is running in three heats, the semi-final between events and the dances within in two heats, and heats are random and the events. change from dance to dance. The USA

RENATA SHVARTS

USA JUDGE’S PERSPECTIVE I always get incredibly proud when I see the American flag raised up high in a foreign country, especially when I am at an International dance event. This feeling of incredible satisfaction gets me almost choked up, because to me being able to represent your country in any sporting event is the highest honor for all athletes. Five American couples had a chance to make their country really proud in Montreal, Canada at the WDSF Open Canadian Championships that took place on Sept. 27. This event was beautifully organized by Dance Sport Quebec. It had an international panel of judges and followed all the WDSF rules. The largest competitions with quarterfinals were the Senior Standard events and U.S. senior competitors dominated them. It is extremely important for big international events of this caliber to be organized in North America more often. Not only does it strengthen relationship between the American and Canadian WDSF amateur associations, but it also helps dancers from both countries to raise the bar on their dancing. I would like to thank Marjolaine Lagacé, the president of Dance Sport Quebec, for inviting me to represent United States as an adjudicator and for organizing such a prestigious event. [Two United States WDSF-licensed Adjudicators were invited to judge at the 2014 Canadian Open – Renata Shvarts and Dan Calloway.] Renata Shvarts is a WDSF, USA Dance and NDCA Chairman of Judges, and a WDSF Amateur and Professional Division World Class Adjudicator. She is also president of JADA, founder/ co-owner of Basic Ballroom Dance Studios and organizer of Islanders DanceSport Challenge.

Vince Feingold & Irina Feingold, Senior II, III Open Standard

November-December 2014

WDSF GERMAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (The GOC) Aug. 12 – 16, 2014 Stuttgart, Germany

hroughout the year, USA Dance National Champions and Finalists – from Junior II to Senior IV – officially represent the United States at World DanceSport Federation World Championships and World Cups. At these invitational events, they compete against the world’s top International style couples from 92 countries in Standard, Latin and 10-Dance, and often they face 100, even 300 couples in their divisions. For couples living in Europe, Russia and Asia, there is a distinct advantage of proximity to literally hundreds of competitions, where they can regularly develop their partnerships and test their skills against the best couples. Couples representing the USA for the first time abroad have learned quickly at these global proving grounds, and, they come back home more inspired and determined with new gameplans. In August, three USA couples entered the WDSF German Open Championships in Stuttgart, one of the world’s largest and most formidable competitions – Sergey Dementyev & Viktoriya Kolbenkova, Matthew Kheyfets & Vanesa Falisova and Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova. Over the course of five days, this 28th annual Championship hosted 39 championships, most with multiple rounds leading to finals.

AMERICAN

DANCER

attend not only an international competition, but one of the biggest in the world today.

SAMUEL HACKE & KATARINA HERMANOVA (NJ)

AD: What were your first impressions, expectations and results at the German Open Championships. Our first impression was that it was completely different from the events we regularly attend. There were a lot more couples resulting in many more rounds. And there was a much larger audience and the style of dance was completely different from what we see in America. All the competitors were very strong dancers, even from the first round. We kind of expected this, but not as differently as it turned out to be.

nterview

USA DANCE TITLES: MAC - Youth Standard Champions; Latin Vice Champions USA Dance Nationals – Youth 10-Dance Vice Champions; Under 21 10-Dance Vice Champions; Youth Standard 3rd; Youth Latin 5th

AMERICAN DANCER: Why did you choose to compete at this WDSF event, one of the largest in the world? We’ve always wanted to participate in a World WDSF event, and it just so happened that we were planning to visit our families in Slovakia around the same time. We were fortunate enough to be able to 30

USA Dance asked DanceSport photographer Irina Nevolina from Russian Federation to follow all three couples on the floor, and once they all returned, we asked Sam and Katka to tell us about their experiences.

WDSF GERMAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova

Open Youth Standard

Tied 108-112 out of 194

Open Youth Latin

94 out of 226

Open Youth 10-Dance

105 out of 106

Matthew Kheyfets & Vanesa Falisova

Junior II Standard Junior II Latin Junior II 10-Dance

Tied 146-148 out of 173 Tied 69-73 out of 192 Tied 108-110 out of 120

Sergey Dementyev & Viktoriya Kolbenkova

WDSF GrandSlam Standard GOC Adult Rising Star Standard

Tied 149-152 out of 281 Tied 81-85 out of 208

AD: How do you feel about your performances at the GOC? Our expectations in Latin were not as high as they were in standard; however, in Latin we danced significantly better than

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Courtesy of Samuel & Katarina

Samu el Ha cke & Ka

tar in a Herm an ov

v& Sergey Deme ntye ova nk lbe Ko a riy Vikto

Matth ew Kh ey fets

& Vanesa Falisova

in standard. The first day we danced Latin and felt good on the floor. We were confident and very happy to have gotten into the next rounds. We were even happier to be dancing standard next, being that it is generally the category we place higher in. Unfortunately, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dance our best, as we kept getting stuck between the many couples on the small floor. We hope to go back again next year and dance up to our potential and better. AD: Did the GOC prove a learning experience in any way? We definitely learned a lot. Being around such good dancers really motivated us and helped us to see what our dancing was lacking. We now feel more prepared and

experienced in floor craft and dancing on a serious level. This includes dancing many rounds and focusing on the outcome of the dance and not being scared to do more than what you are trained to do. AD: Looking back, would you have done anything differently to prepare? The best thing would probably be to dance more with many more run-throughs to improve stamina. Even though this is how we prepared, it would always be better to do more. Also, we feel we were not as prepared for the style of dancing in Europe, being this was our first world competition. Now we have a better idea of what to expect.

AD: What would the audience or judges at the GOC have remembered about you as competitors? Most of the guys there wore tight black shirts, so we stuck out by matching in color and wearing many stones making us easily noticeable. Of course, we hope it was not only our costumes that helped us stand out, but our dancing too. AD: Do you think USA couples should compete more abroad? It depends on what the couple wants for their future. It is a completely different atmosphere. Being good in the United States doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make you good in the World. Competing abroad exposes dancers to more of a challenge than in the United States, which will help them grow as competitors and give them experience for a future profession in dance. AD: As a competitive couple, what motivates or inspires you most? The strive for perfection. Also wanting to be as good

olina All photos by Irina Nev

as the couples that everyone knows and talks about. AD: What did you observe about the Top 6 finalists that has influenced your training since you returned? They showed great contrasts in their routines and have just an overall look of confidence in them. Sam: Personally for me, just seeing the great posture and strength of the all the finalists made me want to be more grounded and dynamic. Katka: For me, I really liked how the girls presented themselves, makeup, confidence, arms, everything. Everything they did told a story or had meaning and emotion. AD: Are there judging differences at WDSF events? The judges all stood on one side and rarely walked around. We can imagine how difficult it must have been to recall from so many couples and watch so many rounds; sometimes almost 20 rounds of the same dance in a row. November-December 2014

M IL A H A LL N TOWN UPPE - GR A NDSHIP R BA L LROO M

Courte sy Doy t

SAVING AMERICAN ICONS:

