What Oz Should Have Told the Cowardly Lion

There's No Place Like Fred Astaire Dance Studios, There's No Place Like . . . 

The Confidence to Compete 

Confidence. Everyone wants it; too many of us still seek it. Millions of self-help books promise it by the bucket load. It's a particularly desirable personal quality to have when facing a major life-change, like 16-year-old Riley Scott who's about to start college far from home. But, despite her academic success, Riley never found such personal strength in books. Instead, she gained it by ballroom dancing.

Riley is a Troy, Michigan native who is about to transition to her new college life in upstate New York. Like many young people in her position, she found it all a bit scary. And, like other academic students, Riley has a long-standing love affair with the printed word. But when it comes to developing real confidence, "dump the self-help books," she'd advise. And don't bother with a wizard. Instead, go to a Fred Astaire Dance Studio and take some dance lessons!

A recent article in the Bloomfield Patch summarizes Riley's experience at Evan Mountain's Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Through ballroom dance, and the personalized guidance of her teacher, Mike Fonseca, Riley traded in her old, more-timid life for one filled with courage. (Oh - and the photos here are of the real Riley Scott. The Patch's video shows Fonseca teaching Barbara Benzos to dance because before the article was finished, Riley spread her new, confident wings and flew to greater heights!)

Great job, Mike, and all the best to our good friend Riley! Here's Boosting Confidence Through Dance at Fred Astaire.' 

Lessons Make It Possible

"I'm more comfortable being myself," says Riley.

To let you know of Linda Joy's passing

Linda McClellan Joy

We are very sad to report that Linda Joy, Fred Astaire Dance Studios' longtime friend and colleague, passed away as a result of multiple sclerosis on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. She was a highly respected ballroom dancer and adjudicator for Fred Astaire Dance Studios for more than 3 decades. 

We will always treasure Linda's influence and many, many achievements. Our thoughts are now with her family, especially her son, Tad Joy, and his wife, Elizabeth, FADS Area Developers in the Florida region.

Linda's family has asked that we all "celebrate Linda's life by dancing as if no one is watching. Sing as if no one were listening. And live every day as if it were your last." Please see Linda's obituary.

Day Five: Going Out On A High Note!

Saturday's finale of the FAWC was a real crowd pleaser!

This week's FAWC was jam-packed daily with non-stop dancing from early morning to late night. Saturday's schedule, the last day of the event was no different. The competitors were up and at it by 9 AM for the Matinee Session and then later had a well-deserved evening of dinner, cocktails, "leisurely" dancing, and awards presentations.

1st place winners in Bronze Closed Latin Scholarships and Silver International Latin Championships (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)

1st place winners in Open Latin Scholarship and Gold International Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulos and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

1st place winners in Open Latin Scholarship and Open International Latin Championship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)

1st place winners in Bronze Closed Latin Scholarship/Gold International Championship/Gold International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulos and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

 Saturday Matinee Results:

Bronze International Ballroom Championship (C Category): Yu-Lan Lin and Istvan Cserven (Belmont, MA)
Bronze International Ballroom Championship (B Category):  Janet Nadile and Dimitriy Saykovskky (Tarrytown, NY)
Bronze International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Pierrette Quintiliani and Heiko Leyhausen (Old Saybrook, CT)
Silver International Ballroom Championship (C Category): Margaret Law and Istvan Cserven (Belmont, MA)
Silver International Ballroom Championship (B Category): Sima Chervin and Vladimir Triaszin (Rochester, MA)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (C Category): Ingrid Totten and Elmar Schmidt (Brookfield, WI)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Dimitriy Saykovskky (Tarrytown, NY)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (A Category): Brianna Yadgir and Chris Germain (Chicago North, IL)
Gold International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (C Category):  Pam Olsen and Vadim Gazda (Pewaukee, WI)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (B Category): Sima Chervin and Vladimir Triaszin (Rochester, NY)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Bronze International Latin Championship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Gold International Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Silver International Latin Championship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Open International Latin Championship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)
Bronze Closed Latin Scholarship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Open Latin Scholarship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)
Open Latin Scholarship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

Event organizer John Gates warming up for Saturday night's festivities.

