A M E R I C A N Dancer

Dancer
A M E R I C A N
First Step
Highly successful chapter president shares
her secrets to taking the first step.
Dance Workshops
Workshops and dance camps across the nation.
Find one near you!
Batons and
Ballroom
New alliance with WBTF opens
performance opportunity.
Official Publication of USA Dance
National Ballroom Dance Week: September 16-25
www.usadance.org
September - October 2011
Issue 32
On the Cover
Photo Courtesy of Florida Dance Spree
8 First Step
As President of District 9 and Greater Daytona Chapter
Marta Pascale shares how rewarding a step in the right
direction can be.
14 Dance Workshops
Workshops and dance camps are going on around the
nation, and here are some you won’t want to miss.
46 Batons and Ballroom
USA Dance members performed at International Baton
Twirling Championships after recent alliance with WBTF.
Inside the Cover
Line of Dance
4
6
7
President’s Report
Editorial Information & Contributors
Important Announcements
14
In Step
42 Why Come to the NCC Formations Competition?
45 Batons and Ballroom
46 DanceMart
Dance Floor
8 The First Step
10 Amateurs and Professionals - The Differences
12 Jack Lebo: Orrin Tucker
14 Dance Workshops To Attend
20 USA Dance Cruise Update
22 Healing Our Heroes
24 Dance Weekend for Fun and Profit
On Beat
30
USA DANCE in the Public Eye
DanceSport
34 Beyond the Physical
38 Dine, Dance, Dream
41 DanceSport Volunteers
22
www.USADANCE.ORG
Photo By Joy Watson
2011 September - October 3
Presidents’
Report
In the last issue I wrote about the progress DanceSport has made
toward its acceptance by the International Olympic Committee
into the Pan American Games, and the value that will provide to
the dance world regardless of whether DanceSport ever becomes
an Olympic program sport. In this issue, I would like to discuss
another initiative which USA Dance is pursuing as we look to the
bright future for ballroom dancing in this country.
As a nationally recognized organization and the single largest
member-driven ballroom dance association in America that is
heavily involved in both DanceSport and social recreational dancing
through our 180 chapters across the country, USA Dance has as its
mission increasing the opportunity for all Americans to become
involved in the healthful activity that is ballroom dancing and
DanceSport.
A key area we will be concentrating on in the coming months and
years will be to find the funding to grow our programs, and we will
be looking very seriously at the opportunities presented by grants as
an important source of funding.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jean
Tauber to the volunteer position of Director of Development. This
is a voting position on the Governing Council of USA Dance, and
it will be Jean’s responsibility to identify and seek appropriate grant
opportunities at the national level for our organization.
Jean comes to us with substantial experience in grant writing
and administration, having worked as a Grant-Writing Consultant,
a Grants Administrator for a city, and a Contracts Administrator
for an aeronautical university. She has also had experience writing
grants at the chapter level. In agreeing to serve on the Governing
Council, Jean joins a group of dedicated volunteers who are working
at the national level in their various areas of expertise to meet the
dance needs of our members as they strive to achieve their
individual dance goals. We welcome Jean to the Governing Council
and look forward to working with her.
4 Line of Dance
There are many sports, social and health-oriented foundations
that offer grants to organizations like USA Dance in its efforts to get
Americans out of their seats and into a healthier more active lifestyle.
The United States Olympic Committee also provides grants to develop
and enhance sports programs for young people in local communities,
especially programs that instill the ideals of good sportsmanship and
fair play, and Jean will be identifying such grants, working with and
providing guidance and support to other USA Dance officials in the
preparation of grants, and in the administration of any grants received.
USA Dance is especially interested in obtaining grant funding for
such programs as a training camp for our World Team members as
they prepare for their performances at World Championships around
the world. Another area of great interest will be to identify grants to
fund demonstration programs aimed at the development of ballroom
dance curriculum in K-12 schools. Perhaps our chapters have
additional ideas for programs that could be developed with the help of
appropriate grant funding, and if so, we would love to hear about it.
Developing worthy programs and applying for appropriate grants
to help fund them falls directly in line with USA Dance’s goal to bring
ballroom dancing to individuals and communities across America. We
want children, young adults, and those in middle age and throughout
their senior years to look at ballroom dancing as an easily accessible,
fun and healthy activity to be engaged in throughout their lives.
Growing such programs and finding funding for them therefore
becomes an important part of the USA Dance mission.
Lydia T. Scardina
National President, USA Dance
www.USADANCE.ORG
2011 September - October 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: [email protected]
SENIOR VP Bill Rose, 949.842.8284 e-mail: [email protected]
SECRETARY Stan Andrews, 217.454.8879 e-mail: [email protected]
TREASURER Esther Freeman, 541.779.6787 e-mail: [email protected]
DANCESPORT VP Ken Richards, 302.290.2583 e-mail: [email protected]
SOCIAL VP Jean Krupa, 386.761.1625 e-mail: [email protected]
•
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-chief Shawn Fisher
MANAGING DIRECTOR Michael Mecham
WRITERS Ivor Lee • Michael Mecham
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
AD REPRESENTATIVE Angela Prince 704.507.2699
e-mail: [email protected]
•
Daphna Locker
Jack Lebo
Submissions
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 [email protected]
•
Jean Stoddard
Jen Brewer
Lorraine Fisher
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Check our Web Site - www.USADANCE.org
6 Line of Dance
Michael Mead
Dancer
A M E R I C A N
Highly successful chapter president shares
her secrets to taking the first step.
Dance Workshops
Workshops and dance camps across the nation.
Find one near you!
Batons and
Ballroom
New alliance with WBTF opens
performance opportunity.
Photo Taken By
Spring Rose Davison
Official Publication of USA Dance
National Ballroom Dance Week: September 16-25
September - October 2011
Marta Pascale
President of Greater
Daytona Chapter &
Area Coordinator
District 9
First Step
www.usadance.org
Cover Photo
Issue 32
Announcements
National Ballroom Dance Week
National Ballroom Dance Week (NBDW) will be taking place
September 16-25, 2011
For ideas or information about NBDW visit
http://usadance.org/social-dance/national-ballroom-dance-week/
USA Dance National Dance Cruise
The deadline to register for the USA Dance National Dance Cruise is
coming up. There is limited capacity, so if you would like to take part
in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you’d better hurry.
www.dancecruiseUSADance.com
National Chapter Conference
Planning for the National Chapter Conference is underway. The date has been set for
March 1-4, 2012. Invest in your chapter, come to Dallas, Texas, and learn how to take
your chapter to the next level.
New “Chapter Services” Link on USADance.org
We have added something new in the blue bar on the left side of the home page of the
national website at www.usadance.org to make it easier for chapter officers and board
members to locate entry to the document library and the chapters membership lists.
The Document Library
One of the benefits of being a USA Dance chapter is the wealth of support information included in the
document library to help guide our chapter board volunteers in most effectively managing their chapter.
Access to the document library is restricted to chapter board members and national volunteers.
The library is organized by topic folders to help locate what you need. It is helpful to download the Table
of Contents to more easily scan contents.
Please take advantage of this resource. There are guidelines on chapter management, how to plan special
events, music, health benefits of dance, dance mixers and much more.
www.USADANCE.ORG
2011 September - October 7
Marta Pascale:
First Step
Photos Taken By Spring Rose Davison
Cover Story
People begin filing in to Marta Pascale’s
beginning foxtrot lesson. A 40-something
woman sneaks in but is not the first to approach
the dance floor. A self-proclaimed “biker chick”,
she is clearly out of her element. But she’s always
wanted to dance.