DANCE HALLS & GRAND BALLROOMS N ews in April of the final closing of New York’s Roseland Ballroom came as a wake up call. Rumors of its closing had come and gone since the early 1980s when the ballroom was sold and lost its footing to concerts and boxing matches. This time it wasn’t a cry-wolf situation. Roseland was never designated as a NY landmark building and no movements came to its financial rescue, even though this iconic ballroom had made headlines for decades, from the 1920s to the 1970s, featuring legendary big bands and talent like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. One media story tells how the Roseland in 1923 found great popularity working around New York City’s strict ban on dance marathons, and according to the New York Times, actually escorted 18 marathoners “gyrating all the way” out of the Roseland, onto a van that transported them to a chartered 60-foot sloop that took them “marathoning at sea” and beyond New York City’s jurisdiction, but having to turn back when everyone became too sea sick to dance. And even in the 1960s, Roseland made news, defiantly banning Chubby Checker’s Twist craze because “it lacked grace.”* The Roseland, The Savoy in Harlem. . .and so many others who were part of American dance history, no 32

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Eckelb erger

ter ns cen rts o m m sa ea for th kel Craig Kun

ter ta n Cen M a nhat allroom Ryan Kenner Gr a nd B

CA SINO BA LL ROO CATA LINA ISLM on A ND

USA Dance Historical Register of AMERICA’S VINTAGE DANCE HALLS & GRAND BALLROOMS CALIFORNIA

CASINO BALLROOM on CATALINA ISLAND

SANTA CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY • Avalon, CA • c. 1929, refurbished 1989 Distinctive art deco architecture. World’s largest circular ballroom with 180-ft diameter dance floor. In 1930s, hosted Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Gene Autry. www.visitcatalinaisland.com

MARYLAND

SPANISH BALLROOM at GLEN ECHO PARK

• Glen Echo, MD • c. 1933 Art deco architecture. On National Register of Historic Places. Restored to Mediterranean style in 1933. Home to 350 dances a year and social dance programs. Organization is 501c3 organization. www.glenechopark.org

LAKE MERRITT DANCE CENTER

MASSACHUSETTS

OAKLAND’S VETERAN’S MEMORIAL

• Dedham, MA • c. 1905 Greater Boston landmark. Host to legendary band leaders and musicians – Guy Lombardo, Harry James, Les Brown, Buddy Rich, Lesler Lannon. Live Music on Wednesdays, 6:30 – 11 pm $15 pp

• Oakland, CA • c. 1926 Owned by Oakland’s Veteran’s Memorial, a 501c3 organization. www.lakemerrittdancecenter.com

MOSELEY’S on

the CHARLES

CEDAR POINT

Built during the Depression era, hosting Bobby Lane Orchestra, big bands such as Count Basie and Lawrence Welk. Ballroom hosts big bands on Wednesdays and Country/Western on Sundays. www.plamorballroom.com

NEW YORK

MANHATTAN CENTER GRAND BALLROOM

• Manhattan, NY • c. 1922 Built by Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. Frequent home of the USA Dance Manhattan Amateur Classic NQE, hosted by the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance. www.mcstudios.com/the-grand

OHIO

CEDAR POINT GRAND BALLROOM

• Sandusky, OH • c. early 1900s, rececorated 1939 2nd oldest amusement park in America. Roller Coaster Capital of the World. 1939 skating rink converted to ballroom.1939. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3408

MILAN TOWNSHIP HALL GRAND UPPER BALLROOM Courtesy of St. Petersburg

THE COLISEUM

FLORIDA

THE COLISEUM

• St. Petersburg, FL • c. 1924 Historic big band and ballroom dancing. Owned by city since 1989. USA Dance Treasure Coast Chapter holds tea dances every Wed. www.stpete.org/coliseum

IOWA

ELECTRIC PARK BALLROOM

• Waterloo, IA • c. 1934 rebuilt after fire Historic ballroom at trolley amusement park. Famous water-turned ferris wheel. Featured Jimmy Dorsey, Glen Miller, Guy Lombardo and was last concert of Buddy Holly, before his fatal plane crash. Rock N Roll hall of fame. www.nationalcattlecongress.com

ILLINOIS

THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM

• Staunton, IL Grand ballroom and 260-lb Italian chandelier. Owned by Columbian Club. www.kc-crystalballroom.com

Cindy

USA Dance MASSabda Chapter sponsors lesson/dance 2nd Wed of Every Month. www.moseleysonthecharles.com

MICHIGAN

MACKINAC ISLAND GRAND HOTEL

• Milan, OH • c. 1876/rebuilt 1889 USA Dance Sandusky Chapter frequent venue. Milan home of Thomas Alva Edison. www.milantownship.org

OREGON

VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING • Eugene, OR • c. 1946 Built by World War II returning veterans, Veterans Memorial Facility rental to dance events/groups. www.vmaeugene.com

• Macinac Island • c. 1887 Natural Historic Landmark. Historic Hotels of America. Mark Twain lectures. Ballroom Dance Weekends and Nightly Evening VALENCIA BALLROOM Dancing in Terrace Room. Live orchestra. • York, PA www.grandhotel.com • c. 1920s Part of Altland House. Hosted Benny Goodman, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Ozzie Nelson and Frank THE SUNNYBROOK Sinatra. • c. 1931, saved from demolition by Tri-County www.altlandhouse.com/valencia Community, 2004.

PENNSYLVANIA

MISSISSIPPI

3rd largest ballroom in U.S. and largest East of the Mississippi. Capacity 2,000. www.sunnybrookballroom.com

NEBRASKA

PLA MOR BALLROOM • Lincoln, NE • c.1929

TEXAS

SAMMONS CENTER

for the ARTS

• Dallas, TX • c. 1909 as pump station/1981 adaptive reuse Historic Turtle Creek Pump Station converted into a neoclassical multi-purpose arts center. www.sammonsartcenter.org

November-December 2014

Ballroom Transformations In A Historic City Water Pump Station? By Diane Montgomery

Ever wonder what memories are preserved within the structures from another age that we dance in? USA Dance Dallas does -- our home base for 11 years has been the oldest public city building in the City of Dallas. Each month, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find us dancing on gorgeous sprung maple floors, more than an inch thick, in an architecturally significant Dallas landmark, the Historic Turtle Creek Pump Station. Originally completed in 1909, this pump station was the sole source of water for Dallas until

1930. By then it became obsolete, yet continued to house other water utility functions. The building was abandoned in 1954. Fast forward to 1981, when thanks to efforts and foresight of the City of Dallas and Dallas arts supporters, the Sammons Center for the Arts was founded to renovate the building and operate it as a multipurpose arts center. The building is named in honor of the principal benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sammons. The result is a beautifully restored neoclas-

longer with us. But there are many vintage dance halls and ballroom survivors still standing in America, some grand, some just legendary. Most celebrated their heydays in the 1920s and 30s through the 50s, and like the Roseland, danced on through the 1970s. Sometimes as cities grew, these facilities were either in the way of development or found new owners (private or municipal) to come to their rescue. Most all have required significant funding for restoration and/or adaptive reuse. American Dancer decided to set on a discovery mission to find the still-active dance halls and ballrooms built before 1950 in

sical building, which has won several awards for innovative architectural renovation and its successful approach to adaptive reuse of a historically significant building. The sprung floors in two of the halls were designed to be good for a variety of performing arts, particularly dancing. Today, it serves as the home for 14 arts organizations -- including USA Dance Dallas â&#x20AC;&#x201D; representing every performing arts discipline. http://www.sammonsartcenter.org/index.html

