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). 

Day One Results: Back in San Juan!

Opening Day: Fred Astaire (Dance Studios) World Championships, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The first day of competitions for students (and professionals) from Fred Astaire Dance Studios across the U.S. was both exhilarating and emotional. The four hour Showcase Extravaganza at the Caribe Hilton which included Bronze, Silver and Gold Solo, Novelty and Bronze, Silver, Gold Showcase performances was the kick-off to the annual four day event that's been held in San Juan since 2009. Veterans of this premiere competition event no doubt have fond recollections of past years, but will also sadly note that this is the final event in Puerto Rico.

 This is Jamie Rivera's (FADS Houston) first national competition. He and his pro-partner, Tarin Smith, feel great competing tonight.

Pierrette Quintiliani and her pro-partner, Heiko Leyhausen, from FADS Old Saybrook, CT, enjoy the atmosphere and all the other accomplished dancers on the floor.

Jim Oberman from FADS Chicago South Mokena savors his top Bronze Showcase Male award.

Margaret Law from FADS Belmont took top Bronze Showcase Female.

Aidan Boutin from FADS Middletown took top Junior Showcase.

Ingrid Totten from FADS Brookfield (CT) took top Silver Showcase Female.

Bob Koehler from FADS Youngstown receives an award for top Novelty Male.

Lois Davis from FADS Willoughby takes top Novelty Female.

Other winners in the Solo Division tonight:

Top Bronze Solo Male: Larry Markowitz (Tarrytown, NY)
Top Bronze Solo Female: Christine Coulter (Pewaukee, WI)
Top Silver Solo Female: Pam Olsen (Pewaukee, WI)
Top Gold Solo Male: Dennis Baer (Milwaukee North)

Fred Astaire: Eons after, he is still top hat

"He was that greatest of all dancers, male or female, classical or modern, ballet or ballroom, rap or tap, break or flake, highbrow or low."  Joseph Epstein, Fred Astaire 

Today, Wayne Brockman told us about a super news article on the amazing Fred Astaire. Wayne is a manager at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Venice, Florida.  We thank you, Wayne.  We’re posting the link here for everyone's  enjoyment and to honor our founder, a man who forever changed dance and film and whose impact was felt by the entire world.  You sure were incredible, Mr. Fred Astaire.

Why I dance at Fred Astaire Mamaroneck…by Joe Tafuri, 6-year student

I recently concluded my 6^th year of taking lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Mamaroneck and started thinking back as to why I began ballroom dancing and why I continue to enjoy it so much.
I am ashamed to admit it, but before I came to this dance studio, I hated to dance. Yes, Joe Tafuri hated to dance. Every time my wife Beth and I attended a wedding, she would want to get up on the dance floor and sometimes I would begrudgingly agree. I was content to sit at the table with all the other husbands and make small talk, while all our wives were itching to get on the dance floor.

In October 2006, I took the first step to correct this situation. I was searching for a birthday gift for my wife. Since I had passed the studio for 10 years, I decided that this would be a good time to buy some lessons for her. I went in, met the former owner and bought a starter package.

'Immerse yourself in this incredible sport' - Beth & Joe share a dance 

We actually began using those lessons on Valentine’s Day 2007. At first, I was in appeasement mode. We did a little Fox Trot, learned a few basic box steps in Rumba and even mastered the T-A-N-G-O steps of Tango. We liked coming to the studio and enjoyed dancing together. We also made some great friends.

Since I was very dedicated to Civil War re-enacting a few weekends every month, one or two dance lessons didn’t really get in the way. Beth and I were having fun and loved the learning process.  We were then asked, since we had signed up for a few more lessons a week, if we wanted to dance individually with professional instructors. We were told that I would learn how to lead Beth better and we agreed.

Then we heard about a Showcase and I immediately said “no!” What, I was now expected to dance in front of an audience? No way! But I finally agreed after some very convincing discussions with my former teacher. Beth was on board from the start….no wonder, she heard the music, was born with rhythm and loved be at the center of attention.

