July-August 2015
A JOYFUL CELEBRATION
of SOCIAL
DANCE in AMERICA
From Grand Ballrooms to City Streets. For Social Connection, Health and Well-Being, Community, and the Sheer Joy and Love of Dance.
50th Anniversary Gala in Dallas!
Official publication of USA Dance Inc.
Intimate Luxury Dance Cruises and Cruises for Dancers. For adults who like to dances and dress up. Find out why sharp cruise shoppers come back to us time and time again. We can book you on any cruise line on any cruise, but here are some of our featured cruise companies and cruises for dancers.
Holland America
Cunard:
Dancing with the Stars at Sea.
July 14: Queen Elizabeth 12-day Iceland and the Faroes ® May-October: Queen Victoria 7, 14 & 21 Day ®
Mediterranean Cruises to Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and more. Call for 2 for 1 rates while they last.
September 27/October 4: Queen Mary 2
®
New England Canada from New York or Quebec
7 & 14 day
November 12: Queen Mary 2 13-day Caribbean roundtrip NYC ® December 22: Queen Mary 2 12-day Caribbean Holiday ®
Cruise roundtrip NYC
January – April: World Cruises and World Cruise Segments on all three Queens featuring:
January 17/20 or February 1: Queen Mary
®
Cruises from NYC, Fort Lauderdale or Rio to Rio, Valparaiso or Sydney.
January 22: Queen Victoria
®
12-day Panama Canal Transit from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco
January 27: Queen Elizabeth 25-day Cape Town to Sydney ® February 7: Queen Victoria Cruises from San Francisco to ®
Sydney, Hong Kong or Cape Town
February 21: Queen Elizabeth 18-day Sydney to Hong Kong ® March 11: Queen Mary 2 18-day Sydney to Hong Kong ® March 10/20: Queen Elizabeth 10-day Hong Kong to ®
Yokohama or Yokohama to Hong Kong or both
Alaska Adventures: See the best of Alaska with Princess Book early for 2016 and get your choice of the best land and sea vacations. Call for this summer or fall availability for cruise tours for this summer. Many 2015 cruises and land options are sold-out. Shorter land tours are still available.
Featured 38-day New York to Sydney on Sea Princess almost sold-out!
July 20-August 28, 2016 Panama Canal, South America & South Pacific with optional land tour to Machu Picchu. Call immediately for availability.
Crystal Cruises
Spend the holidays in luxury and warmth.
December 19-January 3, 2015 Holiday Brazilian cruise on the Symphony December 22-January 5, 2015 Holiday Caribbean cruise on the Serenity December 20-January 3, 2016 Holiday Island Roundup on the Serenity December 21-Januaruy 5, 2015 Holidays Down Under on the Symphony
Viking River Cruises
Luxury travel to Europe and Asia.
Call about 2 for 1 rates on cruise and air for all inclusive packages. We highly recommend the Roof of the World Tour to China & Tibet and the Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest (plus Prague extension).
Many 2015 cruises almost sold-out or wait-listed. Book now. We can book in both US$ and Can$ for most cruises. Not all cruises are escorted. We will help you find a cabin mate or a private host. 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.
AROUND THE G N
RLD WO
Visit www.cunard.com for a complete list of voyages, but call us for our group rates and special offers.
Princess Cruises
DANC I
Largest Dance Floor at Sea; ballroom, Latin & swing dance teachers, hosts and music on every sailing.
Meet cast members from the TV show, take complimentary lessons and compete to become the cruise champion. Three cruises left plus the grand champion cruise where selected ship champions compete for the overall season title: January 3 7-day Eastern Caribbean on ms Nieuw Amsterdam, January 10 7-day Western Caribbean on ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
with Vivian Beiswenger
July-August 2015 PaoChen Davis
DEPARTMENTS
5 President’s Message
Yang Chen, President of USA Dance
6 Milestones
Action Report form USA Dance National
7 50th Anniversary Gala Invitation
USA Dance Celebrates in Dallas, Sept. 12, 2015
8 USA Dance Attends WDSF AGM
Important Progress in World DanceSport
24 Grassroots
Chapter Highlights & Achievements
31 Socially Yours
By Jean Krupa, Social Dance VP
36 In The Public Eye
By Angela Prince, Public Relations Director
39 USA Dance 2015-2016 DanceSport Calendar
46 Ovations – John Davis
Orlando Chapter 6002 President, Volunteer Viennese Waltz Flash Mob performed by the Minnesota Chapter 2016 Attracted Shoppers at the mega-shopping center Mall of America in February. Eight of the couples later performed at the Tea Dance in May.
FEATURES
12 Cover Story
Social Dancing In America
From Grand Ballrooms to City Streets, Celebrating The Joy of Dance By Angela Prince Giving Children the Gift of Dance. Outreach Coordinator Geoffrey Davis of The Greater Daytona Chapter 6026 and Chapter Volunteers at the Reign HomeSchooling Academy. Frank Chin
Cathy Dessert
16 Return of PBS ‘America’s Ballroom Challenge’ By Dan Calloway 18 Road Trip USA Dance
2,900+ Chapter Dances A Year What are the Top 10 Reader’s Choice?
20 Selecting Music for Showcases &
Showdances—Grand Performance or Sonic Death? By Brent Thomas Mills
40 A Global Trek to Chisinau, Moldova WDSF World Championship: Under 21 Latin
USA Judge’s Perspective: Stephan Krauel
22 Competitive Edge:
42 Summer Sizzler NQE
32 River City Ball Blossoms
43 Meet The USA Dance Adjudicators 44 USA Dance Nationals:
Nutritional Challenges for Dancers Eating for Maximum Performance, Health By Dr. Joel Minden, Ph. D., CSCS
River City Ball was part of Portland’s annual Rose Festival. Senior I, Adult Standard Couple Norair Ghazarian & Coleen Popochock (WA).
34 Dance Parade New York: Now 10,000+ Strong. 9th Annual Street Party Is Multi-Cultural Event for the Greater NY Chapter 3004 By Margot Garnick
in Portland Rose Festival By Nick Shur, Diana Wojcik, Ed Brennan
Hot-Hot-Hot in NJ By Dan Calloway
The Champions’ Hall of Fame
FRONT COVER: The Greater Memphis Chapter 2012 hosted a Great Gatsby Evening of Dancing in May. Performing a 1930s inspired Charleston showdance routine to the song “Wiggle” was Mary Ann Waddell (left), student, and Nikki Roberts, her dance instructor with Dance Smith’s Studio. Photo Credit: Nastasya Hnat
July-August 2015
BACK COVER: The momentum begins now for the 36th annual USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore, April 1-3, 2016. In the spotlight: Florin Vlad & Natalia O’Connor (VT) at Mid-Atlantic Championships NQE, Adult Standard Champions. Photo Credit: Eugene Brodash. A JOYFUL CELEBRATION
CORRECTION: In the Public Eye section of American Dancer May-June 2015 issue, the Christian Science Monitor story incorrectly named the male dancer. The featured couple, who placed first in Adult Novice Smooth at the USA Dance Nationals, should read Eric Nielsen & Haley Smith-Fries of Massachusetts. We are most sorry for this misread of the program.
of SOCIAL
DANCE in AMERICA
From Grand Ballrooms to City Streets. For Social Connection, Health and Well-Being, Community, and the Sheer Joy and Love of Dance.
50th Anniversary Gala in Dallas!
Official publication of USA Dance Inc.
July - August 2015
3
regular contributors ANGELA PRINCE Public Relations Director
July-August 2015
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.
2015/Issue 55
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: President – Yang Chen, NY Vice President – Greg Warner, MN Secretary – Marta Pascale, FL 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 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 157 local chapters and its members.
EDITORIAL STAFF: 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
USA Dance Chapter websites and Facebook pages are listed at www.usadance.org. © 2015 USA Dance Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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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 nearly 160 local chapters, soon to reach 17,000+ 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.
American Dancer Magazine Wins Coveted 2014 MARCOM Gold Award for magazine excellence, one of the marketing communication industry’s most prestigious achievement awards.
P
resident’s Message
Charleston (SC) Chapter 6021 Social Dance RL Photography
I
n 2014, our 157 chapters put on 2,278 social dances. At a time when social media is all the rage, this statistic is remarkable. While Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms allow the world to connect via text, image and video over the Internet, it is less effective at fostering face-to-face interaction, as demonstrated by the common sight of numerous people gathered in public spaces staring at their devices, rather than talking to each other. As dancers, we have the good fortune to be part of an activity that is truly social and interactive. Social dancers need to be in a physical space, holding our partners in our arms, surrounded by fellow dancers. That physical space could be a dance studio, a community center or stately ballroom in an elegant hotel. We may have arrived there by ourselves or with friends, but either way, we are sure to see friends new and old or make new ones. Whether we spend our time mostly dancing with the same partner or changing partners during the course of the event, it is the human contact and movement together to wonderful music that draws us to this form of recreation. The dancing allows us
to connect in a real – not virtual – way, through actual physical contact, forging human bonds that no amount of social media can even hope to achieve. Studies have shown that the happiest people and those who live the longest are those who socialize in a welcoming environment with those who share common interests. Ballroom dancers readily form a community of like-minded people, engaging in a joyful and personally enriching activity that provides healthy exercise and interaction. Our strategic planning sessions last year identified “Community” as one of our core values: Community: We pursue dance as a lifestyle, seeking to create an environment that is nurturing, supportive, respectful, social, friendly and fun. USA Dance draws its strength from volunteers that help to organize events throughout the country that allow social dancing to flourish. We thank you all for your tremendous efforts that enable USA Dance to live up to the value of Community. This may be the age of social media, but for me, the best way to connect and stay connected is social dancing.
Still staring at that screen? Put it away. Get up off your seat and dance!
Yang Chen
National President USA Dance, Inc. July - August 2015
5
Milestones
NEW TEACHER-STUDENT DIVISION ROLLS OUT AT GUMBO NQE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMATEUR DANCERS WITHOUT AMATEUR PARTNERS TO COMPETE
By Ken Richards, DanceSport VP
Contact: Rog Greenawalt, Competitions Chair, ds-competition@usadance.org. USA Dance is also open to new event organizer proposals, as USA Dance’s goal is to grow the number of quality dance opportunities for amateur dancers throughout the country. Key FAQs for USA Dance members:: • The term Pro/Am refers to a professional teacher dancing in partnership with an amateur. Under Teacher-Student (T-S) the amateur partners’ additional competitive categories are not affected. An amateur teacher does not become a “pro” by dancing with his or her student. Exciting things happening in USA DanceSport! USA Dance now offers and sanctions Teacher-Student DanceSport competitions. The first Teacher-Student divisions rolled out at the three-day Gumbo DanceSport Championships in Baton Rouge, LA, June 26 through 28, which had not happened at press time for American Dancer (story upcoming in September-October issue and results at www.o2cm.com). USA Dance Teacher-Student competitions are open to both professional and amateur dance teachers and their amateur students. All competitors must be DanceSport members of USA Dance. Information regarding the new TeacherStudent categories are included in the new USA Dance 2015 Rulebook, found on the website www.usadance.org. USA Dance DanceSport Council is available to assist USA Dance recognized or sanctioned DanceSport competitions to ensure success of these new divisions. 6
• Both partners must be DanceSport members of USA Dance -- Professional DanceSport Athlete, Amateur DanceSport Athlete or DanceSport Official. • This new T-S program is a special project of the DanceSport Council (DSC) with latitude for organizers to present T-S as they believe will best serve their participants. There is a basic set of rules that the DSC developed for the launch, to be developed more fully over the coming year. • At present, there are no specific plans to offer these events in the 2016 Nationals. Yet, the future holds many possibilities for State Titles, Regional Titles, National Titles, International Titles and even WDSF World TeacherStudent Championships. • A ge categories are based on the amateur student’s age.
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
The Gumbo DanceSport Championships NQE offered Mixed Proficiency Divisions in 2014. This year, the new Teacher-Student Divisions attracted last year’s competitors to return to the Gumbo floor. From Gumbo 2014 – Teacher Carmine Russo with Students Teresa Steinberg (pink dress) and Cindy Miller (red dress). All Photos by Bobby Campbell/Moon Dance Studios
ANNOUNCING THE GRAND CELEBRATION
USA DANCE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 – DALLAS, TEXAS USA Dance, in grand celebration of its 50th Anniversary, extends special invitation and welcoming to all of its members, supporters and guests to attend the official USA Dance 50th Anniversary Gala in Dallas, TX—cocktail/formal dinner dance affair and night to remember, hosted by the Dallas Chapter 5044 in collaboration with the National organization’s Social Dance Council and Governing Body. USA Dance’s new Senior I Latin National Champions Irsan Tisnabudi and Cami Tisnabudi , who reside in Texas, will be performing a special Showdance performance at the Gala. Our Dallas Chapter always reminds every-
one that everything in Texas is Big and Bigger than anything else by comparison. That means a Big Party and a Big Time is in store. And ideally, USA Dance would like dancers present to represent every chapter, all 157. And, Dallas promises lots of dance hosts! If you haven’t been to Texas in awhile or just simply need to get back, you’ll want to register online for this grand dance affair right away. The best of ballroom, Latin and club-style music will be provided by Professional DJ and USA Dance Member Maria McStravick-St. John, Charlotte (NC) Chapter. (And, we can’t say Dallas won’t throw some Texas Two-Step into the mix.)
Diane Montgomery, Event Organizer Dallas Chapter President, District Director Email: USA Dance 5044dallas@gmail.com Sharen Bradford/The Dancing Image
50th Anniversary Gala Details: Format: Dinner/Dance Time: 7:00 pm - midnight Attire: Cocktail or Formal Venue: Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel, Convention Center & Spa Address: 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive, Frisco, Texas 75034
Maria McStravick St. John, DJ DanseDahling DJ Services Charlotte (NC) Chapter 6029
Event Ticket Price: $55 per person (purchase online at www.usadancedallas.org) Hotel Room Rates: $129.00 plus tax (Block code is USA.) Hotel Call Number: 972-712-7200 Diane Montgomery Email: 5044dallas@gmail.com Website: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/D/ DALFSES-USA-20150911/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG [Special note for dancers who’ll come a little early or stay a little longer. The 50th Anniversary Gala venue is located in the north Dallas suburb of Frisco. The hotel is connected to the Frisco Convention Center, adjacent to the Dr Pepper Ballpark, and less than a mile from the future home of the Dallas Cowboy World Headquarters and Training Facility. The hotel is only 20 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), 15 miles from Dallas Love Field (DAL), and 10 miles from Addison Executive Airport. The hotel offers convenient highway access to restaurants, bars, shopping and sports facilities. The Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation, spanning 68 acres and 19 contiguous blocks. Corporations such as Hewlett Packard, Dr Pepper-Snapple Group, Pepsico, Capitol One and Toyota are less than five miles away.All things considered, many people just come for the views and the authentic Texan and Tex-Mex food.]
DANCE PERFORMANCES BY Irsan & Cami Tisnabudi USA Dance 2015 Senior I Latin Champions Houston (TX) Chapter 5003 Carson Zullinger
Tickets/Hotel Info Online: www.usadancedallas.org July - August 2015
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Milestones
ON THE AGENDA
USA DANCE DELEGATES ATTEND 2015 WDSF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING in Grenada, Spain USA Dance, as the USA member of the World DanceSport Federation, sends two delegates each year to the Annual General Meeting of the WDSF. For 2015, the official delegation included National President Yang Chen and Wayne Crowder, an advisor to the president on WDSF matters. Normally, the 2nd delegate would be the Vice President of DanceSport; yet, Ken Richards two years ago became an elected member of the prestigious WDSF Presidium. Since this meeting occurred at press time for American Dancer magazine, a more detailed report will appear in the September-October issue. What transpired at the WDSF AGM
were major strides for world DanceSport. As Ken Richards has explained, “By working hand-in-hand with the World DanceSport Federation, USA Dance leadership has the opportunity to gain not only a vast wealth of knowledge and experience, but to be a vocal and positive influence on behalf of our athletes and our country, to affect important, positive changes in our sport, today, and for generations to come.” As Richards also confirms following the AGM, regardless of any misinformation or politics that occurs at any national or global level: Freedom to Participate in Dance remains alive and well in America!
WDSF Presidium at the AGM.
At the WDSF AGM: Ken Richards, WDSF Presidium elected member (USA Dance DanceSport VP), Wayne Crowder, WDSF Advisor, and Yang Chen, National President.