America. Dancers on Facebook nominated most of the facilities in this article; others were found through internet research. The list is not complete. More to discover. (Please send new contributions and photos/details to americandancer@usadance.org.) * Resource: Smithsonian Magazine

spa nish ball at glen echoroom par k

Courtesy of Glen Ech o Park

ON MOSELEYA'SR LES THE CH gh Larry Rumbau

Courtesy of Sunnybrook Ballroom

sunn yb ro ballroook m

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

FROM EARLY 20TH CENTURY DANCE HALLS TO THE SILVER SCREEN, TAXI DANCERS

HELPED DEFINE SOCIAL DANCING IN AMERICA So What Is A Taxi Dancer?

Excerpts from Wikipedia

“The term “taxi dancer” comes from the fact that, as with a taxi-cab driver, the dancer’s pay is proportional to the time he or she spends dancing with the customer. Patrons in a taxi-dance hall typically purchased dance tickets for ten cents each, which gave rise to the term “dime-adance girl”. Other names for a taxi dancer are “dance hostess”, “taxi” (in Argentina), and “nickel hopper” because out of that dime they typically earned five cents. “Various films and novels chronicled the lives of taxi dancers. For example, in 1927 Joan Crawford starred in the film The Taxi Dancer, and actor Ed Wynn starred in the Ziegfeld Broadway musical Simple Simon, which popularized the song “Ten Cents a Dance”, which in turn inspired the 1931 film Ten Cents a Dance, starring Barbara Stanwyck. “After World War II the popularity of taxi dancing in the United States began to diminish, and most of its taxi-dance halls disappeared by the 1960s.

TAXI DANCERS MAKING A COMEBACK?

“A

taxi dancer is a paid dance partner in a partner dance. Taxi dancers are hired to dance with their customers on a dance-by-dance basis. When taxi dancing first appeared in taxi-dance halls during early 20thcentury America, male patrons would buy dance tickets for ten cents each. When a patron presented a ticket to a chosen taxi dancer, she would dance with him for the length of a single song. The taxi dancers would earn a commission on every dance ticket earned. . . .

“Taxi dancers may dance among paying customers in order to raise the standard, or dance among the beginners to encourage them to continue learning. In the latter situation, taxi dancers often provide their services on a volunteer basis, without pay, with the general goal of building the dance community. “Paying to dance with a female employee is still available in some nightclubs of the United States, including many in Los Angeles. These clubs no longer use the ticket-a-dance system, but have time-clocks and punch-cards that allow the patron to pay for the

dancer’s time by the hour. Some of these modern dance clubs operate in buildings where taxi dancing was done in the early 20th century. No longer called taxi-dance halls, these latter-day establishments are now called Hostess Clubs.”

Richard Giverny Jr.

During National Ballroom Dance Week, Ballroom Central of NJ Chapter tested the Taxi Dancer concept with popularity.

BALLROOM CENTRAL OF NJ CHAPTER 3059

TESTS ‘TAXI DANCERS’ FOR NBDW SOCIAL DANCE Ballroom Central of New Jersey, USA Dance Chapter 3059, celebrated National Ballroom Dance Week with a social dance and showcase event at the newly refurbished Croydon Hall in Middletown, NJ. Approximately 80 participants joined in the festivities, which included a revival of taxi dancing, a junior ballroom show and hours of social dancing. As Chapter President Gerry Scharfenberger explained: “Although taxi dancing dates back to the 1920s, it was all-new to our group. The idea invites all followers to purchase dances (4 dances to a contract) with our selected taxi dancers (instructors). At first, we had planned on hiring two instructors and requested that the attendees purchase dances in advance. Happily, their dance cards filled up quickly, necessitating a third taxi dancer. The concept is self-sufficient as the cost of the instructors is a simple pass-thru charge and not an additional expense.”

November-December 2014

Carolina Fall Classic NQE & WDSF World Ranking Tournaments DANCERS FLOCK TO THE CAROLINAS FOR THE BEST OF COMPETITION, HOSPITALITY & FUN

Mike & Rose-Ann Lynch (VA), Senior II Championship Smooth Champions, Senior II Championship Standard Vice Champions

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

By Carole Barber All Photos by Studio 130 West

all in the Carolinas brings thoughts of crisp mornings, apple picking, and football games on warm Saturday afternoons. But for more than 350 dancers, fall season in the Carolinas means that it is time once again for the Carolina Fall Classic, held Oct. 3-5. Hosted by Wayne and Marie Crowder, the Carolina Fall Classic, a USA Dance National Qualifying Event, has become an early season must for many competitors. The CFC is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year – after its inaugural season in High Point, the competition moved to a larger venue in Greensboro for two years, and is now in Charlotte at the beautiful University Hilton. Friday night at the Carolina Fall Classic NQE is always a favorite of the competitors because it features “fun” dances not typically offered in a traditional ballroom competition. It’s obvious that these dances are a hit, because there were so many entries this year that organizers had to start the Friday session an hour earlier to fit them all in. For the second year, the CFC again offered solo proficiency events for pre-teen girls, this year, in both Latin and Standard. For the audience, it’s always a treat to see these young ladies dance their routines without partners. A Standard-Smooth 9-dance event was also added this year to complement crowd favorites like polka, west coast swing, bolero and salsa. The special highlight of Friday night’s events, though, was the WDSF World Ranking Tournaments for Senior II Standard and Latin competitions. Dancing against tough competition, Yves Verret and Agathe Geoffron of Quebec won the Senior 2 Standard Championship, while Roger Korsiak & Holli Hornlien of California emerged victorious in the Senior II Latin Championship. Saturday’s competition began early with syllabus and open smooth events. The senior events were highly contested at this competition, with semi-finals in most senior age groups in the open divisions. Saturday afternoon brought continued bright sunshine and plenty of smiles, as Wayne Crowder’s mom, Irene, rolled out her homebaked goodies to keep competitors’ energy levels high. Mrs. Crowder’s baked treats have earned quite a reputation around the

INNA BRAYER

A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE

USA Dance DanceSport Council Member Former USA Dance National 10-Dance Adult Champion Former World Team Member, WDSF World Championships As a new judge on the circuit, I was thrilled to participate in the prestigious NQE that is the Carolina Fall Classic. There were too many incredible moments to describe, but one of the things that stood out was the single proficiency event. This is a difficult task for all of the young girls participating. Regardless of the speed of the dance, they have to dance their choreography without the impulse or connection of a partner. The WDSF Senior Standard event was quite a hit! Although a large part of their dance career is committed to enjoying their new sport, the finalists really showed a warm rapport with one another. It was really refreshing to be part of an environment of dancers who were all cheering one another on. During one of the rounds, all of the couples got together in the on-deck area and danced along to the “ Blurred Lines” chacha that played. It really lifted the energy in the room! — Inna Brayer, Adjudicator (NY)

