July August American Dancer

Eugene and Maria Retire from Competition

www.usadance.org July-August 2010 Issue 25

Official Publication of USA Dance

USA Dance Pre-Teens on the Maury Show

How the new districts will aid chapter growth

Above the Ordinary

Ballroom: New Districts

DVDs

ViDeos

Music

Manuals

Flooring

certiFication

Mastery caMps

DViDa syllabus

9081 W. sahara aVe., suite 100las Vegas, nV usa 89117-4803

Call for a free Catalog1-800-851-2813

[email protected]

WebsiteDoWnloaD the latest Catalog at WWW.DanCevision.Com

2010 July – August 3www.USADANCE.ORG

8 Ballroom: New Districts

36 Eugene and Maria Retire

Inside the Cover

On the Cover

“Keep dreaming, keep working, and keep believing in yourselves. Dreams do come true and miracles do happen.” - Eugene and Maria

For some, TV appearances are an arduous process requiring many auditions, waiting by the phone for callbacks, and a lot of dreaming. Edgar and Daniela have a different story to tell.

42

Line of Dance4 President’s Report6 Editorial Information & Contributors 7 Announcements

Dance Floor10 Membership Drive12 Chapter News14 Chapter Highlight: Los Angeles16 Johnny Catron: Maestro of Yesteryear18 54 Years of Dancing 21 Addicted to Dance?

On Beat24 The Public Eye 22 Making History: Collegiate Competition on DWTS

DanceSport30 Columbia Star Ball31 Competition & Collegiate Calendars

32 IDSF Senior I World Ten Dance33 IDSF Worlds Youth Standard 34 Time to Shine38 It’s Their Life39 The Best is Yet to Come

In Step40 Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars42 Above the Ordinary46 AD Marketplace 47 Dance Mart

Edgar Khachaturov and Daniela Olvesky Photo Courtesy of Vicky Olevsky

42

“We implemented eleven districts to replace the six regions to balance the work load for our volunteers so that we more effectively service and grow social dance.” - Bobbi Jo Gamache

32SUZIE HARDT AND TODD MARSDEN AT THE SENIOR I TEN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Photo COURTESY OF SUZIE HARDT

42 Above the Ordinary

4 Line of Dance

This is turning out to be a very exciting year. With the success of the National Championships behind us we are now looking forward to the IDSF Adult World Latin Championships, which USA Dance is

co-organizing on November 13th in New York City, and the first USA Dance National Ballroom Dance Cruise, departing Florida on November 28th. Visit www.usadance.org for a link to the websites for these not-to-be-missed events.

Members of your Governing Council are working hard not only on these stellar events, but to prepare for meetings coming up later this year. USA Dance belongs to several important organizations, and key members attend their functions every year. The meeting of the International DanceSport Federation took place in June. The National Dance Council of America meets in July and the USOC General Assembly takes place in September.

Additionally, USA Dance conducts meetings and training sessions of its own. The DanceSport Council will hold its annual meeting in August, where rulebook issues are addressed, new initiatives are debated and on-going DanceSport programs are evaluated. In September a training session will be offered to our new group of Area Coordinators to assist them in their chapter support functions. This training session will be in conjunction with the Social Dance Council meeting, where planning will take place on new and continuing social dance initiatives. In October, the entire Governing Council will convene for its annual meeting to review our progress this year and to plan for next year.

As of this writing I have been in the presidency for almost seven months, and I have found the job to be both rewarding and frustrating—rewarding when I see what our group of volunteers is able to accomplish, and frustrating when we are not able to do more because of a lack of time or resources.

Those of us on the Governing Council get deeply involved in all the activities taking place at the national level, and it is sometimes easy to forget that it is at the chapter level that so much of the good work of our organization takes place. One of the pleasures of my job is receiving chapter newsletters, either through the mail or by e-mail, and I continue to be impressed by the variety of enjoyable and creative activities sponsored by our 170 plus chapters.

For example, the Heartland IN Chapter, #2022 had racing as the theme of its May dance, complete with black and white checkered tablecloths and other racing decorations.

Presidents Report’


Meanwhile, the Richmond, VA Chapter #6006 reported a social dance that drew 20 youth dancers. This chapter set a goal specifically to recruit 30 youth members in 2010 and has already exceeded it by recruiting 33 youth social dancers and competitors. The Tri-Cities, VA Chapter #6060 celebrated a member’s birthday at their May dance, complete with birthday cake. By the way, these two chapters publish a combined newsletter, allowing them to double the news while splitting publication costs.

Both the Pasco County, FL Chapter #6090 and the Treasure Coast, FL Chapter #6004 welcomed the 4H Ballroom Bicycle Brigade to their recent dances. This is the only 4H club in the country involved in ballroom dancing. When they are not dancing they are bicycling, and these youth dancers were given a donation toward their bicycle tour following the Underground Railroad route from Alabama to Canada.

This is just a sample of the chapter news that crossed my desk this past month. These kinds of activities—thematic decorations that celebrate location or events, recognition of members’ birthdays, encouraging youth membership and inviting young dancers to perform at social dances—connect a chapter to the surrounding community and energize the members, giving them continued reasons to return for the camaraderie and the enjoyable times they find at chapter events.

Many of our chapters are doing similar things. Keep the news coming—it’s wonderful to read about all the creative ways our chapters are promoting ballroom

dancing in local communities across America.

Lydia T. Scardina, National President, USA Dance

6 Line of Dance

Eugene and Maria Retire from Competition

www.usadance.org July-August 2010 Issue 25


USA Dance Pre-Teens on the Maury Show

How the new districts will aid chapter growth

Above the Ordinary

Ballroom: New Districts

National OfficersPRESIDENT Lydia Scardina, 415.469.9815 e-mail: [email protected]

SENIOR VP Bill Rose, 949.842.8284 e-mail: [email protected] SECRETARY Stan Andrews, 217.454.8879 e-mail: [email protected]

TREASURER Esther Freeman, 541.899.1933 e-mail: [email protected] VP Ken Richards, 302.290.2583 e-mail: [email protected]

SOCIAL VP Jean Krupa, 386.761.1625 e-mail: [email protected]•

Editorial StaffEDITOR-IN-ChIEf Shawn Fisher

MANAGING & COPY EDITOR Ivor Lee • Shannon CooleyWRITERS Ivor Lee • Angela Prince

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Tyler WhitworthDESIGNERS Tyler Whitworth• Ryan Cooley• Bonnie Olsen

OffICE PhONE (208) 313-0465 •

ContributorsWRITERS Jean Krupa • Daphna Locker

EDITORIAL ADVISOR Angela Prince, USA Dance Director of Public Relations•

Rates & PricesAmerican Dancer is published bimonthly as a service for

members and is included in membership annual dues.•

Subscription Individual Non-Member $25

Canadian Air Delivery $32Overseas Air Delivery $36

Library Subscription $9•

AdvertisingAD REPRESENTATIVE Doug Montanus 502.836.7946

e-mail: [email protected]•

SubmissionsAmerican Dancer welcomes submissions of letters, articles and photos. All

submissions are considered the property of American Dancer. Submission does not guarantee publication. Articles and letters may also be edited for length and

content without notice to the author. Photos and other materials are not returned. Submissions may be sent to [email protected]

•

Letters to the editor Please include your name, city and state. Names will appear

in full unless specified otherwise. •

Chapter NewsPlease include chapter name and number, contact information and

any photos with caption information that you might have. •

PhotosMust be high resolution, print quality digital photos. 600 dpi.

Send to editorial office:e-mail: [email protected]

or mail to: American Dancer magazinePO Box 462

Rexburg, ID 83440-0462•

MembershipIf you need information concerning membership or missed issues, contact:

Mary at USA Dance Central Office800.447.9047 • Fax: 239.573.0946

E-mail: [email protected]

Check our Web Site - www.USADANCE.org

DancerA m e r i c a n Contributing Writers

Guest Writers

Cover Photo

Edgar Khachaturov and Daniella Olvesky, recently featured on the Maury Show, dancing at 2010 Nationals in LA.

Jean KrupaJean Krupa currently serves as the Social Vice President for USA Dance. She served as Region VI Vice President in 1999. She is a founding member of the Greater Daytona Chapter in 1990.

Vivian Beiswenger Sarahjo Ciotti

Suzie Ann Johnson Elizabeth Knoll

Jack Lebo Joyce Luhrs

Angela Prince

Photo By Carson Zullinger

Daphna Locker Daphna is currently a member of the Greater N.Y. Chapter of USA Dance #3004. For the last year and a half, Daphna has been the Chair of the National Organizing Committee and is currently organizing the IDSF World Latin Championship in November. She was also the head of NOC for the 2010 Nationals.

Our ApologyIn our last issue we printed the wrong names for the Cabaret winners at 2010 Nationals. This is the correct couple and their photo:

Jack Kellner & Siras Nitithatsanakul - NY


New NQE Requirements

Announcements

There has been a BIG change to the new rules regarding National Qualifying Event requirements.The new rules of reference for 2011 are under Eligibility Criteria 4.2, specifically:

4.2.5.C.1 and 2 which reads:

c) Athlete Couples satisfy all of the following additional qualifying criteria:

(1) have competed in a minimum of one USA Dance National Qualifying Event (NQE) within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships

(2) have competed in the same partnership and in the same event (style/age/proficiency level) in the aforementioned NQE that the Athlete Couple intends to enter in the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships (effective for the 2011 Nationals and beyond)

These are big changes in that you must dance in an NQE with the same partner and in the same event that you are planning to enter in Nationals.

New York, New York!

Don’t forget to start making plans to come out to New York this November for the 2010 IDSF World DanceSport Championship Latin held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Check out our article in this issue for more information on why you should come!

25 Issues and a BIG Thank You From AD

We can hardly believe that this is issue number 25 we’ve produced since our founding in 2006. It’s been a great journey so far, and we’re glad for all the memories we share with all of you.

We at American Dancer are so grateful to all of USA Dance, social dancers and DanceSport athletes alike, for your support and submissions. We really wish we could publish all of the submissions that we receive, but because of space limitations we can’t get to all of you. We hope to go online in the near future with our magazine to reach more of our members.