SPORT AS FORCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Photos Courtesy of Yang Chen
TOKYO 2020 GAMES CREATES YOUNG ATHLETE’S PROJECT Editor’s Note: Tokyo 2020’s recent decision to create a Young Athlete’s Project is an inspiring step taken by the Olympic Games Athletes’ Commission. Whether DanceSport becomes a part of the Games in Tokyo or not, these efforts serve as a model for all sports organizations and leaders who want to connect with, inspire and empower young athletes for positive change in the world.
“Following its latest Athletes’ Commission meeting, Tokyo 2020 has announced that it plans to create a 2020 Young Athletes project, which will encourage young athletes to set the Tokyo 2020 Games as their goal. The project also aims to encourage young athletes to get more involved in society by becoming involved in a wide range of activities. Tokyo 2020 Sports Director Koji Murofushi said after the Commission meeting: “Tokyo 2020’s plans to put the athletes first and ensure athlete-oriented Games are very much 8
on track. Among the items on today’s agenda was a particular focus on young Japanese athletes. We have decided to create a new 2020 Young Athletes project, which I will have the honour of leading.” “Our aim is to encourage young athletes to set the Tokyo 2020 Games as their goal, and in so doing we hope this will enable them to perform to the best of their abilities and broaden their minds. One of the recommendations adopted in the Olympic Agenda 2020 process advocates increased
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
social engagement among athletes; and this project aims to encourage athletes to contribute more to society, increase interactions with local communities and become actively involved in a wide range of activities, such as recovery efforts in disaster-affected areas. We hope that their efforts will inspire people of all ages and demonstrate the power of sport to act as force for positive change. “My role is to connect with the younger generation; inspire enthusiasm and passion; and urge them to contribute to the building of a fair, equitable and fully-inclusive world – one that has the power of sport firmly at its heart. “We believe that empowering the next generation of athletes through the 2020 Young Athletes project will be one of the greatest legacies of the Tokyo 2020 Games.”
Resource: www.olympic.org
Judi Chapman
DANCESPORT HOPEFUL
OLYMPIC AGENDA 2020 CALLS FOR INCREASE IN NUMBER OF FEMALE ATHLETES, MIXED EVENTS For the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in 2018, four new events have been added, a reflection of what the IOC is calling “the continued evolution” in the Olympic program. The Olympic Agenda 2020, approved by the Extraordinary IOC Session in 2014, calls for “an increase in the number of female athletes and mixed events.” Ken Richards The result for the Olympic Winter Games is the addition of four new events, what the IOC is calling “the continued evolution” in the Olympic program. What does this mean for Tokyo 2020 and DanceSport? As reported by the IOCmember World DanceSport Federation of which USA Dance, as National Governing Body for DanceSport, is member country: “DanceSport is among the DanceBea t Newspap er 26 sports that have applied for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. By the June 8th deadline, the World Top: USA World Games Team during Opening Ceremonies. DanceSport Federation submitted its Audience: 16,000+ each night application form that had been prepared jointly between members of the WDSF Above: The World Games 2013 in Cali, Colombia. USA Dance sent three couples to represent the Managing Committee and the Japan United States – Standard, Latin and Salsa. DanceSport Federation. The information that was provided worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 to the Tokyo Organising Committee Games vision. (TOCOG) and, specifically, to The Tokyo 2020 Additional Event an Additional Event Programme Panel Programme Panel will now narrow the within the latter, seeks to establish that 26 applicants down to a shortlist to be DanceSport is a driving force to promote announced on June 22, with a final decision the Olympic Movement and its values, due to be made by the IOC in August 2016.” with a focus on youth appeal and capable World Air Sports Federation (FAI), to add value to the Games by engaging the International Federation of American Japanese population and new audiences
From Orlando Chapter’s 2014 Olympic Day celebration.
FOUR USA DANCE CHAPTERS SPONSOR OLYMPIC DAY 2015 IN THEIR AREAS As the International Olympic Committee decides what new sports to short-list for Tokyo 2020, four USA Dance Chapters became official participants in Olympic Day, celebrated by thousands of organizations on or around June 23rd every year (story to appear in September-October issue) – Orange County (CA) 4018, NorCal (CA) 4004, Orlando (FL) 6002 and Kitsap Peninsula (WA) 1025.
Football (IFAF), World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), Bowls Sports World Confederation (CMSB), World Bowling (WB), World Bridge Federation (WBF), World Chess Federation (FIDE), World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), International Floorball Federation (IFF), World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), World Karate Federation (WKF), International Korfball Federation (IKF), International Netball Federation (INF), International Orienteering Federation (IOF), Federation of International Polo (FIP), International Racquetball Federation (IRF), International Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS), International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), World Squash Federation (WSF), International Sumo Federation (IFS), International Surfing Association (ISA), Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), World Underwater Federation (CMAS), International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), International Wushu Federation (IWUF). Editor’s Note: At American Dancer press time, the short list had not been announced.
July - August 2015
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USA DANCE 2015 SPONSORS & DONORS present AMERICA’S BEST ATHLETES
HIGHEST LEVEL OF SCHOLARSHIPS IN COUNTRY Since 1980, the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships has a revered history of showcasing America’s top DanceSport athletes and proudly presenting them with well earned scholarship funding and awards. On this 35th Anniversary of Nationals, USA Dance awarded more than $68,000 in Championship-level scholarships and an additional $16,900 in scholarships and other prizes to champions and fnalists in various divisions. This is the highest scholarship funding awarded by a single USA DanceSport event or association to amateur athletes. Each year, the generosity and support of USA Dance sponsors and individual donors enables USA Dance to support its aspiring athletes of all ages the opportunity to train and compete at the highest possible levels. Following Nationals, the new USA World Teams will go on to represent the United States at the upcoming WDSF World Championships, Cups and Games around the world (see calendar p. 9).
ON THE PODIUM: USA DANCE 2015 NATIONALS SPONSORS & DONORS
Platinum Perimeter Lorenco Industries Inc.
Emerald Perimeter
Aria Services Francis & Catherine Burzik The MAC & Greater New York Chapter 3004
Silver Level
Arlene Yu, Arkady Rabinovich & Mark Mongold Chicago DanceSport Challenge Gumbo DanceSport Championships & LA Gumbo Chapter 5031
Bronze Level
James DiCecca Steve & Pamela Hamilton Henry & Olivia Hudson Los Angeles County Chapter 4031 Carolina Fall Classic Islanders DanceSport Challenge Liberty Ball New England DanceSport Championships & MASSabda Chapter 3002 10
Individual Level
LLyn Adler Beverly Birkhimer Marian Birth Michael Brocks Matty Bush Wade Butaud Robert & Estella Clasen JADA Judy Martindale Douglas McClellan Patricia Panebianco Patrick Quinn John Santos Patricia Tanzi Eileen Tenn Venus Wilmer Fay Yao Central Florida Chapter 6002 Greater Daytona (FL) Chapter 6026 Richmond (VA) Chapter 6006 Treasure Coast (FL) Chapter 6004
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
Sponsor Irsan Tisnabudi of Aria Services presenting Senior II Latin Championship scholarships and ribbons. 2nd place to Carlo de Jesus & Kelley Priest (MD).
Photos by Lisa Dubinsky
happen as we shape time and space with our minds and bodies. I look forward to each new phase of this dancing adventure. And I found this really great pair of dance shoes…
Rick Krafey
DOYT ECHELBERGER Residency: Huron, Ohio
USA Dance Chapter: Sandusky (OH) 2094 Chapter Roles: With his wife Lois, an ambassador for USA Dance, performing outreach in ethnic communities throughout Northern Ohio; expedites chapter communications/graphics; helps set up/tear down monthly venue, meet/greet, register guests and participate in drawings and mixers. Help found the Chapter; Vice President 2014-15; director-at-large currently, focusing on membership, graphics and communications. • Ballroom Dancing Years: 60 • Other Dance Experience: theatrical competition polka, 23 years. • Dance Partner: Lois J. Echelberger, wife/partner; • Dance Beginnings: At local Y-teen sock hops in Ashland, Ohio, 1947 & 1948. • Dance Awards: State Polka Contest Senior Division Champions 1st place in Ohio,
What attracted you personally to social dancing and when? More than 60 years ago, at college, I found social dancing to be a pleasant way to meet people, mostly of the opposite gender, and from different cultures. At one of those college dances I met the person who became my wife and life-long dance partner. That relationship has never stopped growing and evolving and has always involved social dancing.
Michigan and Wisconsin, 1993; National Polka Contest Senior Division Polka Champions; 1st place, Frankenmuth Michigan Summerfest 1993. •D ance List: Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, East & West Coast Swing, Rumba, Bolero, Cha-Cha, Samba, Country-Western TwoStep, One-Step, Polka, Oberek/ Mazurka, Czardas, Schottische.
Loretta Majoy
I don’t know how long this delightful lifestyle can continue, but I’m going to show up on dance floors often. That’s where really amazing things
What has inspired/motivates you to volunteer to promote and grow social dancing in your area? I need opportunities to use that great pair of dance shoes. So, we engineer our own dances. A few years ago we discovered an almost forgotten ballroom on the entire upper floor of a building that was designed in 1876 to be the town hall of Milan, OH. By volunteering and promoting, we rolled back time and brought life and music to the big inviting wooden floor. In the company of like-minded gentle romantics, we made dance happen for each other. Everybody was a winner. The old ballroom has become the regular home for chapter 2094, which continues growing in popularity. And many of the businesses and residents of nearby communities have benefited. I like being a part of this activity. Has social dance changed your life in any way (describe)? What are the benefits? During our working years my wife and I participated in dance competitions outside of the USA Dance community. We won state championships in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and eventually at the national level. Winning was a blast, but defending those championships turned out to be very demanding. In 1996 we retired from our careers and the intense competition. Social dancing remains a big part of that retirement. We do things to continue dancing well and easily. We study and practice dancing along with yoga, swimming, and Pilates, and we eat lots of fresh vegetables. Social dancing gently challenges our minds and bodies to
grow stronger. We are rewarded by the healthy exercise and social interaction, and unexpected magical moments on the dance floor boosts our spirits. How has it changed other people’s lives around you? My wife and I dance at nonUSA Dance social events two or three times a week. Many of the embedded ethnic communities we visit support a multitude of weekly dancing opportunities, with big dance floors, festivals and live music by half a dozen nationally recognized bands, including Harmonia, which played Lincoln Center recently. By example, we encourage these ethnically biased dancers to grow their ballroom skills. And we invite them to dance at our events. Northern Ohio ethnic communities represent thousands of people who speak no English or English is a second language. They cling to their familiar heritage dances. They are like a vast Olympic community in our own backyard. For them, in the true spirit of the Olympics, dancing can be a bridge to their past and a highway to greater participation in the life of their new country. Typical Weekly Schedule: Weekly group lesson, rotating every 4 weeks through the smooth dances and rhythm dances at silver level, with half-hour practice sessions twice a week. Twice a month attend afternoon senior dance. Once a month attend an afternoon VFW dance. Every Sunday attend an afternoon polka dance. During the entire year attend many of the ethnic festivals in Cleveland, Western Ohio, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania (German, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Greek, Asian and international). Once a month help put on ballroom social dance in Milan, Ohio for Sandusky Chapter 2094. Also randomly attend monthly dances and special events of the Cleveland and Youngstown USA Dance Chapters.
July - August 2015
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C
over Story
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain.”
SOCIAL DANCING IN AMERICA
– Unknown
THE GREAT
INHERITANCE T
o a dancer, America’s greatest inheritance is the freedom of self-expression. That opportunity has attracted millions of people from all over the world to our country and has created through the resulting generations a rich ethnic and cultural diversity. Historians call it America’s “melting pot.” It’s what makes America uniquely America. With 157 chapters throughout the country, USA Dance’s membership and supporters are a reflection of that same diversity, as the enjoyment of dance has no exclusions, no restrictions. And as USA Dance now celebrates its 50th anniversary (1965-2015), we are reminded of the organization’s long-standing outreach mission to all Americans to “improve the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing in America.” At the Chapter grassroots level and supported by the national organization, we as dancers can make a difference in our communities. We have an unequaled volunteer network of thousands, who individually and collectively have the opportunity to open doors to those who want dance enrichment in their lives. America’s inheritance of dance – life itself.
“There are short cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” – Unknown 12
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
By Angela Prince
Paul Vladuchick & Norrie Vladuchick Pittsburgh Chapter 3007 - Dancing in the Square, one Friday rainy night in June. Gretchen Brocks
Greater Daytona Chapter 6026 Jean Bell and Marti Hamilton Geoffrey Davis
“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.”
“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.” –George Carlin
– Wayne Dyer
Minnesota Chapter 2011 Dancing at Mall of America
Illusion Polka Formation at Heartland (IN) Chapter’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
David Chin
Efim Kolesnikov
Lady in Red Dance – Orlando Chapter 6002 Brian Bateman
“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.”
District 3 Meeting/Sandusky (OH) Chapter 2094 at Milan Township Hall Mimi Krempa
– Martha Graham
“Cheerleaders” from North Carolina chapters at the USA Dance Nationals 2015. Lisa Dubinsky
“People always ask me ‘how did you know you wanted to dance.’ I tell them “I would have found my way to dance. Dance has a way of finding you, and when it does, you never let go.” – Larsen Thompson, 2012
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C
over Story
NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCE WEEK ™ 10 DAYS OF BALLROOM DANCE CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT AMERICA. Sept. 18-27, 2015
A
historical note about how National Ballroom Dance WeekTM started. . .It actually launched in the Big Apple when several New Yorkers, led by a dedicated “dynamo of action” Mary Helen McSweeney, put together a one-week “Ballroom Week” celebration in April 1989. The week was designed to bring the entire dancing community together and present ballroom dancing at its very best to the general public. That was 16 years ago, and it was a grand affair with Showdance Champions and Broadway Dance Icons Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau’s performances lending “star power” to the week. Members of the Greater New York Chapter of USABDA (U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, which later became USA Dance) bonded with the local dance studios and professionals and the NYC city government to organize dancing and dance celebrations throughout the city. The media loved it and the result was an outpouring of good will and publicity. And so the concept for National Ballroom Dance Week was born. Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times wrote this about the first “Ballroom Week”:
“KICK off your bedroom slippers. Scuttle those Reeboks and get on your dancing shoes. Today marks the start of Ballroom Week in New York City, by official proclamation of Mayor Edward I. Koch. And throughout the city this weekend there will be events for experts and beginners of all ages. There will be lectures and demonstrations, and programs designed to teach everyone in the family how to jitterbug and samba. Dancers will strut their stuff everywhere from a park band shell to an elegant 19th-century ballroom. And dance parties are scheduled at nightclubs and studios throughout the city.” And the concept all these years hasn’t changed. National Ballroom Dance Week 2015 with all its growing opportunities for education and entertainment makes a great story in any local newspaper or on the local television news. USA Dance Chapters are planning now, not only to celebrate this annual event in collaboration with the many dance communities in their areas, but also in commemoration of USA Dance’s 50th Anniversary. NBDW Information: Please visit the USA Dance website www.usadance.org or contact
Jean Krupa at social-vp@usadance.org. In the meantime, don’t forget to tell your local media soon about your NBDW plans and also request 30+ days in advance that your local mayor’s office officially proclaim Sept. 18-27 as National Ballroom Dance Week! NBDW on the Website: www.usadance.org/ social-dance/national-ballroom-dance-week .
A SPECIAL INVITATION
USA DANCE 50th
ANNIVERSARY
GALA A Cocktail-Formal Affair – Saturday, Sept 12, 2015 Dallas, TX
USA Dance will officially celebrate its 50th Anniversary at a special National Gala Weekend, hosted by the Dallas (TX) Chapter, Sat., Sept. 12, 2015, at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Spa (see story p 7). Tickets, hotel accommodations and other details are available on the website www. usadancedallas.org.
Sock Hop Orlando Chapter 6002 Brian Bateman
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American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
SOCK HOPS & POODLE SKIRTS, LEPRECHAUNS, MASQUERADES, LADIES IN BLACK OR RED
ALWAYS A GOOD EXCUSE to DANCE
David Chin
Flash Mob Viennese Waltz Minnesota Chapter 2011
Most passionate social dancers will say there’s actually 365 really good excuses every year to dance! And in combination with chapter activities, group and private lessons, club nights, gala events, festivals and dance clubs, it’s truly possible to dance a good portion of the calendar year. USA Dance Chapters must enjoy the creative challenge of new ideas for their next dance. A quick look at Chapter postings on Facebook or visits to their websites gives one a taste of the frequency and variety within the USA Dance network. President Yang Chen did a conservative calculation (see President’s Message p. 5) that USA Dance Chapters sponsor 2,278 dances in a year. That’s on the average 14 or so dances per Chapter. In reality, some Chapters sponsor two or more events a month, not counting all the classes, exhibitions and demos they might offer in their communities – at schools, nursing homes, fundraisers, local festivals and parades.
