Dancer
A M E R I C A N
2012 Nationals Recap The Nationals Competition in Baltimore was the largest in its 32-year history. There were many unique aspects to this year’s competition. If you weren’t able to be there, be sure to read all about it.
New USA Dance Ambassadors USA Dance has created a new program where members have more opportunities to share the passion and benefits of ballroom dancing with more people than ever. Official Publication of USA Dance
National Ballroom Dance Week 2012 www.usadance.org
May - June 2012
Issue 36
DVDs • Music • Books • and so much more!
Improve Your Dancing at Home Learn to dance from the experts in their field. Practice at your own pace and in the privacy of your own home. DVD’s help increase the retention of your group dance lessons. Use as a valuable aid and arrive at your 1st dance class prepared. Convenient and fun way to stay in shape.
C a l l fo r a f re e C ata l o g 800-851-2813
Upcoming events for 2012
An Exciting Opportunity for Studios, Students and Teachers!
Dance Camp Los Angeles May 3 - 6, 2012 at the
Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel
home of the Emerald Ball Dancesport Championships
www.EmeraldBall.com
Dance Camp Las Vegas June 3 - 8, 2012 at the
Paris Hotel & Casino
www.DanceVision.com
www.MasteryCamps.com
800-851-2813
On the Cover 14 National Ballroom Dance Week 2012 The 2012 National Ballroom Dance Week is fast approaching. Now is the time to start making plans and getting events organized. Learn tips and find out more.
Photo taken by AD Staff
28 New USA Dance Ambassadors
Carrie Ann Inaba is the new USA Dance National Celebrity Ambassador. Find out some of the events already scheduled and how you can get involved.
34 2012 Nationals Recap The National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore was a great success, and in case you weren’t able to attend, here are some highlights from the competition.
34
Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu in the final round of Senior I Standard
Inside the Cover Line of Dance
4 6 7
DanceSport
34 46 47 38 39 40 42 45
President’s Report Editorial Information & Contributors Important Announcements
Dance Floor
10 12 14 16 22 26
Book Reviews USA Dance Cruises National Ballroom Dance Week 2012 Summer Hotspots Chapters At Work Top 5 Road Trip Tips
On Beat
In Step
46
Dancemart Carrie Ann Inaba takes on her new role as celebrity ambassador for USA Dance
USA DANCE in the Public Eye Interview with Carrie Ann Inaba Interview with New sponsor Ernest Borel Photo Taken by AD Staff
28 32 33
2012 Nationals Recap & Highlights Spinning and Spinning On the Red Carpet Spirit of Baltimore Got You Covered National Champions 2012 World Team Got You Covered
www.USADANCE.ORG
21 2012 May - June 3
Presidents’
Report
LET’S ALL CELEBRATE OLYMPIC DAY June 23, 2012 will be Olympic Day both in the United States and internationally. In 2011, 160 countries celebrated Olympic Day, and in the U.S. over 100,000 people of all ages participated in activities honoring the Olympics and the ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship. Even though DanceSport is not yet a program sport in the Olympics, it is within the Olympic family of sports, and USA Dance is a member of the U. S. Olympic Committee. This year all member organizations have been asked not only to celebrate Olympic Day, but to join in the international effort to promote fitness and well-being. Fitness and well-being are concepts that come naturally to USA Dance members, as we know first hand the benefits that an active lifestyle through ballroom dancing and DanceSport provide. Every social dance, ballroom lesson or workshop provides opportunities for our members to get up out of their chairs and experience the sheer joy that comes from participating in ballroom dance activities. And our athletes experience this feeling of physical well being not only when they compete, but also when they are working with their coaches and in the countless hours of practice needed to progress as a competitor. These physical activities make us all stronger in body and spirit. This year, we are requesting that our chapters help celebrate Olympic Day by using the Olympics as a theme for a regular social dance, demonstration or special event. As an example, use Olympic-themed music and have members bring in their favorite pieces of memorabilia from a past Olympic Games. If they are planning to attend the Olympic Games in London this summer, have them get up and say which sport they plan to watch. And since London will be the place where thousands of Olympians will gather this summer, this wonderful city can be made a part of the chapter’s Olympic-themed event. 4 Line of Dance
Olympic athletes live in communities all over the U.S., and many are more than happy to come out to a local event and say a few words about their own experience and about the value of Olympism. Interested chapters may contact me if they would like to invite an Olympian to their event. Chapters may also want to invite a DanceSport couple to perform at a chapter dance and ask them about their own dancesport goals and dreams. Those chapters which help organize or promote ballroom dance programs in K-12 schools or in local colleges may also want teachers and students to know about Olympic Day and remind them that their ballroom dance activities tie in directly to the international Olympic goal of improving physical fitness for people of all ages. Olympic Day does not have to be celebrated only on June 23rd, but in the several weeks leading up to or following this date. So let’s all show our support for Olympic Day 2012 by helping to promote fitness and well-being and the spirit of Olympism in our own communities.
Lydia T. Scardina National President, USA Dance
www.USADANCE.ORG
2012 May - June 5
Dancer
Contributing Writers
A m e r i c a n
Jean Krupa
National Officers
Jean 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.
PRESIDENT Lydia Scardina, 415.469.9815 e-mail: president@usadance.org SENIOR VP Bill Rose, 949.842.8284 e-mail: senior-vp@usadance.org SECRETARY Stan Andrews, 217.454.8879 e-mail: secretary@usadance.org TREASURER Esther Freeman, 541.779.6787 e-mail: treasurer@usadance.org DANCESPORT VP Ken Richards, 302.290.2583 e-mail: dancesport-vp@usadance.org SOCIAL VP Jean Krupa, 386.761.1625 e-mail: social-vp@usadance.org •
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-chief Shawn Fisher PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Michael Mecham WRITERS Michael Mecham • Jean Stoddard ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Aimee Mecham DESIGNERS Aimee Mecham • Michael Mecham
Angela Prince Angela Prince is the National Public Relations Director for USA Dance, responsible for all integrated PR programs, organization publicity and communications, national media relations, social media relations and brand development. She is also the editorial advisor for American Dancer magazine and other publications.
•
Contributors
WRITERS Jean Krupa EDITORIAL ADVISOR Angela Prince, USA Dance Director of Public Relations •
Rates & Prices
American Dancer is published bimonthly as a service for members and is included in membership annual dues. •
Subscription
Individual Non-Member $25 Canadian Air Delivery $32 Overseas Air Delivery $36 Library Subscription $9 •
Guest Writers
Advertising
Donna Arehart
AD REPRESENTATIVE Angela Prince 704.507.2699 e-mail: advertising@usadance.org •
Irene Kovar
Submissions
Victoria Marin
American 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 office@americandancer.org •
Jessica McIntyre J.M. Nelson
Letters to the editor
Please include your name, city and state. Names will appear in full unless specified otherwise. •
Chapter News
Please include chapter name and number, contact information and any photos with caption information that you might have. •
Photos
Must be high resolution, print quality digital photos. 600 dpi. Send to editorial office: e-mail: office@americandancer.org or mail to: American Dancer magazine PO Box 462 Rexburg, ID 83440-0462 •
Membership
If you need information concerning membership or missed issues, contact: Mary at USA Dance Central Office 800.447.9047 • Fax: 239.573.0946 E-mail: central-office@usadance.org Check our Web Site - www.USADANCE.org
6 Line of Dance
Cecil Phillips
Dancer
A M E R I C A N
2012 Nationals Recap The Nationals Competition in Baltimore was the largest in its 32-year history. There were many unique aspects to this year’s competition. If you weren’t able to be there, be sure to read all about it.
New USA Dance Ambassadors USA Dance has created a new program where members have more opportunities to share the passion and benefits of ballroom dancing with more people than ever.