FADS Indianapolis folk: Vicki Barbera, Jonah Schneider, John Rudnick and Lindsay Rutherford.

Evening dance party.

Fred Astaire New England region.

Day Four: Here's More!

FAWC dancers work on getting their fill!

Friday afternoon and evening - absolutely incredible, right? The thunderous applause of the audience when the competitors took to the floor, the elegance of the swooping, floating gowns, the total focus and energy each dancer maintained - it was marvelous. The audience lined the floor with their chairs for the pro show and the dancers came within inches. Everyone had a such great evening - and we simply can't wait for tomorrow's International Divisions!  

The crowd at Friday's pro show

Standing ovation

First place winners in American Smooth Silver Closed Championships
(B category) were Janet Nadile and her pro-partner,
Dimitryy Saykovskyy from Tarrytown, NY. 

Lydia Haynes and Morten Schnedler-Jensen, her pro-partner, were the
American Smooth Silver Closed Scholarship (Jr.) winners.
They are from Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner Chris Germain, Chicago North, are all smiles after
placing first in American Smooth Silver Closed Championship (A).

Winners of American Smooth Silver Closed Championship (C) were
Gail Sermershein and her pro-partner Sergh Aliev from FADS Jupiter.

From Chicago North, Brianna Yadgir and  pro-partner Aaron DeSoto took
first place in Silver Closed American Smooth Scholarship (A).  

Janet Nadile and pro-partner Dimitryy Saykovskyy from Tarrytown
took first in Silver Closed American Smooth Scholarship (B). 

Ingrid Totten and Elmar Schmidt, pro-partner, from FADS Brookfield CT,
 were the first place winners in Silver Closed American Smooth Scholarship (C).

And then there was dinner! What a dinner and what a VIEW!

Jack Rothweiler, FADS President and CEO, looking great in
turquoise and having a marvelous time.

A perfect afternoon . . . .

Other winners in the Championship, Scholarship and Pro divisions:
American Smooth Open Championship (Heat 825): Sharon Gridley-Pelkie and Igori Bogatinov (Syracuse, NY)
American Smooth Open Championship (Heat 825): Brianna Yadgir and Chris Germain (Chicago North, IL)
American Smooth Open Championship (Heat 826): Lydia Haynes and Morten Jensen (Ridgefield, CT)
American Open Smooth 4-Dance: Misha Zharinov and Galina Zharinov (Miami Beach, FL)
Open Smooth Scholarship (Heat 827): Janet Nadile and Dimitriy Saykovsky (Tarrytown, NY)
Open Smooth Scholarship (Heat 828): Brianna Yadgir and Chris Germain (Chicago North, IL)
Open Smooth Scholarship (Heat 829): Lydia Haynes and Morten Jensen, (Ridgefield, CT)
Professional Open Cabaret: Justin Guilmette and Kimalee Piedad (Ft. Walton Beach, FL)
American Closed Novice: Jordon Cowan and Talia Barrington (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
American Open Rhythm 5-Dance: Hayk Arshakian and Emilia Goldberg (Milwaukee Central, WI)
Open International Latin 5-Dance: Hayk Balasanyan and Emilia Poghasyan (Hartsdale, NY)
Open International Ballroom 5-Dance: Vladimir Triazin and Alicia Gruttadauria (Rochester, NY)

Day Four: They're Dancing Their Hearts Out

FAWC, San Juan, is really heating up. . .

This afternoon has been incredible. The competitors, all in their beautiful costumes, are dancing their hearts out. The only word that can possibly express the dancing we're seeing is 'spectacular'! The energy is so strong and the bonds that have been established between the competitors will last their lifetimes. All this, and there's still the whole rest of the day to enjoy! 

Competitors and spectators alike are having the time of their lives. Many especially
looked forward to the open division starting this afternoon.

Annette Monks with Ben Seifert, her pro-partner, representing Houston at
Annette's very first national competition in San Juan. If you ask Annette
 what she loves most about FAWC, she'll tell you it's how friendly
 and welcoming everyone is!  We're glad you're here, Annette!