Marta remembers when she stepped into
the studio the first time 25 years ago. No one
approached Marta or welcomed her. Panicked,
she turned around and walked out. Another
dance student noticed and followed her,
encouraging her to come back in. Class begins
and Marta tells everyone to get behind her as she
starts to demonstrate a basic step. Slowly, she
adds two, then three steps to the combination
as the class mirrors the movement behind her.
She’s doing the steps. The woman who rides
Harleys is dancing the foxtrot. After class she
tells Marta, “You touched my soul.”
The Greater Daytona Chapter #6026 has been
offering low-cost beginning dance lessons since
the fall of 2010—one strategy the chapter uses
to increase membership. The purpose is to teach
people who want to dance, no matter what age,
but might feel nervous attending the first class.
Because only one other instructor in the area
would volunteer to teach the classes, Marta
stepped in.
8 Dance Floor
Marta breaks down concepts, creating a
comfortable learning environment for timid
beginners. “It doesn’t matter how well I dance; it
matters how well I teach.”
She is an experienced teacher with the resume
to prove it. In her 35-year professional career
Marta has been a Spanish teacher, a French
teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and
a trainer of principals. “My career has prepared
me for the rewards, challenges and conflicts that
I have faced as chapter president.”
Teaching beginning ballroom lessons is one
of the tasks Marta loves to do as president of
the chapter, because, she says, it’s not about
her. The focus of the chapter should be the
members. Many are drawn to USA Dance after
divorce, death of a loved one, or simply needing
something in their lives.
Marta, who began to seriously dance at age 52,
knows it’s never too late to start. One 80-yearold man wrote on a survey, “Marta, I had huge
“The hardest part about learning to dance is
showing up for the lesson. Everyone can learn to
dance, but as with all things you must keep at it.”
Photo Courtesy of Shannon
Marta and Jerry
reservations when my daughter suggested I
learn to dance . . . I have made a number of new
friends through your classes, something I have
needed since losing my wife. Thank you for
making this difference in my life.”
Since Marta began as president, the chapter has
grown from about 125 to 255 members. She
has borrowed the philosophy from the Dallas
chapter of running it, but treating it like
a service.
Part of running USA Dance as a business
includes giving people benefits for becoming a
member. The Greater Daytona Chapter #6026
gives new members four times the value of the
membership fee through free classes offered by
local instructors/vendors.
Marta suggests to potential dancers: “The
hardest part about learning to dance is showing
up for the lesson. Everyone can learn to dance,
but as with all things you must keep at it.”
www.USAdance.ORG
Marta and John Pascale
Asking for volunteers has been a major factor for
Marta and the chapter’s success. Marta attributes
much of the growth to the free lessons offered
by her instructor and partner, Jerry Lawrence of
Lawrence Dance studio, who has donated $8500
worth of group lessons to the chapter’s members.
She and Jerry attract attention whenever they
dance together.
On a cruise ship, when Marta and Jerry served
as a Ballroom Dance Duo, a female passenger
commented, “When I watch you dance, I pretend
it is me.” Marta responded, “It could be you, with
time and lessons. Just a few years ago, I was the
one wishing I could dance.”
Marta was asked to give workshops on the USA
Dance National Dance Cruise this December,
and she will be offering four sessions. In these
sessions she will be giving tips on Recruiting and
Retaining Members, along with other ideas that
have helped her chapter get where it is today.
By Jean Stoddard
2011 September - October 9
Photo courtesy of Michael Mead
Amateurs & Pros:
The Differences
By Michael Mead
Michael and wife Toni Redpath were the the number one Americanstyle ballroom couple in the world and four-time U.S. ballroom
champions before retiring from competition in 2002.
Let’s look at a couple of stereotypical views. The
first is that Amateurs of all ages are hobbyists
who dance just for fun, who dance in their spare
time and do not earn an income from their
hobby. Also included in this stereotype is the
idea that amateurs are not as concerned about
the level of technical expertise brought to bear,
but are more interested in learning the next fun
move. For them it’s all about the feeling.
The second stereotype I would like to discuss
is that of a professional dancer. Encompassed
in this stereotype is the idea that a Professional
dancer earns the majority of their income by
teaching, competing or doing exhibitions,
and dancing is their full-time occupation. The
stereotypical professional dancer’s interest in
improving their skills is primarily related to the
higher fees they can charge for their teaching,
or the recognition and work opportunities
that open up from winning competitions. The
professional’s training is slanted more towards
technical improvement and establishing
effective training regimens in order to be more
competitive in the marketplace and on the
competition floor.
I’d like to discuss for a moment the “feeling”
discussed earlier that is sought after by the
amateurs. It is easy for the more advanced
competitive dancers, in both groups, to get
caught up in trying to be perfect technicians,
and then to lose sight of why it is they are trying
to acquire these skills in the first place. That is,
of course, in order to allow them to connect
and communicate on a more meaningful level
with their partners, and be a more effective
physical manifestation of the emotional message
10 Dance Floor
conveyed in the music as experienced in their
hearts and in the hearts of the audience.
Of course technique in dancing is also very
important. A less experienced dancer can greatly
benefit from instruction by a competent teacher
who can demonstrate how the application of
physics (gravity and centripetal force) can help
them move more efficiently and with less energy
output. This results in making the dancing more
enjoyable and less stressful, especially for older
dancer who may have reduced strength and
mobility.
The reality is that these days, especially amongst
the top competitors in both the amateur and
professional groups, there is a comparable
quality of dancing and professionalism exhibited
(think prior Amateur Ballroom Champion Victor
Fung and Amateur Latin Champions Eugene
Katsevman and Maria Munosova who have
had considerable success in the Professional
ranks). Since members of varying skills from
both groups also teach, is it safe to say there is
essentially no longer any real difference between
an Amateur and Professional dancer?
And if there is a singular lack of meaningful
distinction between the two groups would it
perhaps not make sense at this point in time to
reflect the reality of the situation, dispensing
with the term Professional and Amateur all
together, and instead employing a unifying
ranking system that covers all dancers? When
it comes down to it, there are many ways that
professionals and amateurs can both learn from
each other. They just have to be willing to learn.
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2011 September - October 11
LES
LESDeMERLE
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12 Dance Floor
20
ORRIN TUCKER 1911-2011
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who led a “sweet” big band
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fading ‘Beer Barrel Polka.’” The 2009 Amelia Island Jazz Festival with the
Dynamic Les DeMerle Big Band will be held
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AmeliaIslandJazzFestival.com and
www.LesDeMerleMusic.com.
through
the 1980s as owner of a popular Hollywood ballroom.
that drum virtuosos like Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson manned that
Photo of Orrin Tucker & Jack Lebo
After U.S. Navy service in World
War II, Tucker formed a new band and
tried to change his sound to a brassier
style of swing – only to hear from “hotel
managers who threatened to cancel any
return bookings if he didn’t go back to
the old sound, “Which I did,” he said. After playing himself in the 1975
TV movie, “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom,” Tucker plunged into a new
business venture by taking a defunct skating ring and transforming it into
the Stardust Ballroom on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
He broadened his repertoire to include songs such as, “Bad, Bad
Leroy Brown,” but he knew his days as a performer were nearing an end.