Please continue to submit articles and story ideas to American Dancer. We love to hear from you, and thank you again for your time and support through the years.

IDSF Adjudicators Congress

USA Dance is once again hosting the IDSF Adjudicators Congress September 2, 2010 at the Embassy ball in Irvine, CA.

IDSF Adjudicators must attend at least one Adjudicator’s Congress every two years in order to maintain your license. This is the only one offered in the USA for 2010.

If you would like to become an IDSF Adjudicator, then you must attend two congresses before applying for your license.

If you are interested in attending this congress in Irvine, California, please email Wayne Crowder at [email protected] by July 15th.

8 Line of Dance

Ballroom:

New Districts for USA Dance

By: Bobbi Jo Gamache, Director of Chapter Liaison

USA Dance Director Highlight

The new Districts for USA Dance are launched and the Regions are gone.

Because of national bylaw changes, the Social Dance Division of USA Dance was reorganized to create a more function-based structure in lieu of the regional structure that prevailed in USA Dance, as well as to provide more support for our chapter boards and to enhance the liaison with the national volunteers who are driving USA Dance.

New director positions also appointed by the National President replaced the six Region Vice Presidents positions:

Chapter Liaison, Administrative Support K-12 Student Programs and College Network. The K-12 Student Programs and College Network replaced the former Youth College Network (YCN) Division.

As the Director of Chapter Liaison, I serve as a liaison to the chapters, working through area coordinators to advise and assist chapters as needed. The Director of Chapter Liaison and the eleven District Area Coordinators are voting members of the Social Dance Council lead by Jean Krupa, Vice President of Social Dance. Charles Hardin was appointed as Assistant Director of Chapter Liaison.

We implemented 11 districts to replace the six regions to balance the work load for our volunteers so that we more effectively service and grow social dance. Formerly, the regions and the Region VPs had as few as 12 to as many as 62 chapters assigned. Now the districts average 14 – 21 chapters each with each coordinator assigned 4 to 8 chapters each.


In each district a District Leadership Team is assigned, consisting of an Area Coordinator and two Assistant Area Coordinators. Nearly 33 USA Dance chapter members have accepted an appointment by the Executive Council to the district positions.

We thank them for the time they will invest to assist USA Dance to develop and grow at the chapter and national level.

The coordinators are experienced USA Dance board members who will be the chapter board’s guide and consultant regarding “Chapter Management.” Members can learn more about chapter management guidelines by referencing the National Bylaws located at www.USADance.org Article XII, Chapters, guides our Boards on managing the chapter.

The following are a few of our goals for developing chapter leadership and growing each chapter:

•Creatingadynamicchapterinthelocalcommunitythat fosters the growth of ballroom dancing and enhances the image of USA Dance as a national organization.

•Developingaharmoniousandeffectiveboardwhoapplies good governance practices needed by them as

stewards of a nonprofit organization. •SupportingtheneedsofUSADance’smembers

while building working relationships with dance clubs and dance industry professionals in the local community.

•Makingmanagementdecisionsthatrepresentstheinterests of its dancers.

•EnsuringtheuseofchapterandUSADanceresources and finances to benefit the members, grow

USA Dance chapters, and to meet the financial obligations of the chapter and USA Dance, Inc.

•Addressingissuesandmanagingprograms in a professional and equitable manner to enhance the local dance environment and image of USA Dance without demeaning

others.You too, can become a member of this dynamic

team of volunteers locally—at a district level and national level. Begin by saying “yes” when asked to give a hand at the chapter dance and say “I will” when asked to be on a committee or to run for a board position.

We implemented eleven

districts to replace the six

regions...to grow social

dancing in America.

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11

10 Dance Floor

Membership CampaignNever a Better Time

By: Jean Krupa Social Dance VP

The USA Dance Membership Campaign will begin September 1, 2010 and we invite you to join in recruiting new members to enjoy all of

the benefits of membership.

There are almost 25,000 members of USA Dance but many dancers out there do not realize the benefits of belonging to USA Dance and what we do to promote ballroom dancing. Encourage them to join us and increase our numbers. We want to do more, and with your help and continued support and participation we can!

Become part of the team that encourages ballroom dancing around the country. Join USA Dance as we reach out across America, encourage everyone to participate in ballroom dancing for physical health, mental health and new friendships.

Suggestions for a Succesful Campaign

Before starting your local drive, select a Team Captain for your chapter—The chapter increasing their membership by the greatest percentage, not necessarily greatest number of members recruited, will be awarded.

Then survey existing members and identify their reasons for becoming and staying members and use their testimonies in promotional materials and advertising. Involve your current members in the campaign—ask them for new member prospect referrals—or reward the members who recruit the highest number of new members. Consider simultaneously running an existing member retention campaign to recognize loyal member support.

Plan a kickoff event to announce the campaign and showcase the benefits of belonging to your organization and offer an early-bird membership discount. This

event can also serve as an annual fund-raiser with collateral events, such as a banquet, auction, etc. Have existing members receive a discounted admission if they bring additional prospects.

A credit reward incentive program should be able to do two things: encourage past recruiting members to recruit even more; and encourage those who have never recruited to try. Instead of actual money, recruiters earn credits that can be used towards free admission to dances. Also consider giving the recruiter one chance per new member in a drawing for a grand prize—more new members, more chances to win.

At the event, have name badges for all members and a different color name badge for those who are guests. Members can then easily identify each guest, introduce themselves and help to make them welcome. After all, that is what being a dancer all is about.

Give each guest a packet that contains information about USA Dance, about your chapter (including names and phone numbers or email addresses of officers) your latest newsletter, the benefits of membership, (discounts for admission, National magazine, etc.) and an application form.

The president and membership chair should keep in touch with those guests who have not become members and find out why not. It is important to identify why they do not want to join.

Don’t forget to check the document library for other ideas, promotional brochures and literature on the value of membership in USA Dance to aid in your campaign to help us make USA Dance bigger and better than ever.

2010 July– August 11www.USAdance.ORG

Membership Campaign

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Book by July 31, 2010 and get two-for-one cruise and land rates plus group discount. Two-for-one international airfare to and from China available until July 31, including transfers.

Call 215-855-2711 or 215-530-3482, email [email protected];Www:BLSDC.com

CARIBBEAN CALYPSO DANCE CRUISE

on Cunard’sQUEEN MARY 2January 3-13, 2011

“Best Luxury Cruise Liner”“Biggest Dance Floor at Sea”

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Dancers”Real Dance Teachers, Male Dance Hosts, and Real Ballroom & Latin

Bands & Orchestra

New York to St. Thomas, San Lucia, Barbados,

Grand Turk, Turks, Caicos, and back to New York(No air required for Northeast

passengers; five relaxing days at sea)

Our dance cruises are small, intimate groups so you will get to know everyone in the group. Plenty of room on the largest dance floor at sea. Call for special group rates and promotions. Prior passenger discounts. Special dance events and amenities exclusive to our group. Call for cruise sale dates and get onboard credits and reduced deposit.

POST-BLACKPOOL TRANSALTANTIC CRUISE

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Day Destination Activities

2 Beijing Tiananmen Sq./Forbidden City; Summer Palace

3 Beijing Great Wall; UNESCO site; Sacred Way; optional Pe-king duck dinner and Peking Opera Perf.

4 Beijing/Xian Hutongs & silk carpet workshop tour; fly to Xian; hotel check-in; optional Tang Dynasty dinner tour

5 Xian Terra Cotta Army; a UNESCO site; Big Wild Goose Pagoda tour; Night Market visit

6 Xian/Lhasa Free time; fly to Lhasa, hotel check-in; Tibetan family visit & tea

7 Lhasa Jokhang,Teple visit& Barkhor Market; Tibetan Mu-seum tour

8 Lhasa Potala Palace, a UNESCO site; Sera Monastery tour

9 Lhasa/Chongqing Fly to Chongqing; board the ship

10 Shibaozhai Shibaozhai Temple tour & Yangtze River views

11 Three GorgesLesser Three Gorges

Qutang & Wu Gorges scenic cruising; Lesser Three Gorges excursion

12 Three Gorges DamThree Gorges

Three Gorges Dam lock transit & facility tour

13 Jingzhou Viking River Cruises School visit & school children per-formance

14 Wuhan/Shanghai Disembark; Wuhan Museum tour; fly to Shanghai; hotel check-in; free time

15 Shanghai Old Shanghai/Bund tour; Shanghai Museum; free time; Chinese acrobatic performance

16 Shanghai Hotel to airport

1 Beijing Airport to Hotel. Free time.

12 Dance Floor

Thanks to a crew of energetic

volunteers, on March 14 the

budget for the USA Dance Gumbo

DanceSport Championships got a

boost of $4,920. That was the net

income from a gala fundraising

party in Metairie. The funds

were dedicated to scholarships

and the general budget for the

Championships scheduled for June

25-26 in Baton Rouge.

Some 83 people bought admission

tickets at $25 each and participated

in several fundraising activities at

the event. A silent auction featuring

dance lessons and other items was

highly successful, as were “pay-to-

dance” tickets for opportunities to

dance with popular professionals and

local amateurs.

An entertaining highlight was an

exhibition of superb dancing by

Suneth Jayamanna and Joyce Chan,

Louisiana Gumbo

Chapter #5031

We Want to hear from you, and so do

our readers!

send us the latest neWs from your chapter to

be featured in upcoming issues of AmericAn DAncer.

When submitting, please keep in mind

the folloWing:

1. high quality, digital photos

relating to the event, 600 dpi or higher

2. photo caption, or names of persons

3. photo credit

4. articles should be a maximum of 175

Words

send submissions and any

questions to Office@

americandancer.Org

Chapter NewsUSA Dance

By: Debra Ota

baton rouGe,Louisiana

honoLuLu hawaii

Chapter #4007

honoLuLu, hawaii

In March, the honolulu Chapter of

USA Dance had a very successful fund

raising event for the people of haiti, who

continue to suffer from the earthquake

which all but destroyed Port-au-Prince,

Jacmel, and nearby settlements.

March 26, 2010, the honolulu Chapter,

in cooperation with a popular local club

held a fund raising dance for the victims

from houston, Texas. The couple

won the Ten Dance event at the

2009 Gumbo Championships.

The co-chairs of the fundraiser

were Sterling Sightler and Peggy and

Charlie Clement.

