He's Not Just Dedicated -- He's 'Fred"icated!

Ron (Cuddles) Bailey's 'Fred Tat'

My name is Ron "Cuddles" Bailey. I first walked into the Youngstown Fred Astaire Dance Studio Sept 29th, 2011, with my future daughter in law, Anna. I wanted her and me to have a special dance for their June 2012 wedding. Kristin Dobson was our instructor. From that moment  to now, my life has had the wonder of dance in it. 

My wife, Chub, had been sick, in and out of hospitals and nursing homes a lot. In February of 2012, I completed in my first mini match. Chub was attending. She and Anna arrived, and Travis Manero [Youngstown's owner] personally escorted Chub in, making sure she had a very good seat. I completed 22 dances with Kristin and Chelsea Cherie. Later, Anna told me that Chub was in awe. She said, “Ronnie is always happy, but now he is in a complete new world.” She loved watching me dance.

March of 2012 was not a good month for Chub. She was in ICU most of the time and on a ventilator. In between working and visiting her, I would spend time at the studio. By now the studio had become more of a chapel to me. By now the instructors and fellow student had become very special to me. My love for dance and their support was getting me through a difficult time. Plus, I was having my own health issues with pulmonary fibrosis.   

On October 1, 2012, I lost my loving Chub. Almost 400 people attended her calling hours. Among them were Travis and Kristin, plus several of my fellow Fred Astaire students.

The following month, I was in my first Regional competition. Kristin and I preformed my first solo dedicated to Chub and me. That same month, the studio held a Zumba Thon benefit for pulmonary fibrosis.

I have now attended several Regionals. I not only had a wonderful time dancing, but through them, have now met more wonderful Fred Astaire instructors and fellow students. I am truly blessed to have so many fellow dancers as friends. 

Cuddles, having a blast at a Competition

I have never had a tattoo. I never got one until I was 60 years old. I have four now, and each one has a very special meaning. I got my first in 2010 when I lost my dad. In 2012, I got one for my beloved state of Iowa. My third was for my dear Chub, who was also a veteran of the USAF. My fourth I got in February of 2013. This I call my Fred Astaire Tat. I am proud of each of my tattoos. Each one holds a special place in my heart.

Travis Manero, the owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios,Youngstown, first contacted inStep about Cuddles' tattoo. At that time, Travis said of Cuddles: "Wait until you talk to this gentleman. Everyone at the studio absolutely loves him."  Well, Travis, we talked with him and it's clear why you said that. And his story about what everyone at your studio has done for him, and what dancing has done for him...well, it made our day!

"I Never Would Have Believed!": A Student Reflects on His NDC Experience

L to R: Yasmeen Sahira, Pro, Dave Forecki, and Dajana Stanic, Pro
  

Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Greenfield, WI, would like to thank Dave Forecki for representing the studio so well at his first National Comp! Dave made the Greenfield studio extremely proud when he won the Top Bronze Showcase Male award with his number, “I Wanna Be Evil”. What a great job, Dave!! 

“There are experiences that remain forever in your memory, says Dave. "After receiving a free dance lesson to Fred Astaire Studio from a wedding expo which I attended with my son and his fiancée a year and a half ago, I never would have believed I would be competing at a National Dance Competition, much less winning ‘Top Bronze Showcase Male’. 

"The grandeur and splendor I viewed, the grace and talent I observed, the comradery and support I received from the instructors and students from my region and the confidence I developed are some tangibles I experienced at the NDC in Orlando which will be the impetus for me to become a better dancer. It is an experience that is truly life shaping. As one of my instructors said, it's like a regional competition —on steroids!” 

Dave performed at  NDC with Greenfield Pros Yasmeen Sahira (to Dave's right)
and May Lee (to his left). The trio is shown here with Luann Pulliam
 and Joe Trovato

NDC Orlando - Day Four: A pictorial

Another busy day, another busy matinee session as competitors vied for top placings in the American Smooth Bronze Closed Single Dance Divisions, American Smooth Bronze Closed Championships and Scholarships, American Smooth Silver and Higher Closed Single Dances, and Silver Closed Multi Dances and Scholarship Divisions. 