May - June 2012
Angus Sinclair & Dara Campbell dance their way to a third place in Senior I Championship Standard at 2012 National DanceSport Competition Photo By Carson Zullinger
Official Publication of USA Dance
National Ballroom Dance Week 2012 www.usadance.org
Cover Photo
Issue 36
Announcements
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM USA DANCE Since our inception more than 40 years ago and now with 174 growing chapters, USA Dance represents and supports all dancers and dance enthusiasts throughout our country, providing guidance and resources for continued growth and positive impact on our communities. We also represent, both at home and abroad, our fast-growing segment of competitive dancers and today lead as The Official National Governing Body for DanceSport for the United States. And it is important to know that USA Dance is the only dancesport body in the USA recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee under the provisions of the Amateur Sports Act of the United States Congress. As our country’s USOC member, an appointment of great honor and responsibility, USA Dance becomes part of the Olympic dream movement for DanceSport. As a result, we are one of 90+ countries around the world who are members of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), which is the only International Federation of Dance recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). USA DANCE believes in this foundation and is proud to represent all U.S. DanceSport Athletes and Social Dancers in pursuit of excellence, unity and positive change. Therefore, on the agenda at the upcoming World DanceSport Federation AGM (Annual General Meeting) in Berlin, June 16-17, 2012, USA Dance, together with other like-minded countries, has initiated two motions for discussion, consideration and ruling by the WDSF. (1) Motion to Revise the DanceSport Rulebook and (2) Motion to Revise the Code. Continued on next page...
www.USADANCE.ORG
2012 May - June 7
Announcements
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM USA DANCE (cont.) The more globally significant Code Revision Motion, also referred to as “Motion to Modify the WDSF Athletes’ Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics”, was co-authored by USA Dance and seven additional WDSF member bodies -- Canadian Amateur DanceSport Association (CADA), Deutscher Tanzsportverband e.V., (DTV), Svenska Danssportförbundet (Sweden), New Zealand DanceSport Assoc. (NZDA), Finnish Dance Sport Association (FDSA), Icelandic Dance Sport Federation (DSI) and DanceSport Wales Danmarks Sportdanserforbund (DS). Representing USA Dance at the AGM in Berlin will be both Vice President of DanceSport Ken Richards and USA Dance President Lydia Scardina. NOTE: Both motions (too detailed for this section) can be found on the USA Dance website www.usadance.org and on the WDSF website under AGM Berlin June 2012. Our members are encouraged to read these online so that they are properly informed about their organization and our role in the industry.
Usa Dance Measured By Our Differences USA Dance, Inc. is a democratic, multi-sports non-profit 501c3 organization, serving all dancers throughout our country. We are member-driven and comprised of dedicated leaders, ambassadors and talented, passionate supporters of dance, who are dedicated to promoting the highest quality of ballroom dancing opportunity for everyone and supporting the global movement to bring DanceSport to the Olympic Family of Events USA Dance believes we are all measured by our actions and that we have achieved much through the support and unity of purpose of our members: A Non-Profit 501c3 Organization, Historically Led by Talented, Dedicated Volunteers Serving on the Executive and Governing Councils and at Chapter and District Levels. Financially Supported by Nearly 22,000 Members, Who Have a Vote, and by Patrons and Corporate Sponsors from Around the World. Operating 174 Local Chapters Throughout The USA With an Outreach of Nearly 250,000 Professional and Amateur Dancers and Dance Supporters in the USA.
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For the Past 32 Years, Organizing the Official USA Dance National DanceSport Championships, Awarding National Championship Titles and Selecting the Official USA World Teams for WDSF Championships and Games. And Further Nominating Couples for the World Games held under IOC Recognition, including the 2009 World Games in Taipei and the Upcoming 2013 World Games in Colombia. Providing More Than $100,000 in Annual Scholarships to USA National Champions and World Teams and Additional Funding for the Upcoming USA Dance-Sponsored World Team DanceSport Training Camp at U.S. Olympic Facilities. Organizing the USA National Collegiate DanceSport Championships, Crowning the Top Collegiate Dancers in the USA Organizing 12 National Qualifying Events across the USA for Increased DanceSport Experience and Qualification for the National DanceSport Championships. -
Organizing the Special Olympics DanceSport Championships.
Supporting Thousands of Community, Charity and Educational Programs throughout the USA, from Special Olympics and Wounded Warriors to After-School K-12 Dance Programs and Other Local Causes. Hosting Annually the WDSF Adjudicator’s Congress in the USA for Continued Education of Judges Seeking International License. Above all else, we appreciate your support and dedication. Together, we are USA Dance!
www.USADANCE.ORG
2012 May - June 9
BOOK REVIEW
Quickstep to Murder By: Ella Barrick “Light drenched the room and I slid down the wall until I squatted on my haunches, unable to approach Rafe where he lay under the window. It was too late for bandages or CPR. Too late for kissing and making up…” In this book Stacy Graysin finds her business partner and ex-fiancé Rafe Acosta murdered in their dance studio. When she is suspected as the killer she teams up with an unlikely partner to expose the murderer, clear her name, and stay alive. Ella Barrick does a wonderful job of creating a suspenseful murder mystery without forgetting to develop the personal stories of the characters. The development throughout the book allows the reader to experience a thrilling world of dance and mystery without being left unfulfilled. The interesting settings and characters add variety and balance to the novel, while the unexpected plot twists and surprises make this book hard to put down.
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The Astaires: Fred and Adele By: Kathleen Riley “Before ‘Fred and Ginger,’ there was ‘Fred and Adele.’” In this book Kathleen Riley explores the rise of these superstar siblings in an unprecedented way. The unique historical and theatrical aspects included in this book present both Fred and Adele in an oft-forgotten light of small-town performers to big-time stars. The Astaires is more than just historical reminisce regarding the early beginnings of a brother-sister sensation. It is an inspiring book that encourages readers to look beyond themselves. It also explores the vast impact that a shining star can have, especially in a time of crisis and uncertainty.
Dance with Me: Ballroom Dancing and the Promise of Instant Intimacy By: Julia Erickson Julie A. Erickson, a professor of Sociology takes readers on a journey examining what she terms the “instant intimacy” of ballroom dance. Filled with information usually reserved for upper level college textbooks, the way Erickson presents this trove of knowledge is both engaging and digestible. The idea of instant intimacy, which at first seems simple and one-dimensional, soon becomes a near-living entity that is affected by a myriad of cultures, ideologies, and social interactions. This book creates a surprisingly interesting look at the world of ballroom dancing and the appeal of instant intimacy that can be understood and appreciated by both dancers and non-dancers alike. www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 11
Journey By: Nick Scott “Why me? Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?” These were the questions that filled 16 year-old Nick Scott’s restless mind after a car wreck that left him paralyzed in an intensive care unit. Through sheer force of will and with unyielding determination, Nick was able to transform his seemingly shattered life into something extraordinary. This book follows Nick’s incredible recovery through high school, college and beyond. In this book readers get a glimpse into some of the physical and emotional struggles that Nick went through to get where he is today. The candid account makes it easy to become instantly attached to Nick Scott and to relate and empathize with his position. This inspiring story shows that no matter who you are, no matter where you are, and no matter what you’ve gone through, you can rise above it, and in doing so, lift those around you.
Perspective: The Nick Scott Story The dramatic transformation of a 16-year-old football player to a paraplegic as the result of a devastating car wreck is dramatic enough. Add to that the additional change from a depressed wheelchair bound teenager to an inspiring body building champion and motivational speaker, and you get Nick Scott’s life. Nick shares his incredible story in this short documentary that teaches the importance of never giving up and always believing in yourself. Nick Scott is a signed athlete, spokes model, sponsored athlete or fitness model for multiple companies, and travels the world representing their name, as well as working tradeshows of different natures. At the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival, he met Aubree Marchione, who is an expert in wheelchair ballroom dancing. In March, Nick and Aubree performed at the USA Dance 2012 National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore. Read more about their performance on page 36.
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Summer Hot Spots
Summer is here and things are heating up in chapters all over the country. Be sure to check your local chapters for any summer events that may be going on. If you feel like taking a road trip this summer, you may want to consider checking out some of these great summer events...
Charleston, SC #6021
The BDC Annual Spring Ball Saturday, May 12 Starts at 8:00 PM Formal/Semiformal Great dancing, socializing and fun. No lesson on the night of the ball. 4 full hours of music and dancing. Members $10 / Non-members $15
Greater Memphis, TN #2012
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Saturday, May 12 Members $7/Nonmembers $10 Call 6623493720 or 9018531413 www.USAdance.ORG
Beckley, WV #6064
“Dance of Chance� Spring Ball Saturday, May 12
Formal/Semi-formal Dinner at 6:00 Dancing from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Mail name & phone no. or email address along with check to USA Dance #6064 PO Box 2214 Beckey, WV 25802 for questions call Carol at 304.877.2751 Members $35/Non-members $40 Dance Only $15
2012 May - June 13
Carolina Heartland #6092
Dinner and Dancing
Saturday, May 19
Shenandoah Valley VA #6022
Community Dance
Seated dinner served at 7:00 p.m. 6:30- 8:00 p.m. Reception and Dinner Music 8:00-11:00 Social Dancing Strict Tempo Ballroom CD Music By Linda Jackson, Lib Johnson, & Rockie Troxler
Saturday, May 26
Time: 7:30pm Location:Dayton Learning Center, 290 Mill Street Sponsored by USA Dance, this event includes a beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. with dancing from 8-10:30 p.m. Singles welcome, no smoking or alcohol, casual attire. Admission is $10, $8 for USA Dance members and seniors, $5 for students.