The Gumbo Championships are

organized by Louisiana DanceSport

in affiliation with the Gumbo

Chapter of USA Dance. It is a

National Qualifying Event, now in

its 11th year, and it is a part of the

Louisiana Governor’s Games.

By: Cecil Phillips


On October 30, 2009, The honolulu

Chapter, held its Great Pumpkin Dance,

a fund raiser for the Pacific Islanders’

Disaster Aid. The funds raised were

intended for the victims of the Indonesia,

Philippines, and Samoa disasters.

The Chapter was able to donate a total

of $1,361.00 to the American Red

Cross International Disaster fund with a

specific request that the funds be directed

to the aid of the Pacific Islanders.

Although the honolulu Chapter may

be relatively small and isolated, they do

things with a Big Aloha Spirit.

Honolulu Chapter President, Glenn Okazaki (second to right), and Treasurer, Neil Okamoto (left), with Pan Pacific Ballroom Society President, Rudy Luat and Matilda Felix. Photo Courtesy of Honolulu Chapter

Neal Okamoto, Honolulu Chapter’s Treasurer, presenting the donation check to Coralee Chun Matayoshi, CEO - American Red Cross Hawaii. Photo Courtesy of Honolulu Chapter

honoLuLu hawaii

Chapter #4007

of the haiti earthquake. The dance

was held at the Ala Wai Palladium

Ballroom and jointly organized by the

Pan Pacific Ballroom Society of Hawaii

and USA Dance, honolulu Chapter.

It brought out the best in the ballroom

community of hawaii. In what may

have been a record-breaking charity

fund raiser by the hawaii ballroom

community, a total of nearly $6,000

was donated to the International Red

Cross that night.

Ticket sales and solicitations for

private donations raised $4,505. 100%

of the ticket sales generated by both

clubs were donated to the International

Red Cross.

The USA Dance, honolulu Chapter,

donated an additional $1000.00. With

other private donations by members

and attendees, the total amount raised

during this fundraiser was close to

$6000.

2010 March - April 13www.USAdance.ORG

14 Dance Floor

When the Los Angeles chapter of USA Dance hosts a dance, it does it with style and panache. For the LA chapter, a dance

is more than just a dance: it’s an event. It’s not even just an event, it’s something you want to tell everyone about because it’s a party you don’t want to miss.

So what makes it so big and exciting?

Hosted in the 7,000 square foot Culver City Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, each event brings dancers and first-timers alike from all over. And it’s not just the large venue, the largest ballroom floor in the region, the

comfortable atmosphere and fantastic refreshments. The LA chapter has the added benefit of being, well, LA. And that means celebrity guests like Edyta Śliwińska, Anna Trebunskaya, and Jonathan Roberts from “Dancing with the Stars,” as dance instructors for their free lesson.

These big dances are part of why the LA Chapter is currently so successful.

One thing that people may not know is that the LA chapter is one of USA Dance’s fastest growing chapters, as well as one of its largest. Part of that success comes from the different ways that the LA Chapter reaches out to people in the community. With more than 2,000 people on their email list, marketing for the chapter’s events is very effective. This intense marketing leads to high attendance at events, which in turn leads to more new members per event.

14 Dance Floor

A Big Dealby: Ivor Lee

Los Angeles CAChapter#4031

Chapter Highlight


“We really focus on social dancers. Because our balls are events, we attract people that come to these things as their first exposure to ballroom dance,” said Livia Squires, Public Relations Director.

The LA chapter has also spent a lot of time and effort in developing ties with the local community and local dance studios. In fact, the LA Chapter’s website publishes a listing of all the different studios in the LA County area. One of the LA Chapter’s goals has been to act as a central hub for dancing in the area, a place where studios can come together and share dancing. “Other studios come to our dances and get tables; they come as a social outing to our dances and make it an event for their organization.” said David Spetner, President of the LA Chapter.

The LA Chapter sets an example in its K-12 and senior outreach programs the LA chapter sponsors.

“We sponsor schools in primarily economically underprivileged parts of town—the idea being that in those areas parents wouldn’t be able to pay for lessons. It gives kids an opportunity to dance, and we have worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District to find schools that would benefit from this,” said Squires. Meanwhile, the Senior Outreach program performs for seniors in assisted living homes, bringing smiles and much enjoyment to all.

With Nationals recently held in LA, spirits in the LA Chapter are high. Beyond large dances, the LA chapter takes pride in their roots as part of USA Dance. Members are supportive of the goals of USA Dance.

“I don’t think there are any large non-profit ballroom organization other than us,” said Spetner, “Much like the rest of USA Dance, there is a lot of pride in being part of this whole.”

2010 May – June 15www.USAdance.ORG

Photos Courtesy of USADance LA Chapter

16 Dance Floor16 Dance Floor

In the fall of 1995, bandleader Johnny

Catron summed up his life by saying, “I was born on September 24, 1916. I worked as a salesman selling automobiles for 36 years. I had a band for 40 some years and wrote a few good songs. Not bad for a guy that never knew what he wanted to do when he grew up!”

Johnny Catron was a personal friend of mine when we lived in Rialto, California for a few years. Our friendship was almost instantaneous once I discovered that Johnny was a bandleader. At the time, I was a writer and cartoonist for a magazine called “The Big Bands,” headquartered in Southern California. Johnny took me under his wing (I was a transplanted young easterner from Philadelphia), and he appointed me as his Public Relations Director. This was a dream job for someone who loved the sounds of the big bands. The job entailed attending all his concerts and dances and generally publicizing the orchestra. This assignment lasted until personal business took me back to the east.

After World War II, Johnny Catron had financial problems and could not raise the money to reorganize a band such as the one he had before the war. He took a job at a Volkswagen dealership in Pomona, California in order to finance a band. He soon discovered he had two loves: making music and selling cars.

“I know the two careers don’t really go together, but I really loved both. A few years later I found a way

I could link these two jobs.

I wrote a song called, ‘The Volkswagon Song Polka,’

and had my band perform it.”

In 1941, when Catron started working with Ben Pollack, he began to arrange and write songs. “Pollack really encouraged me to write, so I did. After all, I realized, even at that young age, how talented Ben Pollack was.”

When Catron landed a job with the Union Oil Company Radio Program, he took over as head arranger. Years later, he was head arranger and writer for KFI, a Southern California radio station with Lawrence Welk and Freddy Martin. The show ran from 1963 to 1966. During this time, he wrote some remarkable songs such as “Valerie,” “A Little Affection,” and “There’s a Time and a Place for Everything.”

In 1964, he wrote a poignant song about the assassination of John F. Kennedy titled “The Big D”. A recording of the song is located in the Dallas, Texas Museum.

Said Catron, “Some folks, have a hard time making sense of my career.” To them he said, “I got to do what I loved.”

Johnny Catron passed on October 31, 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Johnny CatronMaestro of Yesteryear

Photo Courtesy of Ratnesh Bhatt

by: Jack Lebo


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11/15/2010.

Enjoy a sensational getaway with the added pleasure of improving your dance skills with extraordinary instructors! Robertas Maleckis and Inga Sirkaite (World Champion Latin dancers) and Eduardo Torres and Cristina Acevedo (Rising Star Champions in American Rhythm) are just four of the outstanding instructors who will be teaching daily workshops aboard ship. Included in the price of the cruise: over 100 workshops in both International and American style (standard/smooth and Latin/rhythm); afternoon and evening dances on the largest wooden dance floor on the seas!

Take advantage of all the other amenitites of Freedom of the Seas such as Flowrider®, climbing wall, 9-hole miniature golf course, casino, cantilevered spas, ice rink, ice shows, theater shows, shopping, lots of upscale lounges. You can always find something to do!

Pre-Cruise Option: Bon Voyage Gala with elegant sit-down dinner, magnificent exhibition dance performances by your phenomenal instructors, general dancing, hotel room and shuttle to the cruise ship. Start your dance cruise with a party to die for!

Eduardo & Cristina

Avoid disappointment and secure your cabin today! Book now!

Claudia Collins910-693-0335

[email protected]

AAACarolinas.com/DanceCruiseDanceCruises.org

To book or for more information:

Be sure to book our pre-cruise Bon Voyage Gala, too!

18 Dance Floor

54 Years of Dancing by: Joyce Luhrs

Photos Courtesy of Bob Walz, Bil Walker, Barbara Whipple, and Joyce Lurhs

For 54 years, Allen Darnel has been a leader in the ballroom dance world as a teacher, judge, sponsor, entrepreneur, director, and author.

He started his dance career in 1956 at the Arthur Murray Studio in Arizona and worked for several notable studios: Veloz and Yolanda, Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray, and the Golden Door Beauty Resort before a studio in Bakersfield, California.

“I danced the Paso Doble with Rita Hayworth at her home. I taught movie stars and other famous people at the Golden Door Resort in California for four years straight for two nights a week, including Zsa Zsa Gabor, Esther Williams,” he said.

He sponsored the first United States Ballroom Champions Ronnie Leverett and Alice Deboise and worked as promotional director for the annual Feather Awards. Among his other achievements, Darnel established the Ballroom Dance Arts Foundation and presided at the Luis Arnold Dance Awards Society.

When asked to select his greatest accomplishment, he listed at the top owning the largest dance studio in the world. “It was called Dance City USA in Houston, Texas, and I owned and ran it in 1974 with over 1,000 students and 125 teachers. It was a big place with 48,000 square feet. Social, ballroom, Latin and international style dancing were all taught. All of the community of Houston danced there. CEOs of big corporations and city officials danced there at one time or another. I spoke at the Blackpool Dance Festival on behalf of Dance City USA,” explained Darnel.

Dance City USA

Allen Darnel with partner Kay McFarland


The quintessential dance professional, he emphasized the importance of the dance teacher’s uniform and manners in the profession. “I always wear a jacket when I teach. This is part of the professional’s decorum and what you wear to office. People [teachers] don’t dress appropriately today. I have seen students taught by professionals wearing jogging suits. I wanted the teachers at Dance City USA to wear a uniform—a jacket and tie,” he said.