Valentine’s Day Dance Dallas Chapter 5044 Ron Turner
Mardi Gras Dance South Oregon Chapter 1011 Tara Dawn
Alzheimer’s Charity Holiday Ball San Diego Chapter 4005 Courtesy of Christine Lys
Great Gatsby Dance Southwest Florida Chapter 6044 Courtesy of Carol Davis
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AMERICA’S
BALLROOM
CHALLENGE 35 YEARS LATER, A WELCOMED RETURN TO PBS
By Dan Calloway, FISTD All Photos by Jeffrey Dunn (c. Moreno/Lyons Productions)
W
ith the return (finally!) of “America’s Ballroom Challenge,” the best ballroom dancing the United States has to offer is back in front of the American public. Welcome back old friend! ABC, originally aired as a 90-minute special in 1980 entitled “Championship Ballroom Dancing,” was America’s first answer to Britain’s “Strictly Come Dancing,” the world’s longest-running television program. CBD, a surprise success, arrested large segments of the American public who grew to love it as the top program on PBS for 20 years. CBD was originally derived from the professional International Style Ballroom and Latin events at the annual United States Championships at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Subsequently, executive producer Aida Moreno chose the unbilled Ohio Star Ball as her annually featured competitive event, continuing to present International Style exclusively.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE 35 YEARS MAKES.
Hour 1 American Smooth Mazen Hamza & Izabela Jundzill
Now self-proclaimed “The Best Ballroom on Television,” America’s Ballroom Challenge pits the four major professional divisions, International Ballroom and Latin and American Smooth and Rhythm, against each other. Aired as three onehour programs over consecutive Friday evenings (April 24 – May 8), the new series was welcomed by a radically changed audience. Now that “Dancing with the
Host Mar y Murphy & Co-
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American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
Host Tony Meredith
American Rhythm Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine & Liana Churilova
Hour 3
International Latin Evgeny Likhachev & Maria Levina
Hour 2 Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” have made household names out of some of our best dancers, coaches and choreographers, ballroom has global visibility and appreciation unfathomed in the ‘80’s. The original Championship Ballroom Dancing predicted our current, fabulous WDSF Grand Slam format by combining group and solo competition for finalists. Competitors love the fight of the group dances, but also relish the publicity and unique opportunity to express themselves and be appreciated as individual couples. Generally, television audiences are more partial to the simple, undivided focus of the solo couple format that is so successful in Olympic ice dancing programming. A WDSF Grand Slam, 32-minute final consists of three solo dances and two group dances. The new America’s Ballroom Challenge has almost completely eliminated the group competition format, presenting only one or two dances from the group final for each division, followed by a single special show dance for each of the six couples,
FROM PBS.org
which showcases the unique aspects of each couple’s qualities and personalities. The individually tailored solo music, choreography Pro Am and costumes enable the International couples’ personalities to Standard emerge memorably and Erminio Stefano & Celia Chow more easily become established as the superstars of Hour 3 the ballroom world. Many past finalists have become fan favorites without ever Leone, Ron Montez or Tony Meredith. winning the overall title by presenting a What’s gone from the new America’s memorable individual performance. What Ballroom Challenge are the occasional emdancer who has seen Nick Cotton and barrassing comments of the less informed, Maria Hansen’s 1997 Toilet Paper Waltz earlier guest hosts. ABC, now hosted by will ever forget that unparalleled blend consummate ballroom insiders Mary Murof comedy, beauty and professionalism? phy and Tony Meredith, who, with the help Moreno’s choices of celebrity hosts for of Emcee John DePalma, educate televiCBD and ABC over the years have been occasionally controversial. Earlier hostess- sion viewers, giving them a truer picture of the world of competitive ballroom dancing. es included charismatic theatrical dancers VIEW AMERICA’S BALLROOM and actors like Rita Moreno, Juliet Prowse, CHALLENGE ONLINE:http://www.pbs.org/ Barbara Eden and Sandy Duncan, always wisely anchored by ballroom experts Terry americas-ballroom-challenge/home/
America’s Ballroom Challenge is an exciting three-hour PBS series that brings together the nation’s top ballroom dancers to compete for the title of “America’s Best.” Hosted by former U.S. dance champions Mary Murphy and Tony Meredith, and shot in stunning high definition at the world’s largest ballroom dancing competition (Columbus, Ohio), the series features all four major styles of competitive ballroom dancing. After a winning couple is crowned in each of the four
styles, the four champions compete across dance styles in a “Best of Show” Grand Finale to determine a single winner. America’s Ballroom Challenge also includes a half-dozen pro-am exhibitions by couples made up of a professional teacher and his or her amateur student; three stunning exhibitions by the year’s best cabaret dancers; and some behind-the-scenes looks at the fascinating world of competitive ballroom dancing.
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CELEBRATING SOCIAL DANCING IN AMERICA
TOP 10
SOCIAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR A
merican Dancer Magazine on Facebook asked Chapter and members to nominate the Top 10 USA Dance Social Dance Events of the Year. As it turned out, exactly 10 events continued to gain nominations and votes. Planning a fabulous social dance event, as most everyone knows, is no easy task and behind-the-scenes takes more volunteer hours and cooperation than most will ever know. And, it’s all in the details – the venue, the occasion or date, the right amount of publicity, the entertainment, the music (not to mention having plenty of people to dance with). . .and then, all those components have to come together to create a fabulous first impression and a lasting synergy.
1
Enough said. And the Nominees Are. . .
ROAD TRIP USA DANCE
1PRESIDENT’S BALL YORBA LINDA, CA
Orange County Chapter 4018 Nixon Library – Yorba Linda, CA Next: Feb. 21, 2016 www.usadance-oc.org
2 ANNUAL TEA DANCE
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Minneapolis Chapter 2011 Lafayette Club – Minnetonka Beach, MN Next: May 1, 2016 www.usadance-minnesota.org
18
Bill Rose
3 GREAT GATSBY EVENING of DANCING
5 DALLAS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION “RAT PACK PARTY”
4SNOWFLAKE BALL
6FLORIDA DANCE SPREE
MEMPHIS, TN
Greater Memphis Chapter 2012 Covenant United Methodist – Memphis, TN Next: April or May 2016 TBA www.usadancememphis.com YOUNGSTOWN, OH
Youngstown-Warren Chapter 2015 Avon Oaks Ballroom - Youngstown, OH Next: Dec. 6, 2015 www.usadance2015.com
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
DALLAS, TX
Dallas Chapter 5044 Sokol Athletic Center – Dallas, TX Next: August 1, 2015 www.usadancedallas.org DAYTONA, FL
Greater Daytona Chapter 6026 Gold Star Ballroom – Daytona Beach, FL Next: April 29 & 30, 2016 (20th Year) www.greaterdaytonachapter.org
Danny Daniels
2
9
Priscilla Messenger
8 Courtesy Susan Ryan
4
7 Leitha Brown
David Chin
3
10
5
Aubree Marchione Sylvia Rose
6
8 USA DANCE NATIONAL DANCE CRUISE FT. LAUDERDALE OR NYC
Craig Kunkel
7 TIDEWATER NYE (New Year’s Eve) TIDEWATER, VA
Tidewater Chapter 6008 Next: Not scheduled for 2015 www.twcusadance.org
USA Dance Inc. Various Cruise Lines – Ft. Lauderdale/New York Various Months www.usadancecruise.com
9WINTER BALL
LAKE PEARL, MA
DOCMA Chapter 3039 Luciano’s – Lake Pearl, MA Next: Dec. 3, 2015 www.docma.net
8 Geoff Davis
10 LAKE NORMAN CRUISE – NBDW
NORTH OF CHARLOTTE NC
Lake Norman Chapter 6119 Yacha Yacha Yacha Cruise – Cornelius, NC September 2015 www.usadance6119.org
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SHOW
LaTep Performance Team at Minnesota Chapter 2011 Tea Dance 2015 at Lafayette Club. David Chin
MUSIC Doesn’t Have To Be Sonic Death
S
how Music - The Sonic Death. Or, at least it can be. Let me tell you what I’ve seen these past 15 years of playing show dance after show dance. For ANY amateur couple willing to get out on that floor all by themselves and present a “show,” they get to dance to whatever music they like. There, I said it. For Pro/Am show dances and Professional Show Dances, Theater Arts, Cabaret, I hold a higher standard. Why? First, in the announcement, we hear the word “Professional,” which means we’re hoping to see a presentation that is clean, well-rehearsed and appropriate for age and level. That’s not always the case, but I digressed. MOST of the time, when a show dance goes wrong, it’s because of the music selection. Yep, 2-1/2 minutes of “Steam Heat” can be like waiting for Moses to come g in rm down the mountain and throw a rfo Linn, pe John Linn & Kathy 12 20 ter ap Ch his tablet in our face, so the music will ter Me mp Quickstep at Grea t 2015. Great Gatsby Even stop! Ok, I’m being dramatic, but Natasya Hnat hopefully you get my point. 20
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
By Brent Thomas Mills Here’s what I think happens -- a couple selects music based on their own personal connection to the song. Potential Problem #1. I LOVE “Come Sail Away” by STYX. It’s dramatic. It has a theme. It’s long and epic-sounding. WHY would this NOT work? There are only a handful of people in the ballroom who had a specific high school/junior high connection to that song in 1977. To everyone else, it’s just plain old and cheesy and long. I’ve seen so many show dances fail because of the wrong song choice, and it’s a shame because usually the skills are there. Potential Problem #2. Sometimes couples get caught up on finding a song that they THINK is popular, but the song’s been used by everyone in the business, including my Aunt Tilly. Judges enjoyed show dances from “Moulin Rouge” and “Chicago”, when they were released. However, we’re going on 10-15 years since these shows all came out and flooded our dance floors! If you REALLY love
Nick Scott & Aubree Marchione, American WheelDance Foundation, performing New Year’s Eve 2014, Tidewater (VA) Chapter 6008.
Jerr y Hern an de z & Laura Harv ell , performin g Foxt rot/Theatre Ar ts. LA County Ch ap ter 4031.
Julie Billig
Courtesy of Ray Smith
Jhailyn Farcon with Mariah Carey’s backup singers doing sound check at Rockefeller Center in NYC, Holidays 2014. Eddie Farcon
those songs, google the title and you’ll more than likely find a treasure trove of all kinds of arrangements. NOW you have something fresh yet familiar to those watching, and they can connect with your performance. Potential Problem #3. Don’t go too deeeeeeeep. You have twothree minutes to get on, dance your dance, move an audience to some type of emotion, connect on an artistic level and get off. You don’t have time to develop the story line as if you were presenting a brief highlight of “War and Peace, the Foxtrot.” However, that would be a funny show. Establish the mood, sentiment, intent, whatever and let’s see some of your best stuff. Plain and simple! Potential Problem #4. Commitment. If you’re going to be funny, be REALLY funny. If it’s sad, be
Joe Mounts & Alea Plumley performing Viennese Waltz, Greater Daytona Chapter 6026
REALLY sad. The BEST show dances that have brought people to their feet, including mine, are those that commit ALL their art, talent, time and resources to present a show. I mean, you’re taking the floor with one other person and saying to all of us, “Watch me, I’ve something to show you.”
Perhaps knowing some of these potential obstacles can assist with a show that gets us standing on our feet. . .sometimes, before it’s even over!
So, for review: • Love the song for what it can bring out in your dancing, not just because you LOVE the song. • Select a fresh, contemporary song. Over-used songs can be like used gum. Sure, you can chew it, but for everyone else, it’s a little uncomfortable. • Keep it LIGHT. As in, keep it light in continuity and stay out of the deep end. • C O M M I T. Believe in the idea, commit to the idea, and walk on that floor expecting that standing “O.”
Brent Mills is currently music director for more than 80 DanceSport events worldwide. His company Music4-Movement Records produces music for visual arts, including TV show SYTYCD?. His website BallroomPlaylist.com features song lists for dancers. He is a 2X U.S. Amateur Cabaret Champion and national professional finalist.
Geoffrey Davis
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E
AMERICAN
DANCER
xclusive
By Dr. Joel Minden
THE COMPETITIVE EDGE: A PRACTICAL DIET FOR DANCERS Nataliya Tarbeeva
L
ike all power athletes, dancers should follow a sports nutrition plan that supports optimal body composition, energy needs, and health. But unlike other athletes, dancers also prefer to maintain a compact body with minimal mass. Because of these diverse goals, it can be difficult for dancers to make the right dietary choices. In this article, I’ll offer suggestions for making simple nutritional changes to address three common problems for dancers: losing body fat, maintaining muscle, and eating for energy, health, and enjoyment. Once you evaluate your goals, you can use the suggestions below to address problems in your current nutrition plan. 22
LOSING BODY FAT
In theory, losing body fat is simple — you can exercise more, eat less, or both. For most dancers, increasing activity is a poor strategy. There are two reasons for this. The first is that daily dance training is intense, and exercising more takes away from valuable recovery time that helps to prevent injury or overtraining. The second issue is that, due to the stop-and-go nature of dance training, the energy requirements are disappointingly low. This means that it would take an unrealistic amount of additional dancing to see meaningful changes in body fat. Endurance exercise, such as running or cycling, can be effective for
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
fat loss, but it can be time consuming and hard on the body. For dancers, a more realistic strategy is to continue to emphasize dance-specific training and make small dietary changes. Although eating less is the most important change a dancer can make to lose body fat, avoid the temptation to make drastic reductions to how much you eat. Cutting calories severely can result in muscle loss, low energy, and inadequate intake of nutrients to support health. Losing body fat should be a gradual process. The ideal rate of fat loss depends on many factors, but for most athletic dancers, it’s safe to lose about 1 lb. per week.
Lisa Dubinsky
Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova (KY)
Athletes who’ve progressed to the Championship level know the importance of proper training and nutrition and its impact on performance, health and well-being. Most will say it’s a balancing act and a challenge, and requires daily commitment and focus.
This can be easily achieved by eating about 500 fewer calories each day. Simple changes include eating smaller portions; drinking water, tea, or coffee instead of soda or alcohol; skipping dessert; or using less oil or butter in cooking. Finally, although it’s become popular to follow low-fat or low-carbohydrate diets for fat loss, there’s no particular advantage of either. The bottom line is that all diets are effective if calories are reduced.
MAINTAINING MUSCLE
Although you may not be interested in putting on more muscle, it’s important to retain the muscle you already have. Dancers who train hard while following low-calorie diets are at risk for losing lean body mass, which has a negative impact on performance and appearance. The good news is that high-intensity dance training helps dancers retain lean mass, as do other intense activities like resistance training, plyometrics, and interval training. The dietary strategy to retain lean mass should emphasize protein. This is particularly important when following a lower calorie diet. The protein requirement for athletes is greater than it is for sedentary populations. For dancers, daily consumption of 0.75 gram to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight is optimal. This means that a 120 lb. dancer should aim to eat at least 90 grams of protein a day. Examples of high-protein foods include meat, fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and for convenience, whey protein shakes.
EATING FOR ENERGY, ENJOYMENT, AND HEALTH
After planning for protein requirements, the foods you eat should provide balanced support for energy, eating satisfaction, and health needs. For intense dance training, the primary fuel is carbohydrate, so dancers who struggle with low energy should be sure to eat enough starch from grains or potatoes or sugar from fruit. For eating satisfaction, select the foods you enjoy. Although some athletes find their performance improves on a diet rich in carbohydrate, others notice no difference and prefer to eat relatively more fat. Once energy needs are met, eating the foods you enjoy will make it more likely that you adhere to a longterm dietary plan. Remaining dietary decisions should be made to address specific health goals. For example, many dancers fail to meet certain vitamin or mineral requirements, so diets that include natural foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, should be emphasized. For dancers who struggle with GI problems, it can be helpful to reduce the amount of fiber, milk, fruit, and fruit juices in the diet. Although white rice has limited nutritional value, as an easy-to-digest
Lisa Dubinsky
Nikita Malakhov & Nadezda Vlasova (NJ)
source of energy, it’s an excellent addition to a dancer’s diet.
CONCLUSION
Developing a dance nutrition plan may seem overwhelming, but the most effective strategies are often the easiest to implement. When making dietary decisions, be goal-directed, make practical and realistic changes, be patient through the process, and enjoy the success your efforts bring. Joel Minden, Ph.D., CSCS, is an International Standard dancer, exercise science and dance writer, and lecturer in the Psychology and Kinesiology Departments at California State University in Chico, CA. He provides strength and conditioning, nutrition and sport psychology services for dancers and other athletes. Additional articles of interest are found at www.joelminden.com.