Ocala Regional #6027
Charity Ball for Hospice Tuesday, June 5
All proceeds to benefit hospice of Marion County Finger food, prizes, dance exhibitions 7-10 pm pioneer garden club 4331 E Silver Springs Blvd.
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In addition to these special events, many chapters have regular monthly dances that are open to other chapter members and the public. If you’re away from home, but want to do some dancing, be sure to check online for times and locations. These monthly dances range from an hour of social dancing to an entire evening of lessons, food, and socializing. Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, there is probably a chapter near by, and with any luck, you’ll be able to sneak in a dance or two.
Central MA #3039
Buffet Dinner Sunday, June 10
3-8 PM at Lake Pearl Luciano’s, Wrentham. Buffet dinner, Cash bar, Dance hosts, Mixers Members $65/Non-members $75 www.docma.net
Greenville, NC #6046
Cotillion Dance Friday, June 22
Time:6:30pm Level: All Levels Location: Greenville Country Club Cost:$60 Members; $80 non-members Chuck Eatmon Band to perform Dinner and Dance with Chuck Eatmon Band The Greenville Cotillion invites you to join us at the Greenville Country Club on Saturday, March 10, 2012 for an evening of socialization, dinner and dance to the live music of Chuck Eatmon Band. Dress is semi-formal. The cost for members is $60 per couple for the meal, taxes and gratuity. The cost for guests is $80 per couple (meal and guest fee). Please call David or Betty Chester at (252) 355-0384 or email at dwchester1@embarqmail.com to confirm attendance.
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 15
Harrisburg, PA #3009
Picnic Dance
Sunday, July 1
Picnic Dance Negley Park Lemoyne, PA USA Dance Play List
Tacoma Chapter #1023
Washington State Senior Games Dance Competitions &Dance Saturday, July 7
Fort Wayne, IN #2046
Special Olympics Ballroom Dance Competition
Saturday, July 28
Grand Wayne Center 120 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne fwdancesport.org or call 2604407004
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Olympia Center – 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, WA Dinner &Show - $15. Dinner reservations by 7/6 via the registration form or 360-413-0148 Mixers! Raffle! FUN! $10 SPECTATORS ARE FREE! Bring a group to watch the event or have someone from your community or organization compete and CHEER them on! Bring your dance shoes! FOR MORE INFORMATION, see www.pugetsoundgames.com
Greater Daytona, FL #6026
Sebring Social
Friday - Sunday, Aug. 17 - 19 Portland, OR #1006
Welcome to River City Ball 2012! Saturday, July 28
This is a USA Dance local competition that does not accrue proficiency points. Location: Scottish Rite Center 1512 SW Morrison Street Portland, Oregon 97205
Level: Beginner/Intermediate Taught By: Joe Mounts Location:936 Lakeview Drive in Sebring FL Cost: Weekend Package starts at $165. More Information: Fun theme dance weekend, with workshops. All inclusive. Sebring Social “Buckaroo Roundup” August 17-19. Weekend Package includes-2 nights/3 days+5 meals Guest Instructor Joe Mounts Held at the Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring, FL Come enjoy social ballroom dancing, workshops, and themed dances. Contact Jean Krupa - mobile 386-295-7870 New email address: socialdancevp@gmail.com
Dover, DE #6067
Anniversary Dinner Dance Saturday, August 25
USA Dance Dover DE will host it’s 13th annual Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino (1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901) on August 25, 2012. Tickets are $75.00 per person and include a full steak and chicken dinner and then dancing to the Helmut Licht Big Band. There will be a cash bar available all evening and a social time starting at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served promptly at 6:30. Dress is Black-tie preferred. For tickets or more information, please email Jane Green (jrbgreen@gmail.com).
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 17
National
dance cruise By Jean Krupa, Social Dance VP
“Visiting the ports Aruba and Curacao as well as the private island owned by Princess where a beautiful white sandy beach, snorkeling, skin diving, food and fun await. Plus three full days at sea with more dance workshops will be the cherry on top.”
You’re dream trip awaits. If you weren’t able to join us for the July cruise to Alaska, don’t fret, you will have a second chance to join USA Dance members and friends in December, departing Ft. Lauderdale FL for the Caribbean.
Saturday, December 1, will have everyone arriving from all over and gathering in the lobby awaiting the buses that soon will be taking them to the to board the Caribbean Princess featuring Club Fusion a new dance club as well as the Explorers lounge featuring yet another dance floor along with the popular Skywalkers Disco offering a breathtaking view along the catwalk over the ocean. Getting to know people is half the fun. The cruise limited to a smaller number is just right. We will
have two wonderful cocktail parties that are a great way to meet everyone on the first day and on the final day say good bye to all our new friends. Visiting the ports of Aruba and Curacao as well as the private island owned by Princess where a beautiful white sandy beach, snorkeling, skin diving, food and fun await. Plus three full days at sea with more dance workshops will be the cherry on top. Instructors Dan and Silke Calloway will be joining us as well as Mary Evans from Washington state instructing in basic ballroom and some fun dances.
Come join us this December for your second chance cruise with USA Dance! www.dancecruiseusadance.com
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J
oin USA Dance members, family and friends for our Fourth National Dance Cruise, December 1-8, 2012, aboard the beautiful Caribbean Princess. Leaving from Ft. Lauderdale and visiting exotic destinations such as Curacao and Aruba, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of dance classes with America’s top professional instructors as well as nearly non-stop activities on board. Cabins are limited, so make your reservations NOW! *Based on double occupancy. Cruise taxes and insurance not included.
Travel Themes and Dreams is a licensed and bonded Florida Seller of Travel (#ST-37225)
Book now by calling 866-391-2680 or go online to www.dancecruiseUSADANCE.com
USA Dance, Inc., a 501c3 non profit 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. social-vp@usadance.org
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 19
National Ballroom Dance Week
coming to a town near you
10,080 minutes of twirling, 168 hours of gliding, 7 days of dancing The music begins and partners take each other in dance position. As the song continues, the couples seem to float effortlessly around the room. When the music changes to a Cha Cha rhythm, the spectators can’t keep their feet still. The enegy from the dancers invigorates the crowd as they begin to cheer and clap more enthusiastically. As the music fades, and the couples bow, everyone is hoping for something more. This experience isn’t just found on TV screens or at national competitions, but in your local communities during the week of Sept. 21-30. The 23rd annual National Ballroom Dance Week (NBDW) will be a time for your chapter to gain recognition in your community and share what you love most—ballroom dancing. NBDW will also serve as an opportunity to increase membership and participation in your chapter. As ballroom dancing quickly gains popularity in the U.S., begin now to organize your chapter’s efforts to make NBDW a great success. USA Dance Chapters, independent dance clubs, studios, instructors and vendors are invited to work together to create and conduct special events for the public to foster increased awareness of ballroom dancing. NBDW is a time to educate your community about the many physical, mental and social benefits of ballroom dancing; it is a time to show them your greatest passion. 20 Dance Floor
Combining forces with all levels of ballroom dancing will make NBDW a success and encourage attendance and interaction with the public. Work with local dance studios, media and municipalities to promote NBDW and your local chapter. If your chapter currently participates in minimal activities during NBDW, begin now to create a dynamite week in your community, where USA Dance chapters gain local recognition and increased memberships. Show the public that ballroom dancing isn’t just done by the stars but by their neighbors. It is a way to meet new friends, exercise, and learn a skill. The time to start is now. Make the calls and plans, bring together other people that share your love of ballroom dancing to combine your imagination, dedication, and passion. Create a dancing explosion! To learn more about NBDW go to usadance.org/socialdance and click on the NBDW link. This site will give you ideas on events, who to involve, how to elicit community involvement, and where to find your local USA Dance Chapter if you’re not currently involved in one. By Jessica McIntyre
“Show the public that ballroom dancing isn’t just done by the stars but by their neighbors.” Photo from DanceCincinnati Chapter #2006
“The 23rd annual National Ballroom Dance Week will be a time for your chapter to gain recognition in your community and share what you love most—ballroom dancing.”
