Date: Thu, Jan 19th, 2012 7:25:21 pm
Author: Keith Todd
The pro's all turn out for the Latin but Amateur Ballroom has many top flight couples missing
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
It 
was a night of contrasts - just about every couple was in town for the Pro Latin whereas there were so many of the world's best missing from the Amateur Ballroom. Despite this, or maybe because of this, there was still great atmosphere for the the Amateur event. Perhaps the crowd and the couples sensed that reputations could be made tonight.
And they were for one couple - the winners of the Amateur were Chao Yang & Yi Ling Tan (China). We felt there were 2 clear favorites for tonight's top place, Caho & Yi and Marek Kosaty & Paulina Glazik (Poland), but it was the Chinese couple that really upped their game and to us looked like the winners all night. Marek & Paulina placed 2nd. Chong He & Jing Shan (China) were 3rd and deserved the place in our opinion. Much smaller than most of the finalists, they are meticulously correct. Poland actually dominated the final with 3 couples. Lucasz Tomczak & Aleksandra Jurczak were 4th and Sergiu Rusu & Dorota Makar were 6th. The 5th spot in the final went to Stanislav Portanenko & Nataliya Koliada (Ukraine) who had tremendous audience support.
Only 122 couples entered this event, the smallest field in many years, more evidence of political division. Watch out for a full report in Dance Beat World dounloadable magazine soon.
Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis, now dancing for England, retained their title in the Pro Latin. So far, despite losing the World Championship, they have proved unbeatable anywhere else. This meant that World Champions, Riccardo Cocchi & Yuliya Zagoruychenko (USA) had to be content with the runner-up place again. These two couples have very different styles and approaches. Be sure to read Dance Beat World Magazine soon for a full report by Goran Nordin.
For the most part this was a form final. Sergei Surkov & Melia (Russia) were 3rd, although we felt they gave a strong showing tonight. Andrej Skufca & Melinda (Slovenia) were 4th and Maurizio Vescovo & Andra Vaidilate (Canada) were 5th. The only real surprise was the inclusion of the new duo of Anton Karpov & Ekaterina Lapaeva (Russia). We felt they gave a good performance, especially in the final and warranted inclusion over some others left in the semi.
Despite the preponderance of name couples, we felt the Latin division was a little flat. The last time we attneded 
the UK, (2010) we felt the pro Latin was one of the best in many years. We did not feel that tonight. Neverthelss, it was a good evnt - be sure to watch out for the full report.
For Day 1 - Click here
For Day 2 - Click here
Date: Thu, Jan 19th, 2012 5:25:13 am
Author: Keith Todd
No big surprises in Professional Ballroom or Amateur Latin at UK
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
Most of the world's leading players began the day yesterday in the Professional Ballroom and the results mostly mirrored recent form. Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA) were the winners despite very vocal support for the runners-up, Mirko Gozzoli & Edita Danuite (Italy). For us, Arunas & Katusha's consistent topline and movement are still hard to beat. Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva (USA) maintained their 3rd place ranking, easily in our 
view. We felt these top three were well clear and there was a separate battle for the bottom three in the final. Heading the group in 4th spot were Andrea Ghigiarelli & Sara Andracchio (England). They seem to have cemented this placement recently and we thought they danced very strongly last night. Perhaps a little disappointed with 5th place were Domen Krapez & Monica Nigro (Slovenia). We have been big fans of this couple in the recent past, but last night did not feel that they were really on their best form. Completing this great final were Valerio Colontoni & Yulia Spesivtseva (Russia) who have blasted into the final in this past year. Again, we did not really feel this was the best we've seen from them although we felt they did deserve their spot in the final.
Possibly the hardest cut for the adjudicators was from the quarter-final to the semifinal and the judges we spoke with after the event, confirmed that this was a tough choice and many expected there 
would be 13 or even 14 couples recalled to the semifinal. But in reality there were only 12 and many peoples' favorites were left on the side of the floor. We'll have a full report in Dance Beat World soon, and don't miss Loraine Baricchi's full report on this division.
The current political divisions between the WDC and WDSF was very evident in the Amateur Latin with very few of the ranking couples from the WDSF making the trip to Bournemouth. It seems in the amateur divisions at least we are fast approaching a total split with two separate groups of competitors who never meet each other. In the group that attended last night, Neil Jones & Ekaterina Sokolova (England) are the clear front runners and they proved their worth with a win here. in a good result, we thought, Kirill Belorukov & Elvira Skrylnikov (Russia) took 2nd. We have watched this couple for some years as they have progressed from the Youth division. They are certainly a striking couple, but we are not sure that their dancing has progressed as rapidly as we felt it might. There will be more about this in the full article. Many people's favorite couple, 
Troels Bager & Ina Jeliazkova (Denmark) took 3rd. This was one couple who have danced recently in WDSF events who made the trip here. One of our favorites, Ferdinando Iannaccone & Yulia Musikhina (Italy) were 4th. Yulia is certainly one of the securessed ladies on the floor, but we thought her skills were a little hidden behind too much dress last night. In 5th place were Mirco Risi & Maria Ermachkova (Italy). Another very attractive couple although they never really seemed to get going in the final. Mirco had costume problems throughout the final which probably did not help. and now we come to the couple who placed 6th, Dmitry Brovko & Anastasia Melnikova (Russia). They were for us the discovery of the week! This young man is a wonderful talent and we would certainly have placed them higher in this final. Time will tell if they can build fully on their talent.
173 couples were entered in both the Amateur Latin and the Professional Ballroom.
Be sure to read the full article soon in Dance Beat World and Dance Beat USA, for more on these divisions.
Click here for Day 1 - Rising Star
Click here for Day 3 - Pro Lat & Amateur Ballroom
Date: Wed, Jan 18th, 2012 5:55:07 am
Author: Keith Todd
UK Open began in Bournemouth yesterday as usual with the Rising Star categories in Amateur & Professional
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
The UK Open Championships are underway in Bournemouth. A preliminary perusal of the program shows that the Amateur entries have been impacted by the current political strife. Most of the highly ranked couples from the WDSF are not in attendance this year with the Ballroom especially impacted. The professional entries remain strong.
In last night's Professional Rising Star divisions the USA reigned supreme. Artem Plakhotnyi & Inna Berlizyeva won the Ballroom and Yegor Novikov & Yana Blinova, the Latin. Both couples represent the USA. Numerically, China was the strongest country with 2 couples in each final.
In the Ballroom I felt that there was a clear split in the final 6 and the judges seemed to back up my beliefs with my top 3 placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 2nd spot went to Chen Seng & Wan Li (China) and 3rd to Steffen Zoqlauer & Sandra Koperski (Germany). That was exactly the order I felt was warranted. Qing Shui & Yan Yan Ma (China) were 4th, Takahiro Nikura & Yukiki Nakata (Japan) were 5th and Shintaro Asamura & Emi Toyama (Japan) were 6th.
In the Latin I felt it could have been 1 and 2 for the USA, but the judges awarded 2nd to Igor Yaremenko & Yana Yaroslavskaya (Ukraine) and 3rd to Ivan Mulyavka & Loretta Kriksukaityte (USA). You can read my article in the downloadable Dance Beat World Magazine soon to see why I felt the result could have been in reverse. China took 4th and 5th: Wen Li & Huan Huang and Shi Lei & Zhang Yu Bai. 6th went to Anton Sboev & Patrizia Ranis (England)
In the Amateur divisions I did not agree so much with the judges' decisions. In the Latin I felt there was a clear winner and that was Francesco Bertini & Sabrina Manzi (Italy), but they in fact placed 3rd. Couples from the Ukraine placed 1st and 2nd. Anton Nesterko & Dariya Maryuschenko (1st) and Artur Tarnavskiy & Kateryna Krut (2nd). I liked both of these couples also, but did not feel they had the same degree of authentic Latin fire as the Italians. Italian couples also took 4th and 6th: Stefano Moriondo & Darya Byelikov and Evgeny Orlov & Inga Kapkanschikova, respectively. Alex Wei Wang & Roxie Jin Chen (China) were 5th.
I 
really enjoyed the Amateur Rising Star Ballroom and felt it was the best event of the night. I did not feel there was a clear result for any of the positions and while I did not entirely agree with the judges' final lineup, I'm sure it was quite a struggle sorting out these very evenly matched young couples. The winners were Szymon Kalinowski & Grazyna Grabicka (Poland). 2nd went to the brand new partenrship of Alex Freyr Gunnarsson & Liis End (England) and 3rd to Oskar Wojciechowski & Karolina Holody (USA). I think I would have had the 4th placed Andrei Volkov & Anastasiya Kravchenko (Russia) in the top 3 as I liked the young lady's relaxed top line. 5th spot went to Diego Arias Prado & Ekaterina Ermolina (Italy) and 6th to Cui Xiang & Yang Zhi Jing (China).