The evening capped off with the Proficiency International Ballroom Divisions, International Ballroom Closed and Open Single Dance Divisions, International Ballroom Closed and Open Multi and Scholarship Divisions, Pro/Am Cabaret Division and the highly anticipated Professional Divisions. 

A new award named for Linda Joy who recently passed.

 

Galina and Misha Zharinov, winners of the Linda Joy American Smooth award.

(Front) Chris Germain and Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North

 

Cathy Goshorn of Sarasota receives a massage.

Linda Gill and Ruslan Meshkov, Ft. Lauderdale

(L-R) Chris Simon, Elizabeth Ragacion, Leona Hatz, Debbie Dietrich, Pamela Baden, Ann Sanders, Daniel Blain, back row, Phillip Gutierrez of Houston Memorial.

  

Tim Duffy and Ria Valenzuela, Chicago North. Tim, his wife, Bette Anne, and his son, Kevin, are all competing at NDC this year. 

Pamela Baden and Phillip Gutierrez, Houston Memorial

Will You Be At NDC This Year?

On behalf of Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios and the Competition Committee, we graciously extend to you, an invitation to this year's National Dance Competition in beautiful Orlando, FL. Come experience the passion, energy and magic of ballroom dance October 29 — November 2.

Day Two: Energy Levels at All-Time Highs!

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

Wednesday was amazing, with the dancers displaying energy levels that carried them far into the night. Compliments flew for the competition's organizers and teachers who collaborated on a  fast-paced,efficient system that kept everyone moving and smoothly filled, emptied, and re-filled the dance floor at an unprecedented pace. Wednesday's watchword, though, was definitely 'camaraderie' as everyone by this time had been touched by the warm, all-inclusive spirit of every FADS family member in attendance. 

And a special shout out to Bonnie Schoenberg (Chicago North) who finished 78 heats today and still felt sad that the dancing was over! 

Susan Curling and and pro-partner, Kevin Prothro of Houston, won the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Division (B).

Jupiter's Maria Romano and  pro-partner, Sergh Aliev, won the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Championships (C).

Cattleya-Anne Veluz and pro-partner, Brandon Barranco, of FADS Birmingham, placed first in the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Championships (A).

First in the American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (A) went to Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner, Aaron DeSoto,  from FADS Chicago North.

The American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (C) winners were Cyndi Olivia and pro-partner, Chris Germain, from FADS Chicago North.

Tom Kremer and pro-partner Julia Emil from FADS Chicago West Loop took first in the American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (AC-AMA).

Annette Monks and pro-partner Ben Seifert from FADS Houston-Woodlands won first in the American  Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (B).

FADS Chicago North's Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner Aaron DeSoto won first in the American  Rhythm Open Championships (A). FADS Corporate is sponsoring this category and the winner will represent the organization at USBC. FADS President and CEO Jack Rothweiler stands third from left.

Vicki Barbera and pro-partner Jonah Schneider, FADS Indianapolis, took first place in the American Rhythm Open Silver  Championships (B) and will be sponsored by FADS Corporate in this category for USBC participation. Jack Rothweiler also appears in this photo (back row, third from left).

The American Rhythm Open Championships (C) first place winners were Pam Olsen and pro-partner Vadim Gazda of FADS Pewaukee.

Maria Romano and pro-partner Sergh Aliev of FADS Jupiter, took first in the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarships (C). In front, far right, are FADS VP and Franchising Director, Al King and his wife, Debbie.

Cattleya-Anne Veluz and her pro-partner Brandon Barranco, both from Birmingham, won the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarship (A). 

FADS Chicago North's Bonnie Schoenberg and pro-partner Chris Germain placed first in the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarships (B).

Annette Monks with pro-partner Ben Seifert, Houston Woodlands, won the the Silver Closed American Rhythm Scholarship (B). 

Ashley Quibilan and pro-partner Ryan Lockhart, Oceanside, winners of the Open Rhythm Scholarship (A)

Bob Koehler and Kristen Dobson, his pro-partner, are from Youngstown. They took first place in
the Open Rhythm Scholarship (C)

From Indianapolis, Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider, pro-partner, won the Open Rhythm Scholarship (B). 

Cyndi Oliva and her pro-partner Chris Germain of Chicago North, first in Silver Closed Rhythm Scholarship (C).