Paragon
We thought we were going to have a semi, but with a couple scratches it ended up as a straight final. Our dance-on music was a little less than inspiring so I think we need to take a look at the tango to see how we can better inspire the audience even when the music doesn’t help. It got a bit better with the four dances. Waltz we had a softer, more connected performance, which oddly had more impact and allowed us to create more of a sense of speed in places. Tango and VW continued to be sources of consistency for us. I generally have fun with both because I can navigate through almost an traffic jams to find the empty space even when people are piled up. Eat our dust… Foxtrot continues to gel with the recent changes. I added an extra spin in a couple places for myself and softened my connections which brightened things up a bit.
4th place
Hotlanta
Vika and I were pleased with our dancing this weekend. We placed third and although you never know I could feel we were close to second when we left the floor (marks bore that out too). I guess consistency helps because the timings felt easier and the dances are slowing down in a good way. I always liken good dancing to the mechanism of a fine watch: the better the watch, the finer the gears and greater articulation before that second hand moves. I felt that especially in the VW, or at least 2/3 of it. The updates to the Foxtrot were always in full effect. We still probably need to tweak the last few measures but it has a good pulse throughout now.
Harvest Moon
Vika and I placed second last night at Harvest Moon. We’ve been working on some simple cleaning; making sure counts and timing of body actions are all clear. It’s amazing what you can improve with simple attention to detail. It’s freeing because it allows you to be in the moment and focus on the task at hand rather than being concerned with all kinds of extraneous thoughts and feelings. We’ve got a run of comps coming up over the next few weeks so I’m looking forward to allowing that process to unfold. Also of note, I think this was the first time a same sex couple shared the floor with us at an NDCA event. Congratulations to them on making the final.
Arthur Murray Flamingorama
It was a true honor to be invited to perform at the Flamingorama alongside Nazar and Irina, Travis and Jaimee, and the Orlando area staff. Thank you Kimberley Caroll!
Galaxy Pro smooth
Pleased to dance the final. It felt like a lot of things are settling down post-USDSC.
Galaxy Dance Festival
Thursday/Rhythm Day.
Cary placed top 3 in most of her single dances and had much better command of the timings and actions in all dances. Heidi was going for broke from the beginning. In her second dance of the day she felt a pop and had to step off the floor for a moment with a pulled muscle. She fought through that and won most of her single dances and won the B Silver scholarship that evening.
Friday/Smooth Day
Gary started off the day with a much improved frame and brand new foxtrot. He’s been working hard with Vanda on internal tone and opposition in the body to maintain a full picture. Gary placed 3rd in the Bronze scholarship which is a pretty big deal considering he was competing with the ladies and in his first event where he’s made a final from semifinal.
Cary and Heidi came next dancing Silver. Both ladies danced with confidence from the start. Cary tied for the win of the Senior 2 Scholarship and Heidi placed 2nd in the B Championship.
Gretchen danced in her first Open Gold events, having just transitioned from the closed Gold. In some ways it’s no different, but in another there is a huge difference in the speed and follow through at the open level. She placed the in the Dancesport Series and was just shy of making the final in the Scholarship.
It’s a great testament to all their hard work that no matter how stressed, tired, injured, distracted, fatigued, or disappointed they were at any point, all our students gave stellar performances. One great thing about the experience of competition and performance is that it gives us a reason to move beyond the petty struggles of the moment to create our art. Much love and respect to you all.
Thank you to John, Sam, Marianne, and Linda. You’re always great hosts and run the most warm and inviting events (and we loved our room, thank you doubly). Vika and I had a great time dancing the Pro Smooth on Saturday. We were honored to place 5th amongst some talented and hardworking dancers, and even more honored to dance for such a supportive audience. Thank you Dawn for the beautiful dress from Dore Designs. Thank you to mi amor Vanda Polakova for all the team leadership and for finding a way to fit hair and makeup appointments for the Big Apple Team amidst your own dancing.
Only one regret - next year I hope to spend some time at the pool.
Millennium 2019
I’m not going to say we’ve got the best team but...
The week started with Rhythm on Wednesday. Cary has been making a big push to improve her Rhythm over the past month, working with Vanda and running rounds. She placed in several heats (as high as 2nd in full finals) with lots of competition. Heidi had her first Silver Rhythm comp and also made a big push. Hers was to be able to summon compact energy to be quick, slick, and ready. It made a huge difference in her dancing, and elevated the level and specificity of her actions (thank you Emmanuel) Vanda and Jerry came back to the Rhythm floor for the first time in over a year to compete (for the first time) in the 6-dance. Jerry made huge improvements in his structure and presentation, which I credit to his work with Vanda on Smooth.
This was Gary Tessitore’s first competition and he nailed it. He navigated from the big floor to the split floor without a hitch and his movement got fuller over the course of the day. He won all of his single dances and placed 1st and 3rd in two of his championships. Jerry also stuck the proverbial landing on his first Smooth comp, progressing with fuller, more musical dancing throughout the day, and winning his 6-dance event.
Cary danced Smooth as well, making all of her finals (we got the shaping in those shadow naturals, and the arm in the waltz fallaway). She placed well and we had a compact day because the main event was her show in the evening. Lucy came out in full force. Needless to say the performance was nearly flawless and had all the elements of acting and movement that we’ve been working on to tell this story. It was one of the highest scoring (if not the highest) solos I’ve ever been a part of with an average of 99. Thank you Pamela and Michael for helping us bring this idea to the floor and all your creative energies.
Congratulations also to all of Viktoriya’s Lake Mary Arthur Murray crew. I don’t have you all on Facebook to tag, but you danced with energy and skill for three days straight. I was particularly impressed with the solo theatrical numbers - a high degree of difficulty and beautiful execution. All of us Big Apple folks felt the love and hospitality - it’s mutual❤️
The Big Apple Ballroom Crew
Smooth Examiner’s Assessment
Esther and Lori had me sweating, but I guess that’s the point - to make sure USISTD has the best examiners possible. It’s been a long road but this is another rung on the ladder of all my Examiner assessments. Fingers crossed
Savannah Dance Classic
It was our first win of an open Pro Smooth event. Nearly perfect marks in a straight final. I loved being able to put the upgrades out on the dance floor with such a supportive audience.
Atlanta Open 2019
Vika and I had a blast and plenty of family support in Atlanta this weekend. The dancing keeps improving so that’s the main thing. 4th overall and 3rd in the Waltz. Thank you Dawn for the beautiful Dore dress and great support as always.
Washington Open 2019
2nd in the Open Pro Smooth after a quick flight back from Emerald in LA.