Click here for Day 2 - Pro Ballroom & Amateur Latin
Click here for Day 3 - Pro Lat & Amateur Ballroom
British National Championships – Day 2 & 3
Date: Mon, Nov 28th, 2011 2:33:24 pm
Author: Andrew Miller
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Day 2 of the 2011 National Championships saw the reigning British Professional champions Gregor Rebula and Rachael Heron retain their title by winning all dances from Oleksii Ivanets and Lisa Bellinger Ivanets who were placed 2nd in all dances
3rd place went to Gunnar Gunnarsson and Amy Bennett 3rd in all dances, 4th in all dances was Ryan Hammond and Lindsey Muckle, 5th in all dances were new professionals Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill, 6th and 7th place was a close battle between Sehyoung and Adele Jang Don, and Kyle Fisher and Jade Main, with Sehyoung and Adele coming out just on top, and once again as in the May festival we saw the all Male partnership of Jonathan Morrison and Sergio Brilhante.
(The report on this event should have been by Lisa Darby, but due to unforeseen circumstances it will now be by Dale Bennett, and will appear in a future edition of Dancebeatworld.)
The main event of the night was the Amateur Ballroom with the reigning champions Mark and Olga Elsbury winning a 3rd consecutive title from Ben Taylor and Stephanie Bossen, with Kyle Taylor and Polina Shklyaeva close behind in 3rd place. (The report on this event will be by Timothy Palmer).
Other competition on day 2 resulted in a win for Peter & Christine Worthington in the over 50’s Ballroom, and Steve & Sue Witherington in the Senior Latin ( We will have a report on this event from Ken Day).
The fin
al day of the championships saw a convincing win for the reigning champions Warren & Kristi Boyce this couple where without a doubt in a class of their own winning all five dances. Into 2nd was Craig Shaw & Evgeniya Sutyaginskaya, they were placed ( W2, F2, T3, Q3, VW2 ). Close behind in 3rd place were Daniele Gallaro & Kimberley Taylor placing (W3,F3,T2,Q2,VW3) and they announced their retirement from competitive dancing straight after the prize presentation. Into 4th place was Alex Sindila & Katie Gleeson one of our newer young professionals (W4, F4, T4, Q5, VW4) , 5th place went to the newest of our professionals, having moved up after a very successful Amateur career, Richard Still & Morgan Hemphill they placed, (W5, F5, T5, Q4, VW5), 6th was James & Kelly Anne Prouton who finished 6th in four of the five dances, they didn’t make the final of the Viennese Waltz, as this competition is run on individual dances in the final this meant it was a seven couple final with Sehyoung & Adele Jang Don in 7th place by dancing in the final dance. (There will be a report on this event by Stephen Hannah)
The other event of the evening was the Amateur Latin, a really hotly contested competition right from round one, some great latin dancing that resulted in a six couple final with the eventual winner being the current International champions Neil Jones & Ekaterina Sokolova, hot on their heels came Alejandro Hernandez & Kerri-Anne Donaldson. (Report from Rachel Heron)
Closed British Championships - Day 1
Date: Fri, Nov 18th, 2011 11:42:56 am
Author: Andrew Miller
1st Night of the British National Championships Creates British Dance History.
Tonight at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, British dance history was made. In the 30 years that the British Senior Standard has been run only three couples had ever one the title more than twice, they were; Mr & Mrs D Roberts (7 Times), Mr & Mrs C Freeman (4 Times), and Mr & Mrs K Millwood (Who won it 6 Times). Tonight that all changed when the reigning champions Dan Baxter and Janine Desai became the 4th couple by winning their 3rd championship by 3 dances to 2 from 2nd placed Phil Holding and Jenny Dewar. (There will be a report on this event by Gary Foster in a future edition)
Another piece of history came in the National Latin Formation Championship with the XS Latin Formation team from Cambridge trained by David Mallabone and Bruce Lait equalling the record of five wins. 2nd place went to the Fevers Changes Team trained by Rachael Holland and Jillian Donaldson. The surprise of the night was the Elite Dance Formation Teams Charlie Chaplin routine trained by Lisa Darby who is a former British Amateur Latin Champion they finished in a very worthy 3rd place. Everybody that I spoke to agreed that it was a great routine with very unusual music.
Unfortunately due to a technical hitch (ie my lens locking up, and being unable to use the zoom) the only other photo’s that were taken tonight were line up’s.
The other winners tonight were:-
Professional Latin American Showdance - Ryan Hammond & Lindsey Muckle.
North of England Amateur Championship – Kyle Taylor & Polina Shklyava.
Over 50’s Latin – Ian & Jennifer Curson.
National Amateur U21 Latin Championship – Daniel Power & Victoria Holmes.
The hard working panel of Adjudicators for this week-end, under the Chairmanship of Mr Marcus Hilton MBE are:-
Mr Len Armstrong, Mrs Vicky Barr, Mr John Byrnes, Mrs Hazel Fletcher, Mr Stephen Hillier MBE, Mrs Karen Hilton MBE, Mr Timothy Howson, Mr Robert Litchfield, Mr Graham Oswick, Miss Margaret Redmond, and Miss Pat Thompson.
There will be further reports from Timothy Palmer, Lisa Darby, Ken Day, Stephen Hannah and Rachel Heron.
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 3:19:39 pm
Author: Timothy Palmer
WDC Amateur League in Switzerland
Photos by Andrew Miller
Adult Ballroom
The adult ballroom events brought entries of the highest quality at this delightful annual festival of dance organised by Phillip Banyer on behalf of the Swiss Dance Sport Council and WDC Amateur League here at the Regensdorf Hotel Zurich. The world-class panel of judges for the ballroom events this year comprised: Jerry Abrate (Italy), Sandra Banyer-Baumann (Switzerland), Dirk Bastert (Germany), Monica Needham (United Kingdom), Leonid Pletnev (Russia), Svyatoslav Vlokh (Ukraine) and John Wood (United Kingdom). Scrutineering guru Estelle Grassby was in personal charge of interpreting the marks, whilst the live music was by courtesy of the Willy Scher Orchestra. Some lovely recorded music was provided by Oliver Baumann whenever this fine ensemble was taking a well-earned rest, whilst Hannes Emrich displayed his impressive linguistic skills by compering throughout in both English and German. As if all this were not enough, a breathtaking Latin American cabaret by WDC World Latin Champions Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko, brought the evening to a climax and the spellbound audience to their feet!
Read the full story in Edition 1111-1
US Championships - Continuing Coverage
Date: Wed, Sep 7th, 2011 2:51:11 pm
Author: Dance Beat USA
This year's US Championships is at the New venue - The Swan at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! 
Yesterday was the first day of competition at the USDC and the results were like box of chocolates you never knew what you were going to get, starting with the Pro/Am Rhythm events, follow by the Professional Rising Star Smooth and Latin.
The quality of most of the dancers was great, in the pro/am “A” Rhythm 6 well fit and in great shape ladies were called and to tell you the truth anyone of this ladies could have been placed first at any time. The winner was a new face to the Open Scholarship scene 
Sydney Jensen dancing with Golden Parker, she won all dances. Anna Tomasini w/ Ricky Bentzen took second and Laura Ganley w/Adrei Abrashin placed third.
Oh Man! The surprise in the “A” 2 and “B” categories of the same division were both won by men! Giovanni Fortesa won the “A2” and Phillip Widlanski took the “B” with only one woman, the same teacher Yolanta Mosteika. The 
“B” was extremely contested. Phillip won w/ these marks (1,2,1,2,1), and in looking at the placements , no one had a really clear majority of first. Joan Goddard w/Chris Johnston followed Phillip in second position (2,1,2,1,2), and third was Gracelyn Tuoti w/ Andrei Abrashin (4,3,4,3,3). 
Giovanni Fortesa won the “B” with an easier battle, he placed first in all dance but mambo where he placed third. Julie Korsig w/ Misha Vlasov were awarded second (2,2,2,2,1) and Katia Malone placed third w/Eddie Rivera (3,4,5,5,2).
The Pro Rising Stars had some people’s head spinning as well. In the Smooth, with the exception of the VW, the winners, David & Natalie Schultz did not get the majority of first places marks, but were overall good enough to take the cup home and won all dances easily. An other hopeful of the night, Travis & Jamie Tuff, placed second overall (3,4,2,2), third place went to Kirill Gorjatsev & Olga Chekhova (4,2,3,3).
The Latin went to Oleksandr Altukhov & Oksana Dmytrenko who won all dances. This couple has had its up and down with results throughout the year sometimes placing as low as 6th. Last night they proved they had what it takes to make it in the professional field. Anton Tregubov & Tatyana Oliynyk took second overall and in our opinion put up a good fight. Jakub Zejlen & Natalia Barantseva took third overall but placed 4th in the C.
We are too surprise to announce that last night’s Pro TA Championship was about the best we have ever witnessed. All seven couples were of great skill and had very interesting programs. They are all totally worth a mention. Jerry & Virginia LeNoir won the competition and for us the combination of experience and choreography made it all happened. Justin Guilmette & Katie Guillen took second, third were Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, fourth was awarded to Travis & Jamie Tuff, fifth to Johnny & Alexandria Francoviglia, sixth Tony Scheppler & Leslie Whitesell and last but not least, seventh Johnathan Willoughby & Lucianne Hamilton. Congratulation
s to all these couples, good job!