Punctuality was stressed for all teachers. “At Dance City USA, I had my teachers waiting at the door for the students with the chart in their hands. You didn’t have to call on the speaker announcing, ‘Your student is here.’ We gave them their full 50 minutes of a lesson. Now it’s 40 minutes. I had student teachers who, if they were five to ten minutes late for their lesson, I gave them a warning. You had to be elite to work at Dance City USA,” he said.

He eventually sold the business and continued working in the dance world and reminisced about traveling on a world cruise as a dance host on the SS Rotterdam in 1981. “You had to be sharp at all times. You had to be perfectly groomed and display extra good manners. As one famous teacher, Terry Leone said, ‘A dance teacher doesn’t just teach dance steps, you have to have class,’”Darnel stated.

During the last 22 years he has owned and operated

Beginners Only Social Ballroom Latin Dance Studio in Houston and a publicity consulting firm. He’s also managed to find time to be a member of USA Dance in Houston for 20 years. During National Ballroom Dance Week, he received on September 2, 2000 the organization’s lifetime achievement award at a ceremony held at the Chandelier Ballroom in Houston in recognition of his contributions to ballroom dancing.

He has authored three books about dance and just finished “Ballroom World Dance Book” which will be out this summer. Dedicated to his first teacher, Nancy Elliot, who also taught Ron Montez, the book is replete with interviews from past and present dance superstars, photos, illustrations, discussions about the history of dance, and more.

“The book has lots of articles and pictures about USA Dance, too. It’s my last hurrah before I retire in a year or two. I’m 83 years old now,” he said.

Darnel plans to retire from the studio in a year or so and will continue teaching independently. “I am available to teach anywhere to anyone what I know about the ballroom dance world business.”

Allen Darnel in his “Uniform” — a jacket and tie

Ronnie Leverett and Alice DuBose—First Official US Ballroom Champions and sponsored by Darnel

20 Dance Floor

Supadance Ad


Is the laundry piling up? Do you have a growing stack of unread mail? Are you still wearing your winter clothes? Can you remember the last time you got together with a non-dancing friend? If so, perhaps you have wondered just how addicted to social dancing you might be. Take this quiz to find out!

1. How long have you been social dancing? A. One year B. Two years C. Three years D. Four years E. Five or more years

2. How many dance classes, lessons or workshops do you take per week?

A. One or two B. Three or four C. Five or six D. Seven or eight E. More than eight

3. How many times do you social dance per week? A. Once B. Twice C. Three times D. Four times E. Five times or more

4. How many dance schools have you taken classes, lessons or workshops at in the past in the past five years?

A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four E. Five or more

5. How many dance teachers do you consider close personal friends?


6. How many pairs of dance shoes do you own? A. None B. One C. Two D. Three E. Four or more

7. How many social dance songs have you purchased or downloaded?

A. Ten or twenty B. Twenty or thirty C. Thirty or forty D. Forty or fifty E. More than fifty

8. How many social dance instructional videos or DVDs do you own?


9. How many dance venues do you know the complete street addresses?


10. How many times per week do you read or refer to Wayne’s Dance Commentary?

A. Never B. Once C. Twice D. Thrice E. Four or more times

Now for each A give yourself 1 point, B two points, C three points, D four points and E five points and add up you points to get your total score:

- 0 to 10 points - you obviously don’t dance - 11 to 20 points - you are just getting started as a

social dancer - 21 to 30 points - you just might be immune - 31 to 40 points - you might want to think about

getting treatment - 41 to 50 points - you are hopelessly addicted

This quiz was authored by Wayne Tusa, author of “Wayne’s Dance Commentary” - a free weekly dance E-mail ([email protected]).

Addicted to Dance?

22 Dance Floor

DepartingFt. Lauderdale

November 28, 2010

USA Dance, Inc., a 501c3 non profi t organization, is the national governing body for DanceSport in the United States and representative organization for social dancers across America. www.usadance.org Cruise organizer is USA Dance Social VP Jean Krupa. [email protected]

Travel Themes and Dreams is a licensed and bonded Florida Seller of Travel (#ST-37225)

Join USA Dance members, family and friends on the fi rst-ever USA DANCE National Dance Cruise for seven sun fi lled days and

balmy nights of round-the-clock dancing and fun aboard the Costa Atlantica, visiting Key West, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. This fi rst national social dance cruise, sponsored by USA DANCE and Costa Cruise Lines, brings social dancers together from across the country and supports the organization’s national programs. The cruise includes a full program of ballroom, latin and club-style dance instruction from top professional instructors (to be announced) and nearly non-stop dance activities throughout the week. This is a great opportunity to share your passion for dancing and enjoy the western Caribbean aboard one of the fi nest dance ships on the seas. Imagine a week of endless dancing, grand meals, gala theme nights, exciting shows and an onboard casino with your fellow dancers. There’ll even be dance-focused shore excursions as you visit each charming port city! Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime dance cruise experience. Space is limited, so book now by calling 866-391-2680 or go online to www.dancecruiseUSADANCE.com

Call 866-391-2680Prices begin at only $599

per person based on double occupancy plus tax.

Dance Cruise ad.indd 1 2/12/10 2:41:29 PM


Last October, Angela Prince, Public Relations Director for USA Dance, brought the opportunity of USA Dance organizing a

national dance cruise in partnership with Costa Cruise Lines, who in return for our agreeing to fill 200 cabins on the beautiful cruise ship Atlantica would donate back to the organization to support our missions. All we needed was an organizer. I chimed in and said, “I’ll do it”.

To date, we have members from 35 states, also representing chapters of USA Dance. Exciting shore excursions—exclusive for USA DANCE members—offer a variety of tours in each port, with something to fit everyone’s ‘tastes’ and budget.

Dan Calloway, dance instructor, says “This cruise is going to be so cool. Silke and I are really looking forward to teaching on board. It’s the perfect combination vacation: dancing with fun people while cruising the Caribbean.”

Sheila Spiro of Chapter #1025 says, “The great state of Washington will be well represented; many of us are reserved and ready to rock on. Looking forward to all day classes and all night dancing with USA Dancers from across the nation.”

Wayne Meier of Chapter #6004 sailed on the Atlantica in January and had a GREAT time. He commented that Costa was great in setting up dedicated ballroom dance spaces for group lessons and dance parties. You’ll love it!

This is what Rick Steinberg of Chapter #1004 had to say about cruises: “A cruise is the ultimate vacation, especially if there is A LOT of dancing.”

Our travel agents, Themes and Dreams, has arranged for the Marriott-Spring Hill Suites in Ft. Lauderdale—only minutes from Port Everglades—as the Host Hotel for the USA DANCE cruise. This hotel offers a wide variety of amenities as well as tremendous savings for USA DANCE members arriving the day before the cruise. In addition to a complimentary buffet breakfast, the hotel features free parking AND free shuttle to the cruise ship.

If you are considering joining us on the cruise, call toll-free: 1-866-391-2680 to see if they are any cabins available as we are nearly sold out.

One of the most tangible benefits of a cruise vacation is that it is all-inclusive. Meals and entertainment are all included in your cruise vacation and this one will also include dance workshops, private cocktail parties and evening dancing. Cruise vacations are convenient, cost-effective, family-oriented, and intrinsically safe. With multiple activities, dining options, itineraries, and amenities to suit any passenger, no vacation will feel more individualized than a cruise. In fact, cruises are such successful vacations that according to Cruise Lines International, more than 80% of cruisers return for a second voyage.

2010 July – August 23www.USAdance.ORG

by: Jean Krupa Social Dance VP

A National CruiseThe Ultimate Dance Experience

24 On Beat

PublicEye

the

by: Angela Prince Public Relations Director

NEW DANCESPORT AD FOR USA DANCE

USA Dance has recently launched its new DanceSport

brand ad in DanceBeat—communicating a clear

statement about our leadership role in the industry and

our commitment to promoting the quality and quantity

of ballroom dancing for everyone in this country, while

supporting the global movement to bring DanceSport

into the Olympics.

Three of our World Team couples who competed at the

USA Dance 2010 National DanceSport Championships

in LA are showcased in the new ad—Xingmin &

Katerina Lu (Senior I Standard National Champions),

Val Chmerkovskiy & Daria Chesnokova (Adult Latin

National Champions) and Pasha Pashkov & Daniella

Karagach (Adult 10-Dance National Champions).

Chapter presidents may request a .pdf file of the new

ad to use as a handout, flyer, display poster or mailer, by

contacting USA Dance at publicrelations-dir@usadance.

org. If you are in need of a statement about USA Dance

and DanceSport, this ad will provide you with valuable

narrative to use at the local level.

Xingmin & Katerina Lu Senior I Standard National Champions

USA DANCEThe National Governing Body

for DanceSport in the USA

Host and organizer of 2010 IDSF World DanceSport Championship Latin

November 13, 2010 • New York City, USA • www.2010idsfworldlatin.com

USA Dance, the official National Governing Body for DanceSport in the United

States, is recognized by the USOC, IOC and IDSF. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, USA Dance represents the best interests of DanceSport athletes as well as social dancers throughout the USA. As a democratic, all-volunteer organization, USA Dance is comprised of talented professionals, passionate supporters of dance, and approximately 180 fast-growing chapters. USA Dance is dedicated to promoting the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing for all and the global movement to bring DanceSport into the Olympics.

USA Member Organization of the USOC. �USA Member Organization of the IDSF. �Recognized by the USOC and the International �Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for DanceSport in the USA.25,000 members providing financial support. �Reaching 200,000 dancers in the USA. �Organizer of the Official National DanceSport �Championships in the United States, where the USA’s official World Teams are selected.Providing USA World Teams annual support of �more than $65,000.Organizer of the National Collegiate DanceSport �Challenge at the Ohio Star Ball.Organizer of the Special Olympics DanceSport �Championships.Publisher of American Dancer Magazine. �

Member Organization of the United States Olympic Committee

www.usadance.org


PBS KIDS—”IT’S MY LIFE” BLOG REACHES 300,000 KIDS EVERY MONTH, FEATURES THREE USA DANCE BALLROOM KIDSTM

PBS Kids, part of the PBS cable-tv network, attended

the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships

in Los Angeles in April with one purpose – to see

America’s best kids dancing. While watching practice

sessions, the producer selected three couples that caught

the eye to follow throughout the weekend, then did

telephone interviews a few weeks later.