CFC; as word spread that the goodies were ready, people flocked to the practice area to line up for a plateful of Carolina hospitality. Saturday night’s events were danced in a packed ballroom, filled with enthusiastic spectators ready to appreciate high level dancing. The Senior I WDSF World Ranking Tournament for Standard was won by Ilkin and Tulga Ersal of Michigan; the Senior I WDSF Latin was won by Irsan and Cami Tisnabudi of Texas. Then the Adult Championship Standard event was won

by Charlotte-area competitors Angelo and Kayla Cristobal, while both the Adult and Senior I Championship Smooth divisions were won by Jonathan Medlin and Malin Allert of Raleigh, NC. After a late night on Saturday, one would expect the energy levels to be down a bit on Sunday morning, but Sunday started with American rhythm events and the music, provided by Phil Nolan, proved to be inspirational to the dancers. At one point, Senior II and III competitors were caught boogying in the on-deck area to “Blurred

Lines,” showing moves they rarely do on the competition floor. After a final session of International Standard events, the competition drew to a close, and dancers packed away their shoes, their ribbons and their memories of another excellent competition. Thanks to the help of the many volunteers from both the Carolina Heartland and Lake Norman Chapters of USA Dance, the Carolina Fall Classic was a wonderful success. As the competitors hugged each other and said their goodbyes, they were already planning to meet again next year in Charlotte.

Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi, WDSF Senior I Open Champions

(above) Wayne Crowder with Solo Proficiency Pre-Teen & Junior Competitors (left) Nathan Ahlgrim & MacKenzie LeCroy (GA), Adult Championship Rhythm, Pre-Championship Latin Champions

(above) Roger Korsiak & Holli Hornlien (CA), SeniorII Championship Latin, WDSF Senior II Open Latin Champions (left) Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert (NC), American Smooth Senior I, Adult Championship Smooth Champions

November-December 2014

DANCESPORT CALENDAR 2014-2015 November 2014

March 2015

California State DanceSport Championships – 2015 NQE Nov. 15, 2014 Hosted by NorCal Chapter #4004 San Jose City National Civic Center - San Jose, CA

NJ DanceSport Classic – Spring Fling ** (see note) Organized by Wendi Davies Rogers Dance Center – Hackensack, NJ (Note: Date to be announced)

National Collegiate DanceSport Championships Nov 22 – 23, 2014 Hosted by USA Dance National Columbus Convention Center – Columbus, OH

Phoenix USA DanceSport Challenge ** (see note) March 21, 2015 Hosted by Phoenix Chapter #4033 El Zaribah Shrine Hall - Phoenix, AZ

January 2015 Islanders DanceSport Challenge ** (see note) Jan 10, 2015 Organized by Renata Shvarts Olympia Recreational Center - Staten Island, NY Manhattan Amateur Classic (The MAC) - 2015 NQE Jan 16-18, 2015 Hosted by Greater New York Chapter #3004 Empire Meadowlands Hotel - Secaucus, NJ Florida Fun Amateur Mini-Match ** (see note) Jan 18, 2015 Organized by Mary K. Thomas Circle Square Cultural Center - Ocala, FL PDX Classic - 2015 NQE Jan 24, 2015 Hosted by Portland Chapter #1006 The Ballroom Dance Company - Tigard, OR Winter Frolic ** (see note) Jan 31, 2015 Hosted by Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Gold Coast Ballroom - Coconut Creek, FL

February 2015 Quest For The Best ** (see note) Feb 28, 2015 Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom – Lynnwood, WA

WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress at Nationals Mar 26, 2015 Event held at USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships Renaissance Harborplace Hotel – Baltimore, MD Registration form must be completed by Mar 15. Contact: ds-certification@usadance.org USA DANCE 2015 National DanceSport Championships Mar 27 – 29, 2015 Hosted by USA Dance National Renaissance Harborplace Hotel - Baltimore, MD

April 2015 Quest for the Best ** (see note) Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom - Lynnwood, WA

June 2015 NJ DanceSport Classic - Summer Sizzler – 2016 NQE Organized by Mario Battista & Wendi Davies Rogers DanceSport Center - Hackensack NJ (Note: Date to be announced) River City Ball ** (see note) Hosted by Portland Chapter #1006 Ballroom Dance Company – Portland, OR (Note: Date to be announced) Gumbo DanceSport Championships – 2016 NQE June 26-28, 2015 Hosted by Louisiana Gumbo Chapter #5031 Crowne Plaza - Baton Rouge LA

Mid-Atlantic Championships – 2015 NQE Feb 14 - 15, 2015 Hosted by Mid-Eastern Chapter #6001 North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center - Bethesda, MD

Mid-Summer Classic - 2016 NQE ** (see note) Jul 25, 2015 Hosted by Southern Star Chapter #6038 Rhapsody Ballroom – Tampa, FL

CODING: All National Qualifying Events for the 2015 USA Dance National DanceSport Championships are identified by (Year) NQE. COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY: Please refer to USA Dance Rulebook (Eligibility Criteria 4.2) for complete qualification details to participate in the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships. All USA Dance active members are permitted to dance in any and all events listed above. Please note that events above designated ** do not

accrue proficiency points and may not follow all rules in the Rulebook. http://usadance.org/dancesport/forms-andresources/rules-policies-and-bylaws/ SPECTATOR TICKETS: Please contact the individual competition websites/organizers listed on the USA Dance website www.usadance.org. For USA Dance Nationals tickets, please contact Daphna Locker via www.usadancenationals.com. CALENDAR DISCLAIMER: All USA Dance sanctioned and listed competition events and activities within this

July 2015

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

September 2015 Kansas City Dance Classic ** (see note) Sep 12, 2015 Organized by Matt & Ellen Pansing Camelot Ballroom - Overland Park, KS (Kansas City) Quest For The Best ** (see note) Sep 26, 2015 Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom – Lynnwood, WA New England DanceSport Championships – 2016 NQE Sep, 2015 Hosted by MASSabda Chapter #3002 Westin Hotel - Waltham, MA (Note: Date to be announced) Rocky Mountain Fall Competition ** (see note) Sep, 2015 Hosted by USA Dance Denver Chapter #5006 Denver Turnverein - Denver, CO (Note: Date to be announced) Coolanta/Georgia DanceSport Amateur Competition ** (see note) Sep 21, 2015 Hosted by Georgia DanceSport Atlanta Ballroom Center, Sandy Springs, GA

October 2015 Carolina Fall Classic – 2016 NQE October 2 - 4, 2015 Organized by Wayne & Marie Crowder University Hilton - Charlotte NC WDSF Open Senior I & II Standard & Latin October 2 - 4, 2015 Events held at Carolina Fall Classic University Hilton – Charlotte, NC NJ DanceSport Classic – Fall Frolic ** (see note) Oct, 2015 Organized by Wendi Davies Rogers Dance Center - Hackensack, NJ (Note: Date to be announced) Chicago DanceSport Challenge – 2015 NQE Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2015 Hosted by Chicagoland Chapter #2001 Hyatt O’Hare Hotel - Chicago, IL Event organizers may add events to the calendar by contacting Rog Greenawalt at ds-competition@usadance.org.

calendar are subject to change of date, location and other details without prior notice. Please check with the actual event organizers via the event websites or by personal contact to confirm the accuracy of all event details before making plans as a competitor, spectator or sponsor. ERRORS/CORRECTIONS: For any changes/updates, please contact DanceSport Council Representative Rog Greenawalt directly at ds-competition@usadance.org.