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Grassroots GREATER MEMPHIS CHAPTER 2012
THE GREATEST GATSBY DANCE (ON EARTH) GANGSTAS & DOLLS, TOMMY GUNS & FRINGE
By Sylvia Harris Rose Most Photos also by Sylvia Harris Rose
The Roaring Twenties was truly a cultural breakthrough – flappers, women’s right to vote, high society in decadence, Wall St. Crash of ’29, Art Deco, Jazz, the Model T and the Charleston dance. Materialism and individualism were rampant during this era. Movies mirrored the culture; Dance Clubs proliferated the era. In New York, Harlem played a key role in dance development. The Cotton Club featured black performers for a white audience, while the Savoy Ballroom catered to a mostly black audience. Dances most popular were the Fox Trot, Waltz and American Tango, giving way to eccentric, novelty dances such as the Breakaway and Charleston, which exMadge Deeter ploded after two 1922 Broadway Hits. & Frank Deeter (guests from The ‘Charleston’ added tap dance Nashville) steps set to ragtime music, which was often times a reflected rearrangement of some classic score. The Lindy Hop evolved into the modern swing dances. But Jazz proliferated with names such as big-name band leaders and singers like Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and Ma Rainey. The Victorian dress of the 19th CenThe Memphis Six: Stan Smilopwitz, Peggy tury gave way to a looser lifestyle of Deborah Hodges Jones, Laura Wynn, Chuck Wynn, Helene Sylvi a Harri s Rose this era. The women wore slinky kneePhillips, Richard Phillips. length shirts, rolled stockings, fringe, the clientele. Police were often bribed to give First floor show was a Charleston number feathers, beads, pearls…and bared their the owners fair warning of a raid. arms. These women -- without corsets -called “The Wiggle” performed by member/ were known as ‘Flappers.” student Mary Ann Waddell and instructor Prohibition led to the illegal sale of alcohol, GREAT GATSBY Nikki Roberts. And the second floor show, the Speakeasy and organized crime. The an International Quickstep, was danced by COMES TO MEMPHIS rise of Gangsters, dressed in striped suits, National Senior III 10-Dance Champions Recreating all the Roarin’ 20s freedom of spats and carrying Tommy guns such as Kathy and John Linn of Memphis. expression, USA Dance Greater Memphis Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Bugs Moran Feathers, glam and bling mirrored the Chapter in April offered their members and battled for territories to furnish the Speakguests a Great Gatsby style event to remem- Roarin’ 20s Era and the compliments from easies with liquor and their cut of gambling. attendees resounded for weeks after: “It ber – authentic Big Band sound by the Edd These Speakeasies were often elaborate, was the Greatest Gatsby Dance on Earth... Jones Orchestra, superb food and two dyoffering live bands, food and floor shows to Lets do it again!” namic floor shows. Just like the olden days. 24
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
HOUSTON CHAPTER 5003
TEACHING SOCIAL DANCE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED How a seemingly casual conversation can actually lead to great opportunities.
Grassroots
Resource: J.M. Nelson, Education Director A Houston Chapter board member was casually speaking with a visually impaired friend about dancing. That conversation was later mentioned within a local support group for the visually impaired, which precipitated a request to the Chapter to assist with dance instruction… thus beginning the Chapter’s journey to the American Council of the Blind of Texas Conferences. When the official request for dance lessons for the local Visually Impaired Support Group was presented to the Chapter, everyone first considered traditional dance lessons. But this proved problematic in two ways: it was too expensive to be sustainable, and traditional dance classes are dominated by visual learning. Discussions then led to a more thorough assessment by a volunteer instructional designer, who subsequently designed lessons based on verbal and tactile communication From J.M. Nelson: and the specific needs identified in the assessment. The first dance lessons for the visually impaired actually began in the fall of 2012, and were held weekly, then bimonthly in 2013. In addition to actual instruction provided by • Though many legally blind the instructional designer, there were sighted persons have some degree of volunteers who provided partners and additional vision, most are at a disadcoaching. And a few volunteers, experienced in vantage at dance venues that working with the visually impaired, also taught typically have low lighting and some of the lessons. By spring of 2013, several of where they need accommodatthe new students were skilled enough to enjoy ing companions. Our instrucsocial dancing and even attended a few public tional designer also collaboratdance events. ed with several of the visually Some of the experienced visually impaired impaired dancers to prepare dance students later became involved with the an informational handout to Chapter in the 2013 Conference for the American be used at dances, available Council of the Blind of Texas, where the Chapter online at http://jmnelson.com/ hosted two days of sessions on social ballroom usad/vidg/vidgrec.htm . dance. Each session had 20 or more conferees, and both sighted volunteers and visually im• Chapters wishing to work paired experienced dancers assisted. Feedback with the visually impaired was clearly positive, and several conferees were communities are encouraged eager to find dance opportunities when they to first seek collaboration returned home. from an experienced inSo the word spread quickly and the Houston structional designer or make Chapter’s “journey” then continued to the sure that their teachers are 2014 ACBT Conference in San Antonio, and sensitive to the capabilities of this September at the 2015 State Conference the visually impaired and can in Corpus Christi, they again will host their adapt their lessons to this “Introduction to Social Partner Dance for the unique community. Visually Impaired” sessions.
Important considerations
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Grassroots SEP 25 – 27 NEW ENGLAND DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS NQE HOSTING WDSF UNDER 21 EVENTS, TEACHER-STUDENT, TEAMS The now 3rd annual New England DanceSport Championships definitely earned its bragging rights last year, achieving a 34% increase in entries, 16% more competitors and a full house of spectators nearly every night. So it was time for the organizing Chapter MASSabda 3002 to make some important decisions for 2015. Now, the NEDSC will host a three-day event, offering two days/evenings of competition and keeping social dance a Friday night tradition. As a National Qualifying Event for the USA Dance Nationals, this expanded format is expected to attract more competitors and representation from around the country. The NEDSC NQE falls inside the 10-day celebration period for National Ballroom Dance Week and will collaborate as well to celebrate USA Dance’s 50th Anniversary At the NEDSC, DanceSport couples will compete in divisions ranging from PreTeen I Standard and Latin to all four styles in Senior IV. Primary attractions for the NEDSC are its elegant venue, the four-star Westin
Waltham Hotel as well as the historic and season appeal of the Boston area. THE NEDSC is always a tapestry of entertainment activities – the Friday night social dinner dance, a fun jack & jill competition, dance workshops, team matches involving USA and other countries. Last year, the big rival was Iceland: this year it’s Canada accepting the Boston challenge.
SO ALL TOGETHER WHAT’S THE BIG NEWS FOR THE NEDSC 2015?
• T wo full days/evenings of DanceSport competition. • Opening night of fine dining and social dancing. • Now offering the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) World Ranking Tournaments for Under 21 in Standard, Latin and 10-Dance (open to athletes from around the world). • Now offering Teacher-Student Divisions of many levels and dance styles, open to pro-am and amateur teacher-student couples (new in 2015 for USA Dance). • I nternational Team Match
HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY,
K-12 HONOLULU!
By Synthia Sumukti and Ravi Narayan
It is 9 am on a Saturday morning. We are ready for our K-12 class inside the large ballroom on top of the Ala Wai Golf Course, owned by the City and County of Honolulu. “The Palladium,” as it is called, is right across from the Waikiki hotel district. The other side of the Palladium overlooks the golf course with a view of the Ko’olau Mountains. Our first group of energetic five to nine-year-olds arrives for their beginning ballroom class. We have a new five-year old student starting today, and she is anxiously looking around for her mom. (We ask the parents to leave since the younger kids are more focused without their parents watching). This year marks the 5th Anniversary of the K-12 program of the USA Dance Honolulu Chapter 4007. We started ballroom dancing 15 years ago, when our daughter was a year old. Not having a regular baby sitter, we started taking her to our classes and rehearsals. By the time she was five,
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• Exhibitions by the Rhode Island Special Olympics Ballroom Team For more information, please visit the competition website www.nedancesport.org. General questions go to info@nedancesport. org. Registrar is Mary Harvey at nedscregistrar@gmail.com. All registrations should be directly entered at www.o2cm.com.
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Lisa Dubinsky
she was starting to show interest in ballroom, but we soon realized there were no group ballroom lessons available for children or youth in Hawaii. Travel to Dancesport events is much more difficult when you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean 2,500 miles away from the closest landmass. The only reasonable option for us was to continue taking our daughter to our practices and dances. As she got older, we realized the even bigger challenge – finding a dance partner for her, other than her dad. In 2010, for a few short months, she found a 10-year old partner, and thus the K-12 program in Hawaii was born. We embarked on the task of teaching and training the kids in Standard and Latin dances. In 2011, when USA Dance made the call to start K-12 programs nationwide, we took on the official role as K-12 Coordinators, in addition to our regular duties as Board members of the Honolulu Chapter and volunteer K-12 instructors. The program has steadily grown from two students in February 2010 to 14 members this year – our 5th Anniversary. All our students are USA Dance youth members ranging in ages from five to 17. Classes are held in seven-week sessions for two hours every Saturday. We have to compete with soccer, ballet and the myriad of other youth programs offered at the same
Grassroots GREATER DAYTONA CHAPTER 6026
FROM ZOUK TO SUPER HEROES, CREATIVITY ABOUNDS WHEN TEACHING CHILDREN By Geoff Davis
As chapter outreach coordinators, my wife Pao Chen and I select the venues for our group to share our love of dancing. The majority of our events take place at nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and assisted-living communities. So when we have the chance to be involved with younger people, the program changes dramatically from being dance demonstrations and hand-holding with the senior residents, to a mix of dancing, game playing and singing in a highly interactive environment. In May, our Chapter volunteers were invited to the Reign Homeschooling Academy in Daytona Beach for its annual school dance. RHA is a small private school, pre-K through 12th grade, with students ages
four to 18 years old. RHA is also known for its support of homeschooling families. Student Appreciation Week there included such activities an Aerodynamics Day (kite and model plane flying), a Superhero Dress-Up Day and the School Dance, all culminating in the graduation ceremony.
R)
(THO ARVEL) ! S ND PTAIN M U O Z M! (CA N) A A N) M T M A A R B Z ( E SHA POW! TT! (SUP SCO T A GRTheEschool dance theme, selected by the students, was “Super Heroes.” And we were asked to incorporate this theme into our program. One of our chapter’s local dance instructors Joe Mounts
time. Each session ends with an informal recital followed by a mini-lesson for parents and family members. For most parents, this is their first time in a ballroom dance class. It is usually followed by an even greater appreciation for their children’s efforts . . .“It looked so easy when they did it!” Teaching ballroom to children is very different from teaching adults and has its own set of challenges. We measure our success by the life impact it has on our students. One parent mentioned they had seen an improvement in the focus and attentiveness of their child at school. Other students have seen an improvement in their grades. Honolulu Chapter Christmas Performance (Front) Rebecca Colburn, Ava Gianna Hills, Alexa Hills; (Middle) Amanda Colburn, Rani Soren, Prita Narayan; (Back) Ravi Narayan, Max Senesombath, Richard Weiss, Synthia Sumukti. Ravi Narayan
dressed as Clark Kent and “transformed” into Superman during the event. He pointed out to the children that everyone has a “superman” inside themselves, which can be expressed in many ways, including dance. Sixteen other members participated. During the twohour event, we performed several demonstration dances, including the foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba and waltz. The foxtrot was done in mixer fashion. Joe taught a Zouk lesson to the group, and we led the students in several line dances. The students then asked if they could teach us a couple of line dances.
Then as Master of Ceremonies, I led the children in a “repeat after me song,” which included lots of animation by all involved. Sharing our love of dance and music with the students and witnessing their reciprocated enthusiasm for it was very rewarding for all of us. Chapter volunteers included Joe Mounts, Woody Lucas, Polly Foster, Chelsea Evans, Dottie Kuhns, Suzanne Merhige, John Lynch, Stephanie Kretschmar, Jean Dalton, Ken McHugh,Delores Sanchez, Mary Mosley, Jean Bell, Sally Johnson, Ben Taylor, Geoff Davis and PaoChen Davis. July - August 2015
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Grassroots
8-Couple Viennese Waltz Formation Group
TEA DANCE REVIVAL IN MINNESOTA
ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MINNETONKA
Resource: Bonnie Burton, Executive Editor, Minnesota Dancer Magazine All Photos by David Chin
Social Mixer: Chapter President Leland Whitney & Suzi Blumberg
The Tea Dance is an annual tradition in Minnesota. And each spring, USA Dance Minnesota Chapter 2011 hosts a Tea Dance and has been doing so for the past 23 years. This well attended, elegant
affair is held on a Sunday in May, at the exclusive Lafayette Club, on the shores of beautiful Lake Minnetonka, about 20 minutes from the Twin Cities. The Tea Dance in Minnesota is a full-day event and actually begins at 11 am with a delicious buffet brunch served on the veranda overlooking the lake. At 1 pm, the dancing will begin and this year attracted more than 150 guests to this gorgeous historic ballroom appointed with elegant crystal chandeliers and French doors that connect the 3,000 square foot handwood dance floor to the warm sunshine and spring flowers on the veranda.
History of the Tea Dance: A tea dance, or the dansant (French: literally dancing tea) is a summer or autumn afternoon or early-evening dance from four to seven, sometimes preceded in the English countryside by a garden party… Tea dances were given by Royal Navy officers aboard ships at various naval stations. . .Even after the introduction of the phonograph, the expected feature was a live orchestra – often referred to as a palm court orchestra – or a small band playing light classical music. The types of dances performed during tea dances included Waltzes, Tangos and, by the late 1920s, The Charleston.
— excerpt from Wikipedia
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During mid-afternoon, guests are treated to the dance performances involving many Chapter members. Performers this year included LaTep (Anne & Tom LaTourelle, with Karen & Mark Tepley) and the ever-popular Viennese Waltz Formation group of eight couples – Ha Tuong & Stephanie Riley, Tom Crable & Linda Crable; CJ Hurst & Lori Hurst; Yeun Chou & DeDe Ouren; Daniel Lai & Lisa Wu; Mike Jones & Elizabeth Dickinson; Ed Soltis & Bonnie Burton and Dan Viehman & Yvonne Viehman. In addition to the members in attendance, the Chapter is able to invite
The Lafayette Club dates back to the original hotel built by railroad magnate James J Hill and opened in 1882. Billed as “the finest hotel west of New York City”, its hallways were 10 feet wide and there were three grand staircases, 300 guest rooms and a staff of 150 people. It hosted many U.S. Presidents and governors of Minnesota. In 1897, the Hotel Lafayette was destroyed by fire, the rebuilt clubhouse again in 1922. Lafayette’s current grand clubhouse was built in 1925 and flourishes today.
—Resource: www.lafayetteclub.com
Grassroots Brian Bateman
ORLANDO CHAPTER 6002
VOLUNTEER-STRONG IN FLORIDA
Recognizing the dedication and good work of volunteers is like putting gasoline in the fuel tank… if you want to keep the car running . The Orlando Chapter, which serves a three-county Florida area, commemorates its volunteers every year with a group shot taken at one of its many theme parties. Chapter President John Davis (see story p. 46).
Beth Wagner
Proudly wearing their new tuxedos and evening dresses, Dickson Elementary School 6th graders practiced their dance steps and technique at the special ballroom dance.
BALLROOM GRAND FINALE PENNSYLVANIA SIXTH GRADERS DEMONSTRATE THEIR NEW STEPS, TECHNIQUE, ETIQUETTE
Viennesse Waltz Dancers Ha Tuong & Stephanie Riley
Swing Time Dancers Tyler Bridges & Mary Bergh
student guests from nearby University of Minnesota and Carleton College due to the generosity of several sponsors. To some, The Tea Dance may seem an old-fashioned practice, but to ballroom dancers who appreciate the grandeur of a fine ballroom and the joy of the music, it’s a tradition worth preserving for generations to come.