The PBS Kids Blog “It’s My Life” is one of PBS’s most

acclaimed sites, reaching approximately 300,000 kids

every month. Wow, is right.

Here are a few of PBS’s comments to their viewers

about DanceSport and the USA Dance Nationals:

“For more and more people of all ages, [ballroom] is a

fun and exciting hobby, and for many, a sport where kids

as young as seven years old, as well as adults and even

senior citizens, compete!”

“We were amazed not just by the level of dancing but

also the passion and commitment of these kids and

tweens ... whose accomplishments and dedication we

find inspiring.”

“One of the things we found interesting about ballroom

dancing for kids is that there are strict rules about what

they can wear in competition, which puts an emphasis

on what’s appropriate for certain age groups.” (Thank you,

PBS!)

We want our American Dancer readers to enjoy the

PBS Kids online interviews with three of our pre-teen and

junior DanceSport couples. See the links below which also

feature videos of their dancing at Nationals.

USA DANCE BALLROOM KIDS:

Ivan Gab &

Madelyne Kapalansky

Pre-Teen I Silver Latin &

Pre-Teen I Gold Latin

Jaryd Farcon &

Cara Abaya-Campos

Junior I Pre-Championship

& Junior I Championship

Latin

Dmitriy Slobdovskiy

& Michelle Kaplanksy

Junior I Championship

Standard & Junior I

Championship 10-Dance

To read the full

stories, please visit

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/blog then search the Index for

ballroom-kids-ivan-and-madelyne; ballroom-kids-jaryd-

and-cara; and ballroom-kids-dimitriy-and-michelle.

Val Chmerkovskiy & Daria Chesnokova Adult Latin National Champions

Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach Adult 10-Dance National Champions

Images courtesy of Carson Zullinger, and parents

26 On Beat26 On Beat

ON THE MEDIA HORIZON

USA Dance has recently interviewed with or assisted

several high profile media with feature stories about

social ballroom and latin dancing, DanceSport or our

organization. Soon to be released:

• Dance Spirit Magazine (September 2010)

Barbie Magazine•

National Geographic Vacation Edition •

Move. The Film.•

“HIPS DON’T LIE”: JUST ASK HARSH UPADHYAY

India-West, the largest weekly newspaper on the West

Coast, targets America’s immigrant Indian American

population, which is now close to two million. When

USA Dance announced that Nationals would be in Los

Angeles, this prestigious publication wanted to feature

competitors of Indian descent.

The resulting interview “Hips Don’t Lie: Ballroom

Dancer Burns Up The Floor” with USA Dance Latin

competitor, Harsh Upadhyay became a great story about

opportunity in this country. It was good to hear that

ballroom dancing is also gaining popularity in India.

Harsh took first places in his Latin Bronze and Gold

divisions at Nationals. He moved to the U.S. in 2005 to

obtain his master’s degree and is a software engineer in

North Carolina.

Online at India-West: http://www.indiawest.com/

readmore.aspx?id=2318&Sid=5

USA DANCE NATIONAL DANCE CRUISE –

DANCING FOR AMERICATM

The USA Dance “Dancing for America” National

Dance Cruise departs Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Nov. 28th

and is already a potential media event. According to our

resources, no dance cruise has ever booked participants

from as many states and from coast to coast to the

degree that this maiden voyage has attracted. Dancers

are flying in from California, Oregon, Washington State,

New Mexico and Nevada, and that’s only 5 of the total 35

states represented so far.

At press time, there will only be a few rooms left.

Check out the website www.dancecruiseusadance.com

to book your place on this historical cruise aboard the

Italian Costa Cruise line’s “Atlantica,” a glorious dance

ship, one of Europe’s finest.

Latin Dancer Harsh Upadhay


If you are already on this cruise, please join your friends

on Facebook at USA DANCE NATIONAL DANCE

CRUISE. We want to hear from you.

JOIN USA DANCE ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK

You can connect to USA Dance and other dancers

throughout the country for continual updates about

upcoming events and special activities, member

happenings, updates on DanceSport and competitions,

and copies of American Dancer and other published media

publicity.

ON FACEBOOK:

USA Dance Inc.•

USA Dance Competitions•

USA Dance National Dancesport Championships•

USA Dance National Dance Cruise•

USA Dance (local chapters by name)•

ON TWITTER:

USA Dance Inc•

ON LINKED-IN:

USA Dance Inc•

DanceSport Connection•

KEY WEBSITES:

www.USADance.org•

www.dancecruiseusadance.com•

www.idsf.net•

www.usoc.org•

We want to hear from

your chapter!

Has your chapter been in the news lately? Have you been featured in the paper, on TV,

or online?

Send us the latest happenings of your chapter to be

considered for an upcoming issue.

When submitting, please keep in mind the following:

Send submissions and questions to

[email protected]

Articles should be a maximum of 175 words

High quality, digital photos relating to the event at 300 dpi or higher

Accurate photo caption, or names of persons (left to right).

Name of photographer for photo credit

28 On Beat

DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSportDanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport


DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships

2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships





2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport ChampionshipsDanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport

DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport2009 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships


2009 Southeastern Regional DanceSport ChampionshipsDanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport

For More Information visit www.usadance.org

Qualifying Events for

USA Dance 2011 NationalDanceSport Championships

Jason Dai & Patrycja Golak / Photo by: Carson Zullinger

Northwest DanceSport ChampionshipsSeattle, WAOctober 23-24, 2010

Carolina Fall Classic Greensboro, NCOctober 22-24, 2010

Manhattan Amateur ClassicNew York, NYJanuary 14-16, 2011

2010 Heartland Classic Indianapolis, INOctober 2-3, 2010

2011 Phoenix DanceSport ChallengePhoenix, AZFebruary 19, 2011

Mid-Atlantic DanceSport ChampionshipsWashington DCFebruary 26-27 2011


Making HistoryCollegiate Competition on DWTSBy SarahJo Ciotti, American Dancer Writer

Image courtesy of Rodolfo Fotografia

We are! We are! Utah Valley! We are! We are! Utah Valley!” The crowds chanted as the judges revealed a

near perfect score during the Dancing with the Stars Collegiate competition semi-finals. This school spirit was only a taste of the explosive applause when the judges announced UVU’s Dance Company as the winners of the Mirrorball trophy.

Each team involved in the collegiate competition came to the set with their own ideals and goals to accomplish. The University of California in San Diego were the underdogs going into the competition and although their team’s journey was short they were able to prove that they were capable competitors. During their Samba in the semi-finals the judges said their “pattern changes were fantastic!”

Peter Edwards, coach of the UCSD team remarked that the experience great because it brought to light the strong ballroom and academic program that they have at UCSD. “Collegiate dancing in general was brought to a public awareness [because of the show]” said Edwards. Edwards also points out that many pros and stars of the ballroom world once danced as members of collegiate formation teams. In this way viewers were given a chance to see some of the “growing up” process that these athletes must go through.

Purdue University announced itself as a laidback midwest school. Tracy Matz, a member of Purdue’s team said before the first show that, “We’ve been practicing so much. We want to get out there to win and show the country how great the team is.” Purdue faced big challenge coming into the competition, since the producers stipulated that the competition needed to be in group formations.

Despite these challenges, Purdue still shone. “It’s been a real joy to see this group grow in the eight years I’ve worked with them,” said Dan Rutherford, coach of the Purdue team.

Utah Valley University’s team was able to perform at a higher difficulty level due to the grueling pace of the coach, Scott Asbell, keeps his students. In response to their cha cha cha they were acclaimed as having “precise, brilliant patterns.” Their performance was “effortless” according to the judges.

Director of the UVU ballroom program, Scott Asbell, stated, “In the 20 years I have taught at UVU, this win on Dancing with the Stars brings me some of the greatest satisfaction because it’s representative of years of hard work from hundreds of dancers at our university. These dancers didn’t just represent themselves tonight; they represented an entire program that has been built over time, and they did it on a national stage and performed very, very well.”


30 DanceSport

The inaugural Columbia Star Ball was held in the gracious Portland Hilton Hotel on May

8-9, 2010. Organizers Mark Tabor and Tiffanie Rhodes went out of their way to host a friendly, welcoming event that incorporated many unique touches. Judges were Richard Booth (chair), Barbara Child, Bill Davies, Olga Foraponova, Cora Lyn Uczekaj, Forrest Vance, Dave Watson and yours truly. Ava Kaye was scrutineer and alternate judge, Brent Mills provided the fabulous music, and the dulcet tones of Michael Wachal as MC kept us on time and in the right frame of mind.The glorious weather of Portland’s late

spring afforded great walking and dining weather for those who were able to take breaks. The Portland Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning is a treat not to be missed. I may be biased, but this is the best farmers’ market around. Fresh from the farm produce, cheeses, chicken, beef (and yak and elk too!), eggs, pork, and flowers are augmented with some of Portland’s best chefs providing pates, pestos, chocolates and breads. Food and music abound. If you can tear yourself away from the dancing, don’t miss the market!And speaking of the dancing, the

Columbia Star Ball incorporated both Pro/Am and Amateur events. Some of the highest caliber dancers from around the Pacific Northwest were joined by competitors from Arizona, California, Ohio and Canada. It was great to see such wide-ranging support for the first comprehensive competition to be held in Portland since the days of the Oregon

Star Ball. I look forward to watching this competition grow and grow!In addition to terrific

Pro/Am and Amateur events that were hotly contested, the Columbia Star Ball featured a Formation Team competition. This is something we rarely see at competitions any more, and it was very exciting. We had four Formation routines to choose from, and it was a difficult choice. Speaking for myself, I love Formation Team competitions and hope this event will draw more teams from other states.We were treated to a fantastic show

by Blackpool, UK and US Professional Rising Star Latin finalists Yegor Novikov and Ekaterina Zakharoff. Perennial Northwest favorites, this dynamic and versatile couple gave a tremendous performance, with a special Rumba dedicated to…The BRIDE AND GROOM! Yes, you

read that right. Mark Tabor and Tiffanie Rhodes officially became Mr. and Mrs. Tabor on Sunday evening at the competition. The emotional and sweet ceremony had many in the audience in tears (of joy!). How Mark and Tiffanie managed to organize both a competition and a wedding is beyond me, but it certainly added a romantic touch to the event.Good luck to the Tabors in the

future, both in their marriage and with the Columbia Star Ball. I look forward to seeing more participants next year!