IN THE HEART OF LOUISVILLE DERBY CITY NQE GIVES DANCESPORT COMPETITORS A ‘RUN FOR THE ROSES’

Douglas Montanus & Olga Montanus (AL),

All Photos by Tony Welscher/DAW Studio, Inc.

he 10th “running” of the Derby City DanceSport Championships, a USA Dance National Qualifying Event, hosted by the Greater Louisville Chapter 2021, gave competitors a real taste of Kentucky’s special brand of DanceSport hospitality and a real “run for the roses” on the dance floor. The historic Galt House in downtown Louisville once again graciously welcomed approximately 180 USA Dance

EVENT CHAIRPERSON

Chase Abell

CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES Jennifer McCalla EMCEES

Nancy Brown, Yang Chen

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Peter Collins

Bonita Brockert (Smooth). A social dance followed with a freeentry Jack & Jill competition. The all-day Saturday competition was highly competitive and showcased all International and American styles, from bronze to

“…we feel everyone did their best to show what Kentucky hospitality is all about and preserving the correct image of Derby City in conjunction with the USA Dance organization. We thank all of our volunteers for the countless hours they spent, but each volunteer is important no matter how big the job to make the whole event the best that it can be.” — Chase Abell, Derby City Event Organizer

& Irina Morozova Dami an Patalun a an ce 9-D n ca (K Y) , Am eri

competitors who traveled from 22 different states. For this NQE, a first event for Derby City’s new organizing team, the attendance numbers for couples and audience were a welcomed affirmation that Derby City will be on future calendars. This year there were events for Junior II through Senior IV divisions. The competition weekend officially kicked off on Friday night with group classes by Beata Onefater (Latin) and

championship levels. Scholarships were generously awarded to the Champions. New to Derby City was the Girl’s Solo Proficiency divisions, where the young participants danced their syllabus routines without partners. This skilled technical division was perhaps this most talked-about event all weekend, particularly when twin sisters competed gleefully against each other for the first-place ribbon. The Saturday night Derby City AfterParty has now established a new tradition for volunteers, competitors and officials/adjudicators. The Louisville chapter volunteers had prepared homemade hors d’oeuvres, cheeses and fruits…and competitor Irina Morozova, a Louisville chapter member, tended the beverage bar – serving Kentucky’s famous Mint Juleps (and using real mint leaves from the gardens of Nancy Davis and

senting Adjudicator Bill Davies pre petitors. awards to young Latin com

n Senior Standard Divisio tz. wal t firs for rea dies

Pat Welscher.) Other special treats were brownies by David Robinette and sausage balls by Erin Purdy. Before the Saturday night party, two group classes were taught by Glenn Weiss (Standard) and Forrest Vance (Rhythm). November-December 2014

IN THE

PUBLICEYE SANDUSKY (OH) CHAPTER 2094 AT HISTORIC MILAN TOWNSHIP HALL STAYS IN THE NEWS D1

Melissa Topey, Business Reporter 419-609-5884 topey@sanduskyregister.com

Business

Sunday, March 23, 2014 sanduskyregister.com

business

roundup From staff and wire reports

SANDUSKY

Dr. Stefano seeks to create more smiles in 2014 Help improve a child’s life by having your teeth whitened. Sound easy? That’s because it is. The 16th annual Smiles For Life Campaign begins, which means dental patients nationwide can brighten a child’s future by visiting local Crown Council dentists, such as Dr. Lata Stefano. The campaign runs from March through June, and 100 percent of the proceeds from teeth whitening procedures done at Lata Stefano, DDS, of Sandusky, will be donated to children’s charities, both locally and around the world. As an additional incentive, each tooth whitening patient enjoys their smile brightening procedure at a discounted rate. Patients love the unique opportunity to improve the lives of children in need while also enhancing their own smile. Half of the donations raised by Stefano are given to Boys and Girls Clubs of Erie County, with the balance going to the Smiles for Life Foundation for distribution among approved charities throughout the world. For more information on the campaign, visit smilesforlife.org/.

CLEVELAND

Mehling Good accepted into lawyer association Darcy Mehling Good, attorney and Kaman & Cusimano LLC, partner, has been accepted into the Community Association Institute’s College of Mehling Good Community Association Lawyers. Fewer than 150 attorneys in the country have been granted this designation since the CCAL was created in 1993. Mehling Good is a 1989 graduate of Perkins High School. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1993 and Case Western Reserve School of Law in 1997. She is the daughter of Douglas and Barbara Mehling, now of South Bass Island.

MARYSVILLE, OHIO

Honda plant produces 10M Accords Honda is marking a big milestone at its Marysville plant in central Ohio as the automaker celebrates the completion of 10 million American-made Accords. Honda said it reached that mark with a vehicle that came off the assembly line Thursday at Marysville, which was Honda’s first auto plant in the U.S. The first Honda Accord was

send in your news n Have a new hire, promotion, recognition or achievement to brag about? Get it listed in the Business People roundup, every Sunday in the Register. n Email the information and attached JPEG photo, if any, to community@ sanduskyregister. com by Thursday for inclusion in the next Sunday business page. n Or send the items to: Business People, Sandusky Register, 314 W. Market St., Sandusky, OH 44870.

Huron couple Doyt and Lois Echelberger practice one of their ballroom dance routines while other members of USA Dance Sandusky Chapter 2094 ballroom dance club do the same Thursday afternoon at the Grand Upper Ballroom in the former Milan Township Hall.

Dance hall days Milan dance chapter shuffles in old township hall By MELISSA TOPEY topey@sanduskyregister.com MILAN

Duane Mills takes his place on the wooden dance floor on the top floor of the old Milan Township hall building and glides effortlessly. So do Lois and Doyt Echelberger, Timothy Nyman, Mary Lou Fisher, Tom and Linda Ward, Rod and Harlene Hand and Sandy Feicht. Foxtrot, waltz and tango were all on display Thursday as they enjoyed an afternoon of dance. Anyone interested in learning these dances or showing off their dance skills will have their chance soon. USA Dance Sandusky Chapter 2094, a local ballroom dance club, is hosting an upcoming regional meeting in a beautiful room in a grand old building on the square. Dancing and food will abound. USA Dance Sandusky Chapter 2094 is hosting 12 other chapters of the organization on April 12. The oak and brass ballroom doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Lois Echelberger, secretary of the chapter, said hosting the regional meeting is exciting. n See DANCE, Page D6

The lights of the Grand Upper Ballroom in the former Milan Township Hall shine down as members of USA Dance Sandusky Chapter 2094 glide across the floor Thursday while practicing their dance routines.