He shut down the ballroom in 1982, and worked in the real estate business
in Palm Springs, California.
“Orrin Tucker’s passing is probably more notable for the longevity
that preceded it, as well as for ‘Wee’ Bonne Baker’s contribution to the
band’s success,” said Rob Bamberger, host of “Hot Jazz Saturday Night”
program in Washington. “The wispy sound of the ‘sweet’ bands has
not stood up well with time,” Bamberger added, “but Tucker’s band was
certainly among the best of its sort.” Robert Orrin Tucker was born in
1911, in St. Louis, and grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. He had an early
ambition toward medicine, but also was drawn toward music as a child
when he saw a picture of a shiny saxophone in a Sears-Roebuck mail order
catalogue. He moonlighted as a musician while attending North Central
College in Naperville, Illinois, and found himself in such demand that he
formed his own band. He hired singer Evelyn Nelson on trumpeter Louis
Armstrong’s recommendation.
“He told me that she sings with a cute voice and that if I wrote cute
songs for her, I could make her a star,” Tucker told the publication, Jazz
Connection.
Thanks to writer Adam Bernstein for his contribution to this article.
www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 13
USA Dance
Chapter Workshops and Camps
The following USA Dance chapters will be hosting
dance workshops or camps in the coming months.
Photo Curtesey Of Tidewater
Workshops with multi-level classes give an opportunity for chapters to expand membership
by providing beginning dance lessons. At the same time, current members may attend classes
based on each person’s technical dance level. Workshops, however, do not have to be just
about improving technical skills. The most popular workshops are also about having fun.
Darlene Forbes, vice president of the USA Dance Tacoma Chapter #1023, said the workshop
organized by her chapter is an enjoyable and social event. Participants learn in ballroom
classes during the day and let loose in the evening at the dance. “Participants say that this is
the best event in the area and keep coming back year after year. I would like to thank our
chapter volunteers for the continued support of this event.”
14 Dance Floor
Tacoma, Washington
Grand Dance Extravaganza: Tribute to the Big Band Era
Where? South Park Community Center—4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Who is running it? USA Dance Tacoma Chapter #1023 has co-hosted the event
with Metro Parks Tacoma for 8 years.
About how many participants are expected? Forty people are expected
to attend the workshops and 80 people for the dance in the evening.
When? Saturday, Oct. 1, 2010.
What classes are being offered? Classes will be taught in ballroom, Latin,
salsa, night club 2-step, Argentine tango, and swing.
What is unique about this camp/workshop? This day camp is a fun
way for people to meet and work with local instructors. Qualified teachers from the area
will teach the workshops while making them fun and educational. Because the chapter is
doing a fundraiser for MPT Youth, the band is free. Attendees will dance to a live swing
band, youth dancers will perform, and Jack and Jill competitions and dance mixers will
www.USAdance.ORG
Photo Courtesy oF Tacoma Chapter
be held.
2011 September - October 15
Tidewater, Virginia
New Years Eve Magical Extravaganza
Where? The event this year will be held at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel on the Elizabeth
River, in Norfolk, VA. This will be the third year the event has been held at this venue. All
events will be held at the hotel.
Who is running it? The event is run by the Tidewater (Virginia) Chapter, USA
Dance, Inc #6008 operating from Virginia Beach, VA.
About how many participants are expected? This year 700 students are
expected to attend the 54 workshops that will be conducted. Several years the chapter has
held up to 60-65 workshops, and around 800-900 students attended.
When? Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.
What classes are being offered? Classes in American and International styles
will be provided, as well as all the ballroom dances in all skill levels. We also hold Theater
Arts workshops and a number of specialty workshops, which are 75 minutes in length.
What is unique about this camp/workshop? The camp is four straight days
of dancing. People come from all over the country to participate, sometimes to train with a
specific teacher. Private lessons are available from all the participating instructors. Vendors
provide various services including shoes (over 2000 pairs available), jewelry, clothing, and
massages. A Dinner Dance will be held Thursday followed by a New Years Eve Dance on
Saturday. The New Year is also celebrated with a champagne toast at midnight.
16 Dance Floor
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1108233686&key=231E5
www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 17
Florida/District 9
Florida Dance Spree
Where? Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring, FL
Who is running it? Jean Krupa, Social VP, USA Dance
About how many participants are expected? As many as 300
people have attended in years past.
When? Feb. 3-5, 2012
What classes are being offered? There will be 10 workshops.
What is unique about the workshop? This event is when the region of
21 chapters holds its annual Presidents meeting. Usually about 16 chapters attend. The
Florida Dance Spree is when Volunteer of the Year and Chapter of the Year are presented.
There will also be a Team Match in which four couples represent each chapter to dance
waltz, fox trot, cha cha, and swing. The winners receive a trophy. A parade, Jack and Jill
contests, and exhibitions will also take place.
Photos Courtesy oF District 9
18 Dance Floor
,'++!#*#* #./
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National Dance Cruise, December 4-11, 2011,
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Last year’s cruise was a sell out and cabins are limited,
so book NOW!
+!#+!
!+,+-.,80,.%+'60',+'/0&#+0',+)%,2#.+'+% ,"5$,.+!#-,.0'+0&#+'0#"00#/+".#-.#/#+00'2#,.%+'60',+
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www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 19
Have something to celebrate? Or do you just want a
week to get away from it all? Take a dance cruise with us
where you will literally sail into the sunset for a great
adventure.
USA Dance Cruise
Imagine you are on a Caribbean cruise.
Warm sun, pristine beaches, sparkling
water and elegant palm trees make it the
most popular cruise of all –relaxing beside
a perfect blue pool, the wind gently blowing
your hair, the serenity engulfing you. Have
something to celebrate? Or do you just want
a week to get away from it all? Take a dance
cruise with us where you will literally sail
into the sunset for a great adventure.
The elegant ms Westerdam offers comfort
Photo stock.xchng
and class. Glass-enclosed elevators offer
panoramic ocean views that stretch for
miles. Relax and rejuvenate at the luxurious
spa, which features 11 therapy rooms, a
hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, and steam and
aromatherapy rooms. Two-thirds of the
Westerdam’s staterooms feature private
verandas. In addition to the two-tiered main
dining room, there are several alternative
dining options including the Pinnacle Grill
or the casual Lido Restaurant.
Here are some things you can expect on the USA Dance Cruise:
• Dining. Holland America has a very luxurious dining room. You will find a wide
range of menus. You can also get room service or visit the 24-hour snack bar.
• Activities. The Westerdam is equipped with spas, salons, boutiques, gyms and
pools. There are also nightly dance shows, magic shows or comedy skits, provided by
HAL entertainers! Or you can try your luck at the casino, games and contests.
• Excursions. We have exclusive USA Dance excursions to see the area’s best sights.
You can do water sports, go shopping, see landmarks, or sign up for fun tours and
adventures.
• Social Dancing. We will have social dancing either in the evening, and a few
times we will have afternoon dances in lieu of an evening dance so you can take in the
ships entertainment at night.
• Dance Workshops. Daily workshops when we are at Sea and even while we are
in port after re-boarding from sightseeing.
20 Dance Floor
Speaking of workshops, I’d like to introduce you
to your instructors for this years cruise.
Ken Richards started
his ballroom career in 1979,
working as an instructor and
eventually owning his own
studio.