30 DanceSport

Columbia Star BallBy: Elizabeth KnollUS Professional Ballroom Champion

Photo Courtesy of Parkwest Photography - Champ Latin - Teleryck Ianakiev & Mariya Starichenok

Photo Courtesy of Parkwest Photography - Mark and Tiffanie Tabor at the Wedding Altar

Background Photo Courtesy of Parkwest PhotographyNW Showcase - William Mao and Heather Mattole

A Dance and a Wedding


COMPETITION CALENDAR

look for future event updates at http://usadance.org/dancesport/competition-calendar/

look for future collegiate event updates on FaceBook sign onto FaceBook, click on “Groups,” and type in “USA Dance Competitions”

Competitions noted as “NQE” are National Qualifying Events

for the 2011 National DanceSport Championships.

July 17, 2010 River City Ball

Portland, OR

July 31-August 1, 2010 2010 Fort Wayne Dancesport Championships

Ft Wayne, IN

July 31-August 1, 2010 Special Olympics Indiana Ballroom Championships

Ft Wayne, IN

September 2 - 5, 2010Embassy Ball - IDSF Grand Slam Latin & Standard

and Senior Standard Open

Irvine, CA

September 19, 2010New England Fall Challenge

Hartford, CT

September 25, 2010Quest For The Best*

Seattle, WA

October 2-3, 2010Heartland Classic

Indianapolis, IN

October 10, 2010Fall Frolic*

Hackensack, NJ.

October 22 - 24, 2010Carolina Fall Classic - NQE

Greensboro, NC

October 23 - 24, 2010Northwest DanceSport Championships - NQE

Seattle, WA

Events listed with the * do not accrue proficiency points

Columbia Star Ball

32 DanceSport

eniororlds

SW

I Ten Dance

To Todd Marsden and Suzie Hardt, the sight of the 73-year-old woman could

have been all the inspiration they needed to compete at the world level. She danced the Latin styles at the Senior I IDSF Ten Dance championships with far more exuberance than seemed possible for someone her age. Yet there she was, moving with the energy of someone half her age. But beyond that, everyone on the floor was a testament to what even an aging body could do.

Palma, the largest city on the Mediterranean island of Majorca off the coast of Spain, played host to the IDSF Senior I Ten Dance Championship early in May. A gorgeous island of historic villages, cobblestone streets, ancient buildings with a history boasting all the way back to the Roman Empire, Palma was also a testament to a lesson learned at the competition for Hardt: Age brings beauty.

“Very few seniors do the ten dance; to see other seniors compete at that level as well is very inspiring,” said Hardt. Most dancers in the Senior division either dance Standard or Latin exclusively. Few dance both. One reason for this, Hardt feels, is age.

Competitors have to be approximately 35 years old or older to be eligible to compete in the Senior I age group. For many ballroom dancers that don’t grow up dancing ballroom from an early age, this is around the age where people first begin to experiment with dance lessons, let alone compete.

Ultimately, one of the lessons drawn from the competition for the couple is that there is always more we can still do. For those worried about getting in shape to dance, Marsden and Hardt leave these words:

“More seniors should compete. Sometimes people think they’re too old or too old to start, but the whole competition thing keeps you in shape. You don’t think about it but it keeps you in shape. In competing you get in good physical shape. You don’t have to try to get in shape, you just will get into it.”

Marsden didn’t even begin dancing ballroom until he was 35 and Hardt introduced it to him. But at the world level of competition, age doesn’t have meaning. “Our bodies can do so much more, even at that age. It changes your sense of what it means to age,” said Hardt.

Todd Marsden and Suzie Hardt Photos Courtesy of Suzie Hardt

By: Ivor Lee


outhorlds

YWIDSF

Standard

In a showing of world class grace and beauty, Seoul, Korea hosted the 2010 IDSF Youth Standard

championships in the Olympic park building, formerly built to house 1988 summer games. USA Dance representatives Marek Klepadlo and Angelika Dechnik and Daniel Shapiro and Katya Kovalyova danced to 33rd and 35th place finishes in a highly competitive field of 59 couples.

American Dancer tracked down Daniel Shapiro and talked to him about their experience: AD: What were some of the highlights of competing in Korea?

DS: Well, the main one of course was the dancing, seeing all the other countries from the dance world and witnessing each individual’s style. But, alongside the dancing aspect of it, just seeing Korea’s culture and how they live their daily lives showed me how different each society is from our own.

AD: You’ve been to four other world events, but this is your first one in the youth category. Is the level of competition much higher?

DS: It definitely is but it’s also very good for both Katya. It makes us realize how we really have to step up now and helps us to set our goals to even out and decrease the difficulty of doing well in youth world events

AD: So what stood out to you the most about the competition, or the competitors?

DS: The tension between everyone and the drive that each competitor had to try to outdo the other competitor.

AD: Was it exciting to be part of that tension?

DS: Both yes and no. Yes, because it produced a lot of drive within the partnership to do our best, but at the same time no, because all that tension didn’t give us the opportunity to just breath and relax because we were all stressed about trying to do our best due to the tension between everyone.

AD: Now that you’ve experienced a higher level of tension, do you think that you’ll be ready to handle it next time?

DS: Definitely. Especially because we witnessed it, but also after the World Championship when we got back to New York, we really analyzed our performance and discussed it with our coaches. They have really helped us achieve a whole new level of calm and maturity within our dancing to help us handle and control the tension.

Congratulations to our Youth DanceSport athletes from USA Dance!

Daniel Shapiro and Katya Kovalyova Photo By Carson Zullinger

Marek Klepadlo and Angelika Dechnik Photo By Carson Zullinger

Todd Marsden and Suzie Hardt Photos Courtesy of Suzie Hardt

By: Ivor Lee

34 DanceSport

Time to Shine by: Daphna Locker

atinorlds

LW

At the beginning of the year, all our eyes were turned to Vancouver. We watched as the world descended onto its cedar slopes and we laughed and cried at the joys and pains of the Olympic Winter games. We were there with those athletes and in the back of our minds we dreamed of when ballroom would be an Olympic sport.

A lot of us right now are watching the World Cup of Soccer and watching the world’s top soccer athletes gather in South Africa for the title of the world’s best, in the world’s sport. Those of us that are die hard fans are getting up early in the morning, turning our TV’s to ESPN and watching, waiting for the ultimate victor.

But to the ballroom dancer, does the World Cup of Soccer really matter? What about the Winter Olympics? Whether you really cared about the sports or not, the main thing you wanted was for USA to win.

On November 13th of this year, we will be hosting the IDSF World DanceSport Championship Latin at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, and our athletes will be competing for the title of World’s Best. This is the event that matters to us and unlike the Olympics or the World Cup, it’ll be a one day event, packed with the best competitive Latin the world has to offer. It’s an honor to host this event. IDSF world events come to the United States once a decade at best. Invitations have already been sent out to countries all over the world to send their representatives, with 90 couples expected to come and compete.

Beyond just Latin competition, there will be a showcase of Rhythm and Smooth dances as well as an “Open to the World” Youth Standard championship. This event will be a little bit of everything, a celebration of ballroom dance and everything that makes this sport so unique and enjoyable.

2010 is the year of the world, and for USA Dance, it’s our year to shine.


Member Organization of �e United States Olympic Committee &International DanceSport Federation

Contact Us:

Located in the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

More Information to come

Call 646-734-9666 or see ourwebsite for additional information:

LOS ANGELESApril 9, 10, 11

baltimoreApril 9, 10, 11

www.usadancenationals.org

36 DanceSport

On Saturday, May 29, after representing the USA in the International

Professional Invitational Team Match at the Blackpool Dance Festival, Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova announced their retirement from professional competition, choosing to retire at Blackpool because it was there they won the British Open Under 21 Latin Championship, where they became the first American couple to make the British Open Amateur Latin Final, and where they became World Professional Latin Finalists. The crowd responded with a standing

ovation—not Eugene and Maria’s first at Blackpool.

Both born in Kiev in the Ukraine, this couple didn’t meet until after immigrating to New York in 1992 and 1993. In their almost 17-year partnership, they have won two US Youth Latin Championships and 11 Adult Amateur Latin championships and represented the USA in three World Youth and 11 World Adult Latin Championships. Upon turning professional, they immediately placed second in the US Professional Latin Championships and represented the US at two World Professional Latin Championships, making the semi-

final in the first year and the finals in 2009.

On a personal note, I have loved this couple since they danced as teens and have felt a special relationship since being a force to help send them to the World Youth Championships in 1995. Eugene and Maria later won the Latin event and went to their first world championship several weeks later.

This couple has impressed me from the beginning in how they treated each other. Competitive couples are often seen arguing in public, but they avoided this by “genuinely respect[ing] each other.” “If you have

By: Vivian Beiswenger

Retire from Competition

Eugene and Maria


the same goal, there is no point in fighting—you are on the same side,” they said. So simple, yet so hard!

Though grateful, Eugene and Maria could not credit any one coach for their success. “We followed our hearts and not anyone person’s product,” they said, although several people did inspire them: Victor Kanevsky, Michael Wentink, Louis Van Amstel, Allan Tornsberg, Vibeke Toft, Ruud Vermey, and Peter Maxwell.

Even though they retired before the professional Latin event at Blackpool, they were wonderful to watch in the team match. You still have a chance

to see them perform in upcoming shows at the Colorado Star Ball Championships, the Millennium Championships, the New Jersey State Open Championships, and the Hollywood Championships, to name a few.

On retiring, they remarked they “like dancing and will always like dancing, but you need to know when to stop. Over the past year, [they] have been very happy with their dancing and felt they did not need to prove anything anymore.” They plan to focus on teaching and doing shows and currently have no plans for Pro/Am competition or competing with

different partners. Eugene and Maria hope to start judging and traveling to pass on their passion and love for this business.