My first Showcase was comprised of me dressing up in my Civil War uniform and walking around the floor with my instructor to a Waltz. But, I did it. I was extremely nervous, which was odd, because I’m in sales and regularly present to 20-30 people. However, this was different, very different. I was challenging myself, outside of my comfort zone. Beth was elegant, expressive and had a huge smile on her face, while I looked like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I could not wait for the music to end!

Then something changed my perspective on ballroom dancing that followed the Showcase….Competitions. We were told about a Newcomer’s Competition in White Plains. It was one day and a great way to see if we liked competitive dancing. That day, changed my whole perspective on this sport.

I was nervous, yet very excited at the same time. I remember wearing a vest, dance shoes (which I resisted buying at first) and dance pants for the first time. It was a surreal experience walking into that ballroom, with all the music, beautiful dresses and professionals flying around the floor with their students. It captured me so, that I retired from Civil War re-enacting, within a year.

Joe & Beth Tafuri - Competition Time

That energy and excitement is what has fueled my passion over these past few years. I feel a competition is a true measurement of what my instructor and I have worked on for the months leading up to the event. There is no better feeling than having your name called for a 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd Place finish. I remember my first callback for a semi-final at a national competition. I will also never forget my only American Smooth Championship in Chicago. Beth and I also competed as an Amateur Couple and captured Top Honors twice. We both found the experience very rewarding.

But enough about Joe -- let me focus on the incredible instructors that I am privileged to work with on a daily basis. I know you are probably thinking, “What makes Fred Astaire in Mamaroneck so special?” There a simple answer….our instructors and co-owners, Kateryna Angelone and Stanley McCalla.

It has been my good fortune and privilege to work and compete with Kateryna for almost 3 years. She is not only an excellent teacher, but a tremendous competitor. I regularly watch her dance with her professional partner, Azamat, and think how incredible is that I get to work with her 4-5 nights per week. This is not just a student bragging about his teacher. She is a U.S. Mambo Champion and one of the top American Rhythm dancers in the country, winning over a dozen championships…..and we have her teaching at our studio!

Stanley has coached me several times over the years and his attention to detail and focused style of teaching, has improved my dancing tremendously. He and his wife, Jennifer, are former U.S. 10-Dance champions. Stanley is also an accomplished ballroom judge, who travels across the country, to judge professionals at all the top competitions. He is also a true gentleman, a great leader on the dance floor and very much appreciated by the couples and female students he teaches.

The Fred Astaire system has something for all students of ballroom dancing. Whether you want to compete on the Pro-Am circuit, have them choreograph a wedding dance or simply learn to dance an East Coast Swing with your wife, these instructors can make it happen.

All it takes on your part is to take lessons, be willing to learn and enjoy the process of immersing yourself in this incredible sport!

Lynne Meredith Golodner inspired every single one of us during her presentation on Thursday at our recent TOP Seminar, held in Atlanta, Georgia, from 3/14 - 3/16.  Ms. Golodner followed up her presentation by posting this article about us on our Corporate Facebook page. We appreciate her kind words more than we can say.

Lynne Meredith Golodner has been a journalist for more than 20 years and is the owner and chief creative officer of Your People LLC, an award-winning marketing, PR and business development company focused on helping businesses build by building strategic relationships.  She invites you to visit her blog at http://www.lynnegolodner.com/

Doing the Public Relations Dance with Fred Astaire Studio Owners

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Lynne Meredith Golodner (formerly Schreiber)