May 1 was a special day for the sixth graders at Dickson Elementary in Swissvale, PA. It was the much awaited ballroom dance night, the second annual one since the Pittsburgh Chapter launched the school dance program last year. This dance evening followed the culmination of three months of ballroom dance lessons taught every Tuesday in the school gym. Program Chair: Janet Smith. For these classes, the Pittsburgh Chapter 3007 had recruited local dance professionals to teach the kids, with instruction supplemented by USA dance volunteers. Children in the 6th grade program were taught three dances -- Merengue, Waltz and Hustle. They also were introduced to dance etiquette which taught them valuable manners and respect. For the upcoming ballroom dance night, the students were even fitted for gowns and tuxedos. A local bridal studio donated gowns for the girls, and a tuxedo shop donated tuxedo rentals for the boys with teachers chipping in to help. USA Dance volunteers altered each gown as needed. At this point in the program, the teachers became actively involved. They actually encouraged the students to practice dance steps in the classrooms most of the days. The art teacher created a special art club to make decorations which transformed the gym into a ballroom. Teachers also assigned children to investigate the history of the dances so that this information could be a presented by the students on this special ballroom dance evening. Teachers planned and rehearsed a promenade for this special evening. They even taught a few boys “temptation moves” as their introductions that evening. As Chapter President Gretchen Brocks explained, “The parents proudly gathered the evening of May 1, and the children proudly displayed what they had learned. Beautiful memories were created with each step and a beautiful tradition was begun to be passed onto a new generation of dancers.” July - August 2015
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Grassroots
NEVER SKIPPING A BEAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY STILL LIVE AND WELL IN ATLANTA The Atlanta Metro Chapter 6005 holds its monthly ballroom dance and attracts new dancers all the time who appreciate the great music selections and dancing, but when they get back home, they’re still talking about the food, all because of one special member. For each event, the food is purchased and prepared monthly by one of their long time members, Ellen Worley-Reed, who never ceases to amaze the board members. Over the years, Ellen served on the Chapter’s board in various positions, worked with college outreach and then moved to
handling food service at the dances. The Chapter says everyone is always amazed at the wide selection of creative, delicious foods that Ellen prepares, but there’s more to appreciate. As they explained, “Ellen is an active 80-year-old lady who prepares this entire feast, dance after dance, with only one arm. Many years ago, she lost her left arm to cancer, but she hasn’t allowed this to handicap her life.” And she enjoys every minute she spends with the 150 or so dancers, serving food, enjoying the conversations. Needless to say, there’s little food ever left over at the end of the night.
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Ellen Worley-Reed, Food Volunteer Courtesy Atlanta Metro Chapter
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S NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCE WEEK
ocially Yours
A TIME TO CELEBRATE AND START PLANNING By Jean Krupa, Social VP t will soon be National Ballroom Dance Week (which should be called National Happiness Week) -- an annual celebration of ballroom dancing that spans the third week in September and lasts 10 days. This year the dates are September 18- 27. National Ballroom Dance Week encourages Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintaining good health. We all know the benefits of dancing, and unselfishly we need to share this knowledge with the American public.
I
Lake Norman (NC) Chapter 6119 Social Dance on Cruise Boat Leitha Brown
The many benefits of dance: • Stress relief • Physical activity • Making new friends • Increased flexibility • Better balance • Core strength • Improved posture • Quality time with loved ones Hatti esburg (MS) Ch apte r 6116 Mayor Proclam atio • “Dance is for everyone,” so USA al n of NBDW Karen Adams Dance encourages its chapters to create your own special events in your communities. Be creative! And the list of opportunities is endless: • Plan a social dance at your local shopping mall • Organize a Flash Mob in a public gathering place • Host a Dance-a-Thon Do something charitable for USA Dance using dance as a fundraiser to support USA Dance’s many outreach programs — College Programs, K-12 Youth Programs, the National DanceSport Championships or the USA World Team Athlete Development Fund. The main purpose of National Ballroom Dance Week events is to attract the attention of the public to the world of ballroom dancing. Emphasis should be given to reaching those who may not participate in or follow dance events during the year. Focus on people of all ages, from
Greater Daytona (FL) Chapter 6026 Mall Ball Performances & Social Dancing Geoffrey Davis
children to seniors, who may be reluctant to start dancing or perhaps reluctant to join an organization. All it takes is one person to make a connection, to open a door for someone to get involved. “Dancers of America, UNITE!”
National Ballroom Dance Week is an occasion to celebrate, and also a way to promote the joy of dancing and awareness of USA Dance. It is a great opportunity to increase chapter memberships and overall dance participation in your local community. Chapters who have not done anything special in the past to recognize NBDW should try at least one new promotion. Perhaps it is simply free passes to future dances or free admission for anyone who brings a first-time guest. Many chapters “go all out” to celebrate, with a dance every night, even offering a different theme or free dance classes. Chapters often hold exhibitions in shopping malls, community centers and parks, anywhere open to the public. They do dance demonstrations in nursing homes, at schools and festivals. Additional ideas for dance venues could be hotel lobbies, ferry boats, libraries, government facilities, recreation halls, churches, dance studios, college facilities, high-school facilities, parking lots and streets, fairs, corporate facilities, community buildings, hospitals, just about every place where the public is. Remember, flash mobs can go anywhere! Also think about getting some good publicity. Call or email your local papers, radio and tv stations. Invite reporters who cover entertainment, dance and the arts to attend your events and perhaps they’ll become inspired to write about USA Dance and all the activities. The time to start planning is actually now. Bring imagination, dedication, hard work, and love for dancing in your city. USA Dance has also created a new logo for chapters to promote National Ballroom Dance Week and the 50th anniversary for USA Dance. Now get out there and CELEBRATE DANCING! July - August 2015 31
Pavel Kudryavtsev & Veronica Vasiliu All Photos by Frank Chin
RIVER CITY BALL BLOSSOMS WITHIN PORTLAND ROSE FESTIVAL
PORTLAND’S HISTORY OF DANCE T
he recorded history of ballroom dance in Oregon goes back to the 1890’s Harpers Magazine, which noted a two-day dance festival in pioneer times. The 1905 Pacific Exposition in Portland even scheduled dancing as an evening pastime, with entertainment provided by dance teams performing the Hootchie Koochie, apparently a favorite of the time. Periods of Portland’s vibrant growth gave reason to celebrate, dancing bringing people together from dance halls to saloons to private galas. Most importantly, the new dances of Foxtrot and Tango made an appearance on the popular as well as dance education scenes, with everyone wanting to learn and enjoy what had quickly become very desirable social dances. In the early 1900s in times of prosperity, people were hungry for venues to learn and enjoy ballroom dancing, hence the opening of the Ringler Dance Academy and Cotillion Hall (now the Crystal 32
Contributing Writers - Nick Shur, Diana Wojcik, Ed Brennan All Competition Photos by Frank Chin
The River City Ball After-Party Team PDX Teen at The Rose Festival Starlight Parade with Coach Shawn Gardner. Anthony Yatskov & Sofia Gurevich
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Courtesy of Team PDX Teen
COMPETITION NOTES
Edward Brennan & Cecilia Wang
River City Ball 2015 added a new dimension to its schedule this year: competition rounds were held on the night before the competition. Highly popular and supervised by Coach David Semken, couples participating in the practice sessions got their warm-ups and also had opportunity to watch David and his wife Courtney go through the same drills. River City Ball was held in a local dance studio in nearby Tigard, OR, where dancers competed in an intimate, inspiring setting to the enjoyment of an applauding audience who mostly framed the dancers. Most dancers were from the Portland and NorthWest region, but new competitors came all the way from Canada and were a welcomed addition. On the floor at River City Ball was an increase in junior and youth competitors this year, a testament to the growing efforts to bring dance to the next generation. The more advanced open-level competitors said they completed some of their best rounds ever. And with dance teams now in high public demand, several competing teams at River City Ball, like Shawn Gardner’s Team PDX Teen were a crowd pleaser and went on that evening to perform at the Starlight Parade After Party. The esteemed judging panel included Beth Knoll, Chad Brooks, Michael Petr and Dave Watson. Event Organizer: Sonja Tilton Music Director: Mark Richman Emcee: Joe Leitch Chairman of Judges: Dave Watson
born, sponsored by the Portland Chapter Ballroom). Yet, this popular social art 1006, and brings together ballroom form didn’t only thrive in times of plenty. dancers of all skill levels and ages. For the Later, during the Prohibition era, the past six years, the River City Ball is an dance halls of Portland became notorious integral part of the Portland Rose Festival speakeasys, inspiring novels such as schedule. Last year, the Portland Chapter “Tillie from Tillamook,” the dancing also participated in the festival’s “City adventures of one lady from the coast. And throughout the 20th century, dancing Fair,” where local dance teams and studios performed on stage for the public. in Portland grew much like it did in other larger metropolitan cities, attracting a rich Attend a… diversity of dancers. Portland, known as the Rose City, has Alight by carriage, ascend the large marble staircase, beautiful summers and and discover the magnificence of the Hofburg Palace. plays host annually to THE VIENNA BALL & BUDAPEST EXPERIENCE the famous Portland February 6 – 13, 2016 Rose Festival. Out of an appreciation for that heritage, the River City Ball was
Viennese Ball
Dance partners not required. More information at deliciousexpeditions.com/vienna.html 1-888-407-3168 or info@deliciousexpeditions.com July - August 2015
photo credit:©VOTAVA/PID
Neil Fleischmann & Maria Carmen Galang
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Greater New York Chapter 2015 Parade Team Martina Lee
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
of DIVERSITY Dance Parade New York Attracts 10,000+ Dancers to the Streets of Manhattan
T Yang Chen
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By Margot Garnick, Greater NY Chapter
he 9 annual Dance Parade New York in May was actually started in 2007 by Greg Miller, a social entrepreneur and dance aficionado. In the first year, over 2,300 dancers, demonstrating 37 styles of dance, made their way down Manhattan’s Broadway Avenue. Since that time, the Parade has grown to more than 10,000 dancers showcasing over 75 styles of dance. However, the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance continues to be the sole ballroom and Latin dance repth
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resentative in the parade, and proudly so. The first parade in 2007 was organized as a reaction to a New York State Supreme Court Case against the City of New York regarding cabaret laws which made it illegal to dance in bars without a cabaret license. A judge ruled that, unlike other forms of artistic expression such as music, film and physical art, social dance is not considered an expressive activity and not protected by the constitution as freedom of speech. In 2008, Dance Parade, Inc. gained official 501c3 non-profit status as a charitable
Martina Lee
Yang Chen
arts organization and launched its Community Engagement education program to promote all forms of dance. By demonstrating and promoting all forms of dance, Dance Parade, Inc. has sought to show that dance, by its very nature is an expressive activity. Having participated in Dance Parade since the beginning, Meagan O’Toole, a Latin dancer, noted “It’s amazing how far the parade has come in the past nine years. From a little parade protesting the cabaret laws with just a few groups, to a vibrant parade celebrating all types of dance. It’s great to be alongside dancers of all styles celebrating what we all love.” Each year, more and more dancers from the ballroom community come out to dance in the streets. These dancers range from newcomer to advanced and represent all styles with both social and competitive dancers parading down the street together. The dancers in the Parade represent many styles and origins of dance from jazz and hip-hop to traditional folk dances from around the world. As a first-timer to the Parade this year, but long-time dancer, Tetyana Dolotova commented “My favorite thing about the parade was seeing the many dance groups from all over New York City, marching alongside us. Belly dancers, cheerleaders, broadway companies, ethnic dance groups, little kids and adults, all dancing together in one event, showcasing the great diversity within New York City’s dance community.” Each year, the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance generously donates free,
colorful t-shirts to anyone who wishes to join them. When it is finally ballroom’s turn to go, trailing a battery-powered speaker on wheels, the dancers filter onto the main drag and start dancing down the street. Each year brings new faces to the group. Local collegiate team members from NYU, Brooklyn College and Columbia University make up a large portion of the ballroom contingent. Crowds line the street on either side waving and cheering. Some spectators lounge on fire escapes to watch the parade pass from above. Several students form an impromptu line dance as they simultaneously dance Samba bota fogos and voltas down the street. A leader calls out the next step as they proceed in unison. As the song changes, people grab partners for a tango. Then as a couple dances past ending in a sharp contra check, the crowd starts applauding. Many groups in the parade featured solo dance styles. Seeing partners dance effortlessly together is always a real treat. A mile and a half later, the now weary dancers see the final destination in sight and gain a last burst of momentum to dance gallantly into Tompkins Square Park, where a four-hour DanceFest will begin.
Martina Lee
Dance Parade New York is an entity of Dance Parade Inc., a 501c3 organization, whose charitable mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form, while educating the public about opportunities to experience dance. Dance Parade celebrates diversity by showcasing all types of dances around the world through sponsorship of a yearly, citywide parade and festival. Additional programs include education outreach, residencies and artistic partnerships to increase public awareness and showcase dance on multiple platforms. Resource: www.danceparade.org
Have speakers, will parade Martina Lee
July - August 2015
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IN THE
PUBLICEYE “ALL THINGS CONSIDERED”
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INTERVIEWS INNA BRAYER FOR STORY ON RUSSIAN-AMERICAN JEWISH DANCERS By Angela Prince & Inna Brayer Editor’s Note: USA Dance was contacted by NPR researching a story angle that actually originated in Canada with a college professor. USA Dance member Inna Brayer, who is Jewish Russian-American, a former National Champion and “pro” one season on ABC-TVs “Dancing With The Stars” became the ideal interview candidate. In media, story pursuits move quickly. Quick call was made to Inna by the reporter who visited Inna’s dance classes in session and taped an interview with Inna in the NPR studio. Also interviewed were President Yang Chen and DanceSport VP Ken Richards. Great publicity for ballroom dancing, for USA Dance members and for the accomplishments of one group of Americans in the world of ballroom dancing
T Inna Brayer “selfie” from the National Public Radio recording studio in New York City. Interview with NPR’s Alexandra Starr, who also went behind-the-scenes at the dance studio in Brooklyn.
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he National Public Radio interview appearing on All Things Considered aired on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ABC-TVs Dancing With The Stars. But the primary story by Alexandra Starr was NPR’s interest in the obviously high number of accomplished Russian Jewish ballroom competitors in America. USA Dance member Inna Brayer, NY dance instructor, coach and adjudicator, after speaking with Ms. Starr, invited her to meet her Russian-American students
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on a Thursday evening at the dance studio in Brooklyn. And, Inna’s own family had come to America from Russia, leaving their homeland for “better cultural opportunities.” As she explained during the interview, it was her family’s American Dream for her to have a dance career and that they are very proud of her accomplishments. The NPR interview gave Inna an opportunity to discuss her career from the time she was a child learning in New York to the times she and her partner became USA Dance National 10-Dance Champions and represented the USA several times at the World DanceSport Federation World Championships, and then having the opportunity to dance as a “pro” one season on Dancing With The Stars. Thursday nights in Inna’s studio could be called “teen night” because most of the kids taking classes and attending run-throughs are Junior High and High School students. The kids who took part in the interview were Peter Mikhlin, Daniella Safonov, Simone Lempert, Alex Volynsky, Cathryn Lerner and Max Igonkin. On The Kids’ Stories: Alexandra asked the kids why dance was so important to them and how their small community of Russian Jewish ballroom dancers came about. Peter told
NPR Photo by Alexandra Starr, reprinted with permission of NPR.
As the Iowa community newspaper said: “Steve and Hilda Ostby have been ballroom dancing for the past 20 years and can’t imagine their lives without it.”
Inna Brayer coaching her students Alex Volynsky & Simone Lempert in Brooklyn.
Alexandra that they all look forward to coming to dance and seeing their friends. He mentioned the fact that they always make plans on the weekends to go somewhere as a group, and this “activity” their parents signed them up for became much more than just an activity, it became their entire social life. In reality, the people they associate with become a large part of who they identify with. Inna’s Story: Alexandra interviewed me privately at the NPR studio in NYC. She asked me what it was like for my parents to see my success, especially because my mom danced in Russia as a kid and always dreamt of becoming a professional dancer. They didn’t have many opportunities in Russia, mostly because of religious persecution and to be able to move to a country that allowed them to follow their dreams and create new ones for their new generation was truly remarkable. In my dad’s later words “I’m proud we made the decision and moved to the USA. My mom interjected and said “Yea, we did it for the sake of our new generation. We wanted you to have every opportunity in the world.” Listen to and read the NPR interview online: http://www.npr.org/2015/04/28/402833811 /why-russian-american-jews-are-ballroomdance-leaders
HEADLINES IN IOWA
THE STEVE & HILDA OSTBY STORY: ‘DANCE AS A WAY OF LIVING’ Photos by Cedar Falls Times
Hilda Ostby was excited when her local community paper Cedar Falls Times did a feature story on she and her husband Steve as passionate ballroom dancers. As devoted (strike that) dance-aholic members of the Cedar Valley (IA) Chapter 2033, Hilda and Steve are truly great ambassadors, not only for USA Dance, but for every possible benefit that dancing can offer. The resulting 1,000+ word story is a strong testament to why the paper’s headline reads “Dance As A Way of Living.” To Hilda and Steve, there isn’t any other way.
Steve, Gran dd au ghter Bella & Hi ld a at a Cedar Valle y Ch apter danc e.
