Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Students from Milwaukee Central Studio Shine at USDC

Two students from the Milwaukee Central studio had great showings at this year’s United States Dance Championships in Orlando, Florida. Both students – Sarah Haworth and Susan Miller – showed the rest of the country that dancing the “Fred Astaire” way leads you to the top!

Susan Miller also did very well at the USDC. Dancing with Arshakian, Susan placed 4th in International Latin and 2nd in American Rhythm (B division). She has danced for the past seven years, participating in every regional and national Fred Astaire event during that time. It’s hard to believe that she was reluctant to take lessons at first! In fact, it was her husband who originally encouraged her to go for it, and now she hates to leave the dance floor. Susan was the 2005 US American Rhythm Champion in her division and has won top student awards for the past four years. At this year’s 2008 Emerald Ball, she won second place in Latin (C division). Well known as the best-groomed lady on the dance floor around the country, Susan is a joy to dance with. “As an instructor, I wish every teacher would have a student like Susan,” Arshakian says, “She doesn’t let anything stop her from becoming the dancer that she wants to be.” Susan dedicates her dances to the memory of her late-husband, Robert, who was “her best friend and best supporter,” Albina Habrle owner of the Milwaukee Central studio, notes.

Sarah Haworth, with her partner Hayk Arshakian, came away from the USDC with first place wins in American Rhythm and International Latin (A division). She also came in second place in Pro/Am South American Show Dance. It was a remarkable achievement considering that she is only seventeen years old! Sarah became interested in ballroom after seeing how much fun her parents were having taking lessons at the Milwaukee Central studio; she began dancing 2 ½ years ago and hasn’t stopped yet! At this year’s Emerald Ball, she placed first in American Rhythm (A) and Open Latin (A) and at the 2007 Ohio Star Ball, she won the World Pro/Am Junior International Latin and World Pro/Am Junior American Rhythm Championships. Arshakian is proud of his partner: “Anything Sarah does, she does perfectly.” A straight-A student and captain of her high school’s color guard team, she has also started a popular ballroom dance club in her school. Her future aspirations include becoming a professional dancer and eventually owning her own studio.

Congratulations to both Sarah and Susan! You did a terrific job of representing the Fred Astaire organization and we value and appreciate your commitment to dance!

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