The comic relief of the night came from the Pro/Am Classic Showdance where to majority of the couple presented comedy routines. The winner of this category was Pennelope Rostad w/Nicolay Karchev, who presented a non comedy “Fred and Ginger” routine.
Stay tuned for tonight, we will have the US Open Pro/Am Smooth, the Pro 9 and 10 Dance, the Cabaret , RS Ballroom, RS Rhythm, and the Pro SA Showdance.
USDC Rising!!
For videos on all couples Click here 
Last night was all about Rising Stars. We were quite impressed with the quality and the full attendance of the Pro RS American Rhythm. Dimitrios & Maria Damalas took the RS title home, winning all dances. We were quite captivated with their performance, for us this was possibly the best we have 
seen from them, congratulations. Radomir & Devorah Pashev took second in all dances and Nicolai Karchev & Sarah Haworth placed third (3,4,3T,3,6).
The US Rising Star Ballroom also had some fabulous talent, Andrey Begunov & Anna Demidova enthralled us and the judges with their talent and won all dances with the majority of 1st place marks in all dances. The runners-up Emmanuel Pappacena & Francesca Lazzari took second in all dances and in our eyes, gave a phenomenal performance also perhaps the best we have seen from them and totally deserving of this position. Leonid Burlo & Olga Zhuk were t
hird overall but placed 4th in the waltz.
The US Pro 10 Dance Championship was also held this evening, former US and World 10 Dance Champion German Mustuc & Iveta Lukosiute maintained their title and position as US Champion by winning 8 dances and placing 2nd to the runner-up Nikolai Pilipenchuck & Natalia Skorikova in the Paso Doble and Jive. Nikolai & Natalia were second overall but placed 3rd and 4th in a few dances (4,4,3,4,3,2,2,2,1,1).Third position went to Sergiy Samchynskyy & Yuliya Besarab (3,3,4,3,2,3,3,3,3,3). Fourth was awarded to Russ & Katusha Wilder (2,2,2,2,4,5,5,5,4,5), in fifth position was Victor Yushin & Elana Yushina (5,5,5,5,5,4,4,4,5,4). Sixth place went to Pavel Cherdantsau & Svetlana Rudkovskaya 6 in all dances and seventh was Andrei & Elena Rudenco. 
The US professional Cabaret took place and the winner with what we would call a perfect performance were Eric Luna & Georgia Amabarian, Justin Guilmette & Katie Gullen placed third, Vicente Martines & Megan Murphy took third and in a choking result Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad were fourth.
The US Pro 9 Dance Championship also concluded this evening but sadly only 3 couples were entered and the undisputable winners were Peter & Alexandra Perzhu.
The Open Pro/Am Smooth Championships were two very interesting events. We think these categories as well as the overall Pro/Am are developing on an incredible pace and are making judges work hard. Perhaps a little more time should be allowed per dance in this category being that they are tremendously contested. The “A1” was a perfect 
example seven excellent ladies were called back, unfortunately only one danced away with the title and in 
our opinion quite deservedly so and it was Jessica Haims with teacher Greg Fidurski. Second position went to Yvonne Co w/ Tom Hicks and third place was awarded to Amada Pytlik w/ Tomas Mielnicki (5,3,3,3).
Possible our favorite Pro/Am Smooth Championship was the “B” division. Second player Beverly More w/ Alain Doucet walked away with the title one more time and won all dances. In a surprise result to us Lynn Murrell w/Peter Perzhu were awarded second position in all dances but the waltz where they were 4th. It is interesting to note that Lynn scores varied from 5th to 1st. Robin Kencel w/Christian Lange were 3rd overall (2,3,3,3). We think this was a very difficult heat for the judges starting from the semi-final round where they were some lovely dancers as well. In the “A2” we agree with the judges, Darla Davies 
w/Jim Maranto had a terrific performance and went to win the title (1,2,1,1). The runner-up Eileen Arcilla w/Eric Hudson did not take it easy and gave them a fight to the finish taking the tango away from them and second in the others. Teri Hansen w/David Moore were left holding third (3,3,3,6).
The US Pro/Am South American Showdance also took place yesterday and this competition went to Ashley Campos w/Pavlo Barsuk, second to Celia Chou w/Maxim Kozhevnikov and third went to Cole Horbe w/Yanna Samkova.
For live action all day all night, go to starstreamers.com to view events as they are happening.
Rhythm Rebirth!
For videos on all couples Click here
Last night we witnessed what we consider the rebirth of Rhythm dancing. The US Pro Rhythm Championship was out of this world! Unlike the counterpart the Smooth, American Rhythm has been struggling to develop its own identity. Last night the couples competing 
were not only very proficient at their skills but each one of the finalist had a different approach to the style. To us old folks this was a breath of fresh air to see this striving style come through with shining colors.
The atmosphere in the ballroom was electrifying and the competition between the two heir apparent to the crown, Decho Kraev & Bree Watson and Emmanuel-Pierre Antoine & Liene Churilova, was fierce. Amongst tremendous emotion from the audience Decho and Bree capture the title by winning all dances with a majority of first in all dances but the mambo. But there seems to have been an epidemic of cow 
disease within the spectators when Emmanuel & Liene second place was announce. From the beginning of the competition, especially in the semi-final, it seemed to us all witnessing the event that they were there to win. And yes we must agree Decho & Bree’s performance was excellent but Emmanuel & Liene were brilliant on the night.
This must have been a very difficult task for the judges who only have a few seconds to get an impression 
and award a title. To not take away from the rest of the group, we must say that they too were gorgeous from head to toe. Peter & Alexandra Perzhu took third in all dances with a very confident and rhythmical performance. Ricky Bentsen & Albina Harble were not far behind placing 4th in 3 dances and 5th in the swing and mambo, Albina was the envy of all women with her costume that can only be describe as a Hollywood dream. In 5th position, placing 5th in chacha and bolero, 6th in rumba and swing and 4th in mambo, with what we considered to be a spotless performance, were Ilya & Amanda Reyzin. Last and very different than the rest almost as if on their own were Marcus Johnson & Yuki Haraguchi (6,5,4,6,6). This was a very optimistic occasion for a style that 
has yet to see its shining star. 
The second featured event of the evening had a world class final, and as expected World Professional Ballroom Champions Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova took the US title home for the fourth time in a row. The runner-ups, Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva, in both the US and the world continued to hold their position by placing second in all dances and they too showcased world top form.
After months of competitions with the bottom four couple of the final fighting it out throughout the US with ups and downs dissapointments and victories, Artem Plakhotnyi & Inna Berlizyeva walked away with third position, placing 3rd in W, T, VW, and 4th in the other two dances.
The seem to be flavor of the year, Andrea Faraci & Iveta Pauryte, who lately have captivated the judges with their emotional performance seemed to hav
e lost favor and placed 4th overall (4,4,4,3,3). Mikhail Avdeev & Olga Blinova were left holding fifth in all dances and the rookie of the year Andrew Beganov & Anna Demidova, took 6th in all dances.
The US Open RS Latin was almost a repeat of the US National earlier in the week with Oleksander Altukhov & Oksana Dmytrenko taking first overall but loosing 2 dances the rumba and paso. Same for second place, Anton Tregubo & Tatyana Oliynyk, with the only 
difference being that they won the paso but placed third in the samba. The only new ingredient here was the inclusion of England’s Anton Sboev & Patrizia Ranis in the final who placed third overall (3,2,1,3,3).
As customary at the US Championships (the only competition we know that runs a Mambo Championship) the Mambo Champions were Vard Margaryan & Kateryna Angelone, second went to Ronald & Katie Guillen, and third was awarded to Vicente 
Martinez & Megan Murphy.
We were quite impressed with the Pro/Am Us Open Championships. In the “A1” division, the Champion Teleryck Ianakiev was so well trained by his teacher that it was hard for us to tell at first who was teaching who, we congratulate Natalya Sergiyenko in her skills of dancing and Pro/Am teaching. Second in this division went to 
Kathleen Ilo with father Rauno Ilo who won the chacha and placed second in the other 4 dances. Saina Hadden w/ Danielle Gozzi took third (4,3,3,4,3).
Russia’s Marina Dzasokhova-Glock w/ Ivan Statsenko continues to impress our American officials and was crowned Champion in the “A2” division (1,1,1,3,2). Tina Broccole w/ Delyan Terziev took second (2,2,2,1,1) and Rhonda Lee w/ Danielle Gozzi placed third (4,3,3,2,3).
The “B” division here at the US Championships continues to be dominated by Beverly Moore w/ Alain Doucet from Canada winning all dances. In a surprising result, Vera Gutierrez-Clellen w/ Marcin Tomaszewski manage to over take seasoned player and sometimes winner of this division Joan Goddard w/ Chris Johnston. Vera’s placements were (2,2,2,3,2) and Joan’s were (3,3,3,2,3).
For live action all day all night, go to starstreamers.com to view events as they are happening.