Ken became the Marketing
Director for the franchise headquarters of
Arthur Murray International, Inc. Much
of Ken’s time, over the past 14 years, is
dedicated to USA Dance, starting first as
the Director of Publicity and now serving
as the VP of DanceSport. Ken will be
teaching West Coast Swing, Salsa, Hustle,
Bolero and Lead & Follow technique.
Nathan Simler is a
competitive professional in
the American-style 9-dance
division. He is from the
Seattle WA area. With his
background in music, his
lessons offer a unique perspective. He
placed in the finals at the United States
National Dancesport Championships three
years in a row. Nathan will be teaching
American Tango, Foxtrot and Waltz.
Mary Simler began
dancing at the ripe old age
of 4 in traditional Ballet, Tap
and Jazz. Social Dancing
became her passion in 1995,
and she began teaching
at age 18 in a small studio located in
Bellevue, WA. She is a Regional Examiner
www.USAdance.ORG
with Dance Vision International Dancers
Association and has13 years experience
training teachers successfully. Mary will
be teaching American Rumba, Swing
and Cha-Cha.
Dan Calloway teaching
International Foxtrot, Waltz,
Tango and Quickstep. Dan
began dancing in 1977
when he took a one-month
course called social dancing
at the University of Delaware with his
twin brother and never stopped. Dan
has coached the Georgetown University
and University of Maryland Dancesport
ballroom teams for the past 15 years. In
more than 30 years as a ballroom dance
competitor and instructor, he has been
named a finalist in both the Asian-Pacific
and United States Professional 10-Dance
events and has won numerous awards,
including professional of the year and
top teacher.
Silke Calloway will
be teaching International
Rumba, Samba and Cha Cha.
Silke Calloway has taught
competition team classes
at the George Washington
University Ballroom Dance Club and has
danced competitively in International-Style
Latin with Dan.
by Jean Krupa
2011 September - October 21
Healing
our
Heroes
The effects of war present devastating obstacles
for our returning soldiers. For some, it’s the
physical challenge of adjusting to life in a
wheelchair or operating a prosthetic limb, but
for others, it’s a mental battle of staying focused
and clearing war from their minds. Most veterans
just want a way back into normal life when they
return. Whatever their struggle, returning soldiers
can find the road to recovery through one of the
private organizations supported in part by USA
Dance’s Wounded Warriors Appreciation Balls™.
The Wounded Warriors Appreciation Ball™ is an
event sponsored by USA Dance chapters who
then use the proceeds of the events to benefit
private organizations. These organizations seek
to help returning soldiers by aiding and assisting
the needs of injured service members. They also
provide programs to meet the needs of these
warriors and nurture their bodies and minds back
to health, as well as provide care packages and
22 Dance Floor
other supplies. At the heart of the program,
ranging from gift certificates to dance
the organizations seek to honor and empower
lessons. Not only dancing, but also some live
these returning soldiers. In the spirit of these
music was shared at many of these events.
goals, USA Dance has chosen to sponsor and
Orchestras or live bands providing the music
hold a variety of events like the Wounded
for the dances are a big hit. Whatever the
Warriors Appreciation Ball™ to raise funds.
showcase, each of these benefit events is a
night to remember, especially for
Starting with the Azalea Coast
Chapter #6031 in 2009, many
chapters joined the trend of
hosting dances and balls for
these wounded soldiers. A few
other chapters that have hosted
fundraising dances within the
past year include the Dallas
Chapter #6100, the Ventura
County
Chapter
#4022,
and the Daytona Chapter
“Whatever their
struggle, returning
soldiers can find
the road to recovery
through one of the
private organizations
supported in part by
USA Dance’s
Wounded Warriors
Appreciation Balls™.
#6026. Each of these events
those soldiers benefited by them.
Over $20,000 combined has
been raised over the last few
years
through
fundraising
USA
efforts.
Dance
Chapters
nationwide are making plans
to host more events in the
future to benefit these wounded
warriors who have served and
sacrificed for our country. As
long as USA Dance members
includes an array of features and attractions
continue to bring ballroom dancing to the
for members and the public to enjoy.
community around them, the Wounded
Warriors
From exhibitions to live music, each event
Appreciation
Ball™
will
be
there to support our country’s warriors.
excels at catching the public interest on behalf
of our nation’s wounded warriors. Some
By Lorraine Fisher
dances have included dance instruction
Photos Courtesy oF Howell Oakley
or workshops preceding the social dance
portion. Others have showcased professional
dancers, or included silent auctions of items
www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 23
Host a Dance Holiday
Weekend for Fun and Profit
by Jean Krupa
Tired of the formal dinner dances or just looking for a new
idea? Would you like to socialize with neighboring chapters,
get to know USA dance members AND improve your dancing
skills while doing so? A few USA Dance chapters are already
hosting Dance weekends, from one day to four days
Your Dance Holiday doesn’t
have to be scheduled around
a national holiday; make it a
theme weekend. Call it “Island
Paradise” and have workshops in
Merengue, Mambo or Rumba; or
a western theme and workshops
in West Coast or Two Step. You
have options from offering a
variety of dances/levels to the
immersion theory of having all
the workshops focused on one
dance style.
By making it a fun weekend with
membership required you can
increase your membership. A
tricky way around it can even
be to have two prices, one for
members and make the nonmember price at least $25.
more to cover the cost of their
membership.
Decide if you want just a one day
event, in which you could
24 Dance Floor
have 4-6 workshops and end
with an evening social dance or
if you think you’ll be too tired to
dance arrangea meal at a nearby
restaurant, or an entire weekend
starting Friday and ending
Sunday or a holiday weekend
where it could conclude on
Monday.
The venue/facility will depend
on the type of event you select. If
you opt for the weekend you will
need to find a suitable hotel, one
way to negotiate price is to ask if
they have an off weekend when
they would really appreciate
your business. Remember, meals,
floor and room rates are all
negotiable when you are working
with group pricing. Don’t be
afraid to use the ‘we’re senior
citizens on a fixed income”
approach- it works. Contact your
local Convention and Visitors
Bureau for help in selections
meeting your requirements.
Make it appealing to beginners
and advanced level dancers by
selecting high profile instructors
either local if you are lucky
enough or someone you know
has a good following. Be sure to
include a bio in the advertising to
qualify the instructors to those
not familiar with their name. If
you hire a top pro couple you
can also attract spectators with
a dinner/dance and exhibitions.
If the facility has the room invite
dance/shoe vendors.
Break up the day with a fun Jack
and Jill contest or Waltz mixer
after lunch.
Give yourselves at least six
months preparation, contact
chapters in your District
to let themknow what you
are planning and extend an
invitation. Be sure to contact the
USA Dance Central Office to
be included in the Social Event
website schedule.
Additional guidelines can be found
in the document library.
www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 25
t h e
NATIONAL
CHAPTER
CONFERENCE
DATE
Mar 1 - 4, 2012
LOCATION
The Love Field Wyndham
Dallas, Texas
Photos courtesy of stock.xchng
A n n o u n c i n g
Take your chapter to new heights.
3 THINGS YOU WANT TO
GET OUT OF THE CONFERENCE
1.____________________
2.____________________
3.____________________
Go to www.usadance.org
to register.