From the story by Anelia Demitrova: • “It’s a special dose of happiness.” One that doesn’t come in a pill. It works better than glucosamine for the joints, it keeps the mind nimble, and for sure, its jolt of daily joy is more powerful and longer-lasting than caffeine. And Hilda and Steve Ostby take it gladly. . .Neither can imagine their life without the titillation of waltzing on the dance floor at a public event or at a private function, or simply practicing, under the guidance of an experienced teacher, how to perfect a move they have done a million times. • “In a nutshell, it has increased their pleasure of life, reconnected them in ways that they wouldn’t have been had they not partnered on the dance floor, and, kept them fit without the drudgery of a rigorous workout regimen.” • “The past 20 years,” Hilda admits, “have gone by fast, largely because of dance.” “We’ve danced in the ocean in Puerto Rico and we’ve danced in the woods, we dance in parking lots sometimes when we do what we can ‘hit-and-run-dancing’ during a full moon,” she says. “We had fun dancing on the water in Canada (there was a large rock just under the water). We’ve danced in airports when a favorite song comes on. We’ll dance anywhere!” Asked to contemplate what her days would look like without dance, Hilda says categorically, “Boring. I can’t really imagine my life without it.”
July - August 2015
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DANCESPORT CALENDAR 2015-2016 July 2015 Mid-Summer Classic ** (see note) July 25, 2015 Hosted by Southern Star Chapter #6038 Rhapsody Ballroom – Tampa, FL
August 2015 Fort Wayne DanceSport Special Olympics August 1, 2015 Hosted by USA Dance Fort Wayne Chapter #2046 Walb Student Union, Indiana - Purdue Campus, Fort Wayne, IN
September 2015 Kansas City Dance Classic ** (see note) September 12, 2015 Organized by Matt & Ellen Pansing Camelot Ballroom - Overland Park, KS (Kansas City) Rocky Mountain Fall Competition September 19, 2015 Hosted by USA Dance Denver Chapter #5006 Denver Turnverein - Denver, CO
WDSF Open Adult Standard, 10-Dance & Latin October 30 - November 1, 2015 Events held at the Chicago DanceSport Challenge Hyatt O'Hare Hotel - Chicago, IL
November 2015 California State DanceSport Championships – 2016 NQE November 7, 2015 Hosted by NorCal Chapter #4004 San Jose Civic — San Jose, CA National Collegiate DanceSport Championships November 21-22, 2015 Hosted by USA Dance National Columbus Convention Center – Columbus, OH
January 2016 Islanders DanceSport Challenge ** (see note) January 9, 2016 Organized by Renata Shvarts Olympia Recreational Center - Staten Island, NY
Quest For The Best ** (see note) September 26, 2015 Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom – Lynnwood, WA
Manhattan Amateur Classic (The MAC) - 2016 NQE January 15-17, 2016 Hosted by Greater New York Chapter #3004 Hyatt Regency - Jersey City, NJ
New England DanceSport Championships – 2016 NQE September 25-27, 2015 Hosted by MASSabda Chapter #3002 Westin Hotel - Waltham, MA
WDSF Open Junior II Standard & Latin January 15-16, 2016 Events held at Manhattan Amateur Classic. Hyatt Regency - Jersey City, NJ
WDSF Open Under-21 Standard, 10-Dance & Latin September 25-27, 2015 Events held at New England DanceSport Championships Westin Hotel - Waltham, MA
October 2015 Carolina Fall Classic – 2016 NQE October 2 - 4, 2015 Organized by Wayne & Marie Crowder University Hilton - Charlotte NC WDSF October 2 - 4, 2015 University Hilton – Charlotte, NC Liberty Ball **(see note) October 10, 2015 Organized by Renata Shvarts & Steve Mesh Klein JCC - Philadelphia, PA NJ DanceSport Classic – Fall Frolic ** (see note) October 2015 Organized by Wendi Davies Rogers Dance Center - Hackensack, NJ (Note: Date to be announced)
Florida Fun Amateur Mini-Match ** (see note) January 2016 Organized by Mary K. Thomas Circle Square Cultural Center - Ocala, FL (Note: Date to be announced) Winter Frolic ** (see note) January 30, 2016 Hosted by Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Gold Coast Ballroom - Coconut Creek, FL Senior IV National DanceSport Championships February 20-21, 2016 Hosted by USA Dance Mid-Eastern Chapter #6001 North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center Bethesday, MD Events held at M
February 2016 Quest For The Best ** (see note) February 2016 Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom – Lynnwood, WA (Note: Date to be announced)
Chicago DanceSport Challenge – 2016 NQE October 30 - November 1, 2015 Hosted by Chicagoland Chapter #2001 Hyatt O’Hare Hotel - Chicago, IL
Mid-Atlantic Championships – 2016 NQE February 20 - 21, 2016 Hosted by Mid-Eastern Chapter #6001 North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center - Bethesda, MD
COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY: Please refer to USA Dance Rulebook (Eligibility Criteria 4.2 and 4.3) 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-and-resources/rules-policies-and-bylaws/ CALENDAR DISCLAIMER: All USA Dance sanctioned and listed competition events and activities within this calendar are subject to change of date, location and other details without prior notice. Please
March 2016 NJ DanceSport Classic – Spring Fling ** (see note) March 2016 Organized by Wendi Davies Rogers Dance Center – Hackensack, NJ (Note: Date to be announced) Phoenix USA DanceSport Challenge ** (see note) March 2016 Hosted by Phoenix Chapter #4033 El Zaribah Shrine Hall - Phoenix, AZ (Note: Date to be announced) WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress at Nationals March 31, 2016
April 2016 USA DANCE 2016 National DanceSport Championships April 1 - 3, 2016 Also Hosting WDSF World Ranking Tournaments: Open Under-21 Standard Open Under-21 10-Dance Open Under-21 Latin Renaissance Harborplace Hotel - Baltimore, MD Quest for the Best ** (see note) April 2016 Hosted by Seattle Chapter #1004 The Verve Ballroom - Lynnwood, WA (Note: Date to be announced)
May 2016 Rocky Mountain Spring Competition May 2016 Hosted by USA Dance Denver Chapter #5006 Denver Turnverein - Denver, CO (Note: Date to be announced) Georgia DanceSport Competition May 20-22, 2016 Organized by Georgia DanceSport Westin Perimeter North - Atlanta, GA River City Ball May 2016 Hosted by Portland Chapter #1006 Ballroom Dance Company – Portland, OR (Note: Date to be announced)
June 2016 NJ DanceSport Classic - Summer Sizzler – 2017 NQE June 2016 Organized by Mario Battista & Wendi Davies Rogers DanceSport Center - Hackensack NJ (Note: Date to be announced) Gumbo DanceSport Championships – 2017 NQE June 24-26, 2016 Hosted by Louisiana Gumbo Chapter #5031 Crowne Plaza - Baton Rouge LA WDSF Open Senior III & IV Standard June 24-26, 2016 Events held at the Gumbo DanceSport Championships Crowne Plaza - Baton Rouge, LA 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.
July - August 2015
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WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
UNDER 21 LATIN – April 25, 2015 Chisinau, Moldova
J
ust three weeks following the USA Dance Nationals, two Under 21 Division finalist couples were packing and in flight to Chisinau, the largest city in the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe. Travel distance? 4,765 miles one-way from New York City, where both couples – Ryan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlov and Ariel Milshteyn & Adelina Ishkayeva – reside and train. It was a first and exciting WDSF experience for both couples.
WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 LATIN
Ryan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlov
Tied 31-32 out of 80
Ariel Milshteyn & Adelina Ishkayeva
Tied 67-69 out of 80 Elena Raffloer
I
AMERICAN
DANCER
nterview
RYAN RAFFLOER & HANNA SVERDLOV (NY)
Dancing Together: Less than one year. Ages 18 and 17. Coaches: Vladimir Karpov, Maria Manusova, Eugene Katsevman, Kuat Mirkhamit. USA Dance/WDSF Placements: USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships, 2nd Under 21 Latin, 5th Adult Open Latin, Manhattan Amateur Classic 2015; 31st WDSF Under 21 World Championship 2015, 14th WDSF Adult Open Latin 2015. Ryan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlov Ryan Kenner
interesting experience. I definitely felt nervous knowing I’m not just dancing against some couples but, against the top two couples from every country, so it definitely put a bit of pressure on me. But as soon as I stepped onto the dance floor, I had an amazing feeling dancing next to finalists of the world championship that I only dreamed of doing…. Hanna: This was my first WDSF world competition so I was definitely worried, but I was also really excited. Dancing with other couples from the around the world was an amazing experience…it was also especially nice because my mom was born in Chisinau…. AD: What are your dance goals now? R&H: Short-term goal is to be in the final of every major local competition. Our long-term goal is to represent the United States in the next WDSF World Under 21 Latin Championship. AD: Any particular advice from parents and coaches? R&H: Both are very supportive and always push us to do more, so they have definitely affected us in our dancing career.
AMERICAN DANCER: What were your thoughts going into this first WDSF World Championship event? Ryan: Well, it was definitely something new and a very 40
AD: What are your career aspirations? R: Pursuing dance as a career. H: My career aspiration would
be to improve my dancing as
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USA Under 21 World Team in Moldova
much as possible and achieve as much as I can. AD: What distinguishes you
as a couple on the floor? R: One thing that distinguishes us from the other couples on the floor is our height difference, which we can use as an advantage in our dancing. AD: And what are your greatest challenges as a couple? R&H: . . .probably still getting used to the height difference that we have. AD: What’s the difference between Under 21 and Youth or Adult that people need to understand? H: There’s a big transition between Youth and Under 21 or Adult because the dancing has to be more mature, and for me, the quality of the dancing must be much better.
ARIEL MILSHTEYN & ADELINA ISHKAYEVA (NY) Dancing Together: Two years. Ages 17 and 16. Coaches: Maria Manusova, Eugene Katsevman. USA Dance/WDSF Placements: USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships, 3rd Under 21 Latin, 7th Youth Open Latin; 1st Youth PreChampionship Latin; 67th WDSF Under 21 World Championship 2015, 14th WDSF Youth Latin 2015. American Dancer: What
were your thoughts going into this first WDSF World Championship? Adelina: It was an amazing experience. . .we were definitely very nervous but excited. Wish we can re-live the moment. Ariel: Dancing at a World Championship was the best thing in my life. It was an amazing experience,
Lisa Dubinsky
WDSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 21 LATIN Apr 25, 2015 – Chisinau, Moldova A USA JUDGE’S PERSPECTIVE – STEPHAN KRAUEL
Ariel Milshteyn & Adelina Ishkayeva
especially a learning experience. We tried our best and believe we danced much better the second day for the Youth Latin competition because we were more confident and less nervous. AD: What are your goals now since Moldova? A&A: Our goal as soon as we came back was to take all the experience from our trip and apply it to our dancing to improve ourselves individually, and as a couple. We want to place higher in competition and entertain the audience while doing so. AD: Any particular advice from parents
and coaches that has meant the most? A&A: Our coaches always push us past our max for us to get better, and make us set our differences aside to work together to achieve our goal. Our parents are our #1 supporters, and we would never be where we are dancing wise, and would never have been able to go to Worlds, if it wasn’t for them. AD: What is your greatest challenge as a couple? Ariel: Our greatest challenge right now is staying focused on what we have to do. We know we have to dance, but we also can’t forget that we have school too…yet we manage to practice often and still keep good grades. AD: What’s the difference between Under 21 and Youth or Adult? A&A: We believe what separates couples in Under 21 and Youth is the maturity levels. Older couples have learned more about their own bodies and have a little more experience, which makes dancing different.
Seventy-five talented dancers took the floor for the first round. Among them were three couples from North America - Winson Tam & Anastasia Novokova representing Canada and two couples from the USA - Ryan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlova and Ariel Milshteyn & Adelina Ishkayeva. The quality of this year’s Championships was one of the highest, and it was difficult for the judges to select six couples to the final. As a result, there were seven couples recalled. Represented were Canada, Israel, Romania, Russia, Spain and Moldova. Here are the results and some thoughts from a judge’s point of view: 1st and new World Champions from Israel, Artyom Liaskovsky and Liana Odikadze: Tremendously talented couple and definitely the crowd’s favorites. Artyom showing great flexibility and musicality. Very unusual choreography highlighting his talent. At times Liana needed to step up and try to match her partner’s abilities. Last year, they placed 5th in this very Championship. Well done and congratulations to them both. 2nd and being crowned the Vice Champions - from Canada, Winson Tam and Anastasia Novikova. They had a great competition and were very committed from the early rounds. Already they have achieved so much in their short time together. Winson has a great sense of floorcraft and the ability to showcase his partner. Anastasia is a beautiful dancer with a tremendous knowledge of the Latin technique. However, in the final, she could have more passion and more impact in her dancing. Best dance was Samba with good rhythm and speed changes. 3rd from Romania – Alexandru Ionut and Andra Pacurar. Wow, what a great couple! Very sophisticated for this age. Andra was one of the best lady dancers with her amazing commitment to all of her movements. Both are very well trained and you can appreciate the detail in their dancing. A pure joy to watch. They will have a bright future together. 4th from Russia - Nikolay Chernov and Evgenia Florisnkaya. A handsome couple always in balance with good understanding of the Latin principles. Best dance, Paso Doble with some beautiful shapes and interesting
choreography. Always portraying a strong male and female relationship. 5th from Russia - Nikita Pavlov and Ekaterina Sharnova. (He was last year’s Under 21 Youth World Champion with another partner.) This partnership is still very new and needs some time to develop. He is a very good dancer with all the right ingredients to become a Champion once again. She needs to match his abilities, and with more confidence she should succeed. 6th from Moldova - Marius Valcu and Diana Cojocan. Once again, another great partnership with good connections throughout. Always aware of one another. Best dance was Cha-Cha with nice characterization and strong movement. Seemed to dance better from round to round with the help of the local audience. 7th from Spain - Adria Martos and Ekaterina Paraschou. A very young couple with tremendous potential. Fearless from the 1st round all the way to the final. Great to see them experimenting with their choreography and speed changes. The Lady is balanced and always ready for his lead. The best USA couple in this high caliber championship was Ryan Raffloer and Hanna Sverdlova. (Tying 31st -32nd with a couple from Slovakia.) A very good looking couple with great potential. In order to improve, they need to focus on clear and defined movements and more awareness of one another. Should have placed higher than they did. Ariel Milshteyn and Adelina Ishkayeva were placed 67th. A very young couple with little experience in the international circuit. They need to take time to study and understand the principles and fundamentals of Latin dancing. I was honored and happy to accept the invitation to judge the WDSF World Under 21 Latin and European Youth Championships in beautiful Chisinau, Moldova. A charming old town near the border of Romania. Many thanks to Petru Gozun and his team for organizing this beautiful event at the Palace of Republic. Former U.S. Professional Latin Finalist, U.S. Representatives to the World Professional 10-Dance Championships, World Class & National Adjudicator, Dual Fellowship Ballroom and Latin, Organizer of the SF Open, Portland Open and International Grand Ball Championships.
July - August 2015
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Adult Championships Standard Finalists Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova (NJ), Winners
NJ DANCESPORT CLASSIC NQE
SUMMER
STILL HOT IN NEW JERSEY
T
By Dan Calloway, FISTD, Adjudicator All Photos by Anastasia Poulos (MD)
he Summer Sizzler is the opportune summer-edition of the three annual New Jersey DanceSport Classic competitions held in Hackensack, NJ. An easy drive from New York City and the other dance-rich environments of the Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston, the Sizzler helps plug a gaping, seasonal hole in the competitive calendar for DanceSport athletes in this vital region. As the first National Qualifying Event of the annual cycle leading up to the USA
Sam Shapiro & Maria Chernobrivets (NY) Pre-Teen I Pre‑Bronze Latin, 3rd Jive
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Adam Peacock & Andrea Raynor (CT) Adult Pre-Championship, Championship American Smooth, Winners
SIZZLER Meredith Stead & Daphna Locker (NY) Same-Sex Open Standard, Winners
Dance Nationals, the Summer Sizzler draws many savvy competitors who are able to avoid the stiffer competition of the last threemonth rush to qualify. Many dance competitions have trouble distinguishing themselves from the crowd. Not the Summer Sizzler. The Sizzler’s unique venue, the two-floor spacious Rogers Dance Center, is a near idyllic setting for a competition. The full-size upstairs studio is used for registration, dressing rooms and practice. The cavernous downstairs is where the magic happens. And not just great dancing magic. With the experience of holding three competitions a year for 14 years, this organizational team, headed by Wendi Davies, truly pulls off the Sizzler with an almost magical ease. Davies organizes her expert personnel
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with a sense of lightness and fun and enables the focus to remain on the dancers. This year, The Sizzler holds the distinct honor of being the first-ever USA Dance competition to hold a same-sex event. Meredith Stead and Daphna Locker of New York, dancing the five open standard dances, represented the new competitive category with obvious experience and professionalism. Already well known in this region, Meredith and Daphna were extremely well received and the perfect representatives to break this barrier. Continuing a recent USA Dance tradition, the Sizzler also held solo events which gives athletes without partners opportunities to perfect and demonstrate vital dance skills. The development of this category is just one more example of USA Dance innovation which continues to change and improve the ballroom world. A particularly impressive aspect of USA Dance competitions is the percentage of events which offer scholarship awards to the finalists. Not only are USA Dance competitions less expensive than other competitions, but they offer financial awards scattered throughout the levels and for many of the finalists, not just for the winners of the events.