From FADS Syracuse, here are Sharon Gridley and Igori Bagatinova, her pro-partner,
 getting ready for their turn on the dance floor. Looking great, you two!

Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner, Aaron DeSoto, are from the Chicago North studio.
Competing feels like perfection to Brianna, and she thinks this is the best she
 has ever danced. She also shared that her favorite part of competing
 is performing for the audience.  All the best, Brianna!

Introducing Chris Harrison and his pro-partner, Cheryl Seifert from the Champions studio
 in Houston. Chris is excited to be at FAWC, his first national competition.
You look fab, Chris, and fear not if you're a little nervous– everyone is!
Besides, a few nerves just enhance your performance!   

Cyndi Olivia with Aaaron DeSoto, pro, from Chicago North. Cyndi, who has also
competed in Orlando and Vegas, is having a great time at FAWC.  

First place in Bronze Closed American Smooth Scholarship (B) goes to
Janice Gonzalez and pro-partner Vladimir Kosarev, representing FADS Coral Gables. 

Megan Bruno and pro-partner Sergei Tryl won Bronze Closed American
Smooth Scholarship (A). They are proud to represent FADS Tarrytown. 

Yu-Lan Lin and pro-partner Istvan Cserven from Belmont, MA, took first
 place  in Bronze Closed American Smooth Scholarship (C).

Janice Gonzalez and her pro-partner,Vladimir Kosarev, from Coral Gables
 celebrate winning the American Smooth Bronze Closed Championships (B). 

Yu-Lan Lin danced to first place in American Smooth Bronze Closed Championships (C) with pro-partner Istvan Cserven.  The pair are from Belmont, MA.

First place in American Smooth Bronze Closed Championships (A) went to
 Tarrytown's Megan Bruno and her pro-partner Yuriy Herhel.

Day Three: Even Better than DWTS!

Fred Astaire (Dance Studios) World Championships, San Juan, Puerto Rico

FAWC spectators nearly drowned out the music in the ballroom with round after round of cheers for their favorite pro couples last night. The audience was amazed and thrilled by the incredible energy and endurance these pros brought to the floor despite a full day of dancing already! As attendees enjoyed some fun social dancing last evening, the word was that FAWC is better than Dancing With The Stars! And it's true that our pros are amazing - listen to this! Some of the professionals flying in for last night's events were stuck on planes for up to 14 hours due to rain. Facing tough conditions for muscles that need to be kept warm and flexible, these resourceful, dedicated competitors soon had their solution, which doubled as a delight for fellow passengers: they danced in the aisles of the plane! Now that's what makes a pro a pro!

Fun social dancing in the ballroom!

The FAWC crowd anticipates the Pro Show.

Tamas Kardos and Mariya Shurupova, FADS Boca Raton,
winners of American Rising Star Rhythm.

Sergey Smolin and Anna Tomasini, Chicago North, won the
American Closed Bronze. 

Ronald and Katie Guillen of Fort Walton Beach took first place
 in Showdance. 

Tarrytown's Chris Germain and Anna Kryvyk won American
 Closed Bronze.

Alyssa Goldstein and her pro-partner, Chris DeMiller, both from
 FADS Paradise Valley, took first in Open Cabaret Division 

American Closed Novice winners Marco Pizarro and Tamare Richartz,
Boynton Beach

Sergei Tryl and Anna Kryvyk, Tarrytown, winners of American
Closed Bronze/Silver Smooth

Representing Jupiter are Lucia Loper and her pro-partner,
Tamas Kardos. Lucia has attended several nationals and
loves ballroom. "Life is too short not to have fun,"
she says. Have yourself a great time, Lucia!

Ann Sanders poses with her pro-partner, Daniel Blain. They're
representing Houston Memorial and this is Ann's first national
event. Congratulations, Ann!  

Caterina Deac is competing in her first national event
 with her pro-partner, Clifton Sepulveda, on behalf of FADS
 West Palm Beach. Caterina understands the importance of
 self-expression, which makes dancing her perfect pasttime!

Yes, it's tropical!

What a difference a day makes: one minute basking in the sun and the next, torrential downpours. C'est la vie in San Juan.