Date: Tue, Aug 23rd, 2011 2:42:01 pm
Author: Didio Barrera
It was so great to be back in Ecuador where the WDSF Middle of the World Open took place, and it was even better that more couples from around the Americas came to the competition and participated. For the first time there was a delegation from Trinidad / Tobago, must of the couples were very green with little form but very rhythmical in their performances, they were so rhythmical that a few even made it to a number of finals and placed, congratulations to them.
As last year the welcome by the Ecuadorian federation to all officials and delegations was out of this world. Their genuine interest and admiration for ballroom dancing is admirable and we are quite glad that they received such overwhelming support. The two-day event featured different competitions: Preteens, Junior Youth and the WDSF Middle of the World Open events in both the Latin and the Standard.
Saturday was the Open Standard and the support for this style doubled from last year. It was great to see Latin America take an interest in this classic style. The final was possibly the most difficult to adjudicate. You had three very talented couples each with good positive strengths and although the majority of judges found Evgeny Terytsa & Fernanda Briones from Ecuador to be the best overall, we would not have been surprised to see the second placed Luiz Munos & Camila Acosta or Artem Smirnov & Nicole Duque who placed third be on the first place winning stand. These last two couples mentioned were also from Ecuador, and we will explain in the overall article how we saw each couple, their strengths and weaknesses and why we think Evgeny & Fernanda took the trophy home.
Aleksandr Honcharov & Araceli Patrucco from Argentina placed fourth, Leonardo Fuentes & Isabel Collao from Chile were fifth and Cesar Olguin & Alicia Sampayo from Argentina took sixth. We must also mention that in looking at the marks the judges too were slightly divided and each dance changed as the couple showcased their stronger dance.
The Latin dances were once again the most popular and also the most exciting to judge. Here the entries doubled form the year before as did their quality of performance. Far ahead of the pack with no competition and placing first in all dances with perfect scores in every dance was the only couple from Europe, Telmo Madeira & Vanessa Ferrao 
from Portugal. The fight here was for second position but it was an easy fight for Artem Smirnov & Nicole Duque from Ecuador who took second places from every judge with the exception of the samba and cha cha where Didio Barrera from USA awarded them third and in jive were Ginette Cournoyer awarded them also a third. As you can see Artem & Nicole were clearly second in this style, leaving Evgeny Terytsa & Stefania Aguirre from Ecuador holding third place overall.
Ecuador was also able to keep fourth fifth and sixth places on their turf: Luiz Munos & Camila Acosta took fourth, Jose Zuquilanda & Adriana Chavez placed fifth and Sergio Sanchez & Margarita Hinojosa took sixth. Here as we mentioned it must have been quite difficult to bring back six because in looking at the semifinal there were a number of couples that stood out quite nicely and could have easily been recalled. We will point some of our thoughts in this style and what we found to be the strength in the majority of South American dancers.
Once again it was so good to see dancing and dancesport develop here and to see it gain momentum with every passing year. It’s a tremendous delight and a feather in the cap of many of the organizers who sacrifice so much to continue to do everything possible to develop this activity in South America. Our congratulations to the Ecuadorian federation for doing such great job in this their 2011 Ecuadorian Open.
Read full reports in Edition 1011-1 and Edition 1111-1
Date: Thu, Nov 10th, 2011 11:31:31 pm
Author: Andrew Miller
A Festival of dancing in Hong Kong
I would never have believed that when attending the Lithuanian Championships earlier this year that I would have ended up coming to Hong Kong for a very special occasion.
I was invited here by Anna Li Chong a Pro Am lady who was dancing a showcase with her Pro Partner, Justin Duknauskas.
Having left Heathrow at 9pm on Friday evening and arriving in Hong Kong at 16.30pm the following day (It's an 11 and a half hour flight plus the time difference of 8 hours) and not getting much sleep, (I never manage to sleep well whilst flying), I felt considerably fit. Hong Kong, for those who have never been there is a wonderful place steeped in history. And if you are a dancer there are many places to go and dance.
After leaving the airport and heading for the centre of the city I met up with the lady herself and was invited to join her for dinner later that evening at the Cha Cha Moon restaurant.
It turned out to be a dinner dance restaurant which very much reminded me of the atmosphere at the old Cafe de Paris in the heart of London. This venue is open seven nights a week to dancers and is filled with Pro Am couples.
It was also to be the venue for the party the following night. The 2nd Bella Notte party featuring 12 different showcases by some of the world’s top dancers in some unique shows choreographed by Espen Salberg.
The full article on this event and the dance scene generally in Hong Kong will be featured in a future edition of Dancebeat World.
New Zealand Open Championships
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 3:47:25 pm
Author: Peter Smith
The weekend of the 30th & 31st of July 2011 was the weekend when the tenacity and determination of the DanceSport fraternity in New Zealand was put to the test. The occasion was the 61st presentation of the New Zealand Open DanceSport Championships, which were originally set down to be held in the South Island City of Christchurch until Mother Nature interfered and struck this most beautiful of Cities with the devastating earthquake that made world-wide headlines.
Photos by PointView Photography (NZ)
The process of organizing this event in Christchurch was well under way when the earthquake struck. Sponsors had been obtained, the venue booked, two of the worlds leading demonstrating couples booked to perform and the entries had starting to roll in. Rather than panic the Executive of the New Zealand Federation of Dance Teachers took a step back and looked at the practicalities of trying to run the event in Christchurch and then took the what perhaps in hindsight was the only decision to make and that was to find another venue in another major city and also another organizational team who could take over at this very late stage.
Read the full report in Edition 0911-2
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 3:40:36 pm
Author: Helmut Roland
Zoran & Tatsiana win WDSF World Latin Title in Singapore and are now unquestionably the world leaders in their field
Photos by Helmut Roland
The Lion City Singapore was proud to be awarded the WDSF World Championship Latin 2011. The location, the Grand Ballroom of the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, gave a perfect frame for the championship. The Conrad Centennial Singapore Hotel, where the couples and the officials stayed, was only 100 yards away from the Convention Centre.
The organizer, Shawn and Gladys Tay, had invited the couples and officials to a welcome party at the Conrad Centennial Singapore Hotel. Carlos Freitag, President of World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) thanked Shawn and Gladys Tay for organizing this top event perfectly. The couples had a nice but short evening at the pool bar because of the championship starting next morning at 11 a.m.
84 couples from 51 countries had come to Singapore to compete with the world`s best Latin dancers. This was a record attendance at the World Championship in Latin. The question for insiders was, whether the European Champions, Zoran Plohl & Tatsiana Lahvinovich from Croatia, would be able to replicate the success of Marseille early in 2011. We had expected to see Zoran & Tatsina participating in the Grand Slam Latin at the German Open Championships, but they did not start. So the 1st place was vacant at GOC and Andrey Zaytsev & Anna Kuzminskaya from Russia used their chance.
Read the full report and see the fabulous photography in Edtiion 0910-2
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 3:36:11 pm
Author: Keith Todd
After eight years the Can-Am Dancesport Championships are back! John Karakis and Ann Harding have brought their event back to life after hotel problems and the SAARS epidemic caused them to cancel it eight years ago.
Photos by Mary Tweeddale
The Can Am has always been held in the beautiful lakeside city of Toronto in Canada. Its old venue, Inn on the Park, is no longer a hotel but the new host hotel, the Westin Harbour Side, is an exciting substitute. This large hotel sits right on the shore of Lake Ontario in vibrant downtown Toronto and everything that this city has to offer is within walking distance. The view from the rooftop restaurant and bar is a spectacular panorama of lake and cityscapes. The hotel also offers room to grow as it has large convention facilities and next year the Can Am will move to a much larger ballroom space than was used this year.
Read the full report in Edition 1011-1
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 3:28:31 pm
Author: Keith Todd
The USA’s two reigning WDC World Champions were both at Embassy Ball again this year and both won their respective divisions with “perfect” scores – every first place from every judge. Once again unchallenged were Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (NJ) in Ballroom and Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko (NY) in Latin.
Photos by Park West
The Embassy Ball, organized by Brian & Kristi McDonald and John Kimmins in Irvine, Southern California, has always been a competition about the dancing and has regularly attracted not only the USA’s best amateur and professional dancers, but on occasions the best in the world. For the past five years or so the Embassy Ball has hosted IDSF (now WDSF) Grand Slam events in both Standard and Latin. Following last January’s ruling that NDCA registered events could no longer host any WDSF “happenings,” this of course came to an end and Brian, who is President of the NDCA, was instrumental in creating this ruling. Obviously this had great affect on the amateur events here at Embassy Ball. For the most part the amateur divisions became North American in scope with the rest of the world providing three couples out of twelve in the divisions’ finals. One observer said that the Grand Slam events were not missed at all and that since they were not here, more North American couples were encouraged to attend and that was certainly the case. For my part and purely from an artistic perspective, I did miss seeing some of the world’s best in the amateur categories.