ADJUDICATION AT THE TOP LEVEL What Does It Take To Become A Judge?
W
By Renata Shvarts, USA Dance, WDSF Adjudicator, Chair of Judges
hat does it take to become a judge? I hear this question all the time. Many dancers who plan PATTI to make dancing their future career have to go PANEBIANCO (NY) through a serious theoretical education and a series of National Certified Judge, exams to become a judge. Certified Invigilator Every country has its own rules and regulation, and the USISTD Licentiate United States is one of the toughest countries in which to Certification, All Dances get your adjudicator’s license -- because it is the only country Patti Panebianco is in the world that has five styles of dance in a competition a National Certified program. In general, it takes three to four years to acquire Adjudicator and all five licenses -- in Latin, Standard, American Rhythm, certified Invigilator American Smooth and Theater Arts. with licentiate There are three levels of exams -- Associate, Membership certifications in all and Fellowship Examination. Only after passing all three styles of dance from exams in every level does a judge have the opportunity the USISTD. Her to judge the Championship-level divisions. And only after dynamic energy and Panebianco holding the license for two years is a judge allowed to start charisma has made the process to obtain the WDSF adjudicator’s license. her one of the most All USA Dance judges go through this grueling process, and that popular trainers for professional is why we are extremely proud of having the “best of the best” on and amateur dancers, seeking all of the NQE and National panels. their national certifications from the ISTD. She previously served as the former Treasurer and National Committee member for the U.S. Imperial Society of All Photos by Lisa Dubinsky Teachers of Dancing. and 10-Dance Championships. As Patti is the recipient STANLEY a professional competitor, along of numerous MCCALLA (NY) with his wife Jennifer McCalla, Championship titles National Certified Judge – they were the undefeated Fred in both International World Class Adjudicator Astaire National Champions Latin and American Certified Invigilator in Smooth from 1995-1997, Rhythm. For the Stanley McCalla was a United States 10-Dance past 17 years, she is a National Finalist, and won many Rising has been the founder and World Class Star Championship Titles at and owner of the NY Adjudicator, the Eastern United States DanceSport Centre on certified DanceSport Championship Long Island and has Invigilator, and traveled extensively highly sought-after in Standard, Latin, and Smooth along with Smooth as a consulting coach for coach. He holds Rising Star Titles at Ohio junior studios shaping syllabus the highest levels Star Ball, The Breakers and compliant routines. of accreditation the Texas Challenge. Off of the dance floor, Patti has from both Fred McCalla Stanley also appeared in the choreographed and performed Astaire Dance movie “Dance With Me.” Together in various stage, television, and Studios (FADS) and the Imperial with his wife Jennifer, they movie productions throughout Society of Teachers of Dancing were assistant choreographers the world. Her work includes (ISTD). He is a dance board for the movie “Adams Family “A Tribute to Gershwin,” examiner for FADS and has II” and credited as ballroom “Wallflowering,” “The Marconi served on the Fred Astaire Brothers,” “All My Children,” and National Dance Board since 1997. consultants in “The Stepford Wives.” He currently coaches Yo Yo Ma’s “Soul of the Tango.” As a competitor, Stanley was a both the New York University An avid supporter of using four-time United States Amateur and Columbia University dance to build communities, Champion and represented the Collegiate DanceSport teams. Patti has served as the former United States in Latin, Standard
USA DANCE WHO’S WHO
Teaching Artist & Educational Liaison with Dancing Classrooms, Long Island, has recently volunteered her time judging The Colors of the Rainbow Team Match for DCLI, and is a passionate fundraiser encompassing such causes as “Ballroom Barks!” and “Roll Call Wheelchair Dance”.
INNA BRAYER (NY)
National Certified Judge with NADTA Fellowship Accreditation Inna Brayer, a native of Moscow, Russia, is the three-time United States National Ten -Dance Champion and a National Certified Adjudicator holding fellowship level accreditation from the N.A.D.T.A. As a dance ambassador and World Team Member representing the United States, she has been ranked as high as ninth in the world, competing in six World Championships. Inna participated as a pro dancer on Season 7 of ABCTV’s “Dancing with the Stars” and was partnered with actor Ted McGinley. In 2008, Inna represented USA Dance, when Brayer she was featured on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” discussing the upcoming National Championships and the benefits of ballroom dancing. She was recently featured along with her students on a special feature by National Public Radio (NPR). She also served as the choreographer for the Rutgers University Ballroom Dance Team performance on Season 9 of “Dancing with the Stars.” (Resource: Bios provided by Todd Kirrane, USA Dance DanceSport Council.)
July - August 2015
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USA DANCE DANCESPORT
HALL OF FAME CROWNING CHAMPIONS FOR 35 YEARS
By Ken Richards, DanceSport VP
A
Carson Zullinger
t the entry to the ballroom at the USA Dance 2015 National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore hung a special 10-ft. banner listing all of the USA Dance National Champions crowned since the very first Nationals in 1980. Throughout the weekend, the 35th Anniversary banner drew crowds who
ADULT INTERNATIONAL TEN-DANCE 1992-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
Mikhail Vorobiev & Sonya Tsekanovsky Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova Sasha Tchernossitov & Regina Maziarz Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Nikolai Elizariev & Karina Akhmadulina Andrew Tate & Michelle Tate Gherman Mustuc & Andrea Hale Gherman Mustuc & Andrea Hale Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Denis Generalov & Jolie Nicole Yuksa Alexander Reife & Amy Noll Alexander Fung & Jennifer Fung Alexander Fung & Jennifer Fung Christopher Wheeler & Fabia Barsic Christopher Wheeler & Fabia Barsic Christopher Wheeler & Fabia Barsic Mario Battista & Elena Battista
ADULT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1980-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985
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Earle Williamson & Charlotte Christiansen Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Gemma Arnold Vladislav Shahov & Ina Ognianova Igor Mikushov & Margaretta Midura Ronen Zinshtein & Miriam Izmaylova Ronen Zinshtein & Miriam Izmaylova Igor Mikushov & Anna Demidova Andrea Faraci & Erica Ridgeway Egor Abashkin & Katya Kanevskaya Egor Abashkin & Katya Kanevskaya Egor Abashkin & Katya Kanevskaya Victor Fung & Liene Apale Victor Fung & Liene Apale Victor Fung & Eva Pauksena Steven Holt & Monika Ciszewaka Vitali Koulik & Elena Zakharova Victor Fung & Tiffany Fung Victor Fung & Tiffany Fung Victor Fung & Tiffany Fung Victor Fung & Jennifer Fung Victor Fung & Jennifer Fung Richard Thorpe & Lisa Brown Mark Mullen & Alicia Mullen Steven Dougherty & Ann Marie Dougherty Vernon Cheng & Sara Cheng Mark Mullen & Alicia Mullen Vernon Cheng & Sara Cheng Vernon Cheng & Sara Cheng Jerry Williams & Lisa Kauffman Stanley McCalla & Jennifer Ford
1984 1983 1982 1981 1980
enjoyed discovering and remembering the Champions through the years. And although the Champions are listed in the official program, it seemed more impressive to see the names on a “wall of fame.” Thirty-five years is a long and proud history providing the highest quality of DanceSport opportunity for America’s athletes. It was interesting to see, among all of the USA Dance alumni and current athletes, those still competing as amateurs, those who now teach, others who became professional champions or became dance
Stanley McCalla & Jennifer Ford Daniel Radler & Suzanne Hamby Daniel Radler & Suzanne Hamby Ronald Ford & Valerie Ford David Arnold & June Arnold
ADULT STANDARD SHOWDANCE 2015
2015 Ilia Zakharav & Anna Trukhan
ADULT INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1980-2015
2015 Nikita Malakhov & Nadezda Vlasova 2014 Pavel Stepanchuk & Anastasiya Danilova 2013 Stas Engeldardt & Rachel Pope 2012 Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach 2011 Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Daria Chesnokova 2010 Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Daria Chesnokova 2009 Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Anna Kaczmarski 2008 Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Valeriya Kozharinova 2007 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2006 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2005 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2004 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2003 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2002 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2001 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 2000 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 1999 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 1998 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 1997 Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova 1996 Peter Goethche & Cassandra Valeria 1995 Dima Sukachov & Olga Lazebnaya 1994 Roman Nabotov & Julia Yeremovich 1993 Rick Robinson & Melissa Hale Jewkes 1992 Tytus Bergstrom & Cassandra Frankel 1991 Thomas Hicks & Lori Hicks 1990 Aaron Harvey & Michelle Muehler 1989 Aaron Harvey & Michelle Muehler 1988 Gary McDonald & Natalie Mavor 1987 Gary McDonald & Natalie Mavor 1986 John Wuehler & Marci Edgington 1985 Gerald Abraham & Sheila Nowosadko 1984 Gerald Abraham & Sheila Nowosadko 1983 Stanley McCalla & Jennifer Ford 1982 Gerald Abraham & Sheila Nowosadko 1981 David Martin & Keiko Moore 1980 David Martin & Keiko Moore ADULT LATIN SHOWDANCE 2015
2015 Nikita Malakhov & Nadezda Vlasova SENIOR I INTERNATIONAL TEN-DANCE 2008-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan Denis Kojinov & Jeanette Chevalier Todd Marsden & Susan Hardt Balazs Kocsi & Csilla Kocsi Todd Marsden & Susan Hardt
2010 Todd Marsden & Susan Hardt 2009 Balazs Kocsi & Csilli Kocsi 2008 Todd Marsden & Susan Hardt SENIOR I INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1988-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1988
Thomas Yim & Kelly Cheng David Wright & Liva Wright David Wright & Liva Wright David Wright & Liva Wright Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu Turtle Brennen & Julie Hayes Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck Mark Sheldon & Didi Von Deck Thomas Keller & Evelyn Lafferty Thomas Keller & Evelyn Lafferty Peter Collins & Amy Cousins Peter Collins & Amy Cousins Peter Collins & Amy Cousins Thomas Anderson & Lynn Anderson Thomas Anderson & Lynn Anderson David Canty & Linda Simpson David Canty & Linda Simpson David Canty & Linda Simpson Dan Miller & Brenda Miller
SENIOR I INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1990-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1990
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Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Fleharty Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Fleharty Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Fleharty Jorge Arness Guzman & Arlene Yu Webert Benoit & Connie Delgiudice Robert Renz, Susan Nieswander Robert Renz, Susan Nieswander Toshi Hara & Laurie Frederik Matthew Becker & Lisa Richards Matthew Becker & Lisa Richards Wayne Crowder & Marie Crowder Robert Pinkham & Bija Satterlee Craig Cesarin & Tina Moretti Wayne Crowder & Marie Crowder Wayne Crowder & Marie Crowder Wayne Crowder & Marie Crowder Gerald Bonmer & Sue Bonmer
celebrities on prive-time television, not overlooking those who are also current adjudicators, coaches and mentors of today’s up-and-coming athletes. At this 35th Anniversary of Nationals and 50th Anniversary of USA Dance, we congratulate all of our past and current Champions for their continuing contributions to the world of DanceSport.