In their announcement, Eugene and Maria thanked past and current competitors, as well as their teachers and fans. To all the kids, they said, “Keep dreaming, keep working, and keep believing in yourselves. Dreams do come true and miracles do happen.” To everyone else: “Our journey has truly been extraordinary and beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you all for being part of it.”

Photos Courtesy of Olga Rogachevskaya Background by Michelle Hoffman

38 DanceSport

Over the past years USA Dance has experienced unprecedented growth.

While an enormous blessing, one of the sometime uncelebrated aspects of it is the increase of children becoming interested in ballroom dance as well. Some parents and competitors will remember Nationals and other events where only a handful of children appeared on the floor, but this is now no longer the norm.

It’s not even that this is obvious to just USA Dance. People outside our organization have noticed the growth as well. PBS Kids recently interviewed some of the ballroom kids of USA Dance on the “It’s My Life” blog available on the PBS Kids website.

The following comments are excerpted from interviews with Dmitriy and Michelle, Ivan and Madelyne, and Jaryd and Cara:

IML: When you’re competing on a dance floor full of other couples, do you know when you’re really standing out and people are noticing you? Or are you just focusing on your own routine?

Michelle: When we go on the floor, it’s like we’re the only people there. We just pretend there’s no one there and that we’re just dancing like we do in our studio, because that’s where I dance the best. So I just enjoy myself and I have fun with it! IML: What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you during a competition?Madelyne: Once I was at a

competition regional. We were doing Samba and my partner forgot the whole routine, so I had to basically do all the steps by myself. It was really funny because you could see that we were messing up. We still won first place!IML: In general, what has dance

added to your life?Jaryd: It’s given me strength and

courage, and it makes me want to keep dancing. It’s given me great opportunities because I’ve met so many people and been taught by so many people. Cara: It gives me confidence. I

think I’ve grown more because of dance.

For more details check out Public Eye!

excerpted from Pbskids.org by: Ivor Lee

38 DanceSport

Photos Courtesy of PBS Kids.org


The bestis yet to come

From June 11th to the 14th, Vienna, Austria played host to the IDSF Annual General Meeting. Delegates from all over the world arrived at the

Imperial City, home of generations of western art and music, to discuss the future of the IDSF and the big things that are on the horizon.

Ken Richards, VP of DanceSport, and Wayne Crowder, Certification Chair, formed the USA Dance delegates at the meeting. Being Crowder’s first time attending the meeting, the meeting afforded a bigger picture on what was happening in the world of dance.

“IDSF is looking to expand into everything to do with dance. It’s growing into something that encompasses all aspects of dance,” he said, “We need to understand that there is work ahead of us and we need to form friend-ships and alliances with other delegates and federations in the world to assist our athletes in the USA.”

These changes are largely due to the close relation the IDSF shares with the International Olympic Committee. Through working together, the IDSF has learned the steps necessary to make ballroom dance an Olympic event.

“The IDSF is very focused on its relationship with the IOC; plans are being set for the formation of the World DanceSport Federation to be unveiled in 2012. Part of what will make the Olympics happen is the partnerships between various dance disciplines under one umbrella. This is how the IOC thinks,” said Richards.

The simplest analogy is the example of Track and Field. Track and Field is made up of different events that form the greater whole of the event, all events occurring on the same venue. The unification of all dance disciplines is considered the best shot at DanceSport being included as an Olympic sport.

One thing that impressed Crowder the most was how much work the meeting accomplished. “The meeting began in the hallway outside of the room, way before it even officially started. Every conversation the entire weekend, whether it was on the bus or over dinner, was about work and how we could push DanceSport, our relationships with the other groups and delegates and how that all ties into the IDSF,” said Crowder.

There’s a lot of work to be done, and the best is yet to come.


From left to right: Ken Richards, IDSF President Carlos Freitag, Wayne Crowder

Ken Richards addressing the presidium and other delegates at the IDSF Annual General Meeting

Photos Courtesy of Ken Richards

By: Ivor Lee

40 InStep

USA Dance Upstate South Carolina Chapter #6078 hosted “Twinkle, Twinkle

Little Stars—Dancing to Help Children Defy the Odds” at the Greenville Shrine Club on April 10, 2010 and to help the children served by the Greenville, South Carolina Shriner’s Hospital for Children as well as the Foster Children of Greenville County.

Penny Brady, former board member and event chair, worked creative magic to transform the Shrine Club into a night of stars with stunning table centerpieces with color, lights and star balloons that filled the room. Members of a local church youth group cut out silhouettes of children in dance poses for these unique centerpieces. At the end of the evening those at the tables making the highest bid took the arrangement home.

Organizers included the Board of Directors of Chapter #6078, caring, volunteering members from the community and event Chairs Chapter President Susan Johnson and Penny Brady. Local support from area businesses, media, dance instructors and others made this first annual event heartwarming.

Secretary Loretta Geisler, head of the entertainment committee, put together a showcase of local talent.

Instructor Roy Jordan donated his time and Champion Ballroom background in working with three local pre-teen students. Imani Hargett and Emile Batchelder-Schwab, recently winning the pre-teen championship at the Heritage Classic, delighted the crowd with the Quickstep and Cha-Cha. Champion pre-teen dancer, Olivia Arnold was another highlight of the evening as she danced silver level Tango with instructor Jordan. The Carolina Ballet Theater staff worked with several former patients of the Shriner’s Hospital to choreograph a lyrical dance to the vocal presentation of “Over the Rainbow” sung by Geisler. Dancers Alana Aldridge, Kaitlyn Fowler, Jasmine Martin, Brycen Westmoreland, Camron Westmoreland and Mya Westmoreland showed with their performance how they have defied the odds. Instructors from the theater, Anita and Hernan Justo, ended the show with their flawless presentation of the Argentine Tango.

Vice President Judy Lowry and Penny Brady presented a creative display of silent auction items that ranged from a weekend stay plus dinner at the Hilton that included a set of diamond and sapphire earrings from Reeds Jewelers, watercolor pictures of children, a ballroom

creation by a local doll artist and hand crafted dance apparel accessories. Treasurer Jim Cervenak and President Susan Johnson coordinated food for the event and included a candy/desert bar complete with large martini glasses hand painted by students of the local fine arts center. The glasses were used to serve candy then auctioned off as part of the silent auction.

The evening included social dancing to the fine arts center’s jazz quintet followed by dance music presented by volunteer DJ and Board Member, Roger Buckner. Dancers from local USA Dance chapters as well as other social dancers from the region filled the floor until the last waltz at midnight.

The event succeeded in raising funds to support two worthy charities thanks to a high level of community support, raising awareness of the benefits of dance and in particular that of USA Dance’s mission and their role in the community. The event not only showed how USA Dance Upstate SC Chapter supports the youth of the community but gave children of the community an opportunity to be involved helping other children that need a helping hand.

Twinkle Twinkle

By: Susan Ann Johnson • Chapter #6078 President • USA Dance Upstate SC

Little Stars

40 InStep

2010 July– august 41www.USAdance.ORG 2010 July – August 41www.USAdance.ORG

42 InStep

The Maury Show’s live studio audience and millions of viewers at home knew on last

May 25th that they were in for a treat: the “Most Talented Kids” segment of the show. They didn’t realize how much of a treat it was for them when ten year old Edgar Khachaturov and 12 year old Daniela Olevsky came out on the floor of the show. But once they started performing their Samba, the crowd couldn’t help but be impressed.

“My favorite part was definitely getting on the stage to perform and the crowd started cheering. It made me feel really excited and want to dance really good,” said Khachaturov, “I love to dance because I love the images it creates and the way it communicates

to people and the energy and power it shows.”

For some, TV appearances are an arduous process requiring many

Above the OrdinaryBy: Ivor Lee

Edgar Khachaturov and Daniela Olevsky with Maury

2010 July– august 43www.USAdance.ORG 2010 July – August 43www.USAdance.ORG

auditions, waiting by the phone for callbacks, and a lot of dreaming. Edgar and Daniela were a different story. Producers from the Maury Show contacted them directly after seeing a YouTube video of them performing at a birthday party.

Still, their appearance on TV was not without trial and misadventure. For the weeks prior to the show they practiced a Cha-Cha routine set to a Lady Gaga song; however, upon arrival at the studio, they were told to change the song and come up with a different routine.

“Producers don’t understand that you have to choreograph and practice these things over and over,” said Vicky

Olvesky, Daniela’s mother. Yet this didn’t stop the young

couple. They buckled down, and choreographed and practiced a Samba routine—one that allowed them to use more difficult moves—in the two days before the show.

“Sometimes it surprises me,” said Vicky about her daughter’s determination. “When I was panicking on the show, she said to me, ‘Mom, it’s ok. We’ll do it.’ She was the calmer person in the whole thing. She’s really grown up.”

According to Danela, it’s a much easier answer. “We love dancing. It’s our passion; every part of it,” she said.

44 InStep44 InStep for more information go to www.usadancencc.org

National Collegiate

DanceSport Challenge

Columbus Convention Center Columbus, Ohio

Establishing Excellence

November 21-22, 2010

U S A D A N C E

2010 July– august 45www.USAdance.ORG

Nationals Sponsors 2010

Arlene Yu Nadia Eftedal

Holiday Ball Competition Erminio Stefano & Luana Conte

Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva

Larinda McRaven Dance Pants

Scott & Sarah Coates USA Dance Central Florida Chapter # 6002

USISTD USA Dance Michigan Northern Lights

Chapter #2048 USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter #6016

USA Dance Treasure Coast Chapter #6004 USA Dance Tidewater Chapter #6008

Spencer & Elena Nyemchek David & Connie Taylor

Aida Renzo

Thank you for your support!