Be sure to read the full report in Edition 1011-1
Capezio Dance Beat Tour - Current Standings
Date: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 11:46:42 am
Author: Dance Beat
Here are the current standings in the Capezio Dance Beat Smooth Tour
1. Mazen Hamza & Izabella Jundzill 800.5
2. Slawek Sochacki & Marzena Stachura 793.7
3. Peter & Alexandra Perzu 724
4. Vladimir Popov & Eulia Baranovsky 673.2
5. Kris Suakjian & Briana Haft 613
6. David & Natalie Schultz 574
7. John Selby & Lisa Cristiani 441
8. Mayo Alanen & Michelle Officer 109.3
9. Travis & Jaimee Tuft 92.4
10. Mark Short & Alyssa Kark 71.4
11. Nick Cheremukhin & Anna Shahbazyan 6
12. Frank & Angela Gillitzer 3
12. David Weise & Barbala Bunnett 3
12. Mariusz Zakrzewski & Stephanie Betts 3
12. Brodie Kaster & Selena Pribyl 3
12. Yuriy Simakov & Oksana Klyuchnyk 3
Results from Leg 2 - Hollywood Dancesport
1. Mazen Hamza & Izabella Jundzill 678
2. Slawek Sochacki & Marzena Stachura 664
3. Peter & Alexandra Perzu 614
4. Kris Suakjian & Briana Haft 610
5. Vladimir Popov & Eulia Baranovsky 587
6. David & Natalie Schultz 574
7. John Selby & Lisa Cristiani 441
8. David Weise & Barbala Bunnett 3
8. Mariusz Zakrzewski & Stephanie Betts 3
8. Frank & Angela Gillitzer 3
8. Nick Cheremukhin & Anna Shahbazyan 3
8. Brodie Kaster & Selena Pribyl 3
Results from Leg 1 - Hotlanta Dancesport
1. Slawek Sochacki & Marzena Stachura 129.7
2. Mazen Hamza & Izabella Jundzill 122.5
3. Peter & Alexandra Perzu 110
4. Mayo Alanen & Michelle Officer 109.3
5. Travis & Jaimee Tuft 92.4
6. Vladimir Popov & Eulia Baranovsky 86.2
7. Mark Short & Alyssa Kark 71.4
8. Yuriy Simakov & Oksana Klyuchnyk 3
8. Kris Suakjian & Briana Haft 3
8. Nick Cheremukhim & Anna Shahbazan 3
Capezio DBS Stars Invitational!
(Dance Beat Smooth Stars Invitational)
Date: Thu, Nov 3rd, 2011 11:01:26 am
Author: Dance Beat
The complete rules for the Capezio Dance Beat Smooth Tour
1. The normal 4-dance Smooth competition will be danced. The Skating System will be used to tabulate the results. Prize money as advertised by the organizers of the competition will be awarded as usual for the 4-dance group competition.
Additionally the top six will be awarded points per dance, per placement that they will carry forward into the Showdance competition as follows:
1st – 6 points
2nd - 5 points
3rd – 4 points
4th – 3 points
5th – 2 points
6th – 1 points
If couples tie in a dance, the points for the 2 positions will be added and each couple will receive half the total.
Couples placed 7th – 12th inclusive will automatically receive 3 (total) points towards future events in the tour.
In the event of ties that preclude a 6-couple final the Chairman of Judges will select the number of couples to dance in the final. All couples that dance in the final will perform the solo routine. Points from the group competition will still be awarded as in the table above. If only 5 couples dance in the final couples placing 6th – 12th will receive the semifinalist 3 points only. If there are more than 6 couples in the final, 6th and lower placements will each receive 1 point for the dance.
- Prior to the final of the group competition all 12 couples will be brought back to the floor and we will announce the finalists. We will then introduce the remaining couples and ask the audience to text a vote for the remaining couples, here anyone can vote. If the event is broadcast live the people at home can also vote as well for these couples. The final is then danced, giving the audience time to vote. At the end of the prize presentation for the group competition the winner of the wild card will be introduced. This couple would move into the solos with 3 points total.
2. The finalists will be invited to compete in the DBS Stars Invitational. Here each couple will perform a solo routine. Routines should be 4 minutes or less. There are no restrictions on material. Props can only be used if they are attached to the dancer or costume. Nothing can be placed on the floor as “scenery” including chairs.
3. The six couples will dance in order of their placements in the group event with 6th place going first. 9 judges will be selected to judge the solo routine. They will have 5 different scores for each couple.
a. Storyline and Artistry (was the routine more than just steps, did the routine have a storyline, did they bring their storyline forward through musicality and interpretation). 20 points.
b. Difficulty. (Were the steps easy to do or was it a difficult routine) 20 points
c. Technical performance. (entrances and exits, connections etc.) Points should be deducted for any obvious errors – missed lifts, missed connections, falls, etc. 25 points
d. Creativity and originality (is the routine clever, were there any groupings that were unique even if they were not performed well). 25 points
e. Clarity. (Was the work clear and easy to follow, both physically as well as developmentally) 10 points
The judges’ scores will be collected after each solo performance. The highest and lowest score for each couple will be removed.
The audience will be asked to text for their favorite routine following the completion of all the solos.
4. The winner of the competition will be decided by adding the total points from the solo routine and the points from the group competition together. The highest number is the winner. The following additional prize money will be awarded.
1. $1,000.00
2. $ 800.00
3. $ 600.00
4. $ 500.00
5. $ 400.00
6. $ 300.00
7. $ 200.00
5. In the event of a tie for any position the text votes from the audience will be used to determine the winner. Should there still be a tie the two couples will be asked to duel. Four envelopes denoting the four dances will be brought forward and one will be selected. These two couples will dance that dance and whoever wins this dance will win the position in question. 5 judges from the solo judging panel will be selected at random to judge the tiebreak and the Skating System will be used to determine the winner of the dance. The tiebreak will determine the result for the individual competition but the points carried forward will reflect a tie.
Date: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 11:20:00 am
Author: USA Dance
Official response from Lydia Scardina, President USA Dance
Wednesday July 13th, 2011 - TO: ALL MEMBERS OF USA DANCE, OUR ASSOCIATES, SUPPORTERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE DANCE COMMUNITY AT LARGE FROM:
President Lydia Scardina,
On Behalf of USA Dance, Inc, Official Release from USA Dance Inc.
Regarding NDCA Suspension 7-13-11
USA Dance wishes to inform you about actions taken at the recent National Dance Council of America (NDCA) semi-annual meeting in Dallas on July 9, 2011 as it pertains to USA Dance, as well as the decisions made by the Governing Council of USA Dance in response to those actions.
USA Dance representatives present at the July 9 NDCA meeting were myself and our Vice President of DanceSport Ken Richards. Without any notice prior to arriving at the NDCA meeting, a demand was made by the NDCA that USA Dance immediately move the date and location of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Adjudicators' Congress that USA Dance had previously scheduled to take place following the Ohio Star Ball in Columbus, Ohio on November 20, 2011. The stated reason for this demand was the recent NDCA policy that no WDSF event may be held in conjunction with an NDCA event. Please note that USA Dance is a member of the WDSF, which is the new name for the former IDSF, International DanceSport Federation. The WDSF has a membership of over 88 countries around the world, and it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body for DanceSport worldwide.
USA Dance, as the official WDSF member in the U.S. had been designated as the organizer of the WDSF Adjudicators' Congress in this country. All judges who desire to judge WDSF competitions around the world are required every two years to attend a WDSF Adjudicators' Congress in order to maintain their current WDSF adjudicator's license.
It should also be noted that this Congress was to be held entirely at USA Dance expense after the conclusion of the Ohio Star Ball
During the NDCA meeting, USA Dance responded that it would need to consult with its Governing Council on the matter of the WDSF Congress and would be in a position to respond within a week. However, the NDCA demanded that USA Dance give immediate assurance that it would move the WDSF Adjudicator's Congress to a different date and time. When USA Dance again reiterated that it must first consult with its Governing Council of USA Dance, the NDCA moved to a vote to suspend USA Dance's membership in the NDCA without providing USA Dance representatives with the requested week's time or indeed any time at all for purposes of consultation. USA Dance abstained from this vote, which was passed by the other members of the NDCA without any further discussion of remedy, grievance procedures or time duration.
Unfortunately, the NDCA has suspended USA Dance's membership without following its own Constitution and ByLaws. The By Laws of the NDCA state that in the event of a complaint against a member organization, the Secretary of the NDCA shall notify the president of the organization against whom a complaint has been filed by certified mail, who will then have an opportunity to respond. This procedure was not followed with regard to the action taken against USA Dance. No letter was sent to the president of USA Dance outlining the complaint, indicating the remedy sought and the action the NDCA was planning to take in the event of noncompliance. Had the NDCA followed its own By Laws, the USA Dance Governing Council would have had an opportunity to discuss the matter and formulate a reply, and the USA Dance representatives would have come to the NDCA meeting prepared to discuss it.
What happened instead was that the USA Dance representatives were placed in the untenable position of having to either immediately acquiesce to a course of action or face retribution. In fact, the action taken against USA Dance was not taken because USA Dance said it would not move the Congress, but because USA Dance expressed its desire to consult with the rest of its Governing Council before providing a response to the NDCA.