Training is only as good as the plan you have
for implementing it. There are main strategies
you can use. Turn what you learned at the
conference into action. Research shows that
unless you use a new idea within 24 hours of
learning it, you’ll probably forget what you have
learned.
Set goals: To get the most out of the program,
be clear on what you intend to gain. Ask
yourself, “What do I hope to change as a result
of attending this program?” you’re much more
likely to follow through if you set goals now.
Give yourself the incentive you need to practice
what you learn. Ask, “How does this apply to
me?”
Keep your current circumstances, conflicts and
interests foremost in your mind. As you learn
new approaches and techniques, relate them
to your own situation. You’ll be amazed at how
easily and quickly you’ll implement new ideas
when you know exactly where to put them in
action.
26 Dance Floor
Here are some of Dallas’s “hot spots”.
Meyerson Symphony Center
Since 1989, it has become a Dallas landmark
and is known as a world-class concert hall.
Superpages Center
The very best of live music with bands and
artists on national tours.
DALLAS ARBORETUM
With 66 acres of lush plantings.
DALLAS MARKET CENTER
World’s largest wholesale merchandise mart.
All-Star Lineup from last year Included:
• Stan Andrews, National Secretary
• Angela Prince, Director of Public Relations
• Bill Rose, Senior VP
• Bobbi Jo Gamache, Director of Chapter Liaison
• Barbara Wally, K12 Director
• Esther Freeman, Corporate Treasurer
• Ken Richards, Vice President DanceSport
While some ofthe speakers may change, the
quality of the conference will remain the same.
Topics to be covered at this year’s conference
include: Grooming your next President,
Motivating, Recruiting and Retaining
Volunteers, Dancing Classrooms, Websites,
Budgets, Finances and Treasurer reports,
Marketing and PR and more to provide guidance
to have an even more effective chapter.
WHAT TO BRING:
A sweater or jacket (it can get chilly inside
the classrooms); a nice outfit for the evening
dances; dance shoes; notebook, paper and pens;
and business cards.
www.USAdance.ORG
DALLAS WORLD AQUARIUM AND
ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
The 10 main tanks feature the aquatic life
of Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bahamas.
Fiji, Palau, Southern Australia, the Solomon
Islands, and more.
DALLAS ZOO
Contains 95 acres to explore with thousands
of animals and a huge variety of family
activities
SIXTH FLOOR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
This unique space examines the life, death,
times and legacy of President John F.
Kennedy.
GREENVILLE AVENUE
An assortment of one-of-a-kind shops and
dining is offered in this well-kept 1920’s
neighborhood.
NORTHPARK CENTER
The premier shopping experience!
DALLAS COWBOY’S STADIUM
Home to the one and only Dallas Cowboys.
LONE STAR PARK
The excitement of quarter horse and
thoroughbred racing, plus live music events.
2011 September - October 27
National Ballroom
Dance Week
“Dancing for America ”
TM
National Ballroom Dance Week™ will be here before you know it. It is never
too soon to think about how your Chapter will participate in this special
weeklong celebration of ballroom dance.
Right now you may be asking yourself, “Why should we do anything special for
NBDW™?”
There are two reasons we can think of – the first is to share with others what
we enjoy so much –ballroom dancing.
DANCING for AMERICATM
September 16-25, 2011
For more ideas
and information visit
www.usadance.org
Click on the Social Dance tab and then
National Ballroom Dance Week link
or call
1-800-332-NBDW
Next Year’s Date:
September 21-30, 2012
It’s never too early to start planning
Secondly, this is an occasion where we cannot only celebrate, but promote
dancing in general and USA Dance in particular. It is a great opportunity to
increase membership and participation in dancing in your community.
We encourage chapters who have never done anything special to
recognize this week by trying just one new thing. It could be a raffle,
free passes to future dances, or free admission for anyone who brings
a first-time guest, to mention a few. Many chapters go “all out” to
celebrate with a dance every night, often with each offering a different
theme. Chapters hold dances in malls, community centers, and
parks - they advertise or arrange to have feature articles written in the
local paper about ballroom dancing. They offer free lessons, and do
demonstrations in nursing homes, schools, festivals and other public
venues.
Films like “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Shall We Dance” were
extremely popular. ABC broadcast of “Dancing With The Stars”
has been a huge hit sparking lots of interest in learning to dance,
particularly with the 18-49 age group. Start now! Use the current
media attention as a springboard for promoting ballroom dancing in
your community.
Integrating dance films and TV shows into the weeklong celebration
is an interesting way to promote dancing in your area.
Here’s to celebration and happy dancing feet.
28 Dance Floor
We have dressed celebrities on the
red carpet and on ABC’s hit show
Dancing with the Stars. You too can
sparkle with our haute fashion jewelry.
MsBellezza Jewelry offers dazzling yet
affordable pieces for every woman, no
matter her budget, big or small.
MsBellezza Jewelry
2033 Gateway Place, Ste. 600
San Jose, CA 95110
408.573.6308
www.USAdance.ORG
www.msbellezza.com
• facebook.com/msbellezzaj • twitter.com/msbellezzaj
2011 September - October 29
the
PUBLIC EYE
Angela Prince
It’s Business As Usual at USA Dance
The USA Dance website www.usadance.org is our
member’s best resource and archive of all important
matters concerning our members – both social and
dancesport. All of the letters and responses from
USA Dance regarding the recent NDCA membership
suspension can be found on the website.
From Lydia Scardina, President of USA Dance Inc. –
“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.
30 On Beat
“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.”
Read Full Releases at www.usadance.org
Helping Our 180 Chapters Maximize
Media Publicity Opportunities
If your Chapter has an important event coming up,
such as National Ballroom Dance Week, and you
would like a current Media Contact list for your local
area, please write to Angela Prince at publicrelationsdir@usadance. On the subject line, please reference
USA DANCE - CHAPTER NAME - Media List
Request for CITY/TOWN Name. Then in the email
body, please explain your event, plans for publicity
and goals.
USA Dance Star Search – Be A YouTube Sensation
We thought it was about time that a USA Dance
member became a real YouTube sensation – a real
viral star that gets millions of hits and fans!
Maybe you have your own choreography to showcase?
A unique story to tell? Maybe you can just come
up with the craziest (or dumbest), the funniest (or
saddest), the wildest (sorry, but cleanest) dance
routine to ever hit the Tube.
USA Dance has a YouTube Channel – usadanceinc.
First join as a subscriber; then get to work creating
your debut video clip. We’ll showcase you on the
Channel and help drive some traffic your way.
Two requirements from USA Dance – the title on
YouTube must have the name USA Dance in it and
somewhere in the video, the USA Dance name or logo
appears.
If you want to check out all the “dancers” on YouTube
that became sensations, go to YouTube and search for
these videos:
Evolution of Dance
Where The Hell is Matt?
Thriller (prison inmates)
Baby Dancing to Beyonce
Barack Obama on Ellen
Dancing Merengue Dog
180 million views
39 million views
49 million views
22 million views
11 million views
11 million views
Wow! Isn’t it time real dancers find their fame and fortune on YouTube?
Logo Property of YouTube.com
www.USADANCE.ORG
?
2011 September - October 31
Key Resources for Chapter Social Media Pages & Sites
USA Dance Chapters are encouraged to create their
social media presence on Facebook, joining nearly 100
of our Chapters already. Our Administrative Support
Director Efrosyni Iosiphidis is available to help
chapters set up and improve their pages, particularly
on setting up the account and privacy controls. Please
email her at [email protected].