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 21
Essence of Social Dance By JMNelson, Chapter #5003 Houston, TX Most dancers at chapter dances, studios and other public dance venues are social dancers. There are core competencies of social dancing that are rarely taught or not emphasized in traditional dance lessons. This article is about those competencies. Some equate learning social dance with learning steps; this is perhaps the most prevalent misconception among social dancers. When learning steps leaves one wanting; form and style are often added, but to little avail. Both contribute to exhibition or competition styling, but contribute little to social dance functionality. A bit of reflection might reveal components that were lurking near the surface at that first lesson, where we all seemed to have missed the link between learning the content of the lesson and implementing the content, primarily improvisational. How: Contrary to popular belief, for the social ballroom dancer, there is no mystery regarding how to step; simply step normally, forward, backward, or sideward. When: For a given dance style, it is the music tempo and rhythmic sequence for the dance style that determine when to step. Where: Line of Dance provides guidelines as to where to step, with the specifics of where communicated via the dance frame. In addition to communicating where to step, the dance frame, and associated concepts of parallel and symmetric, keeps the dancing couple spatially oriented. The overlapping arms and associated pressure points are critical to effective lead/follow and the extended arms more so, especially in open position. In American Style and other partner dances, couples spend considerable time in open position, and they depend on the extended arms and spatial orientation for communication. Further analysis of the dance frame reveals that the elbows are critical to functionality. Though free to move vertically, their horizontal movement should be minimal, and horizontal mobility of the upper arm should be flexibly firm. In addition, the elbow should rarely close to less than a right angle or open to a straight angle. There is certainly much more to a functional dance frame than the extended arm and elbow orientation, but attention to their functionality will reduce miscommunication in lead/ follow and will add visual enhancement. Almost any lead/ follow error in open position can be traced to the neglect of upper arm position and elbow angle. 22 Dance Floor
There is compelling evidence that choreography is the primary reason that most social dancers have so little concept of the functionality of social dance; thus, even after years of participation and hundreds of lessons devoted to steps, many remain marginal dancers. There is no question that neglect of incorporating the functionality and orientation of dance frame when teaching variations has been a major detriment to the enjoyment of partner dance. One can never learn enough steps to compensate for an inferior frame, alternatively, a beginner with a predictable cadence and a good dance frame will oftentimes be a more enjoyable dance partner. The ability to use dance frame, spatial concepts of parallel and symmetric as (an indicator, a guide) for where to step are requisites to successful social dance.
SHOWCASE FOR SENIORS IN BATON ROUGE By Cecil Phillips, Chapter #5031 Gumbo, LA A dozen members of the Gumbo Chapter 5031 presented a ballroom exhibition at the Life After 50 Expo at the Baton Rouge River Center on April 21. Over a hundred Expo attendees watched, cheered, and applauded as the dancers performed demonstrations of 10 ballroom dances. The annual Expo is sponsored by the Advocate newspaper and WBRZ-TV. The one-day event attracts dozens of exhibitors and over 5,000 senior visitors. For the fifth year, the ballroom dancers were invited to present a 45-minute showcase of dancing. The exhibition team was organized by a local dance club, Saturday Night Ballroom, and it comprised five couples and two music-system operators. The show includes information promoting ballroom dancing as a healthy and enjoyable social activity for seniors. The exhibition team included Charlie and Peggy Clement, Jim Crowell and Sterling Sightler, Richard and Jeanine Knight, Don and Sandy Nijoka, Richard and Melanie Stewart, and Cecil and Neila Phillips.
A Night at the Oscars By Donna Arehart, Chapter #6044 Charlottesville, VA The glamour and excitement of the Academy Awards served as a shining example for the Charlottesville, VA USA Dance Chapter #6044 at their February 25th social dance “A Night at the Oscars”. Dancers were encouraged to wear Hollywood inspired attire by dressing as their favorite movie stars or characters. Upon entering the building, they were ushered down the red carpet to have their picture taken by the paparazzi. A simple curtain reflecting USA Dance logos served as the official backdrop. Golden Oscar statuettes (imitations, of course) were handed to each “star” to enhance their photo experience. Professional photographer Erin Mastrantonio did a fabulous job of capturing the fun and frivolity of the evening. Pictures and video were later posted to the chapter’s website and Facebook page for easy access. Prizes were awarded for the best dressed male and female. There were many original and clever costumes ranging from Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The Playlist was carefully assembled to include danceable movie tunes from across the decades since the first Oscars had been awarded in 1929. Dancers delighted in learning a Viennese Waltz mixer that is danced in a circle and changes partners every eight bars of music. A display of famous movie dance scenes played in the background, and game show trivia contests rounded out the evening. This was our first attempt at incorporating audio-visual media into our social dances, and it was extremely well received. Although theme dances require additional preplanning and work, they are well worth the effort. Our dance community, which includes the University of Virginia Ballroom Dance Club, was very receptive to this idea, which greatly contributed to the electric mood throughout the evening. In fact, it was so successful, that our next dance will be themed again, featuring the Roaring Twenties!
THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER USA DANCE, INC. #6008 Presents
23rd ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND EVENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 – MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia BREATHTAKING Exhibitions
PROFESSIONAL Lessons with
NAZAR NOROV & IRINA KUDRYASHOVA & MUCH MORE TO ENJOY!
DAILY WORKSHOPS & PRIVATE LESSONS All Levels, Styles & Multiple Instructors
ENTERTAINMENT EVERY NIGHT Dinners, Performances & Dancing
BALLROOM VENDORS Photography, Videographer & Dancewear
Stay Tuned for Exciting Changes & Upcoming Details Email: INFO08@TWCUSADANCE.ORG www.USAdance.ORG Website: WWW.USADANCETIDEWATER.ORG
2012 May - June 23
Ballroom&Ballet Dancing at Age 94 By Irene Kovar, Chapter #2024 Ohio Six years ago at a Harvest Ball Ohio Chapter 2024, Tom Heffelfinger caught the attention of the audience by introducing May Morabito as “ The Diva of Ballroom Dance” in our area. Now at the age of 94 she is still competing in International-style Ballroom Dance whenever possible. At the Northcoast Ballroom Championship competition she has had first high score in solo with each one of her instructors. Here is how this little Diva came about:
After separating from her first husband May started dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in downtown Cleveland above the State Theater (this would later become American Ballroom Centre). There she met Armond, who had come to learn the Cha-Cha. He had his eye out for another lady who did not show up. May says, “Sometimes it is good to be at the right place at the right time.” They have been married for 34 years. Vic Dominic owned the downtown Arthur Murray Studio when May started dancing in 1970. She studied American Bronze for at least one year. Her first instructor was Jose Fontenez, followed by Steve Hadley, Ray Bishop, Gordon Kwan, Stan Tylowe (her first Standard instructor) and now Jim Ferris of Always Dancin’. May said, “I warned Jim that I’ve worn out many instructors. I’m happy to report he plans to be around for a long time.” When she first started ballroom dancing it was suggested to May to take ballet classes. She took classes at Margaret Duncan Studio for 2 ½ years. Later in life as she danced with Jim Ferris, May decided to take up ballet classes again. She has been taking private ballet classes with 24 Dance Floor
May is a very special lady in many of our lives, kind loving and considerate. She designs, alters and makes many of our ballroom dresses, often staying up nights to meet a deadline. Her current sewing project is pole dance costumes. Each is individually designed. At this time 40 are made with many more to go. I am always fascinated by her creativity. May says, “I love it, I would like to do a few more.” “We are fortunate to have so many talented and excellent teachers in our area” says May. “NOW LET’S DANCE” Photo of May Morabio, Courtesy of Irene Kovar
May was born in Buffalo, New York in 1917 to a mother who was Irish/Scottish and father who was English. She was raised with her family in Orchard Park, New York subsequently moving to New Jersey. There she married her first husband and moved to New York City. In New York May studied art and costume design. She speaks very highly of her two talented and handsome sons, Binns and Matthew Handy of New York. Her husband (a photographer) was in the service and was ultimately transferred to NASA in Cleveland, Ohio. May did commercial art for many of the Cleveland department stores, mainly Bobbie Brooks, Dalton, Bradley, and Kenrob. Her art appeared in daily newspapers and in Slick Magazine. May was a commercial artist for 46 years.
me (Irene Kovar) for the last 11 years, and she says it has benefited her ballroom dancing. “It makes me feel good,” she says. May continues to take private ballroom classes with Jim Ferris focusing mostly on Standard, but she still enjoys Latin. She also takes her weekly private ballet class with me as usual. “Dancing is a very special part of life for many of us”, she says.
Please join Vivian Beiswenger and dancers from around the country on one of our luxury cruises on the most famous ocean liners in the world and the number one river cruise line. We have chosen Cunard Cruise Line for our ocean cruises because, in our experience, it offers the best amenities for ballroom dancers: real ballrooms with the largest dance floors at sea, high quality dance teachers, male dance hosts on every cruise, and real ballroom, Latin, and swing dance bands and DJ’s. We chose Viking River Cruises because of the Viking way of first class luxury river cruising.