USA Dance is the National Governing Body for DanceSport in the United States, recognized by both the WDSF and the U.S. Olympic Committee. It has a long standing written agreement with the NDCA guaranteeing its full autonomy as the sole governing body of amateur ballroom dancing in the U.S. to the extent required by the USOC.
USA Dance is an all-volunteer, democratic organization that serves both DanceSport athletes and those professions that work with athletes, as well as social dancers and dance supporters who are members and affiliates of its 180 chapters nationwide. USA Dance members have a voice and a vote in their organization.
Furthermore, USA Dance has a clearly defined discipline and grievance procedure that is used to resolve issues in dispute among its members. It does not take preemptory action against individuals or bodies without following the proper established procedures, and always provides a fair and equitable opportunity for parties to respond before taking action.
Since our beginning, USA Dance has assisted athletes, judges and organizers who have faced disciplinary action by other bodies, so we take very seriously any action taken against our own organization. Therefore, when a demand is made to move an already announced and planned event that is four and a half months in the future, USA Dance will only consider such an action or change in a thoughtful, measured and deliberative manner, and not under threat of suspension.
USA Dance informed the NDCA that it would be calling for a meeting of its Governing Council, which represents the full membership of the organization. That teleconference was held Tuesday evening, July 12, 2011, at which time the matter in question was thoroughly discussed.
During that teleconference, the Governing Council of USA Dance unanimously made the following decisions:
1. Given the NDCA's move to immediately discipline, fine or otherwise punish judges, lecturers, organizers or other officials who participate in WDSF competitions or congresses, the Governing Council of USA Dance has determined that holding the planned WDSF adjudicators' Congress on November 20, 2011 in Columbus Ohio would not be productive at this time. Therefore, the Governing Council of USA Dance concluded that the WDSF Adjudicators' Congress should be postponed to another place and time where it can better serve those interested in obtaining a WDSF Adjudicators' License.
The Governing Council believes it is the decision of each individual judge, holding a WDSF judging license or wishing to obtain one, to determine if, when and where they will participate in future WDSF Congresses, as such opportunities for participation exist in numerous places around the globe. The Governing Council of USA Dance urges the NDCA to reconsider its actions to take punitive action against its own registrants, many of whom are respected friends and colleagues of both the NDCA and USA Dance, as this is not in the best interest of either organization. Such threat of action by the NDCA against dance professionals would only generate considerable unhappiness and ill will, and again USA Dance does not believe that this is in the best interest of all participants, who celebrate our country's wealth of opportunity, where individuals can participate openly and freely in activities of their choice.
2. Furthermore, the Governing Council of USA Dance has instructed that the NDCA be sent a letter outlining its belief that the NDCA actions taken to indefinitely suspend USA Dance were not consistent with the procedures governing the suspension of member organizations established within the NDCA Constitution, and, therefore, the suspension of USA Dance by the NDCA is considered null and void.
USA Dance recognizes that at such time as the NDCA wishes to suspend one of its member organizations, as stipulated by its own bylaws, it must first provide advance written notice and provide full opportunity for a proper response. Since that process was not followed with regard to the action brought against USA Dance, the vague and indefinite suspension period established and the possible ramifications of the actions that may flow from that suspension, USA Dance believes that it would be prudent for the NDCA to immediately rescind the suspension.
We are aware of the growing animosity which the NDCA holds toward the WDSF, and find it is most unfortunate that USA Dance has been caught in the middle of a battle it did not create and which it believes can and should be avoided. Whereas less than a year ago, the WDSF Adjudicators' Congress was held annually at the Embassy Ball, an NDCA-sanctioned event, and judges were able to attend freely and to judge WDSF competitions as well as all USA Dance competitions without fear of reprisal, now there are growing restrictions on judges, organizers and other officials and a growing attempt by the NDCA to restrict the ability of USA Dance to conduct the activities for which it was founded.
This is not in the best interest of DanceSport in the United States, and we sincerely hope that the NDCA will reconsider its strategy and pursue a more positive path that will help and not hinder the growth and further development of DanceSport in America.
Lydia Scardina, President USA Dance Inc.
Date: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 11:17:32 am
Author: NDCA
USA Dance (WDSF Affliatie in USA) has been suspended ffrom the NDCA (Nationjal Dance council of America)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following statement has been released by the National Dance Council of America, Inc.
During a meeting of the full Board of Governors of the National Dance Council of America, Inc. (NDCA), the membership of USA Dance, the constitutionally ‘recognized amateur body’, was suspended. This action was taken after a unanimous ‘vote to suspend’ was given by the Member organizations. (USA Dance abstained in this vote; parliamentary procedure records abstentions as a no-vote thereby making the vote unanimous.)
Unfortunately the climate in the dance world is not now the same as it was 18 months ago based on requirements by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF), formerly International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF), requiring their affiliate national bodies to institute a full professional division. The status of USA Dance as a member of the NDCA has been called into question by their plans to hold a congress to certify professionals for WDSF. Such action by one of its members is in direct conflict with the constitution of the NDCA, thereby leaving no recourse but to proceed in the direction taken by the Board of Governors.
NDCA is aware of the rhetoric and speculation being posted on multiple blogs and web sites, and has released this statement to provide an accurate account of the situation.
July 13, 2011 For Immediate Release: National Dance Council of America
The NDCA has received many questions in regard to its’ statement issued on Sunday July 10th concerning the suspension of its member, USA Dance, which was imposed by NDCA’s Board of Governors on Saturday July 9, 2011.
Yesterday, USA Dance released its’ own statement. NDCA wishes to clarify the following:
1. USA Dance: NDCA reiterates that, as stated in its release, the vote of the Board of Governors to suspend its member USA Dance was in direct response to action taken by USA Dance.
2. No separate notice regarding this action has been sent to NDCA registered officials. Therefore, all NDCA registered officials should continue to abide by the rules as specified in the current 2011 NDCA Rule Book.
Date: Tue, Jul 19th, 2011 6:16:16 pm
Author: USA Dance Press Release
A further press release from USA Dance concerning their suspension from NDCA
July 19, 2011
To: All Members of USA Dance, Our Associates and Supporters
We realize that the confusion created by the NDCA's public announcement surrounding our "suspension" has triggered many questions and concerns, but at USA Dance, it is business as usual. We are an independent, self-governing organization. Our membership in the NDCA has always been a voluntary and willing participation, and we viewed it as a part of our contribution to sustaining goodwill and positive relationships within the fast-growing dance world.
USA Dance as a non-profit organization has always represented the best interests of competitors and social dancers across America. Our prevailing mission remains unaltered -- to increase and improve ballroom dancing opportunities throughout our country, and for all Americans.
In the midst of the growing public discussions related to the suspension, there are three important, but unfounded concerns we would like to correct:
-- USA Dance wants to assure our members that it has never been, and it is not now our intent to restrict or prevent our DanceSport athletes' participation in any NDCA competition or dance activity. Our members should continue to attend all the NDCA competitions they have always enjoyed.
-- The good relationships our chapters have formed with their local dance professionals and studios are vitally important to our mission and we encourage our chapters to continue such good relationships. USA Dance welcomes this long-standing involvement with open arms, and we are grateful for the enrichment it brings to our dancers.
-- USA Dance will continue inviting NDCA-registered officials to officiate and participate at USA Dance competitions, at all levels -- local, regional and national. We are grateful for their continuing support of our programs and athletes' pursuit of excellence and opportunity.
The USA Dance Governing Council is grateful for the outpouring of support that we have received from our members, and we look forward in the future to increasing their dance opportunities further. At this time, USA Dance would like to assure all of its members - individual dancers, leaders for our 180 chapters and our DanceSport athletes -- that in spite of the NDCA's decision to suspend our organization, USA Dance and all of its programs and activities will continue as they have in the past, without interruption and with the continuing support from our National organization.
Lydia Scardina, President
USA Dance, Inc.
National Dance Council of America - July 15th 2011
Date: Sat, Jul 16th, 2011 11:09:30 am
Author: NDCA Press Release
It has been NDCA's intent not to enter into rhetoric and recrimination in regard to the suspension of its member USA Dance (USAD,) thus the releases put out by the Council have been short and purely factual. It would be hard to say the same of the most recent release from USAD, therefore it has become necessary to respond in some length to the misleading accusations published on Wednesday evening. However, first it should be said that, while the two associations have had their differences, NDCA has been a strong supporter of USAD since its inception by Normand Martin, and through many ups and downs in its fortunes over the years, as even a quick perusal of the association's history will clearly show.
The NDCA and its members are professional organizations; the members of the organizations are also professionals. Dancing is their livelihood, not their hobby: it is the way they pay their bills, raise and educate their children, and put food on their tables. Understandably then, their point of view may be somewhat different from that of an organization of self labeled 'volunteers' whose job security and quality of life does not depend on the business of dance or dancing. NDCA is happy to include among its registrants many amateur dancers; we value their participation and look forward to continuing to welcome them at NDCA competitions and championships.