If you search for chapter model websites on Facebook,
you may see some variations on a theme – we are
working as quickly as possible to bring consistency
among our chapter sites – proper branding and USA
Dance chapter logo use are top priorities.
Please note that at this time, chapters are not approved
for Twitter and MySpace Accounts, but are approved
for local chapter websites, provided they comply with
Nationals guidelines and policies. Please contact
Senior VP Bill Rose at [email protected] for
guidance and questions regarding chapter websites
do’s and don’t’s.
Dancing For America TM Once Again in the Caribbean
USA Dance successfully launched its Dancing
For AmericaTM ambassador program on board
our organization’s first National Dance Cruise in
November 2010. As we sailed the western Caribbean
to various island ports, we carried the message and
passion of our dancing to others.
their native dances and we shared ours, and we came
away with new friends and memories for a lifetime.
In Jamaica, the country’s Tourism Board embraced
our visit and organized a dance presentation and
celebration in the village of Ocho Rios. They shared
Become a USA Dance Ambassador – join our
celebrations in December!
Cruise Website: www.dancecruiseUSADance.com
ms Westerdam terrace bar and grill
32 On Beat
The second annual USA Dance 2011 National Dance
Cruise will once again sail to the Caribbean -- this time
connecting with dancers in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Already 120 million people are connected on Linked
In, a fast growing “business social media” site. It’s
becoming a valuable resource for dancers and those in
the business and promotion of dance as well.
USA Dance has an important administrative presence
on Linked In. If you’re interested in being part of this
growing connection, please request to join Group
Pages USA DANCE INC and/or DANCESPORT
CONNECTION.
The USA Dance Inc group is open to members and all
others throughout the USA, who want to follow USA
Dance news and discussions. Although we hope that
members will officially join the National organization
to help support programs, the LinkedIn membership
is free.
The DanceSport Connection group is open to anyone
involved in dance throughout the world. Members
include professional and amateur dancers; studios
and dance product retailers; competition event
organizers; national and world dance association
members and leadership; dance media; dance nonprofit organizations and arts councils; and the list goes
on. Discussions are normally about universal topics of
interest, and there’s a “jobs” and “promotions” section
for members to list those opportunities. Nearly 400
DanceSport Connection members now represent
states throughout the USA, but also hail from countries
around the globe -- including China, Trinidad,
New Zealand, Ghana, Brazil, Netherlands, Uganda,
Sweden, the U.K., Germany, Spain, Canada, France,
Argentina, India, Serbia, Australia, Switzerland…and
the list goes on.
Social Media Site: www.linkedin.com
www.USADANCE.ORG
Has your chapter
been in the news
lately? Have you been
featured in the paper,
on TV, or online?
Send us the latest
happenings of your
chapter to be
considered for an
upcoming issue.
When submitting,
please keep in mind
the following:
1
2
3
4
Articles should be
a maximum of 175
words.
High quality, digital
photos relating to
the event at 600 dpi
or higher.
Accurate photo
caption, or names
of persons (left to
right).
Name of
photographer for
photo credit.
Send submissions
and questions to :
We want to hear from your chapter!
Linked In Social Media –
Great Business Connections
for Members Involved In
The Dance Industry
[email protected]
2011 September - October 33
Beyond The Physical
After dancing together for a couple of weeks, months or years, you
and your partner have finally decided to compete for the first time.
What’s next? Intense negotiations about how many practice sessions and for how long each
session will last, where to compete, and even what to wear. After practicing routines, learning
choreography, becoming musical, and improving technique, the first competition arrives.
Just before the performance you realize that your nerves are shot, your stomach is in knots and
you’ve forgotten everything. Somehow you make it through your entire event and after it’s over, your
coach asks you what you danced or how you did and you realize that you don’t have a clue. In fact,
you don’t remember anything about the competition at all.
34 DanceSport
Preparing mentally for
competions allows you to
enjoy your performance,
in addition to being more
ready for it.
Preparing mentally for
a competition requires
cooperation with your partner
in deciding what your overall
goal is in competing. Make
sure your goal is actually
achievable; for example, if
you are a 40-year-old who has
been dancing for just under a
year, don’t focus in on a goal to
be this year’s Adult National
Champion.
Set smaller goals that
help build you up toward
the larger goals.
Break goals down into tiny steps
that you can easily remember
at each competition. Make a list
with your partner of each step/
objective that you will need to
achieve in order to reach the
main goal. Goals like: smile
and breathe, follow an exercise
program to increase stamina,
chin up, etc. are the kind of
small steps that lead up to larger
goals.
Keep your objectives
firmly in mind during your
practice sessions.
Do this and by the time you hit
the competition floor you won’t
trying to remember why you
are there. Keep in mind that the
www.USAdance.ORG
purpose of the smaller steps is
to allow yourself to expand your
ability without exceeding your
capabilities.
If your goals are too lofty,
you will find yourself
getting used to telling
yourself what you can’t
do.
If you are a bronze dancer
and your goal is to become a
champion dancer, if you make
it your goal to only practice
the open routines that you are
doing in a studio showcase
without working on developing
your bronze technique, you will
certainly find yourself thinking,
“I can’t do this.” Instead, if you
have worked hard on your
bronze technique at practices,
keeping in mind your goal
to smile and breathe, at the
competition you will have
been successful if you smiled
and breathed, no matter how
you place. The more often you
experience success, the more
quickly you will improve.
Practice the unexpected.
Don’t dwell on disasters, but
you should realize that the
unexpected happens all the
time. You can’t think of every
possible mistake or disaster,
but you can practice refocusing
techniques with your partner to
be prepared to recover from just
about anything by the next beat
of music instead of ten counts
later. The moment of disaster is
another time when having the
simple goal is infinitely valuable:
disaster strikes and you pull out
a split second later saying, “smile
and breathe, smile and breathe.”
Finally, visualize, visualize,
visualize.
See yourself doing what it is
you have determined to be
your goal for the competition,
and see yourself doing it well.
Imagine yourself dancing with
your partner and succeeding
in the goal you set for your
partnership. Don’t waste time
visualizing your failure or
that is what will happen at the
competition when you are under
pressure. Visualize yourself
fulfilling your objective for all
dances and in multiple rounds
and you will have multiple
rounds-worth of confidence.
Above all, remember that
dancing is supposed to
be fun, not a chore, not
agony and not torture.
The more you think of your
practices as fun, the more
fun you will have doing
“the real thing” at the
competition.