Want to go? n WHAT: Ballroom Dance n WHEN: Doors open 6:30 p.m. April 12

USA Dance Sandusky Chapter 2094 members Timothy Nyman, of Black Tie Dance Studio, and Linda Ward dance together in the former Milan Township Hall’s Grand Upper Ballroom on Thursday afternoon.

n WHERE: Grand upper ballroom, 33 Park St., Milan, on the corner of Park and Church streets, on the square. n COST: $10 donation suggested for non chapter members; $5 suggested donation for members.

Dance schedule n April 12 n May 17 n June 14* n July 19* n Aug. 16* n Sept. 20 n Oct. 18 n Nov. 15 n Dec. 13 * Contact Duane Mills, president of the local USA Dance chapter, at 419-929-1114

HATTIESBURG-LAUREL (MS) CHAPTER 6116 ON ROLL FOR NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCE WEEK

s Mike Forster, board member for the Hattiesburg-Laurel Chapter 6116 admitted, “It’s still hard to be beat TV for getting the word out to lots of people at once. It’s even better when the word is packaged with noontime news on a popular local broadcast.” The news occasion was National Ballroom Dance Week, Sept. 19-28, and NBC affiliate WDAM invited Mike to appear Mike Forster on WDAM News 7 on the station’s Midday News 7 Midday Show show, hosted by Mike McDaniel. best of all, Chapter President For nearly three minutes, Mike Karen Adams and I got invited talked about USA Dance and back to do a longer piece – the Chapter’s planned activities including a dance demonstration during the weeklong celebration Karen Adams – on the station’s more relaxed – the kickoff event, free classes morning program.” during the week and the “grand- USA Dance DanceSport The Chapter also had prefinale” weekend of workshops, competitors Richard and Barbara Mauldin performed event coverage from WDAM exhibitions and social dance. local news following the Mayor’s “We were delighted to get a spot at the Hattiesburg-Laurel NBDW social dance. official Proclamation of National on the area’s most popular TV station,” said Forster. “It was just a few minutes Ballroom Dance Week in the community. Then, local radio station SuperTalk MS did a telephone of air time, but we got lots of feedback from both dancing regulars and people with no prior interview which aired approximately six times over the course of three days. contact with the local dance scene. Maybe

SW FLORIDA CHAPTER 6049 UP BRIGHT AND EARLY FOR WINK TV NEWS Traditionally, most dancers and instructors are night owls, but when local television wants to cover National Ballroom Dance Week and the Chapter’s involvement, it’s an opportunity not to pass up, even if you have to meet the film crews at 5 a.m. on a weekday. The Southwest Florida Chapter rallied great support from members to meet at the Rhythm in Motion dance studio, co-owned by USA Dance

members Greg Kurth and Michaela Poole. Chapter public relations chair Carol Davis secured the opportunity with WINK TV, CBS affiliate in Ft. Myers, and reporter John Treiweiler became a willing participant as Michaela taught him a special dance move for his Morning Show audiences. TV coverage successfully kicked off the Chapter’s weeklong activities, with President Tom Timmons inviting

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

the public to general dancing at Four Freedoms Park in Cape Coral and the semi-formal ball at week’s end. As WINK told readers online: “September is National Ballroom Dancing Month, an activity most have not mastered, however now might be the perfect time to dust off those dancing shoes and hit the floor.”

Courtesy of Carol Davis

USA Dance member Michaela Poole teaches WINK TV reporter John Treiweiler a special dance move to promote National Ballroom Dance Week in Southwest Florida. Michaela is also the current Mrs. American Beauty 2014.

see the Best of AlAskA with PRiNcess featuring 3 of Alaska’s most popular National Parks! ®

1 4 -Nigh t Al A sk A l ANd & se A vAc AtioN June 27 & August 22, 2015 | Star Princess® By Land Spend 7 nights exploring the Great Land

By Sea Enjoy a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise

• 2 nights in Fairbanks including a Gold Dredge tour & • Cruise features Glacier Bay National Park Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise Hubbard Glacier • 2 nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® including a narrated tour of Denali National Park

• Charming frontier ports of Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan offer a glimpse into Alaska’s history

• 1 night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge®

Remember — active, veteran and retired military personne l also get up to $250 in FREE onboard spending money.

• 2 nights at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® with access to the Kenai Fjords National Park • Princess ultra dome rail service

BALLROOM, LATIN & SWING DANCE CENTER DANC I

AROUND THE G N

RLD WO

Receive $50 per stateroom onboard credit as part of our group, in addition to any other promotion, shareholder, or veteran credits!

with Vivian Beiswenger

Vivian Beiswenger, Director Administrative Office 255 Hawthorne Circle North Wales, PA 19454 215.855.2711 or 215.530.3482 844.921.2144 (Toll free) Email: info@blsdc.com www.BLSDC.com

$50 onboard credit is per stateroom, based on double occupancy and is part of our group benefit. Other on board credits may apply. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only, expires at the end of that voyage and is not redeemable for cash. Onboard credit is quoted in U.S. dollars. Void where prohibited by law. Other departure dates may be available by request $50 per cabin OBC applicable to June 27 & August 22, 2015 departures, only. Kenai Fjords National Park tour is an option, not included in the cruisetour fare. ©2014 Princess Cruises. Ships of Bermudan and British registry

American Dancer.indd 1

10/10/14 4:13 PM

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP YOUTH STANDARD – October 11, 2014

ne of the most competitive divisions of the WDSF World Championships is Youth, whether 10-dance, standard or Latin. In Moldova’s capital city of Chisinau, facing 58 of the world’s best couples, USA Dance Team members Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski (NY) and Justin Lin & Sasha Dubinsky (MA) came away with very respectable performances and placements in Standard. For Justin & Sasha, it was their first world event; for Patryk & Anna, who’ve been competing abroad for several years, the strategies may be different, but the thrill is the same.

Chisinau, Moldova

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS YOUTH STANDARD

Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski

Tied 15-17 out of 60

Justin Lin & Sasha Dubinsky

Tied 42-44 out of 60

Both photos by Lisa Dubinsky

AMERICAN

DANCER

nterview

PATRYK PLOSZAJ & ANNA KACZMARSKI (NY)

USA Dance Titles: Youth 10-Dance/Youth Standard National Champions 2013, 2014; Youth Latin National ViceChampions, 2013, 2014. Latin Coaches: Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova Ballroom Coaches: Marat Gimaev, Andrey Klynchik, Alina Basyuk. Studio: Brooklyn DanceSport Club Competing Together: 8 years

AD: What was the most

meaningful part about participating at the World Championship? P&A: The most meaningful part about participating in the WDSF World Youth Ballroom Championship was the experience itself. We believe that we never lose, we either win or we learn. And we have learned so much after participating in this event. AD: What progress have you made as a couple since your last World event? P&A: As a couple, we made big progress since our last world championship. We have been training every day to improve all aspects of our dancing, and we will continue to do that for as long as we are dancing. AD: What is your unique

“competitive edge” when you’re on the floor? P&A: What makes us different from the other couples and gives us that "competitive edge" is our attention to technique and quality of the movement.