Our travel club rarely goes to the same place twice. Rather than visit the Caribbean over and over again, our goal is to see the world by dancing from location to location in luxury. Cruises marked with *** are official escorted dance cruises, but all Cunard cruises will have the usual ballroom dance amenities. Viking cruises will be first rate opportunities for luxury river cruising where larger ships can’t go. These smaller ships sell-out early, so book 2013 cruise today with a $500 refundable deposit.
July 1, 2012 & 2013 FOURTH OF JULY GETAWAY: 5night round-trip New York on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, with ***August 28, 2012 (including Labor Day Weekend): stops in Halifax and Boston (overnight for the 4th of July). MEDITERRANEAN MEMORIES 9-night London to July 27, 2012 BRITISH ISLES: (Coinciding with the 2012 Olympics) 11-night round-trip Southampton on Cunard’s Queen Rome on CUNARD’S Queen Elizabeth, starting in Elizabeth includes London, Edinburgh, Inverness, Kirkwall, Southampton with stops in Seville, Palma, Barcelona, Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin, Cork, and the Channel Islands. Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, and Civitavecchia. November 29, 2012 MEDITERRANEAN MOMENTS: ***April 10, 2013 PARIS AND THE HEART OF 10-night Rome to London on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, starting NORMANDY (April in Paris): 8-day round-trip Paris, in Southampton with stops in Florence/Pisa, Monte Carlo, on Viking River Cruise’s “Pride” combines the magic of Barcelona, Palma, and Seville. Paris and the beauty of France’s Normandy countryside December 22, 2012 CHRISTMAS & NYE CARIBBEAN with stops in Giverny, Vernon, Rouen, Normandy FIESTA: 12-night round-trip NY on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Beaches, Les Andelys, and Conflans. includes St. Thomas, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, & St. Kitts. ***October 23, 2013 GRAND EUROPREAN TOUR: January-April, 2013 WORLD AND EXOTIC CRUISES: on 15 magical days along the Rhine, Main, and Danube one of Cunard’s Queens, including 120-day round-trip NY (or Rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest on Viking River 106-day round-trip London), 12-day Sidney to Sidney, 20-day Cruises “Odin” including Holland, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong to Dubai (including Singapore and India), and 36-day Pearls of the Pacific. Call for more options. Slovakia, and Hungary. This is Viking’s most popular itinerary and will sell out soon. Book today! June 1-June 15, 2013 (to coincide with the end of the ***Mar. 12, 2013 PANAMA CANAL DISCOVERY: Blackpool Festival) Scandinavia, St. Petersburg, Estonia, & 18-night LA to NY on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth through Germany: on Cunard’s Queen Victoria round-trip the Panama Canal with stops in Puerto Vallarta, San Juan Southampton, 14-night canal city adventure. August 18, 2013 ROOF OF THE WORLD TOUR: 16-day Del Sur (Nicaragua), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Curacao, Beijing to Shanghai with Viking River Cruises with stops in Grand Cayman, and Fort Lauderdale Xian, Lhasa, Shibaozhai, three River Gorges & Dam, Lesser Three Gorges, Jingzhou, and Wuhan; optional extension to Hong Kong and Guilin. See Nov./Dec. Dance Spotlight report on last year’s trip: http://dancingattheymca.com/newsletters.asp.
Here are our best choices for 2012/2013
While we have great group rates, regional promotions and past passenger discounts, as well as occasional flash sales, may get you an even better deal. When calling, supply all passengers names, World Club ID (if you have one), and your city of departure, as well as your preferred cabin type: inside, outside, balcony, or suite. Don’t forget contact info. We’ll help you find a cabin mate. We currently have several men and women looking for a cabin mate on one or more of these cruises.
CALL FOR CRUISE SALE DATES! www.USAdance.ORG
Call 215-855-2711 or 215-530-3482 or email info@blsdc.com. Visit our website at www.DancingAtTheYMCA.com 2012 May - June 25
5ofFeaa Ftures an ta s tic
There are many summer events going on. Dance events around the country might be exactly what you need to keep that spring in your step. Some of these events may be a bit of a drive from your home if a plane ride isn’t an option. Road trips aren’t for everyone, but even for those experienced road trippers, following these five guidelines will make it more enjoyable. For those less-than-enthusiastic road warriors who still want to get out and enjoy some fun events this summer, these tips can help create an experience that just might become a yearly tradition.
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26 Dance Floor
The Route First begin with a starting point and a map. One of the number one mistakes is driving too many miles in one day. Instead of trying to “push through the pain” of the trip, plan fewer miles into your day, so if you find something along the way you want to explore more, or if you get lost, then it’s not a big deal. While you are planning your route, be sure to plan in plenty of time for stops and interesting sights, national, monuments, and of course dance venues that you discover along the way. Some of the best road-tripping experiences are found along the way, not necessarily at the final destination.
2 3 4 5 www.USAdance.ORG
The Gear A detailed map, GPS, first aid kit, dancing shoes, and music are all must haves for road trips. If you break down and have to wait for help, there’s no better way to pass the time than an impromptu roadside dance. Other important items are extra clothes for colder whether and lots of water for warmer climes. Bringing your own pillow or blanket can also make less than plush accommodations a little more bearable.
The Car It’s always smart to have the oil changed, the wiper fluid topped off, the tire pressure checked, and make sure your roadside assistance is up-to-date before embarking on a road trip. Consider also the number of passengers and find out how much luggage each person plans on bringing along for the ride. If you are renting a car, do your homework. A few minutes of research can end up saving you time and money on your vacation.
The Companions Your companions will likely affect you more than any other aspect of your road trip. Make sure you talk and find out everyone’s comfort levels before you are stuck in a confined space together for hours or days on end. Everyone is a little different, but if these things are discussed before the trip begins it is usually very easy to find an acceptable balance for everyone. While some people may want frequent stops to stretch their legs, others may want hotel reservations each night, while somebody else may be just as happy sleeping in the car. All these ideas and personalities can be compromised to reach a happy medium. The key is talking. The clearer everyone is about travel style and expectations before the trip begins, the more enjoyable the trip will be.
The Cost Keep costs (and tempers) under control by striking a balance between dining in restaurants and eating from a cooler. Mix motels with camping out and bring plenty of snacks for those times you find yourself traveling long distances between meals. If you do stay at a hotel, a motel or even a hostel, be sure to load up on any free breakfast before you get back on the road. A great way to make sure no one person absorbs the majority of shared costs is to establish a kitty before ever leaving your street. Have each person contribute the same amount of money and use that money to pay for gas, tolls and hotel rooms. That way no one person can be accused of not paying his or her fair share. By Michael Mecham 2012 May - June 27
the
PUBLIC EYE Angela Prince
NEW USA DANCE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TAKES MEMBER INVOLVEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL – ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE! Being a good ambassador for ballroom dancing, dancesport and for USA Dance has always been on our members’ agendas. Through our local chapter and dancesport activities, we share our passion with friends and family – attending dances and classes, creating new initiatives, supporting our communities, helping individuals…and at the end of the day, communicating just how much dancing has changed our lives forever. So, we really can’t call the USA Dance Ambassador Program brand new. It’s always been what we do. But, we’re defining it so it can be better understood and grow. A few highlights of our new USA Dance Ambassadors at work:
28 On Beat
The New Celebrity Ambassador Program Carrie Ann Inaba, celebrated celebrity judge on ABC-TV’s Dancing With The Stars now for 14 seasons, has participated as Honorary Judge at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships for three of the past four years. She judges and presents the USA Dance Star Quality Awards, that were actually created in 2008 with her involvement in mind. At that time, we talked about calling it the X-Factor Awards (ironically, a prime-time tv show of that name evolved), but we chose the Star Quality name as a way of recognizing dancesport couples for performing and “exuding” that special star quality talent not measured by traditional judging criteria on the competition floor. The recent 2012 Nationals was the 3rd successful Star Quality Award presentation, and Carrie Ann was there to bestow the honors and, at the same time, became USA Dance’s first official National Celebrity Ambassador, because she wanted to do more continually for our organization – helping us grow, expand our opportunities and reach out to all of our communities.