By Daphna Locker
IStockphoto.com
2011 September - October 35
DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport DanceSport D
DanceSport DanceSport
DanceSport
Qualifying
Events forDanceSport Danc
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DanceSport
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USADanceSport
Dance 2012
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
Sport DanceSport DanceSport
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Errol Williamson & Vashti Reed
Photo by: Carson Zullinger
NATIONALS
C C
Carolina Fall Classic
Greensboro, NC
Challenge
Phoenix,Oct
AZ 7 - 9, 2011
Manhattan Amateur Classic-(MAC)
011 Phoenix DanceSport
Manhattan, NY
Jan 13 - 15, 2012
Derby City DanceSport Championships
Louisville, KY
Feb 18 - 19, 2012
Chicago DanceSport Challenge
Chicago, IL
February 19, 2011
Nov 4 - 6, 2011
Northwest DanceSport Championships
Seattle, WA
Jan 14 - 15, 2012
Mid-Atlantic Championships-NQE
Bethesda, MD
Feb 25 - 26, 2012
The Quake
San Francisco, CA
Nov 13, 2011
36 DanceSport
USA Dance Southwest Regional
Laguna Woods Village, CA
Feb 4, 2012
For More Information visit www.usadance.org
CO M PE T I T I O N
C ALE N D AR
Events listed with the * do not accrue proficiency points
Sep 18, 2011
Jan 14-15, 2012
Sep 24, 2011
Jan 21, 2012
Oct 7-9, 2011
Feb 4, 2012
New Englad Fall Challenge
Glastony, CT
Quest For the Best*
Seattle, WA
Carolina Fall Classic-NQE
Greensboro, NC
Nov 4-6, 2011
Northwest DanceSport Championships-NQE
Seattle, WA
Royal Palm Winter Frolic Extravaganza
Coconut Creek, FL
USA Dance Southwest Regional-NQE
Laguna Woods Village, CA
Feb 18 - 19, 2012
Chicago DanceSport Challenge-NQE
Chicago, IL
Derby City DanceSport Championships-NQE
Louisville, KY
Nov 13, 2011
Feb 25 - 26, 2012
Jan 13-15, 2012
Mar 16 - 17, 2012
The Quake-NQE
San Francisco, CA
Manhattan Amateur Cassic (MAC)-NQE
Manhattan, NY
Mid-Atlantic Championships-NQE
Bethesda, MD
Steel City DanceSport Classic
Pittsburgh PA
Mar 30 - Apr 1, 2012
2012 National DanceSport Championships
Baltimore, MD
Competitions noted as “NQE” are National Qualifying Events
for the 2011 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”
2011 September - October 37
Dine • Dance • Dream
Keeping balance in the rigorous ballroom world can become quite complicated at times.
Add that to the media frenzy about what we should and shouldn’t eat, and the
confusion can skyrocket. Following these three simple steps can help keep your body
balanced… even when your schedule isn’t!
DINE:
Every body requires food to
survive. That’s about the only
thing that many of us know
for sure. The type and amount
of food that is recommended
seems to change with the tide,
as we are told one day “fat is
bad!” followed by the next day’s
headlines touting the “horrible
dangers of carbohydrates!” So
what exactly does our body
need?? Six basic ingredients are
required each day, in varying
amounts:
1. Carbohydrate. Yes, we
do need it! It’s the type and
amount that get us into trouble.
Simple carbs are what give
carbs a bad name. Simple
carbohydrates are made up
of refined sugars, supplying
little more than empty calories.
Complex Carbohydrates, on the
other hand, provide us with vital
nutrients, including fiber. Fiber
is vital to any healthy body. A
natural ‘filler,’ fiber helps us feel
full quickly – which helps us eat
less. It also reduces the risk for
colon cancer, and helps lower
cholesterol levels.
2. Protein aids in many body
functions, such as hormone
building and muscle repairs.
38 DanceSport
When you eat protein, the body
breaks it down into small parts
called amino acids, which can
then be re-arranged to build
different structures that the body
needs.
3. Fat. Yes, fat does have
functions in the body. It
cushions the organs, transports
some key vitamins (A,D,E,K),
provides insulation, and gives
cell walls their elasticity. Fat
is one key body ingredient that
you don’t need to search out.
Don’t worry, it will find you.
The recommendations are to
limit the daily fat intake to a
minimum, eating sources from
mono-unsaturated (i.e. olive oil)
and poly-unsaturated (especially
omega-3, found in fish oils and
nuts). Saturated fat has been
linked to high cholesterol levels
and atherosclerosis.
4. Vitamins and 5. Minerals.
These are found in a wide array
of food, but most commonly
fruits and vegetables. There
are a whole slew of vitamins
out there, and the best way to
make sure you get them all is
to eat a wide variety of fruits
and vegetables (as well as whole
grains). Pretty much every
function in the body requires the
use of vitamins and minerals.
6. Water. Vital to survival,
water provides the medium
for almost every function that
happens in the body. Getting
7-8 cups a day is the minimum
requirement. Make sure to take
frequent water breaks during
and after training.
DANCE:
Exercise is one of the best gifts
you can give your body, and
dance is an excellent way to
fulfill this requirement. Research
has shown again and again the
benefits of exercise including
lower rates of heart disease,
blood pressure, cholesterol,
and blood glucose, as well
as increased resistance to
sickness, and overall better body
functions. The recommendations
are to get at least 30-60 minutes
of exercise daily. Smaller chunks
also pay off – getting 10 minute
sessions in 3-4 times a day
counts. In fact, recent studies
have shown that interval training
(small bursts of high intensity
exercise, followed by a small
rest cycle) burns more fat than
longer sessions of low intensity.
Istockphoto.com
DREAM:
Sleep can be just as essential for
overall health as exercise. Lack
of sleep not only zaps our body
of energy, it also affects us at the
hormonal level. Ghrelin hormone
levels (increases hunger) have
been shown to be elevated in
sleep-deprived people, while
at the same time Leptin levels
(the satiety hormone) have been
shown to drop. The short answer
www.USAdance.ORG
to this: play hard, work hard,
then rest like you mean it! (And,
no, sitting in front of the TV does
not count. In fact, sleeping burns
more calories than watching
TV!) Getting 7-8 hours of energy
restoring sleep is optimal.
Cut through the
confusion, keep it
simple, and Dine,
Dance, and Dream
your way to your
best body ever!
By Jen Brewer, RD
Author of All Diets Work That’s the Problem
www.foodmoodmotherhood.com
2011 September - October 39
Making a
Difference
Ira Pollock and Inna Brayer
I
ra Pollock and Inna Brayer are delegates. They volunteer hours of their time to be
present at DanceSport meetings and to keep up with the different issues that are
discussed. Ira and Inna also add their views to the discussions and when the time
comes they even vote on the issues. The votes Ira and Inna control are not technically
their own. They are cast on behalf of all the dancers who compete in the DanceSport
circuit. The delegates do not take this responsibility lightly.
“I feel it is an
opportunity to make
sure that the dance
world I’m a part
of does everything
it can to make
things better for the
competitors. That
means making it
better for myself and
those who are close
to me.” -Ira Pollock
After talking with the delegates, it was easy to see why Ira and
Inna would dedicate themselves so fully. For some people, the
competitors are beautiful dancers working towards the title of
“Champion”. For Ira and Inna however, competitors are much
more than that. They are students, friends, and even family.
That’s the reason Ira originally took the position a year ago. “I
feel it is an opportunity to make sure that the dance world I’m
a part of does everything it can to make things better for the
competitors. That means making it better for myself and those
who are close to me.”
The delegates had only words of praise concerning the USA
DanceSport Council. They are a non-profit organization so their
main purpose is not to make a profit but to provide structure for
the competitive circuit and to make sure that the rules and regulations are kept regarding
dance competitions. The delegates felt that the organization does a “fantastic job at creating
the circuit and providing the services that competitors would expect.” When asked whether
they were satisfied with the way things were being run, Ira summed up their feelings best
by stating, “There’s not a whole lot more I could ask for.” Hopefully the World DanceSport
Federation will continue to provide the incredible services they do for the athletes and will
continue to keep the competitors’ needs forefront in their minds.