SENIOR II INTERNATIONAL TEN-DANCE 2007-2015
2015 2014 2012 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan Sean Lin & Vivian Lin Sean Lin & Vivian Lin Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Sean Shiauh Wei Lin & Vivian Lin Edward Huang & Corrina Huang Michael De Maio & Darlene De Maio Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Robert A. Blank & Martha Estevez
SENIOR II INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1989-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
Hans Stork & Ans Stork Vincent Feingold & Irina Feingold Hans Stork & Ans Stork Thomas Yu & Yuko Naululani Yu Turtle Brennen & Julie Hayes Turtle Brennen & Julie Hayes Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang Lonny K.W. Tsang & Susie Tsang John Alston & Jean Alston Kyoo Sang Ro & Joanne Ro Kyoo Sang Ro & Joanne Ro Nobuo Yonekura & Emiko Yonekura Nobuo Yonekura & Emiko Yonekura Wolfgang Goetz & Christa Goetz Wolfgang Goetz & Christa Goetz Wolfgang Goetz & Christa Goetz Sean Chung & Evelyn Chung Thomas Anderson & Lynn Anderson John McKey & Ellie McKey Sean Chung & Evelyn Chung David Canty & Linda Simpson John McKey & Ellie McKey Thomas Anderson & Lynn Anderson
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1981-1987
1987 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981
John McKey & Ellie McKey Bill DeMyer & Marian DeMyer Bob Strain & Joy McDonald Bill DeMyer & Marian DeMyer Chuck Shaffer & Joyce Brown Peter Pover & Yoshie Fagan
SENIOR II INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1988-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Arkady Rabinovich & Arlene Yu Roger Korsiak & Holli Hornlien L. Andrew Prouty & Ilona S. Prouty Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Jorge Arness Guzman & Arlene Yu
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1997 1988
Robert A. Blank & Martha Estevez Robert A. Blank & Martha Estevez Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Lester Smith & Sue Smith Lester Smith & Sue Smith Alberto Caldas & Clarinda Marshall Alberto Caldas & Clarinda Marshall Arnie Porter & Joyce Porter Gordon Christensen & Judy Bohren Robert Lyons & Juanita Lyons
SENIOR III INTERNATIONAL TEN-DANCE 2007-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
John Linn & Kathy Linn Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Edward Huang & Corrina Huang Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Hans Stork & Ans Stork Hans Stork & Ans Stork Hans Stork & Ans Stork Hans Stork & Ans Stork Terry Yeh & Glendy Yeh Hiroshi Kawanami & Juliana Kawanami Winston Chow and Lily Chow Winston Chow and Lily Chow Winston Chow and Lily Chow
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Edwin Bugarin & Charlotte Bugarin Edwin Bugarin & Charlotte Bugarin Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano
SENIOR III INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 2007-2015
SENIOR III INTERNATIONAL LATIN 2007-2015
SENIOR IV INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 2012-2014
2014 Winston Chow & Lilly Chow 2013 James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton 2012 Rockie Troxler & Mary Lou Troxler
SENIOR IV INTERNATIONAL LATIN 2012-2014
2014 Paul Giuliano & Louise Giuliano 2012 Ken McCleary & Pamela Weaver
ADULT AMERICAN NINE DANCE 1994-2015
2015 Matthew Shimizu & Jennifer Crown 2014 Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova Justin David & Marianna Melnikova Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova Michael Creeden & Jessica Spink Panayiotis Thomakos & Christine Kam Andy Nordberg & Janie Nordberg Damian Pataluna & Nadia Andrusiv Andy Nordberg & Janie Nordberg Andy Nordberg & Janie Nordberg Andy Nordberg & Janie Nordberg Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Andy Norberg & Janie Sorheim Andy Norberg & Janie Sorheim Andy Norberg & Janie Sorheim Mark Tepley & Karen Kettler Jeffrey Chin & Celina Mullen
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980
Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Paul Freitas & Kelly Glasheen Kyle Spinder & Allie Spinder Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Christopher T. Allen & Elona Bets Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler John Selby & Kristin Staszek Jonathan Medlin & Lauren Rand Max Sinitsa & Lesya Sinitsa May Sinitsa & Lesya Sinitsa Max Sinitsa & Lesya Sinitsa Turtle Brennan & Aimee Hannaford Roger Bell & Erin Floyd-Bann Turtle Brennan & Jody Frease Steven Palmer & Katja Palmer Steven Palmer & Katja Palmer Herbert Nelson & Monica Mohn Nels Petersen & Lisa Erickson Nels Petersen & Lisa Erickson Dale Emerman & Judy Kjos R.Jorgensen & T. Glancy Robert Martin & Margo Childs Tom Cassidy & Brenda Baxter Larry Lupien & Lisa Blackburn Robbie Joly & Geri Gillie James Medlin & Pasty Beam David Govoni & Denise Govani James Lindsey & Marianne Hallahan Jeffrey Burch & Stephanie Sommers James Lindsey & Marianne Hallahan Daniel Radler & Suzanne Hamby
ADULT AMERICAN SMOOTH 1980-2015
ADULT AMERICAN RHYTHM 1980-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1980
Allen Granzberg & Milana Lazareva Allen Granzberg & Milana Lazareva Daniel Tran & Taylor Kinney Daniel Tran & Taylor Kinney Justin David & Marianna Melnikova Vladimyr Derisier & Lindsay Michelle Norton Andrew Kerski & Ginarose McLeese-Ferraro Panayiotis Thomakos & Christine Kam Panayiotis Thomakos & Christine Kam Karnel Shnayder & Amanda Sivyi Mathew Hauer & Karen Guedez Mathew Hauer & Karen Guedez Jeff Small & Alison Small Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Theresa Kimler Nels Petersen & Lisa Erickson Nels Petersen & Lisa Erickson Dale Emerman & Judy Kjos Robert Martin & Margo Childs Robert Martin & Margo Childs Mario Battista & Elena Battista Daniel Radler & Suzanne Hamby
SENIOR I AMERICAN NINE DANCE 2005-2015
2015 Paul Duhaime & Kelly Madenjian 2014 Paul Duhaime & Kelly Madenjian 2013 Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers 2011 Mark E. Gray & Jennifer Donnell-Weinaug 2010 Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers 2009 Albert B. Carballosa & Patricia A. Rhodes-Baja 2008 Daryl Schmidt & Michele Boyer
2007 Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt 2006 Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt 2005 Steven Velasquez & Linda Stine SENIOR I AMERICAN SMOOTH 1993-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1993
Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert Jonathan Medlin & Malin Allert Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Angus Sinclair & Susan S. Sidman Andrzej Lelewer & Mary Beth Beasley Jim Brown & Julie Lewis Curtis Prevost & Olga Curd Mark W. Tabor & Susan Sidman Nieswander David Schmit & Jeanne Schmit David Schmit & Jeanne Schmit David Schmit & Jeanne Schmit David Schmit & Jeanne Schmit Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post Gary Stroick & Carol Post Larry Watkins & Ellen Watkins
SENIOR I AMERICAN RHYTHM 1996-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
Paul Duhaime & Kelly Madenjian Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard Henry Hudson & Olivia Hudson Joe G. Medina & Sue Putzier Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers Albert Carballosa & Patricia Rhodes-Bajaj Junio De Paz & Paula Vergas Junio De Paz & Paula Vergas Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Steven Velasquez & Linda Stine Darry Martin & Harriet Hundley Robert Griffith & Susan Ellis Robert Griffith & Susan Ellis Larry Pickens & Elaine Pickens Francis Sweeney & Debbie Sweeney Jeff Chin & Monica Mohn Jeff Chin & Monica Mohn Gary Walters & Joanne Walters Richard Cramer & Sandra Lee Cramer
SENIOR II AMERICAN NINE DANCE 2007-2015
2015 Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard 2014 Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard 2013 Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers 2012 Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo 2011 Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo 2010 Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt 2009 Albert B. Carballosa & Patricia A. Rhodes-Baja 2008 Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Daryl Schmidt & Michele Boyer 2007 Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt SENIOR II AMERICAN SMOOTH 1993-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1993
Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Andrew Nordberg & Janie Nordberg Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Albert B. Carballosa & Patricia A. Rhodes Peter Greenslade & Sue Eldred James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton Keith Clinton & Connie Clinton Joseph Bates & Mary Louise Bates James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton Kay Vaughan & Donna Vaughan Kay Vaughan & Donna Vaughan Larry Watkins & Ellen Watkins
SENIOR II AMERICAN RHYTHM 1997-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers Henry Hudson & Olivia Hudson Daniel Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Daniel Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers Edward Rogers & Trisha Rogers Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Darry Martin & Harriet Hundley Darry Martin & Harriet Hundley Darry Martin & Harriet Hundley
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Darry Martin & Harriet Hundley Scott Coates & Sarah Coates Scott Coates & Sarah Coates Scott Coates & Sarah Coates Scott Coates & Sarah Zewadski Scott Coates & Sarah Zewadski
SENIOR III AMERICAN NINE DANCE 2007-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Daniel Barber & Carole Barber Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood Dexter Wang & Julia Wang Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood Dexter Wang & Julia Wang Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Charles Wang & Betty Liu Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt Peter Greenslade & Sue Eldred James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton Gordon Davis and Linda Davis Gordon Davis and Linda Davis Gordon Davis and Linda Davis
SENIOR III AMERICAN SMOOTH 2007-2015
SENIOR III AMERICAN RHYTHM 2007-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Darry Martin & Jill Coe Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Daniel P. Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo Darry Martin & Sarah Coates Randy Henderson & Jean Henderson Bill Underwood & Patti Underwood Darry Martin & Sarah Coates
SENIOR IV AMERICAN SMOOTH 2012-2014
2014 James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton 2013 James Kleinrath & Melody Singleton 2012 James Benjamin & Suzanne Benjamin SENIOR IV AMERICAN RHYTHM 2012-2014
2014 Carl Blevins & Lelia Blevins 2013 Carl Blevins & Lelia Blevins 2012 Carl Blevins & Lelia Blevins CABARET 1998-2012
2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Nephi Mitchell & Megan Wimblin Jack Kellner & Siras Nitithatsanakul Gary D. Burgess & Connie Bouchard Brian Brodine & Andrea Brodine Louis Pilaroscia & Julie Mandel Jack Kellner & Janet Aisawa Michael Saelee & Antoinette Haberkorn Michael Saelee & Antoinette Haberkorn Richard Collett & Laurie Collett Richard Collett & Laurie Collett Jacob Ballard & Shantelle Brewer Ballard Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick
THEATRE ARTS 1999-2011
2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Jack Kellner & Miyoung Kim Jack Kellner & Miyoung Kim Jack Kellner & Miyoung Kim Anthony Miyazaki & Judy Zeman Alan Burns & Kelly Batchelor Alan Burns & Kelly Batchelor Michael Saelee & Antoinette Haberkorn Michael Saelee & Antoinette Haberkorn Michael Saelee & Antoinette Haberkorn Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick Gary Stroick & Carol Post-Stroick
UNDER 21 INTERNATIONAL TEN DANCE 2013-2015
2015 Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova 2014 Stanislav Pavlov & Michelle Kurpas 2013 Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova
UNDER 21 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 2013-2015
2015 Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova 2014 Florin Vlad & Natalia OConnor 2013 Valeriu Ursache & Catherine Gilsig UNDER 21 INTERNATIONAL LATIN 2013-2015
2015 Daniel Romaikin & Dakota Pizzi 2014 Briant Leytman & Nino Dzneladze 2013 Evgeny Raev & Gabrielle Sabler
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL TEN DANCE 1997-2015
2015 Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova 2014 Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Kevin Morales & Elina Khotinskaya Errol Williamson & Vashti Reed Taras Savitskyy & Liya Podokshik Sergey Golubtsov & Alina Iougai Oskar Wojciechowski & Caroline Holody Stanislav Faynerman & Patrycja Golak Stanislav Faynerman & Patrycja Golak Yuriy Nartov & Samantha Safir Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Alexander Kaloferov & Valery Kozharinova Anton Domansky & Erica Ridgeway Alex Rechits & Elena Vetrenko Aaron Roberts & Samara McCullough Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1997-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Samuel Hacke & Katarina Hermanova Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Misha Vorobiev & Sonya Tsekanovsky Errol Williamson & Vashti Reed Merek Klepadlo & Angelika Dechnik Merek Klepadlo & Angelika Dechnik Oskar Wojciechowski & Caroline Holody Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Margaret Midura Andrew Begunov & Anna Demidova Andrew Begunov & Anna Demidova Ronen Zinshtein & Marta Baranovska Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer Anton Domansky & Erica Ridgeway Anton Domansky & Erica Ridgeway Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Vitali Koulik & Elena Zakharova Vitali Koulik & Anna Trebunskaya Vitali Koulik & Monika Ciszewaka
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1992-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1992
Mike Monokandilos & Sophia Brodsky Briant Leytman & Nino Dzneladze Briant Leytman & Nino Dzneladze Kiril Kulish & Nino Dzneladze Ron Garber & Ashley Goldman Jason Dai & Patrycja Golak Jason Dai & Patrycja Golak Armen Petrosyan & Nicole Pyatetskya Armen Petrosyan & Nicole Pyatetskya Alex Zaika & Elijah Piker Sergey Onik & Michelle Glazarov Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Sandra Udis Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Sandra Udis Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Genya Mazo & Giselle Peacock Genya Mazo & Giselle Peacock Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova Patrick Beath & Miranda Beath
YOUTH AMERICAN SMOOTH 2001-2015
2015 Donovan Kirrane & Katelyn Photopoulos 2013 Robert McShinsky & Grace Anderson 2001 Levi Butler & Kristin Staszek JUNIOR II TEN DANCE 1997-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Yusif Amsatr & Naomi Spektor Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Kevin Morales & Anna Odessky Daniel Shapiro & Catherine Kovalyova Taras Savitskyy & Liya Podokshik Leonid Juashkovsky & Danielle Karagach Stanislav Faynerman & Patrycja Golak Dmitry Loubnine & Nastya Danilova Vova Semenov & Sasha Alekseyeva Andrey Begunov & Olga Sokol Alex Zaika & Elijah Piker Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Pavel Mukhin & Katy Strinadko Pavel Mukhin & Katy Strinadko Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis
JUNIOR II INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1985-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Erik Linder & Rickie Taylor Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski TJ Stanton & Annabella Waszkiewicz Daniel Shapiro & Catherine Kovalyova Daniel Shapiro & Katya Kovalyova Marek Klepadlo & Anny Nyzio
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1991 1985
Stanislav Faynerman & Patrycja Golak Oskar Wojciechowski & Milena Jasionek Andrey Begunov & Violet Borovaya Andrey Begunov & Olga Sokol Andrey Begunov & Yuliya Olshanetskaya Pavel Pashkov & Natalya Bychkova Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Pavel Mukhin & Katy Strinadko Paul Mukhin & Kate Strinadko Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Victor Fung & Jennifer Fung Sean Teague & Maria Hallahan
JUNIOR II INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1996-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
Yusif Amsatr & Naomi Spektor Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Denis Bykov & Sasha Kondrashov Vladislav Kvartin & Maria Ilin Dmitry Ivashchenko & Gabriella Sabler Leonid Juashkovsky & Danielle Karagach Leonid Juashkovsky & Danielle Karagach Max Belozerov & Elijah Piker Mark Dyu & Elijah Piker Alex Zaika & Elijah Piker Igor Drobyazko & Izabella Babot Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Diana Olonetskaya Asamat Evgamukov & Dania Zvegino Max Kholostoy & Sonya Beletsky Dan Kitsis & Diana Surkis Genya Mazo & Giselle Peacock
JUNIOR II AMERICAN SMOOTH 1998-2015
2015 Donovan Kirrane & Katelyn Photopoulos 2000 Levi Butler & Kristin Staszek 1998 Alphonso Sanchez & Kalowa Sanchez JUNIOR II AMERICAN RHYTHM 1998-2010
2010 John Gaylan & Alexandra Gutkovich 1998 Alphonso Sanchez & Kalowa Sanchez JUNIOR I TEN DANCE 2010-2015
2015 2013 2012 2011 2010
Tyler Li & Anjelica Lowe Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski
JUNIOR I INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 1998-2015
2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Tyler Li & Anjelica Lowe Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski William Stansbury & Jenny Sokolsky Austin Joson & Lisa Lakovitskaya Daniel Sharpio & Regina Maziarz Taras Savitskyy & Malgosia Wiktorowski Edward Golbert & Roxy Kravets Stanislav Faynerman & Khyrstyne Barton Edward Golbert & Roxolane Kravets Andrey Begunov & Yuliya Olshanetskaya Bernard Partiula & Olga Sokol John Hannon & Afton Delgrosso Kamil Nieroda & Paulin Nicroda Azamat Evgamukov & Anna Yakimchenkova
JUNIOR I INTERNATIONAL LATIN 1997-2015
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Tyler Li & Anjelica Lowe Maxim Vassilenko & Liza Shlimovich Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky Mike Monokandilos & Cara Loo Nicholas Stevens & Alexandra Gutkovich Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski Austin Joson & Lisa Lakovitskaya Kiril Kulish & Natella Devitskaya Kiril Kulish & Natella Devitskaya Leonid Juashkovsky & Danielle Karagach Christopher Nyemchek & Elizabeth Satarov Christopher Nyemchek & Elizabeth Satarov Andrey Begunov & Yuliya Olshanetskaya Alex Zaika & Elijah Piker John Hannon & Afton Delgrosso Andrey Pinchuk & Sonya Khobot Azamat Evgamukov & Anna Yakimchenkova Azamat Evgamukov & Anna Yakimchendova
JUNIOR I AMERICAN SMOOTH 2001
2001 KiriIl Pokotilovskiy & Margarita Garmash PRE-TEEN II INTERNATIONAL LATIN 2006
2006 Austin Joson & Elizabeth Lakovitskaya PRE-TEEN II INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 2006
2006 Austin Joson & Elizabeth Lakovitskaya
July - August 2015
45
O
vations
The success of any charitable organization depends upon the contributions of its volunteers, those willing to give of their time and their hearts to make a difference. For that reason, one would assume that no task is ever too small not to be appreciated. Yet, at times in the fast-paced world in which we live and dance, a thank you can be forgotten and good deeds go unrecognized, especially when the volunteer work has become so routine and the volunteer’s presence so familiar. On behalf of USA Dance, American Dancer magazine has created “Ovations” so we can sing the praise of worthy volunteers whose work has made a true difference.
J
JOHN
Davis
Chapter President, Orlando USA Dance Volunteer (since 2001)
Photos by Brian Bateman 46
American Dancer | www.americandancer.org
ohn Davis is a man of many hats, sometimes at masquerade and costume events, other times simply because of the endless number of volunteer roles he wears for the Orlando (FL) Chapter as its president since 2001...and tirelessly, most will say. If one follows Facebook or receives the Chapter’s newsletter, the Orlando Chapter’s calendar and resulting publicity efforts for its dance activities and giving-back programs are exhausting to keep up with, in a sense. Not because of the activities themselves -- the Orlando chapter keeps its incredible momentum in good stride – but because one would question how any volunteer could schedule or accomplish so much in a year or a single month, for that matter. John’s board members call him visionary, dedicated and inspiring. So for that reason, Orlando has gained a dream team of volunteers who simply to follow the lead and make things happen. There’s little question that John is focused around-the-clock on his Chapter’s mission to bring enriching opportunities to members, to a diverse local dance community and to the general Orlando three-county area. It would seem that dancing is not an option in Orlando. Among John’s Chapter’s most admirable ongoing programs are Ballroom for the Brain (for Alzheimer’s patients), Special Needs Dance Program, Olympic Day Celebration, Wounded Warrior Appreciation Ball and the Youth/Student Dance and Grant Programs. Ovations to John Davis! Truly an unsung hero among volunteers whose contributions have made USA Dance the organization it is today.
National Qualifying Events USA Dance 2016 National DanceSport Championships
FOR 2016 (first six): Sep 25-27 NEW ENGLAND DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Waltham, MA Oct 2-4, 2015 CAROLINA FALL CLASSIC Charlotte, NC Oct 30-Nov 1, 2015 CHICAGO DANCESPORT CHALLENGE Chicago, IL Nov 7, 2015 CALIFORNIA STATE DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS San Jose, CA Jan 15-17, 2016 MANHATTAN AMATEUR CLASSIC Jersey City, NJ Feb 20-21, 2016 MID-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS Bethesda, MD For more information visit: www.USADANCE.org
Ryan Kenner Photography
Yusif Amsatr & Naomi Spektor (PA) Junior I Standard Division, WDSF Open World Ranking Tournament 2015 Manhattan Amateur Classic
Non-Proft Standard Class U.S. Postage
PAID
Lebanon Junction, KY Permit #542
USA DANCE
2016 NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS Showcasing America’s Top DanceSport Athletes International & American Styles Pre-Teen to Senior III Scholarships & Selection of USA World Teams to WDSF World Championships
Hosting the WDSF World Ranking Tournaments: UNDER-21 STANDARD, 10-DANCE & LATIN Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, Baltimore, MD, APRIL 1, 2, 3, 2016
USA DANCE
NATIONALS IO ON www.USADANCENATIONALS.org Florin Vlad & Natalia O’Connor (VT) Mid-Atlantic Championships National Qualifying Event for the Adult Championship Standard Division Eugene Brodach