“USA Dance’s first official National Celebrity Ambassador, because she wanted to do more continually for our organization – helping us grow, expand our opportunities and reach out to all of our communities.”
www.USADANCE.ORG
Photos By AD Staff Carrie Ann Inaba at USA Dance 2012 Nationals
2012 May - June 29
The New DanceSport Ambassador Program For the past seven years, USA Dance has handled many of the auditions, casting calls and performance bookings for many of our dancesport couples – from pre-teen to seniors. After all, we know how and it’s good PR for everyone! And every time dancers participated in a public venue or on television, they became DanceSport Ambassadors – for themselves and their families, their coaches, studios and chapters, their schools…and for their very proud organization USA Dance. Since the tv dance shows took off in popularity, requests for new dancers have only grown. We have handled at least a hundred auditions and placed our dancers on Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, MTV Made, prime time talk shows, major network morning shows…even recently on Nickelodeon TV. And when our couples have been discovered on their own, we have also
been there to support them, providing guidance and knowledge about their new “entertainment” platform. After all, showbiz can be challenging. For our athletes, the DanceSport Ambassador Program has grown to include performances at dance and talent shows, fundraisers, dance competitions and other entertainment venues. Sometimes we receive calls for a specific couple, other times it’s for a couple of a certain age, ranking, dance style or location. The new DanceSport Ambassador Program has often resulted in scholarship funding for the couple as well as for USA Dance programs. Other times, it simply brought the dancers into the “limelight” and that led to other opportunities. As of April, the new DanceSport Ambassador Program kicked off, and we are pleased to announce that we have numerous engagements booked for couples in 2012.
“This positive program in the Jefferson Parish Public School System, is so important for the kids... It teaches kids etiquette and social qualities, self-confidence, self-esteem, mutual respect, and teamwork. More importantly, this program gets kids to exercise while learning a skill and they are having fun. To have Anna and Patryk perform and to be a part of this 6th Annual Dance Challenge event with kids was an experience these kids will always remember. Anna and Patryk were a pleasure to work with and more importantly they connected with the kids.”
30 On Beat
Jay Ceravolo, Event Organizer Representing Jefferson Parish Public School System Martin Marino Dance Challenge 2012
The first official event was for the 6th Annual Jefferson Parish Public School System’s Martin Marino Dance Challenge, involving Anna Kaczmarski and Patryk Ploszaj, our current Junior I 10-Dance National Champions. Over 300 fifth graders from 26 schools participated and competed in this year’s event. They danced Salsa, Waltz, Swing, Tango, and the Merengue. Anna and Patryk danced several evening exhibitions at the Pontchartrain Center, in Kenner, LA for a crowd of more than 4500 family, friends, and local dance groups. In addition to performing, our Ambassadors are often asked to do local tv interviews or demos, meet-greets with fans or even teach classes – all great opportunities to talk about their love of dancing, competing and USA Dance. Call us for your next performers! We encourage our Chapters and National Qualifying Events to support our new DanceSport Ambassador Scholarship Program. It helps our athletes and it helps the new DanceSport Training Camp Program recently announced.
Anna and Patryk did two dance exhibitions as the USA Dance 2012 National 10-dance Champions - standard and latin.
Want to be a DanceSport Ambassador? If you’d like to be considered for any television or dance events, please send one email to publicrelationsdir@usadance.org (Angela Prince) explaining why you’d make a great Ambassador for USA Dance. Include three important items – (1) your current dance couple bio (word file), (2) 2-4 photos (high res jpegs) and (3) YouTube links to your best 1 - 3 performances. Again, send as one email only. Note: We’ll always send our alerts and audition requests via our Central Office e-newsletters and post on our Facebook page USA Dance Inc.
www.USADANCE.ORG
Anna and Patryk assisted Event Organizer Jay Ceravolo presenting the trophies to the competitors at the event.
2012 May - June 31
American Dancer EXCLUSIVE: Official Celebrity Ambassador At the 2012 USA Dance National DanceSport Championships, honorary celebrity judge Carrie Ann Inaba returned to present the Star Quality Awards to this year’s competitors who have that extra intangible “X factor” that draws an audience in. Carrie Ann also became the first official National Celebrity Ambassador for USA Dance and shared some of her thoughts about her new responsibility and the growing popularity of ballroom dancing around the country.
American Dancer-As the official National
Celebrity Ambassador for USA Dance, what are some of your roles and responsibilities?
Carrie Ann Inaba-Part of my role is to further
the mission of USA Dance. We want more people dancing, and we want to improve the quality of dancing out there. What’s so wonderful about USA Dance is they are open to trying new things. That’s what the Star Quality Award is all about. It’s outside the normal restriction of judging. I get to judge people based on that “X factor” where their technique may not be perfect, but they still have something special. I think that will help grow the sport because then you have people that may have that certain quality, that appeals to mass public, heading towards the Olympics. Because what do we want? We want DanceSport in the Olympics.
CA-I didn’t come from the ballroom dance world. I was a professional dancer in the commercial world, so ballroom dance has always been something fascinating and otherworldly to me, and I think it’s that way for most of America. But now that Dancing With the Stars has been on now for 14 seasons, I think we have grown to love the formality and the technique and the connection between man and woman that is formed during this kind of dancing. I think that is what is so alluring to people. You have the competitive element of it, but you also have the elegance put together, plus a lot of sequins and a lot of spray tans, which is always fun for everybody.
AD-Do you have any ideas about how USA Dance can reach out to more people and draw more people into the sport? CA-You know what I would love to see? I would
love to see USA Dance take the winners of the national competition and utilize them more, doing more showcases so that the American public could see these people up close and get a sense of what its like to be at a real ballroom dance competition. I think people would be flocking to these events, and I think we want to raise that kind of awareness.
AD-This is the third national competition you have
attended, how has your perspective of the sport changed over the years?
32 On Beat
Top: Carrie Ann Inaba Right page: Left to Right Thomas Huggler & Pietro Meloni Photos By AD Staff
American Dancer EXCLUSIVE: Elegance, Timing, Precision, Movement Pietro Meloni and Thomas Huggler are two representatives from Swiss watchmaker Ernest Borel, a new national sponsor for USA Dance. They shared some of their hopes for their future with USA Dance and the reasons that lead to this partnership in ballroom dancing. Pietro is from Switzerland and is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ernest Borel. Thomas lives in Boston and is the Business Development Manager for the United States.
American Dancer-Can you tell me a little bit
about the watches that you make?
Pietro Meloni-We have couples watches for
ladies and gents, but its also part of our logo. This is part of why we associate ourselves with USA Dance, is because our logo is a couple dancing. History tells us that Ernest Borel was dancing at a ballroom event and that a couple was dancing so well and so beautifully that everyone was just watching them and staring at them. A photographer back in the 1900s took a picture of that moment and that became the logo of our brand.
AD-Where are you hoping this partnership will go
with USA Dance?
PM-We really believe strongly that there is a match between USA Dance and our watches—our history. As I told you, the logo, the dancing couples, they belong together. So our idea would be to have a very long-term relationship with USA Dance. It’s just a natural fit. Both of them are about elegance, timing, movement, it all goes together: the dancing and the watches.
Thomas Huggler-We are not really looking to
use this sponsorship as a sales tool. That’s not the purpose here. What’s really more exciting is that natural fit of the beauty, elegance, and precision, and we’ll see where it leads.
AD-Why did you choose your watches?
www.USADANCE.ORG
PM-I like the moon face. I have all the information I need: the day, the date, and the hour. It’s very simple but very elegant at the same time. That’s why I chose this one. It’s a chronometer, which is a certified watch with a very high precision level.
TH-I’m an avid racecar driver and I like the
machinery aspect of things so I like a lot of hands moving and doing things on the dial. When I’m in the field visiting retailer jewelers, this piece is essentially what the firm is all about, what the idea of the design is; not too big, not too small, just the perfect fit. You can use it with a suit; you can use it with your jeans. It is always complimentary.
AD-How would someone get a hold of an Ernest
Borel timepiece if they aren’t near a jeweler?
TH-We continue to do things very differently and
we are not, nor will we be available on the internet. What you can do is call the head office in the United States by calling 877-566-1824 or go our website http://www.ernestborel.ch and send an email to usa@ernestborel.ch and we will respond. We will personally handle the inquiry. 2012 May - June 33
USA DANCE
NATIONALS Crowning Champions By Michael Mecham
The big time. The mother load. The major leagues. The granddaddy of them all. For amateur ballroom competition in the United States, the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships held in Baltimore was all that and more. In addition to the nation’s top amateur dancers in action, there were workshops, social dances, and a myriad of vendors for all to enjoy.
It’s a combination of the judges, the parents, the coaches, the volunteers, and the dancers that continue to make this competition “a world-class competition with the best dancers in the country!”