By Michael Mecham
PollockDance.com
BallrooMdANCE.ORG
40 DanceSport
www.USAdance.ORG
2011 September - October 41
Beyond Individuals
What the National Collegiate Championships formations competition has to offer
By Ivor Lee
A
s the couples line up in matching brilliantly styled, sequined dresses and shirts, the
college-aged crowd waits expectantly. The girls all match each other—not a freak
accident requiring a frantic change of wardrobe—and the guys, though differing in
height, are all matching copies of each other. The music hits, and the couples move, each
couple an individual thread of the fabric of the group—they move through each other, around
each other, weaving in and out in complex variations. Their costumes seem to emphasize the
music, the themes they are revealing in their dance. This is the National Collegiate Challenge’s
Formation Dance Competition.
The music hits, and
the couples move, each from last year and retain their
couple an individual titles?
thread of the fabric of
The NCC offers a chance to be
the group.
2011 will feature the third annual
formation dance championship,
an exhibition of not only individual
and couple dance talent, but the
talent that an entire school as a
whole can show. In last year’s competition, a
team from Utah Valley University claimed the
Standard title, and a team from UC San Diego
claimed the Latin title. The list of competing
schools continues to grow. Will these two
teams be able to hold onto their momentum
42 InStep
in a “real-world” activity outside
of the classroom or studio. The formation
dance is a great opportunity for couples that
are a little shy and hesitant to compete in
DanceSport to show their talents in the field
of the country’s best. Dancers learn that the
competition is not about the individual, but
Photos Taken By AD Staff
the greater whole of the group. If one couple
goes down, everyone else does as well.
While not as individually competitive as
the DanceSport section of the NCC, the
Formation Dance Championships allows
couples to ease into competition and be
a part of the team. But beyond that, it’s a
simple chance to have fun dancing. How
many people can brag that they were in a
www.USAdance.ORG
formation group? How many people can
say they competed against their peers at a
national level ballroom competition?
Regardless of whether you’re a spectator
or competitor, the Formation Dance
Competition will be an event you won’t want
to miss.
The 2011 National Collegiate DanceSport Challenge will
be held November 19-20, 2011 at the Columbus OH
Convention Center.
Please visit www.usandancencc.org for more information.
2011 September - October 43
USA DANCE
National Collegiate
DanceSport Challenge
Columbus Convention Center Columbus, Ohio
November 19-20, 2011
Establishing Excellence
for more information go to www.usadancencc.org
44 InStep
“I never knew
that people could
do what they
were doing while
twirling a baton.”
Batons and Ballroom
-Richard Olszeski
BY: Michael Mecham
T
he United States was
awarded the hosting of
the 2011 World Baton Twirling
Federation International Cup
August 4-7 in Jacksonville,
Florida, USA at the Jacksonville
Veteran’s
Memorial
Arena.
That’s right, baton twirling. Why
would we be discussing baton
twirling?
Well, on June 19 in Luxembourg,
the World Baton Twirling
Federation, along with the World
Rock ‘n’ Roll Confederation
and the United Country and
Western Dance Council became
associate members of the World
DanceSport Federation (WDSF).
The purpose of the alliance is to
work for the common goal of
the development of the World
Artistic Games, with the longterm future eye on the formation
of the Olympic Artistic Games.
Aside from the new alliance that
has developed between the World
Baton Twirling Federation and the
www.USAdance.ORG
World DanceSport Federation,
amateur dance partners Richard
Olszeski and Marie Harrington
were contacted to provide some
intermission entertainment at
the International Competition.
Richard and Marie, who have
been dancing together for five
years, are former United Country
and Western Dance Council
world champions in their age
division.
Richard serves as the President
of the St. Augustine USA Dance
chapter. He received an email
looking for a youth or amateur
ballroom couple to perform at
the International Baton Twirling
Championships. After talking to
Marie about the email, Richard
responded to the email and they
were quickly snatched up to
perform.
Richard and Marie performed
three different dances: Night
Club 2-step, Country 2-step, and
East Coast Swing. The baton
participants and spectators
received their performances with
enthusiasm.
Richard and Marie were also
enthused by the performances
they were able to watch. “We
were spellbound. “ Richard was
in awe by the baton twirling
performances. “I never knew that
people could do what they were
doing while twirling a baton.” Of
course there was baton twirling,
but amidst the twirling there
were back handsprings, spins,
and crisp choreography. Richard
recommended, “If you ever have
a chance to see any of this baton
twirling, go to it. It just blew my
mind.” Richard and Marie plan to
continue improving in their own
dancing, and they look forward
to future opportunities to display
their talents.
For more information on the World Baton
Twirling Federation visit www.wbtf.org
Photo courtesy of Sandi Wiemers
2011 September - October 45
DanceMart
MEN’S DANCE SHOES
For Sale- Brand New Diamante
Men’s Dance Shoes, made in
Germany, size 8, slim foot. Also 2
pair of same, worn but serviceable
all three pair for $85. Contact
William K. Wall at 434-975-7358 or
email [email protected] [2]
MENS WHITE SATIN SHOES NEVER WORN / $20 + shipping
English Size 7, 1-1/2” Heel,
Gamba Brand. 561-558-6077
[email protected] [2]
Men’s Capezio Standard Oxford,
Model BR02, Black, Size/Width
8M (American), Heel 3/4 inch.
Condition: Like new! Worn only
once before I realized they were
medium width … not wide width
like the box said. Asking $75.
Email: [email protected] [2]
WOMEN’S DANCE SHOES
Champion Dance Shoes like new.
Beautiful bronze t-strap, 2 1/2 inch
Latino heel. American size 10.
Worn once. $118 new; will sell
for $75. Contact carolynnescott@
hotmail.com [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:
[email protected]
MEN’S COSTUMES
International Standard Tuxedo.
This resale, traditional tuxedo
with tails was custom designed for
International Standard ballroom
competition dancing. The tuxedo is
being sold with all the accessories:
Jacket w/ tails (38R), pants
(32/32), shirt (medium), bow tie,
handkerchief, suspenders, and waist
coat. Excellent condition. Asking
$850.00. Contact: Call Jaime
(407) 498-3144; or email
[email protected] [2]
46 InStep
JEWELRY
Judy Cohen, Stella & Dot
Independent Stylist. Stylist ID# 125304
Phone: 610.358.1083
Website: www.stelladot.com/judycohen
Exquisite jewelry that will add
excitement and sparkle on and off the
dance floor. Visit my website to view
the collection and learn how you can
get free jewelry. I am happy to style you
and your friends! [1]
Nationals Sponsors 2011
SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS (Title Sponsor)
Arlene Yu
Nadia Eftedal
Holiday Ball Competition
Erminio Stefano & Luana Conte
Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova
Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva
Larinda McRaven
Dance Pants
Scott & Sarah Coates
USA Dance Central Florida
Chapter # 6002
USISTD
USA Dance Michigan Northern Lights
Chapter #2048
USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter #6016
USA Dance Treasure Coast Chapter #6004
USA Dance Tidewater Chapter #6008
Spencer & Elena Nyemchek
David & Connie Taylor
Aida Renzo
www.USAdance.ORG
Thank you for your support!
2011 September - October 47
USA DANCE
NATIONALS
Crowning Champions
USA Dance National
DanceSport Championships
Baltimore, MD
March 30 - April 1, 2012
America’s DanceSport Champions
www.usadancenationals.org