Contrary to the statement made by USAD, NDCA has made no attempt to restrict the ability of USA Dance to conduct its activities; USA Dance is free to do what it decides to do. However, in the matter of the WDSF Congress USAD knowingly disregarded the rules of the NDCA, of which it is a member, and of which it had full knowledge. The published 2011 NDCA Rule Book contains a statement as follows: "NDCA organizers are not allowed to accept sanction or recognition from any other organization unless approval is given by the NDCA. It is the decision of this council that approval under this rule will not be given to IDSF sanctioned events for the foreseeable future."
On January 30, 2011, the USAD Dance Sport VP, Mr. Ken Richards, wrote to the president of NDCA regarding the IDSF congress, asking " ... will the NDCA object to another venue such as Ohio Star Ball? In other words does the new restriction only cover IDSF competitions?" The reference to "...another venue...." being a reference to the fact that IDSF Congresses have been held for the past 5 years at the Embassy Ball, as mentioned in the USAD Wednesday release. Indeed, the owners of the Embassy Ball have been extremely supportive of USA Dance, organizing and hosting these congresses for USAD at their own cost, supplying the venue and the services of Embassy expert judges to lecture, free of any charge to USAD. Further, Embassy Ball organized and completely sponsored the entire professional show of six couples for the USA Dance organized World Championship in Brooklyn last fall. Given that one of the owners of Embassy Ball is the NDCA president, these are hardly the actions of a professional organization intent on restricting USA Dance.
Mr. McDonald replied to Mr. Richards the same day, Jan 30, 2011, "At this point in time we are not prepared to have any of our NDCA organizers involved in any IDSF activity." A Judge's Congress is a sanctioned IDSF, now WDSF, activity where approval is given by IDSF/WDSF and is a required qualification for an IDSF/WDSF judge's license. Nothing further was heard from USAD about this matter. Evidently, a decision was taken to completely ignore this correspondence and move ahead without regard to, and in full knowledge of, how the professional organization felt, and in direct contradiction to NDCA's clearly stated position. NDCA learned of the congress through USAD's recent advertising.
Also contrary to the Wednesday release, NDCA has not moved "...to immediately discipline, fine or otherwise punish judges, lecturers, organizers or other officials who participate in WDSF competitions or congresses...." thereby inferring that the NDCA is the big bad guy. On the contrary, on Wednesday morning, several hours before this long USAD release was posted, NDCA put out a release telling its professionals that, despite USAD's suspension, they may continue to do following this action, exactly what they were doing before it, "to abide by the current 2011 Rule Book." USAD president, Ms Lydia Scardina, was sent a courtesy copy of this release prior to its posting, and therefore had full knowledge of this position before USAD's erroneous statements were posted. NDCA's Rule Book, as it relates to USA Dance and judges, has not changed in very many years.
Further, on Tuesday July 12, 2011, a full day before the USAD Wednesday release, in a conversation with one of the professionals contracted as a lecturer by USAD for the WDSF Congress, the NDCA president instructed that professional "to fulfill your contract with USAD." Once again then, the statements made by USAD demonstrate misleading rhetoric at best. NDCA counts among its registered professional judges a number that have chosen to become IDSF judges, who currently hold IDSF licenses, and who are current professional members of USA Dance. NDCA has made no statement regarding these licenses; it has stopped no one from becoming licensed by IDSF, and several of the NDCA officers hold, or have held, IDSF licenses.
For more that sixty three years, NDCA has worked diligently to promote ballroom dancing through its teachers, registrants, organizations, and competition organizers; for the past forty five years the NDCA has been a member of the World Dance Council, formerly ICBD. There have been many changes over the years in the transition of the International Council of Ballroom Dancers to World Dance Council, just as there have been many changes in the transition of the International Council of Amateur Dancers (ICAD) to the International Dance Sport Federation and, most recently, to World Dance Sport Federation, this is to be expected. The lines between professional and amateur have been blurred so as to be almost impossible to determine, but NDCA and WDC have always been the professional organizations, administering to the profession, and it is true that the NDCA leadership have tried to have world bodies stay out of USA affairs, stating strongly "Leave us alone!" and managing for a very long time to do just that, since WDC has never interfered in the NDCA's relationship with USA Dance or with NDCA business in America.
However, when IDSF became WDSF earlier this year, its change of name solidified its new position and vision of itself as an international body that now incorporates a professional division, that runs professional competitions, qualifies judges, and bans couples and judges from participating, not only in events in Europe, but now in the USA too. The world's leading amateur champions were banned from participating in the Grand Slam in the USA; judges contracted by USA Dance for the IDSF World Championships in Brooklyn were banned one week prior to the event, and were removed by USAD.
This professional division was formerly the International Professional Dance Sport Council. IPDSC was an independent and completely autonomous professional body, which intended to work in harmony with the IDSF. The NDCA was a member of the IPDSC under the registered name of 'Dance Sport America.' In October 2009, the IDSF completely absorbed the IPDSC into its main body, thereby making it the IDSF professional division: Dance Sport America resigned immediately, therefore to say that this current issue is one between NDCA and WDSF is untrue; NDCA has no relationship with WDSF. USA Dance is its member, with whom it has a relationship; its professional relationship is with WDC.
In closing, there is naturally a great deal more to this small history lesson than can be discussed here and there are always two sides to every story. NDCA recognizes that an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation should prevail in all its dealings with both its members and all other organizations, and had expected that USA Dance and NDCA would negotiate to iron out their differences in just such an atmosphere, not the current one of public pillorying with unfounded and misleading rhetoric as initiated by USA Dance with their Wednesday release.
DTV German 10-Dance Championship
Date: Thu, Jun 2nd, 2011 10:15:43 am
Author: Helmut Roland
Helmut Roland reports and shoots photos from the DTV Championship in Wetzler. Also featuring a critique of the finalists by Asis Khadjeh-Nouri
25 couples had come to enter the German Championship Ten Dance 2011. Looking at the list of participants, experts of the dance sport scene in Germany knew there would be a hard fight. Would Valentin Lusin and Renata Busheeva from “TD TSC Düsseldorf Rot-Weiß” – German Champions 10 Dance since 2009 – be able to defend the title a third time? Valentin and Renata had shown a really good performance at the European Championship Ten Dance in Moscow two weeks before. They achieved the finals rounds and won 6th place. 
Everyone knew that Anton Skuratov and Alena Uehlin from “Grün-Gold-Club Bremen” would be the hardest challenger of Valentin and Renata. In 2011 it was the fifth year Anton & Alena tried to be placed ahead of Valentin and Renata in a German championship. Every year since 2007 they were set one place behind.
Anton and Alena are specialists in the Latin section. Only one month ago they achieved 4th place in the German Championship Latin, just 2 places better than Valentin and Renata who attained 6th place. Remembering this result Valentin and Renata had to win all dances in the Standard section. So far the theory. And what about the reality?
Get the full report in Edition 0611. Download for FREE!
Date: Wed, May 18th, 2011 10:52:31 am
Author: Didio Barrera
Close to eighty people visit Cuba on a cultural exchange, to learn more about the root of Latin music
Just as we thought it could not get any better with fabulous shows, music, informative dance classes, the last night in Havana rivaled all the rest. We were picked up at the hotel Melia around 4 in the afternoon and taken to the Ballet, Opera house were I saw possibly one of the best Ballets ever, it was the Cuban Version of “Swan Lake”( El Lago de Los Sisnes.” In the coming article here on Dance Beat I will tell you how I saw it from beginning to end and why it was so special to me. But this was not all, after the Ballet they took us for a farewell dinner to the heart of Old Havana, the buses dropped us and we then had to walk a few blocks and as we entered the square our mouths dropped! The square had been set up for our formal dinner, we had music, drinks, but all right in front 
of the stunning Cathedral with a full moon over our heads it was absolutely gorgeous!
I was not able to blog while in Cuba due to the fact that their internet system sucks! So as I promised I will now summarize what happened in that week and later I will do a complete article entitled “La Clave de Tu Santo!” (The key to your saint). We arrived in Cuba and from the moment we were at Miami Airport you had to go with the flow, just to tell you that I ended up counting the overweight money helping the ticket agent at the register counter, would tell you 
a little how flexible you had to be on this trip. Many of the activities planned for us changed at a moment’s notice unbeknownst to even the organizers at times. However, I think the changes were all for the best and 99% of the time they were right to change and I will explain in my article here soon. Besides, Cuba taught me that when you are on an island, especially an isolated island, you are on island time, you had to let go.
The Beach at Varadero is possibly one of the best beaches I have ever seen and swam in, the all inclusive resort Melia Las Americas was terrific and the shows in the Xanadu Mansion own by the Dupont family and the 
Cardenas theater modern ballet were amazing. Once in Havana the welcome dinner and dance were fantastic. All I can say is my inner saint could not stop dancing. The rumba, chacha, mambo, salsa lessons were an eye-opener for all including myself and I confirmed my suspicions that Latin dancing is getting a little too far from the mark and we
are losing the essence and the flavor of many of the dances. I will explain this in my article as well.