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As usual, champions were crowned, and the competition was fiercer than ever. In addition to the ballroom styling of hundreds of competitors, this year’s competition had some added flavor for the ballroom connoisseur. Carrie Ann Inaba returned to the competition as the official celebrity judge of the Star Quality Awards. In addition to Carrie Anne, national ballroom wheelchair champions Nick Scott and Aubree Marchione performed a special dance number for the astonished attendees. One spectator who proudly admitted to attending the last six years of the competition said the level of competition was better than ever. It’s a combination of the judges, the parents, the coaches, the volunteers, and the dancers that continue to make this competition “a world-class competition with the best dancers in the country!” NAtional Photos By AD Staff unless otherwise noted
Photo Courtesy of Li & Lowe Family
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 35
Spinning & Spinning Dancers spin all the time, but when they are literally spinning on wheels, it is a remarkable sight. Nick Scott and his partner Aubree Marchione are the national wheelchair ballroom dance champions. Even though some people may think that Nick would be limited by his wheelchair, anyone who has seen him dance knows that that is certainly not the case. Nick and Aubree performed a Cha Cha routine to the song “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” which was immediately rewarded with a standing ovation. Nick and Aubree shot to stardom status among some of the attendees and so many people wanted a copy of Nick’s documentary “Journey: The Nick Scott Story” that within the hour following their performance, every copy of the movie that they ad brought was gone. Nick and Aubree also taught a wheelchair-dancing workshop during the next day of the competition. Both Nick and Aubree shared that they believe dancing can be a powerful tool in rehabilitation. “We’re just trying to spread the word,” said Nick. “The more people who know about wheelchair dancing and how powerful it can be, the better.”
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“Dancers spin all the time, but when they are literally spinning on wheels, it is a remarkable sight.”
The Red Carpet Scores of dancers and their families were lined up in the hotel lobby waiting. Waiting for what? They were waiting for the chance to have their pictures taken with celebrity judge Carrie Ann Inaba. As a judge on ABC’s hit show “Dancing With the Stars” and as the judge for the Star Quality Awards at the USA Dance 2012 National DanceSport Championships, there was no shortage of people hoping for the chance to get their picture taken with Carrie Ann on the red carpet. Carrie Ann was all smiles as she greeted every person who wanted a minute of her time. “My girlfriend will never believe me,” remarked one fan that insisted on taking four pictures on his smart phone, which he immediately sent to his girlfriend. There was a constant line during the hour and a half that Carrie Ann waited on the carpet. During this time she signed programs and nametags, gave hugs and words of encouragement, and received thanks after thanks from gushing fans.
“There was no shortage of people hoping for the chance to get their picture taken with Carrie Ann on the red carpet.”
www.USAdance.ORG
2012 May - June 37
Spirit of Baltimore Photo Courtesy of Jean Krupa
Photo By Carson Zullinger
By Jean Krupa
“We had another great time on the Spirit of Baltimore as we ate, socialized, danced and got to know one another.”
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It’s nice to see all the talented dancers who attend the national championships, but this competition is also about socializing and making new connections. Throughout the weekend of dancing, there were several workshops and dances for those who wanted to mix and mingle. Walter and Judy Schultz from Portsmouth, Virginia led several of the workshops in Rumba, Cha Cha and West Coast Swing. They also handled the music for the evening social dances. In addition to workshops, some dancers were able to go on a cruise of the inner harbor. Jean Krupa said about the cruise, “We had another great time on the Spirit of Baltimore as we ate, socialized, danced and got to know one another.” There is always something for everyone at the national competition.
Photos By Carson Zullinger
Got You Covered. At 5:30 on Friday morning, the ballroom was already coming alive. DanceSport couples were practicing, people were talking, photographers were taking pictures, and finally the camera crews arrived. With such wonderful dancers flocking to Baltimore, it was no surprise when local and national news networks decided to cover some of the competition.
With such wonderful dancers flocking to Baltimore, it was no surprise when local and national news networks decided to cover some of the competition.
www.USAdance.ORG
Several couples performed a variety of dances from Waltz to Rumba. One of the judges, Dan Calloway even taught Holly Morris, the channel 5 DC news anchor, a few dance steps on the air. In addition to the actual dancing, Fox DC and Fox Baltimore news stations also covered Carrie Ann Inaba as the new National Celebrity Ambassador in addition to a newly announced national sponsor, Ernest Borel. These elements all came together to promote the event and encourage increased support of USA Dance.
2012 May - June 39
Top Finalists - USA Dance 2012 Nat
Junior I Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo - CA 2) Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu - CA 3) Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky - MA
Junior I Championship Standard (WTVFQ) 1) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo - CA 2) Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky - MA 3) Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu - CA
Junior I Championship Ten Dance (WTVFQSCRPJ) 1) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo – CA 2) Dennis Matveev & Valerie Dubinsky - MA 3) Kinsley Lin & Michelle Yiu – CA
Amateur Junior II Championship Ten Dance (WTVFQSCRPJ) 1) Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski - NY 2) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo - CA 3) Kamil Falkowski & Katarina Hermanova - NJ
Amateur Junior II Championship Standard (WTVFQ) 1) Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski - NY 2) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo - CA 3) Kamil Falkowski & Katarina Hermanova - NJ
Amateur Junior II Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Patryk Ploszaj & Anna Kaczmarski - NY 2) Nicholas Stevens & Alexandra Gutkovich - TX 3) Mike Monokandilos & Cara Yun Loo - CA
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Amateur Youth Championship Ten Dance (WTVFQSCRPJ) 1) Kevin Morales & Elina Khotinskaya - NY 2) Misha Vorobiev & Sonya Tsekanovsky - WA 3) Stas Pavlov & Beatrice Polyakova - NY
Amateur Youth Championship Standard (WTVFQ) 1) Misha Vorobiev & Sonya Tsekanovsky - WA 2) William Stansbury & Jenny Sokolsky - CA 3) Kevin Morales & Elina Khotinskaya - NY
Amateur Youth Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Kiril Kulish & Nino Dzneladze – CA 2) Landon Anderson & Jenna Johnson - UT 3) Michael Shaponick & Dasha Kholodenko - MA
Amateur Adult Championship Ten Dance (WTVFQSCRPJ) 1) Sasha Tchernossitov & Regina Maziarz - NJ 2) Taras Savitskyy & Sylwia Jemielity - NJ 3) Dmitriy Vorobiev & Kseniya Sovenko - WA
Amateur Adult Championship Standard (WTVFQ) 1) Vladislav Shahov & Ina Ognianova - NY 2) Sergey Dementyev & Toma Snieskaite - CT 3) Nicholas Kharlamov & Rochelle Kharlamov - FL
Amateur Adult Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach - NY 2) Pavel Stepanchuk & Anastasiya Danilova - NY 3) Nikita Malakhov & Nadezda Vlasova – NJ
tional DanceSport Championships
Amateur Adult Championship Nine Dance (WTFVCRSBM) 1) Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova - KY 2) Stephen Rallison & Joy Price - ID 3) Jeremy D. Anderson & Yuko Taniguchi - MN
Amateur Adult Championship Smooth (WTFV) 1) Kyle Spinder & Allie Spinder - UT 2) Larry Woodward & Jessica Bryant - KY 3) Nels E. Petersen & Theresa Kimler - MN
Amateur Adult Championship Rhythm (CRSBM) 1) Daniel Tran & Taylor Kinney - CA 2) Justin David & Lindsay Ross - DE 3) Damian Pataluna & Irina Morozova - KY
Senior I Championship Ten Dance (WTVFQSCRPJ) 1) Balazs Kocsi & Csilla Kocsi - KY 2) Roger Wiblin & Kristen Hawkins – UT 3) Todd Marsden & Susanna Hardt – CA
Amateur Senior I Championship Standard (WTVFQ) 1) David Wright & Liva Wright - CT 2) Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu – NY 3) Angus Sinclair & Dara Campbell - CA