Yesterday I spoke to a packed room of the best-dressed business owners I’ve ever met: Fred Astaire Dance Studio franchise owners from around the country, gathered in Atlanta to enhance the way they run their businesses.
It’s an interesting world we live in, where a livelihood can be derived from one’s passion. So many of the franchisees are themselves incredible award-winning dancers – evidenced by the poise with which they sailed through conversations and the high-fashion they presented as they graced the conference sessions.
While the world of dance is one I haven’t inhabited in years (rectify that!), I can easily relate to their desire to make a good living doing what they love.
Yesterday, I spoke about relationships and storytelling – and how the two are intertwined and the only real authentic ways of building business. I took them through how to craft their story, how to stay consistent with messaging, and whom to tell this story to, in what ways.
Many are the ways we send our message out to the marketplace. And when it comes with a genuine desire to connect, person to person, a business is golden.
It’s easy when you own a business borne out of passion and hobby. If you personally like to dance in competitions and with partners, if you can appreciate the ease of gliding across the parquet and the rush of adrenaline that comes with learning new steps and dazzling crowds, then it’s an easy sell. If you sell from the heart.
That’s the thing about business today. It has to come from the heart. There is no other way, in an economy where everyone has what they need … except connection.
The more distantly we connect (think social media, email, websites, smart phones), the lonelier we become. And the lonelier we are in our everyday lives, the more room there is for someone to care.
Businesses today must care about their customers. Otherwise, they’ll lose them to someone who does.
I didn’t stumble off the stage in my pretty heels yesterday (thankfully, as I was speaking before the nation’s most graceful business owners!) but I know that I connected with many amazing people. And that’s what being in this business is all about.

'I've learned to be respectful to others': The Rewards of Ballroom Dancing for Kids (In honor of Fred Astaire Dance Studios teachers)

Last November's hard-copy version of inStep featured an article by Andrea Bisconti about an annual marathon at her studio, FADS, Willoughby, Ohio, that supported the 'Dancing Classrooms' project to benefit local schools. This great project is also supported by other Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Andrea's story comes to mind every time there's something in the news related to the burdens too many students bear as they face their morning walk through the schoolhouse doors. Simply put, they have too many worries: from not fitting in, to having the 'wrong' clothes, to being bullied — or worse. Many kids have poor self-esteem, as well as poor peer relationships. They suffer from a lack of focus and a lack of respect for others.

 

 It's hard not to think, 'Gee, maybe ballroom dancing should be available to all kids, considering the amazing things it does for them.' With improved social skills, higher levels of confidence, enhanced academic performances and better peer relationships, the benefits of ballroom are not only significant — they're timely and appropriate.

So, here's a link to a great article (and video) about 'Dancing Classrooms,' and how ballroom dancing can really help kids. It was written by Jennifer Smith Richards for The Columbus Dispatch last month. It's posted here in honor of all the great FADS dance teachers who put their hearts and souls into making life better for people everywhere, one dance at a time.

Thank you for all you do.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/02/09/respect-the-dance.html

If You ♥ Fred, Read Hermes Pan: The Man Who Danced With Fred Astaire

If you love dancing and Fred Astaire, you’ve got to read John Franceschina’s new book, Hermes Pan, The Man Who Danced with Fred Astaire, published last summer.  Ava Astaire McKenzie, one of its reviewers, calls the book “wonderfully informative ” in a quote that also reveals her esteem for her father’s lifelong friend:  “I have always considered Hermes Pan to be my ‘other father,’” she says.

Hermes Pan first met Astaire at RKO in 1933 when the Great Depression was in full swing.  Pan was just 24 and penniless. According to Franceschina’s story, Pan, his mother, and his sister were in such desperate financial straits that they were forced to pack heir belongings repeatedly, moving from house to another in the wee hours of the night.

 As the story goes, Pan first worked with Astaire at a salary of $75.00/week. These were the days before the title ‘choreographer’ existed, so Pan’s first assignment was as Astaire’s creative ‘sounding board’ on Flying Down to Rio (1933).  The book also traces Pan's work with such famous stars as Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra, among others.  He remained Astaire’s lifelong friend and choreographer through Astaire’s final film, Finian’s Rainbow (1968).

Combining extensive research with plenty of illustrations, the 300+-page book traces Pan’s history from his late 19^th-century Greek roots throughout his career, delving deeply into his unique  relationship with Astaire. Readers with a passion for Fred Astaire, dance, musical theater and dance history in television and film will love it! Click this link to New York Social Diary's website to learn more about Pan and why this biography promises such a fascinating read.