46 InStep

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Ballroom GiftsLouise Giuliano 48 Huron St., Albany, NY 12203Phone: 518-482-6603

Coco’s Ballroom Boutique5510 Lake Howell Rd.Winter Park, FL 32792 Email: [email protected]

Satin Stitches Ltd.Deborah Nelson11894 Round Lake Blvd. NWMinneapolis, MN 55433 Phone: 763-323-9507 Email: [email protected]

Toe to Toe Dance Wear Inc. Carol Fournier1159 W. Hill Rd. #CFlint, MI 48507Phone: 877-348-4362 Email: [email protected]

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Ballroom Magic Katy & Russ FischerP O Box 16, Glasser NJ 07837Phone: 201-663-4646Email: [email protected]

Ballroom Dance Teacher’s Academy Where dreams of ballroom dance careers come true. Blake Carlson - Director, 5210 N. Market St., P O Box 7523, Spokane WA 99207, phone 509-710-0215, FAX 508-483-9215, email: [email protected] website: http://www.touchdancing.org

BlueBallRoom, Wilmington, DE and the Delaware Valley.Contact: Ken Richards, (VP of DanceSport - USA Dance) [email protected] or 302-984-BLUE (2583)Fun is our main objective and dancing is how we get there. Learn Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Hustle, Country, Nightclub Slow Dancing, Argentine Tango and more! Group classes, personal training, and coaching from top dance stars available. Visit the website www.blueballroom.net for pricing and the calendar of events so you don’t miss the next great dance party. Proud sponsors of the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships.

Desert Dance Club 690 E. Warner Rd., Ste 155, Gilbert AZ 85296 www.desertdanceclub.com Private and group instruction in social, exhibition & competitive dancing. Employ “Dance Masters” from all over the country to bring current cutting edge dance info for staff and students. Host monthly social dances. Studio available for private functions and parties.

Elegance in Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio Jessica Todero and Bob Gates, 8225 E. Washington St., Box 8, Chagrin Falls OH 44023, 440-543-1559, www.chagrinballroom.com Provide students with skills to dance socially and for showcases and competitions. Private and group lessons in wide variety of partner dances. Check out our Northcoast Ballroom Teachers Academy too.

ExquisiDance Ballroom Studio 3646 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044, Contact Michael Jewell Phone 480-706-0171 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ExquisiDance.com Ballroom dance instruction - Private and Group Classes, Competitions, Dance Parties, Ballroom Dance Shoes.

MBP Healthy Living Inc., Home of Ronnie Vinston’s Ballroom Dance Moves 200 Henry St. Suite 106 Belleville Mi 48111 email: [email protected] or [email protected] Phone: 1-800-743-0929 or 734-347-8537 Group and private lessons - Children ages 13 and up welcome.

J & B Dance CenterJean Keehan, 734 Broadway, Kingston NY 12401 - Phone: 914-331-3092 Email: [email protected]

North Carolina Ballroom Teachers College, Raleigh, NC Contact: Jillian Hood ph: 276-614-4595 email: [email protected] website: www.ncballroomdancecollege.comThe North Carolina Ballroom Teachers College offers a series of four sessions, each lasting 4 months that teaches the lead, follow and teaching method for the American Bronze DVIDA syllabus: 4 Smooth, 8 Rhythm and 5 Nightclub Dances. The course prepares candidates for the DVIDA professional certification exams.

Paso a Paso Ballroom Dance Provides instruction in all american style dances with group or private lessons available. Regular dance parties are offered for students/public to practice and socialize. Contact Barbara Putz, 317-696-1656, email: [email protected] website: www.tatesdance.com

Queen City Ballroom Dance Studio Provides instruction in all American styles Karen Tebeau, 21 Dow St., 2nd fl., Manchester NH 03101 - Email: [email protected]

Peoria School of Ballroom DanceCarmen Antonio Giuseppe Peoria120 Peoria Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697Phone: 724-925-3884e-mail: [email protected] in both Am. & Int’l Beg. & competitive levels

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Compass Speakers & Entertainment Inc.The Gentleman Host® Program - Tracy Robison, 2455 E. Sunrise Blvd. #804, Ft Lauderdale FL 33304 - Leading supplier of Gentlemen Dance Hosts ® to the luxury cruise industry Phone 954-568-3801, Email: [email protected] website: www.compassspeakers.com

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Competition Management Services Inc.Mark Garber, Atlanta GA On-line registration, scheduling & payment for dance competitions - Phone: 770-645-8707 FAX: 770-645-6350 Email: [email protected] - Website: http://competitorregister.com/

Show Off Strapswww.showoffstraps.com. Customized bra straps worth showing off. Contact Susan Ratcliff. Phone: 1-888-578-7277. Email: [email protected].

SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS NATIONALS

United States Rock ‘N’ Roll Dance FederationUSA Dance National Sports Organization Member - 92 Corporate park, Ste. C-572 - Irvine, CA 92606-5106 - Phone: 714-832-1085 Website: www.usdanceteams.org

2010 July– august 47www.USAdance.ORG

Smooth/Standard GownSize 4-6 - Purple gown with feather brim and wrist band. Rarely worn. Picture available. $150. Email [email protected] GOWNSStandard gown size 2-4. Royal blue with ruched bra like top and ruched at the waist. Bodice is stoned on lace appliques. Spaghetti straps are covered with same fabric. Skirt has 3 rows of satin flounces. Brand new condition. $200.00 + shipping. Photos. [email protected] or 561-740-9589

Latin/rhythm size 0-2-4 Orange lycra halter style bodice with 2 layers of orange chiffon hooped skirt. Bodice is stoned down to the skirt. $175.00 + shipping. Photo. [email protected] or 561-740-9589SHOESSupadance standard female model number: 12-8 Satin size: british 5 1/2 width: regular heel: 2 1/2 Shoes are pretty new. Worn for about 2 months. Asking for $70.00 [email protected] 847-989-5639.SHOES 4 Pair of “Court” shoes (closed toe pumps), Worn Once. $75. ea. pair. incl.shipping.Orig. Cost $150+ ea. pr. Nude Satin Supadance,Size 5.5 (UK), 2.5” heel. Nude Satin Supadance, Size 5.5(UK), 2.0” heel Blk. Satin Supadance, Size 5.5(UK), 2.0” heel Werner Kern Blk. Suede w/imbedded rhinestones,Size 4.5 (Italy), 2.0” heel Call (973)783-3191, RosemaryLatin/Rhythm GownSize 4-6 - Bright yellow gown with long sleeves and heavily-stoned neck band; knee-length; heavy-stoned along the left side of the gown and right shoulder. Rarely worn. Picture available. $180. Email [email protected] ShoesEnglish size 5 flesh-color standard pump. Wrong-size for me. Only worn a couple times.

Picture available. Email [email protected] Partner WantedHi, Purita C. Schwarz, of Chicago Chap-ter ID#112247, looking for a male, single, ballroom dance partner (5 ft. 7 in to 6 ft. 4 in) to dance, practice American Smooth & American Rhythm at socials or chapter func-tions. I have dance experiences in competition bronze levels; willing to dance with a beginner, pro, social dancer. Pls. email: [email protected] or call: 815-603-4807. Thanks.Dance Partner WantedI am currently looking for a dance partner for competitive practice and competitions! Look-ing for someone who has been dancing at least five years and likes competitive-style dancing. Lori Talbott [email protected] 206-304-2112 Seattle, Wa.SHOESOn vacation I splurged for 3 pair of beautiful leather dance shoes but have since given up serious dancing. Will sell them for a bargain $50.00 each pair plus shipping. Never worn. Red, black and gold - size 7 - open and closed toe, strap, 2 inch heel. Will send photos via mail - [email protected] or 312/664-6133. Also have one pair leather soles and a metal brush.

Dance Mart

Dance Mart

DanceMart continues to serve members of USA Dance as a

free space to advertise and sell personal costumes, shoes, etc.,

or search for a partner.

To be included in DanceMart, please limit your classified ads to 50 words or less. You must

include your membership number and name to ensure

compliance with the free space for members only.

Classified ads will run in American Dancer for two

issues. If you wish to run it longer, you must resend the ad.

To place or renew an ad, please send it to:

[email protected]

For advertising information email [email protected]

DancerA m e r i c a n

USA Dance 2010 Nationals Showcase in LA


www.usadance.org March - April 2010 Issue 23

How to Cultivate a Love for Ballroom in Our Youth

MAC Turns 20

Ballroom: The Next Generation

USA Dance 2010 Nationals Results


www.usadance.org May-June 2010 Issue 24

USA Dance Ballroom Kids TM

What’s going on for Social Dancers

Stars on the Floor

Ballroom: The Social Side

1 Cover.indd 1 5/14/10 4:14:15 PM







MAC Turns 20


USA Dance 2010 Nationals Results


www.usadance.org May-June 2010 Issue 24

USA Dance Ballroom Kids TM

What’s going on for Social Dancers

Stars on the Floor

Ballroom: The Social Side

1 Cover.indd 1 5/14/10 4:14:15 PM






The 20th Anniversary of the Manhattan Amateur Classic


MAC Turns 20


A m e r i c a n

www.usadance.org

Dancer

Hand in Hand Together We CanNational Chapter Conference

Best of Education2009 National Collegiate Challenge


January-February 2010

USA Dance 2010 National DanceSport Championships

Issue 22

USA DANCEThe National Governing Body for DanceSport in the USA

Host and organizer of 2010 IDSF World DanceSport Championship Latin

November 13, 2010 • New York City, USA • www.2010idsfworldlatin.com

USA Dance, the official National Governing Body for DanceSport in the United States, is recognized by the USOC, IOC and IDSF. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, USA Dance represents the best interests of DanceSport athletes as well as social dancers

throughout the USA. As a democratic, all-volunteer organization, USA Dance is comprised of talented professionals, passionate supporters of dance, and approximately 180 fast-growing chapters. USA Dance is dedicated to promoting the quality and quantity of ballroom dancing for all and the global movement to bring DanceSport into the Olympics.

Member Organization of the United States Olympic Committee

www.usadance.org

USA Member Organization of the USOC. �USA Member Organization of the IDSF. �Recognized by the USOC and the International �Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for DanceSport in the USA.25,000 members providing financial support. �Reaching 200,000 dancers in the USA. �Organizer of the Official National DanceSport �Championships in the United States, where the USA’s official World Teams are selected.Providing USA World Teams annual support of �more than $65,000.

Organizer of the National Collegiate DanceSport �Challenge at the Ohio Star Ball.Organizer of the Special Olympics DanceSport �Championships.Publisher of American Dancer Magazine. �

July August American Dancer

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