So how was Cuba? Putting any politics aside, fantastic! My new wife Olivia as well as my girlfriend Patience all three of us managed to get into plenty of mischief trying to realize our inner saints. The organizers were all very helpful and accommodating considering many of the changes were out of their control. Nevertheless, I do not think one person on the trip would want to do Cuba any other way. Congratulations to the Fantasy Tour organizers for making this fantasy come true for me and all present, you sure know how to give a grand tour.
IDSF European Championship Ten Dance 2011 in Moscow
Date: Sat, May 7th, 2011 12:16:27 pm
Author: Helmut Roland
Excellent Performance / Change of Champions / Great Emotions at …
Timur Imametdinov / Ekaterina Nikolaeva (Russian Federation) Win the Title
Read the full story in Edition 0511-1
Report and photos by Helmut Roland
DANCEFORUM 2011 was held April 7th – 10th at Druschba Hall in Moscow. The IDSF European Championship Ten Dance was the highlight of this year`s 13th Moscow Open, which again was professionally organized by Moscow Dance Sport Federation (MDSF), represented by Valery and Galina Gulay.
The most exciting questions of the evening were:
(1) 
Would titleholder Björn Bitsch and Ashli Williamson from Denmark, who had also become World Champions in 10 Dance, November 2010 in Vienna, be able to defend their title “European Champions in 10 Dance” that they had won last year in Chisinau, Moldova?
(2) What about the chances of Csaba Laszlo and Anna Mikes from Hungary to win the title? Csasba and Anna had become No. 1 in the IDSF world ranking list ahead of Björn & Ashli, who ranked at the 2nd position.
(3) Would Timur Imametdinov and Ekaterina Nikolaeva from Russian Federation, actually No. 3 in the IDSF world ranking list, be able to overtake one or both of the leading couples? How strong would the home field advantage be?
Get the answers to these questions and a review by Dirk Heidermann in Edition 0511-1
Riccard & Yulia Win WDC World Latin for 2nd Time
Date: Sat, May 7th, 2011 12:08:22 pm
Author: Vibeke Toft
I was very honored to be the official US adjudicator for the 2011 World Professional Latin American Championship in Moscow, Russia. The event took place at the historic Kremlin Palace and the organizers provided the outmost elegant evening for couples, adjudicators and audiences alike. For the full story download Edition 0511-1
photos by Vladimir Kosarev
52 couples from 30 countries took part in this championship and with 5 rounds to complete before the 2011 champion could be crowned it soon became evident that this evening would be a breathtaking thriller right from the start.
This year saw the introduction of a basic dance to the World Championship. In each round one of the five dances had to be basic and was marked equally to the other four dances. In the first round it was Samba, the second round Paso, then Jive, Rumba and for the final the Cha Cha. I think this is an excellent concept. For years now we have seen an explosion of development through choreographic effects. This requirement puts the focus back on music and partnering, which for one I highly applaud. It sets a great example for the younger generations and will enable the dancers to truly develop the quality of movement from foot to foot. I am so very pleased with the decision and hope that this concept will remain part of the Championship in the future whether in this particular format or similar, so long as it will have a significant part of the assessment.
Prior to this year's championship there had been some controversy regarding the selection of adjudicators. Obviously being one of those selected adjudicators I would like to give my personal comment in relation to this topic.
Since 1987, the year I started competing internationally, I cannot recall any event where the issue of fair selection has not been discussed and questioned. It is and has been the one most difficult issue to actually find a real solution to, that is complete. In all situations in life there are various degrees of politics. A gathering of human beings creates this scenario. It is inevitable. As dancers we are aware of those complications and yet due to our passion for dance we choose to take part in competitions and we overlook the complications surrounding politics by burying ourselves within the art of dance. The main difference in today's dancers compared to previous generations is that the couples seem so much more focused and I would say almost obsessed with these aspects. It is unhealthy for the soul and definitely not good for the art. There is never such a thing as a sure bet! In any given scenario one small change of events filters down and can create unexpected results. If I competed today in this ever-changing dance scene with so many pockets of networks worldwide, I would not waste my energy on trying to predict the outcome of a certain event. Often, if one does so, the dancer actually creates that particular scenario themselves by dancing accordingly. I actually believe this to be the case tonight. In life I choose to believe in right and wrong and I do believe that in life you receive back what you give out. I also believe that the vast majority of adjudicators that have competed at a serious level themselves, will be true to the art and not let personal taste and style interfere with their ability to assess the couple's true skills and performance of the night. The dancers must have hope and attack their dance careers with excitement, instead of being cynical. I cannot imagine how awful it would be if the younger generations did not look at life with great expectations and aspirations. The funny thing is that I believe the dancers are the ones with the power to stop this circle if they so wish. Politics has and always will be there, to which extent is in the hand of the dancers!
The 2011, and thus successfully defending their world Championship title, from The United States of America, Ricardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko. Congratulations! Well deserved. They gave it everything they had right from the start, they looked hungry, excited and took nothing for granted. They knew that they had to dance the best they possibly could on the night and they absolutely did just that. The balance between fighting for the title and yet being relaxed enough to really let the body flow and be real is so difficult to find. I must say that in the earlier rounds they looked a little too trying at times, however when they stepped onto the floor for their presentation dance it was if a different focus and calmness came over them and everything fell into place. They are of course fabulous dancers and their skills are of the highest level, but what has previously puzzled me is why when I watch them I feel that their couple skills never truly matched their individual skills. This may sound strange but for me their biggest hurdle has been to find the right chemistry as a couple. Obviously this is a mixed cocktail of principals used and styling through choreographic patterns which in turn manifest as internal or external awareness. Ricardo is such a musical, natural mover with the perfect balance between masculinity and artistry, Yulia has amazingly great legs and feet, a speed I have never seen matched by any female dancer, I watch her I feel that this girl can do anything. Yet until recently I always felt that the picture perfect approach became too perfect and therefore there was a coldness surrounding the couple. I have watched a change taking place in their approach over the past 6 - 12 months. Tonight and especially in the final I saw not only fabulous dancers but a fabulous couple. Well done!!!
For the rest of the story download Edition 0511-1
DTV German Championship Latin 2011
Date: Sat, Apr 23rd, 2011 7:34:02 pm
Author: Helmut Roland
Sergey & Viktoria Tatarenko win the title!
photos by Helmut Roland www.sportevent-photography.de
The “Glockenspitzenhalle” in Krefeld became the stage for the DTV German Championship Latin 2011 on March 19th. Krefeld is a city of 230,000 inhabitants, not far from Düsseldorf in the north-west part of Germany. The residents of Krefeld are proud of their history. During the 18th and 19th century, Krefeld was a famous center procuring velvet and silk. This is the historical reason for calling Krefeld the “city of velvet and silk” even today.
At the South Wall of Krefeld you can meet silk weaver “Master Ponzelar” with a roll of silk on his shoulder, a monument recalling former days.
The German Dancesport Federation (DTV) had awarded the arrangement of the German Championship Latin 2011 to TC-Seidenstadt Krefeld e.V. The organizer had furbished the “Glockenspitzhalle” as a perfect arena for the championship. 72 couples had come to find the German Master of Latin dancing. After five preliminary rounds the nine adjudicators had qualified 6 couples for the finals.
The audience saw an exciting final with good performances from all couples. The winners from last year, Timo Kulczak – Motshegetsi Mabuse, finished dancing together in July 2010. So they could not defend the title. The panel had to find a new champion today.
Read the story by Helmut Roland in Edition 0411-1
Read the critique by Dirk Heiderman in Edition 0411-2
IDSF European Championship Latin 2011, Marseille, France
Date: Sat, Apr 23rd, 2011 7:23:29 pm
Author: Helmut Roland
Zoran Plohl & Tatsiana Lahvinovich superior in all dances!
Read the whole story in Edition 0411-2
photos by Helmut Roland www.sportevent-photography.de
It was high noon on this Saturday, March 26th, at “Palais des Sports” in Marseille (France). Dancesport athletes from 37 European Countries prepared for the annual IDSF European Championship in Latin American dances. Nine adjudicators from different countries had come to Marseille to find the new European Champions in Latin dancing out of 69 Latin couples this afternoon and evening.
Even in the afternoon at 3 p.m. when the competition was started, the “Palais des Sports” was well attended by a competent audience. The atmosphere was very sportive this afternoon. After the 1st round and re-dance 48 couples were qualified for the 2nd round. Now it was the time to select for the nine adjudicators. 24 couples were qualified for the 3rd round and 12 couples got a ticket to the semifinals in the evening.
The “Palais des Sports” in the meantime had nearly filled with 2,000 people watching the event. All 69 couples participating in the European Championship were asked to join the presentation parade where IDSF President Carlos Freitag welcomed all spectators, couples and adjudicators. He also thanked Jean Vagnol, President of “Club des Amateurs de Dense de Marseille”, for organizing the European Championship Latin 2011.
Winner and European Champion in the section of Latin American Dancing became Zoran Plohl & Tatsiana Lahvinovich from Croatia. Zoran & Tatsiana won all dances by the votes of the majority of the nine adjudicators. Indeed there were also some other votings from 4 adjudicators setting the couple at places 2 – 4 or even 5...........
Read the whole story in Edition 0411-2