Amateur Senior I Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Irsan Tisnabudi & Cami Tisnabudi - TX 2) Roger Korsiak & Teresa Tison - CA 3) Balazs Kocsi & Csilla Kocsi - KY
www.USAdance.ORG
Amateur Senior I Championship Smooth (WTFV) 1) Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch - VA 2) Mike Shelton & Daneen Shelton - CO 3) Kurt Lemmer & Mary Lemmer - CT
Senior I Championship Rhythm (CRSBM) 1) Henry Hudson & Olivia Hudson - AZ 2) Robert Clasen & Estella Clasen – NY
Senior II Championship Latin (SCRPJ) 1) Richard Chiang & Iris Chiang - CA 2) L. Andrew Prouty & Ilona S. Prouty - NY 3) Sean Shiauh Wei Lin & Vivian Lin - NY
Senior II Championship Standard (WTVFQ)
1) Thomas Yu & Yuko Naululani Yu - MD 2) Glenn Okazaki & Anne Ho - HI 3) Vincent Feingold & Irina Feingold - NJ
Senior II Championship Rhythm (CRSBM) 1) Henry Hudson & Olivia Hudson – AZ 2) Daniel Fugazzotto & Janis Merluzzo - FL 3) Roger Greenawalt & Amy Greenawalt
Senior II Championship Smooth (WTFV) 1) Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch - VA 2) Mike Shelton & Daneen Shelton - CO 3) Thomas LaTourelle & Anne LaTourelle - MN
2012 May - June 41
Photos By: AD Staff
Junior II Standard
Junior II Latin Ploszaj & 1st Patryk Anna Kaczmarski
Stevens & 2nd Nicholas Alexandra Gutkovich
Youth Latin
Junior II Ten Dance Patryk Ploszaj &
1st Anna Kaczmarski
Kiril Kulish &
1st Nino Dzneladze
Youth Standard Vorobiev & 1st Misha Sonya Tsekanovsky
42 DanceSport
Patryk Ploszaj &
1st Anna Kaczmarski
Stansbury 2nd William & Jenny Sokolsky
World Team
Mike Monokandilos
2nd & Cara Yun Loo
Youth Ten Dance
Landon Anderson
2nd & Jenna Johnson
Kevin Morales &
1st Elina Khotinskaya
- NY
Adult Latin Pasha Pashkov &
1st Daniella Karagach
Pavel Stepanchuk &
2nd Anastasiya Danilova
Adult Standard Vladislav Shahov
1st & Ina Ognianova
Adult Ten Dance Sergey Dementyev
2nd & Toma Snieskaite
Sasha Tchernossitov
1st & Regina Maziarz
1
Xingmin Lu
2nd & Katerina Lu
Senior II Standard Thomas Yu & Yuko
1st Naululani Yu
www.USAdance.ORG
Glenn Okazaki
2nd & Anne Ho
Balazs Kocsi
1st & Csilla Kocsi
Senior I Latin
Senior I Standard st David Wright & Liva Wright
Senior I Ten Dance
Irsan Tisnabudi &
1st Cami Tisnabudi
Roger Korsiak
2nd & Teresa Tison
Senior II Latin Richard Chiang
1st & Iris Chiang
2nd
L. Andrew Prouty & Ilona S. Prouty
2012 May - June 43
DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport D DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Qualifying Events forDanceSport Danc DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Da USADanceSport Dance 2013 National DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Dance DanceSport Championships DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Dan 010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2009 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championship 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championship 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championships 2010 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championshi DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Dan 2009 Southeastern Regional DanceSport Championship DanceSport DanceSp DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Da National DanceSport Sport DanceSport DanceSportChampionships DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceS Los Angeles, CA April 5 - 7, 2013 DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport Dan 2012 National DanceSport Championships Photo by: AD Staff
NATIONALS C C
New Jersey Classic Hackensack, NJ Challenge Jun 9 - 10, 2012 Phoenix, AZ
Carolina Fall Classic Greensboro, NC Oct 5 - 7, 2012
Gumbo Championships Baton Rouge, LA February 19, 2011 Jun 29 - Jul 1, 2012
Northwest Championships Seattle, WA Oct 27 - 28, 2012
New England Championships Chicago Challenge Boston, MA Chicago, IL Sept 28 - 30, 2012 Nov 2 - 4, 2012
44 DanceSport
The Quake San Fransisco, CA Nov 9, 2012
011 Phoenix DanceSport
Mid-Atlantic Championships Bethesda, MD February 2013
Southwest Championships Orange County, CA Feb 16 - 17. 2013
Manhatten Amatuer Classic New York, NY February 2013 For More Information visit www.usadance.org
C O MP E T I T I ON S C A LE N D A R 2 0 1 2 June 9-10, 2012
NJ DanceSport Classic-NQE Hackensack, NJ
June 29- July 1, 2012
Gumbo DanceSport Championships-NQE Baton Rouge, LA
July 28, 2012
River City Ball* Portland, OR
July 28, 2012
October 5-7, 2012
Carolina Fall Classic-NQE Greensboro, NC
Fort Wayne Special Olympics Ballroom Dance Competition* Fort Wayne, IN
October 21, 2012
July 28, 2012
Oct 27-28, 2012
New England Fall
Portland, OR
Southern Star Mid-Summer Classic* Tampa, FL
Northwest DanceSport Championships-NQE Seattle, WA
September 22, 2012
November 2-4, 2012
September 28-30, 2012
November 9, 2012
Quest for the Best* Seattle, WA
New England DanceSport Championships - NQE Boston, MA
Chicago DanceSport Challenge-NQE Chicago, IL The Quake-NQE San Francisco, CA
Events listed with the * do not accrue proficiency points Competitions noted as “NQE” are National Qualifying Events for the 2013 National DanceSport Championships.
look for future event updates at http://usadance.org/dancesport/ competition-calendar/ www.USAdance.ORG
look for future collegiate event updates on FaceBook sign onto FaceBook, click on “Groups,” and type in “USA Dance Competitions”
2012 May - June 45
DanceMart BALLROOM GIFTS
WOMENS SHOES
MENS STANDARD TUX
Gorgeous Latin and ballroom dresses. All custom dresses have no extra charge. Numerous dance shoes and exclusive gifts from around the world for dancers health and beauty. Free shipping for orders over $25 and there will be no charge until the order has been shipped.Tax included. Yin Zhang 14 Pine Ave Cohoes,NY 12047 E-mail: sales@ballroomgifts.com Website:www.Ballroomgifts.com [2]
New standard shoes, never worn. Ray Rose rockslide style, flesh satin, diamante buckle. UK size 5, 2 1/2” flared heel. $80 + shipping. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-2196894. [2]
Like new traditional tuxedo with tails made by Onik’s in Los Angeles for ballroom competition dancing. Includes: Jacket w/tails (39L), pants (32/32), shirt (39L), matching white bow tie/suspenders/waist coat/ handkerchief/and cuff links. Asking $500. Call Del Wolf owner at 941-922-0760. [2]
LATIN DRESS Black latin gown size 4-6. Thin nude straps, feathered top, red stones encircling waist. Stoned and feathered skirt with flounce. Stoned neck piece, bracelet, and bangles included. Excellent condition. $800 + shipping. Photos available. gmdance12@gmail. com. 848-219-6894. [2] STANDARD GOWNS Standard gown size 4-6. Light/dark purple with stoned top and straps, 5-tiered skirt. Stoned sleeves and neck piece included. Excellent condition. $800 + shipping. Photos available. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-2196894. [2] Standard dress. Red. Stoned upper portion. $500 + shipping. Photos available. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-219-6894. [2]
Standard shoes, good condition. EU size 39 1/2. 2” heel. Flesh colored. $25 + shipping. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-219-6894. [2] Latin shoes, good condition. EU size 38 1/2. 2” heel. $25 + shipping. Dark tan satin. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-219-6894. [2] Latin shoes, slightly used. EU size 37. 2 “ heel. Dark tan satin. $25 + shipping. gmdance12@gmail.com. 848-219-6894. [2]
OTHER Veloz and Yolanda “Dansation of 1946” - 17 page program dedicated to this famous ballroom dance couple when they appeared (and performed) at concert in Appleton, Wisconsin Life Stories, introduction of Latin dances to north American audiences, pictures from their work in movies; highlights of their lives $35. 727-4122984 [2]
JEWELRY Exquisite jewelry that will add excitement and sparkle on and off the dance floor. Visit my website to view the collections. There is amazing jewelry for every dancer. Judy Cohen, Stella & Dot Independent Stylist. Stylist ID# 125304 Phone: 610.358.1083 Website: www.stelladot.com/ judycohen [2]
DanceMart
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: design@americandancer.org 46 InStep
GB7350W-2599
LB7350-2599
ERNEST BOREL
76 Littleton Road, Rt 110, USA – Chelmsford, MA 01824-2625 Tel: +1 877 566 1824 Fax: +1 855 566 1824 Taras Savitskyy & Sylwia Jemielity www. USAdance .ORG 2012 May - June 47 www.ernestborel.ch usa@ernestborel.ch Manhattan Amateur Classic/Jan 2012 - Photo By: Ryan Kenner Photography
Photo By Ryan Kenner
USA Dance National DanceSport Championships
USA DANCE
Los angeles, ca april 5 - 7, 2013
NATIONALS Crowning Champions
www.usadancenationals.org