BALTIMORE, MD – MARCH 28 – 30, 2014 RENAISSANCE HARBORPLACE HOTEL
Florin Vlad & Natalia O’Connor (VT) Al Parker/Parkwest Photography
E
very year, the USA Dance Nationals proves a memorable whirlwind affair – America’s best amateur couples on the floor for three days of non-stop competitive ballroom and latin/rhythm dancing from 7 a.m. to midnight. And although only the top 65% of America’s top couples qualified to compete at Nationals, there were still 1,103 competitors in Baltimore, representing nearly every state in the country. The youngest competitor there was five years old; the oldest, 74, which confi rms that DanceSport is truly a multi-generational activity. The audience, on the other hand, ranged from practically newborns to supporting grandparents in their 90s (and many were dancers).
For the fi rst time at the USA Dance Nationals, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) hosted three World Ranking Tournaments, one each of the three nights – Under 21 Standard, Under 21 Latin and Under 21 10-Dance. These events were open, rather than invitational, and attracted a highly competitive field from the USA plus two couples from Ecuador, South America. (See results page 19) The final rounds of the 31 Championship divisions were most often held during the evening sessions. The only Championships not actually danced, but awarded as result of point accumulation, were the 9 and 10-dance Senior divisions. (See results page 14-19). USA Dance Nationals was honored to host so many distinguished adjudicators and officials. At the WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress, 34 adjudicators were in attendance. Judging Nationals were 20 adjudicators and invigilators, with five representing the WDSF, from Finland, the Bosnia-Hersegovina, Italy and USA. Adjudicator Chairs were Cathi Nyemchek and Sami Yli-Piipari. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2015 – USA Dance Nationals will return to Baltimore, Mar. 27 – 29, 2015. Next up National Qualifying Event is New Jersey DanceSport Classic – Summer Sizzler, in Hackensack, NJ, June 7-8. Then, the Gumbo DanceSport Championships, June 27-29, in Baton Rouge, LA, also the USA Dance 2014 Nationals for The Senior IV divisions and the Junior II Championship division.
Victor Makovsky & Shelly Umansky (PA) Carson Zullinger
Vincent & Irina Feingold (NJ) Senior II Championship Standard Carson Zullinger
Taras Savitskyy & Tatiana Seliverstova (NJ) Carson Zullinger
IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOHN MURPHY AND THE
J oy OF
Dance
USA Dance is greatly saddened at the passing of John Murphy, one of our Senior III DanceSport competitors, shortly after his wonderful performance at Nationals on Sunday, Mar. 30. John and his wife Mary Ann, members of our MASSabda Chapter in Boston, are in our continued thoughts and prayers. A dancer understands…life is a journey of uncertainty best celebrated through dance. And if we have only one way to travel to our next destination, let those days be on a dance fl oor every chance we have and with family and friends who share in the exuberance and joy that dance can bring.
John & Mary Ann Murphy Senior III Pre-Championship Standard MASSabda Chapter – Boston, MA Al & Patricia Parker/ ParkWest Photography
May-June 2014
13