AMERICAN DANCER: What are you goals together as a competitive couple? Patryk & Anna: Our goals are to be the best ballroom dancers of all time. 42

AD: What do the Top Six World Couples have that others do not? P&A: The top six couples in the world have a lot of freedom in their bodies and create a massive amount of volume on top. This is

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

something that we are definitely working to achieve.

JUSTIN LIN & SASHA DUBINSKY (MA)

USA Dance Titles: National Youth Standard Vice Champions, 2014; National Youth 10-Dance 3rd place Champions, 2014; Members, USA Dance Olympic Training, 2013. Coaches: Ronen Zinshtein, Mariam Izmaylova Studio: Todos Dance & Fitness Center Competing Together: 2.5 years AMERICAN DANCER: What is your greatest challenge as a competitive couple? Justin & Sasha: Since both of us are perfectionists, we tend to focus on the small details when we practice. We are working together to keep ourselves concentrated on the big picture, reminding ourselves to put our goals into perspective. AD: What are your goals as a competitive couple? J&S: We strongly believe in the artistic aspect of ballroom dance, and one of our priorities when we go out to compete is to touch the hearts of the audience members. While we are competitors, we are essentially performing for them and sharing our love for dancing with them.

AD: What progress have you

made since Nationals? Justin: Since Nationals, we worked a lot on musicality, especially in Waltz and Foxtrot. We also did a lot of physical conditioning, making sure that we were prepared for anything at the World Championship. AD: What should USA Dance

members know more about? J&S: We want USA Dance members to realize how truly amazing it is to compete at a World Championship. At Worlds, it is not about the result. When a couple goes to represent their country, they are already winners. The atmosphere at Worlds truly makes you realize how great you can be and encourages you to pour all of your energy into your dance career.

As with other aspects of life, it seems "the more you give, the more you get".

ROG GREENAWALT

AMERICAN

DANCER

xclusive

Carson Zullinger

Residency: Indianapolis, IN Career: Health Actuary, Data Analyst USA Dance Chapter: Heartland IN Chapter 2022 (founding member, 1993) USA Dance National Role: Chairman, Competition Committee • Dance Partner: Amy Greenawalt, 30+ years •D ance Style: American Smooth, Rhythm & 9-Dance •W eekly Dancing: 10 hours practice; 3 nights social dancing •C urrent Divisions: Senior II & Senior III Smooth, Rhythm & 9-Dance • Current USA Dance Titles: National Senior III American Smooth & 9- Dance Champions, 2014; Derby City DanceSport Champions, Senior II, III Smooth & 9-Dance; Kansas City DanceSport Challenge, Senior II, III Rhythm & Smooth • Weekly Dance Schedule: Dance practice on Monday – Thursday evenings & Sunday afternoons: 1.5-2 hours daily; Social dancing on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. (Amy and I are active members in four dance clubs). Frequent chapter volunteer with partner Amy to perform at many local community and charity events.

Some dancers say there's too much focus in our industry on trophies and winning. What is your perspective about proper goals for athletes? Over the years we have seen a number of couples win a title and "disappear" from the competitive scene. After they won, they stopped competing. Our personal focus is much more on mastery of the skills and continued improvement, than on medals. That didn't stop when we won our first title. We fell in love with the learning process and it became a lifestyle. In the upper divisions of some categories the competitors can be so close to equal that the final placements could be impacted by politics (often not the case, but always possible), a judge's personal

preference of style and other things beyond a dancer's control. If a dancer takes as their goal mastery of the sport, then they are really competing with themselves. "Can I perform better than I have before?" with the focus on improving the quality of the dancing, not the placement. How can DanceSport athletes become more involved with their communities or USA Dance chapter and make a difference? Take the role of "leading by example” — A) participating in exhibitions at shopping malls, retirement centers, etc.; B) volunteering to serve on the dance club board or chapter board, or to assist the board with projects of interest; C) helping the local chapter start a small comp; D) dancing with those without a regular dance partner; and E) helping to create the sense of dance community, not separate dance clubs. What is the “power of dance” that makes a difference in people's lives? How has it enriched yours? It gave my life a completely different path than I could have anticipated. I went

to my first beginning dance class not knowing a soul. One other person showed up without a partner, Amy, and we have been dancing ever since and have been Carson Zullinger married almost 28 years. We have a shared passion. We have had the opportunity to perform throughout the mid-west. We have a broad network of dance friends both locally and nationally. And through competition we've had the opportunity to go to many parts of the country. I assisted in starting a competition for Special Olympics (SO) athletes, competing with chapter members. Through my role in USA Dance, I have been able to assist organizers start small competitions which have grown over time. As with other aspects of life....it seems that "the more you give, the more you get". November-December 2014

WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ADULT LATIN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oct. 5, 2014 Ostrava, Czech Republic WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ADULT LATIN

Kiki Nyemchek & Magda Fialek

Tied 50-51 out of 83

Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova

Tied 69-71 out of 83

AMERICAN

DANCER

nterview

KIKI NYEMCHEK & MAGDALENA FIALEK (NJ)

Training Studio: Spencer Nyemchek DanceSport Coach: Shirley Ballas Competing Together: 5 Â˝ years USA Dance Placements: Adult Latin Regional Champions 2014; Adult Latin 4th Place National Champions

AMERICAN DANCER: What is your greatest challenge as a competitive couple? Kiki & Magda: Our greatest challenge as a competitive couple is finding the balance between work, training, and competing as often as we would like to. As competitors we can't really hold down a 9-5 job because of how much travel and time off work is required, but at the same time we obviously still need to make money to compete at all the competitions we would like to and to invest in our training. We participate in some dance shows which helps finance our dancing a lot, unfortunately they sometimes cut into events that we'd like to do or training we want to book. We're still working out that balance. AD: What are your competitive goals as a couple? K: Our first goal coming onto the floor is to have people enjoy 44

our dancing. Sometimes even if you don't place well or don't feel as good as you wanted to at a competition, just having people come up to you and tell you they really enjoyed your dancing makes you feel good about your performance. We dance to share our experience with other people. M: Long term our goal is to be as successful as possible. Of course now America is becoming a force to be reckoned with in dancing, and we would like to contribute to that force and team. And I think a new goal for us after this experience is to participate in many more world championships. AD: What was the most meaningful part about participating at the WDSF World Championship in the Czech Republic? K: This was my fourth WDSF world championship, so it was a little bit more of a familiar experience for me, but a huge honor to represent for the fourth time. For me the most meaningful part was to be able to share the floor with such high caliber dancers. The experience was really rewarding and enjoyable. M: For me personally representing the USA at the World Championships was so special. Although I'm originally Canadian, I have spent the last 5

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Helmut Roland

During the World Championship, on the WDSF website, Kiki Nyemchek and Magda Fialek were featured during Round 1 Samba. See them in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YmG5DrY76M

years dancing for the USA. Just to be a part of a of a world dance team was a huge experience for me. It was my first ever world championship so I was in seventh heaven just being there. AD: Did you learn anything at this event that has influenced your perspective? The experience has just further motivated and inspired us to continue to push ourselves in our dancing. Even just from the experience of participating in the event I think we grew as a couple and developed our mentality. AD: Any thoughts on the WDSF judging system? We have to say that we were really impressed and enlightened by the use of the scoring system. The open marks made the judging really transparent. It would be great if something like that could be adopted in the States. We couldn't have had a better

experience at the WDSF Worlds. Between sharing the experience with Taras and Tatiana and the event itself, we had an amazing time. We thank USA Dance for giving us the opportunity to represent the USA.

TARAS SAVITSKYY & TATIANA SELIVERSTOVA (NJ)

Training Studio: Starlight Dance Center, NJ Competing Together: 3 years USA Dance Placements: National 10-Dance Champions 2013, 2014; National Adult Standard Champions 2014 WDSF Placements: Top 22 Under 21 World Latin Championship

AD: What is your greatest challenge as a competitive couple? Taras: There are many challenges we face as competitors. I would say our greatest challenge is

best results in our competitive career but sometimes it is not even about that. Our goal actually is to become the best couple we can actually be. In other words, never limiting ourselves, but always aiming for something greater…not in results, but in our dancing and character.

Magda Fialek

For Taras & Tatiana, a pre-competition visit to the famous Prague Castle c. 880 was just too tempting not to frame up for the Prague Castle Guard.

mostly with our financial status, as well as organizing our time for everything. It can get very stressful paying for lessons, travel and costumes. Also, going to school and managing our practice time can get quite difficult and unorganized. Some-

times we can get off track but we always manage to pull through because we never give up. AD: What are you competitive goals as a couple? As a couple we have many goals. Of course, we want the

AD: What was the most meaningful part about participating at the WDSF Adult Latin World Championship in Czech Republic? One of the most meaningful parts is definitely the traveling aspect. It is amazing we get to travel to different countries experiencing the different lifestyles they have. We were also able to meet new couples on the way…special is that we found out they have the same issues, goals, lifestyles as we do, and we are able to learn from that.

AD: Did you learn anything at this event that has influenced you or changed your perspective? We definitely learned a lot from this trip. It starts off with the costumes. We need new ones. Then, we were inspired by some cool ideas for our routines. We're not necessarily copying them, but adding our own personalized twist, more suited for us. AD: What is your unique “competitive edge” in Latin when you’re on the floor? We had to think about this… and we both concluded that our competitive edge is our personalities, as well as our emotions. I would say that no one, and I mean no one, has the personality and emotions like we do, especially when we perform.

November-December 2014

L of

egacies Dance

Carson Zullinger

Attending the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore.

TRIBUTE TO

PETER POVER

Courtesy of Peter Pover

A Man of Great Vision

merican Dancer Magazine has chosen Peter Pover as a true legacy of dance – an accomplished DanceSport champion, an inspired industry leader and a man of great vision — whose lifelong and dedicated service to ensuring the future of America’s DanceSport athletes has enabled others to see the light ahead in DanceSport’s Olympic journey and to carry the torch of Olympism, proudly every step of the way.

PETER POVER

International Standard Competitor: In U.K., 1957-1977 In USA, 1981-1982 (partner, Yoshie Fagan) (1st Virginia State, Eastern U.S. Championships; 2nd at USBC) USABDA/USA Dance: Chair of Competition Committee, 1984 President, 1987 – June 1993 External Relations Director, 1993-2007 President, 2008-2009

IDSF Presidium, 1989-2002 First VP, 1985-2002 President, 1997-1998 IDSF/WDSF: Judge 1999-Present Chairman 2004-Present Other: DanceSport Consultant, TransWorld International (TWI) (organized televised invitational Championships around world) Retired 2006, Washington-based Heritage Foundation

American Dancer | www.americandancer.org

Peter Pover is a man who has generously given of himself to the USABDA, USA Dance and the Amateur Athletes throughout his life. His expertise in dance, and his passion for the sport of dance show no bounds in the way it has benefited the Amateur DanceSport program in our country. His skill as a statesman of dance made him the first U.S. representative to be elected to the IDSF (now WDSF) Presidium, where he served as the First Vice-President. I had the pleasure of serving under him in the Governing Council during his second term of President of USA Dance. He never failed to impress me in his ability to command an audience, keep a meeting moving forward and pull-out the salient points. I had the pleasure of attending my first WDSF meeting with him as my mentor and saw the respect that the international community had for him – as he was almost elected from the floor to the Presidium again, even though he wasn’t running for the position. I watched him be the people’s champion and can only hope some of his skills have rubbed off on me in my role with the WDSF. — Ken Richards, DanceSport VP, USA Dance USA Dance was founded nearly 50 years ago with the mission of getting ballroom dancing into the Olympics. In 1997, that goal was partially met when the International Olympic Committee recognized the International DanceSport Federation (now the World DanceSport Federation) as the worldwide governing body of DanceSport, which includes competitive ballroom dancing. Peter Pover was part of the IDSF leadership that made Olympic recognition of DanceSport possible, and to me, Peter Pover will always be the man who played a major role in helping USA Dance move forward in its pursuit of the Olympic dream. — Yang Chen, National President, USA Dance Peter Pover, USABDA

President, and NDCA President Vincent Bolger reached a milestone in August 1989, signing an official agreement between the two organizations that recognized the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancer Association (now called USA Dance) as the National Governing Body for Amateur DanceSport in the USA.

USA Dance has grown tremendously since its inception in 1965. And one person has been a constant fixture through much of its evolution—Peter Pover....Peter has guided (and continues to guide) USA Dance through so many changes, including the push to have ballroom dancing included in the Olympics, conflicts with the NDCA and the tremendous increase in public knowledge and media exposure of ballroom dancing. Peter has an energy and enthusiasm about him that enthralls his audiences, and his joy is evident in everything he does. – Christina Zona, 2009. ger Carson Zullin

Enjoying more “Poverisms” at USA Dance VIP Cocktail Party.

FOR 2015 (next five): Nov 15, 2014 CALIFORNIA STATE DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS San Jose, CA Jan 16 - 18, 2015 MANHATTAN AMATEUR CLASSIC Manhattan, NY Jan 24, 2015 PDX CLASSIC Tigard, OR Feb 14 - 15, 2015 MID-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS Bethesda, MD Mar 27 - 29, 2015 NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Baltimore, MD

For more information visit: www.USADANCE.org

FOR 2016 (first event): June 2015 (TBA) NJ DANCESPORT CLASSIC SUMMER SIZZLER Hackensack, NJ

National Qualifying Events

USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships

Moondance Studios/Bobby Campbell

Kyle & Tina Ross (NC) Senior I , II Gold Standard Divisions 2014 Gumbo DanceSport Championships

Non-Profit Standard Class U.S. Postage

PAID

Lebanon Junction, KY Permit #542

USA DANCE 2015 NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Renaissance Harborplace Hotel Baltimore, MD March 27, 28, 29, 2015

USA DANCE

NATIONALS www.USADANCENATIONALS.ORG PHOTO CREDIT: Carson Zullinger

Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova (NJ) from the USA Dance 2014 National DanceSport Championships Event for the Adult Championship 10-Dance Finals