Save The Date for Jersey Boys!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios in New Jersey are putting on a terrific show on Saturday, September 13th at the Bergen Tech School in Hackensack, NJ. "Jersey Boys" will feature pro/am solos, novelties, and showcases performed by staff and students of Fred Astaire studios in Montville, Morristown, Red Bank, Upper Montclair, Westwood, and Englewood, choreographed by Mr. Stephen Knight, and performances by the New Jersey staff, managers, and owners, choreographed by Bruno Collins.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 each. For ticket sales, please contact Brittany Matthews at the Red Bank studio at 732-741-4188.

Dancing With Desire Recap

Ft. Walton Beach studio's charity event on June 12th, Dancing With Desire, was a huge success! Featuring a host of celebrities from Dancing With The Stars, this program raised money for the Desire Street Ministries and the local YMCA.

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Desire Street Ministries facilities in New Orleans, the Executive Director, Danny Wuerffel and his wife Jessica, wanted to put together a benefit to help displaced inner city youth get back into a permanent facility. Having taken dance lessons at the Fort Walton Beach studio, they turned to Fred Astaire for help. Luann and Bruno Collins were more than happy to help. According to Luann, tickets sold out early this year and they had to add chairs to accommodate all the calls for the show. They also had a “Make A Wish” family join the show as their guest!

Most of the guest dancers were longtime friends of the Astaire studio staff. Among the performers were Maks Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko, Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Fabian Sanchez and Marlee Matlin, Jonathan Roberts and Valentina Kostenko, Jesse DeSoto and Jackie Josephs, Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian, Ilya Iframov and Nadia Goulina.

“This was our biggest to date and the phones wouldn’t stop ringing,” said Luann Collins about the event.

Click here to read a recap about this exciting event.

Rhythm Comes To Texas In Dance Revue

Texas professionals and amateurs will steal a Houston stage on Saturday, June 28th, 2008 as talented students from the Fred Astaire Dance Studios come together to bring “Rhythm of the Night,” the 3rd Annual Ballroom Dance Revue, to the thespian enthusiast and average Houstonian alike. Held at Houston's Hobby Center, the night will be a fantastic display of ballroom dance skill, talent, and creativity. You don't have to be a judge on Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance to know good dancers when you see them!

Houston area students will be accompanied by their teachers to dance over 80 different musical routines to a variety of music for the Professional/ Amateur part of the show. The music will be a mix of fun oldies, ranging from the 1930s to the popular music of today. This show has something for everyone. Nevertheless, Fred Astaire Dance Studios would not be an awesome host if they did not give the audience a taste of the professional star power during the night's Professional Act. It’s a family treat for not only the hometown of Houston, but from afar as well. Make sure you pick up your tickets for this Broadway musical dance revue by clicking here.

Riccardo Cocchi & Shirley Ballas In Indianapolis

Acclaimed dancers Riccardo Cocchi and Shirley Ballas will be coming to the Fred Astaire studio in Indianapolis on August 2-4th. Riccardo Cocchi just came in 2nd in the International Professional Latin division at Blackpool. With his previous partner, Joanne Wilkinson, Ricardo was a finalist in all major professional competitions, as well as winning both the IDSF and IDU World Championships before turning pro. Shirley Ballas is the 3 times winner of the Open To The World British Latin Championships. She has held the following titles: 8 times United States Champions, 3 times British National Champions, United Kingdom Champions, European, 2 times International Champions and Dual of the Giants Champion, amongst others.

Coaching will be available for anyone that would like to come in. Both Riccardo and Shirley will do pro, pro/am and amateur couple coaching. Contact Dan Rutherford at 317-291-6500 for more information.

Save The Date for the DC Invitational on June 29

Celebrate with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Washington, D.C. at their Invitational at the Washington Golf & Country club's President's Hall on Sunday, June 29. With exciting competitive heats, showcases, a buffet dinner, open dancing, and professional shows, this event is the place to be! If you don't want to compete, please join us as a spectator or for dinner! Click here for more information.

Never Give Up!

“Can’t act. Slightly bald. Also dances.”

This was one official's reaction to Fred Astaire's first screen test in 1933. He kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.

Fred Astaire once said: "When you're experimenting, you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion." But his perseverance paid off. “The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it’s considered to be your style.”

Dads Love Dancing Too

In celebration of Father's Day (June 15), TiVo recently conducted a poll to find out which TV shows most fathers say they hate but secretly love. And guess which show came in first? None other than our favorite...Dancing With The Stars!

New Studio In Plymouth, MA

Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Plymouth, MA celebrated their grand opening on June 7th! Congratulations to Marsha and Jay Kane who won 15 lessons in the raffle: 5 private lessons, 5 group classes, and 5 practice sessions - wow, what a great prize! They arrived at the celebration early and were great sports about being two of the first people up on the dance floor.

One self-proclaimed "soccer mom," Ann Luongo, chronicled her time at the party in an article in the local paper. Searching for something to do with her husband, Anne and her husband arrived at the studio and found it overflowing with happy people smiling and dancing. Although they didn't stay long, they signed up for a lesson, inspired by the upbeat and uplifting atmosphere! Click here to read the full article.

Catherine (Casey) Baird and her manager Forrest Burke-Moran look forward to seeing everyone in the studio again very soon to teach the Swing, Foxtrot, Salsa, Waltz, Tango, or any other dance you would like to learn! Don't hesitate to call them at 508-732-6790 or email dance@fadsplymouth.com to book your lessons now.

California Studio Participates In Local Dancing With The Stars

To benefit the Tri-City Health Center, Bill Ranells, owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Santa Clara, participated in a local version of Dancing With The Stars on May 20th. Eight local celebrities learned the Salsa, Swing, and Tango while local dance instructors opened their hearts to teach them free of charge. The competition raised over $20,000 for the Center, which will devote most of the proceeds for school programs that combat teen pregnancy.

Ballroom Dancing In The Summer Olympics?

Is ballroom dancing an art or a sport?

Ballroom dancing is on the International Olympic Committee's 31-sport waiting list for a spot in the Summer Games. With ballroom dancing's world-wide audience (local versions of Dancing With The Stars air in 25 countries with 20 million viewers watching the U.S. version and an astounding 40 million viewers in China) promoters believe that ballroom has as much a claim to Olympic status as beach volleyball, a recent addition to the games.

Click here to read more.

Marlee and Fabian Haven't Stopped Dancing!

Fabian Sanchez, owner of the Fred Astaire Studio in Birmingham, Alabama, recently accompanied his former Dancing With The Stars partner, Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin, to raise money for the International Center on Deafness and the Arts in Northbook, Illinois. An inspiration to anyone who has ever struggled with any kind of disability, Matlin and Sanchez took sixth place in the latest season of DWTS. At the center, they gave students a brief lesson on the cha-cha and the mambo, also performing their Dancing With The Stars routines during a benefit for the center on the following day. Matlin once belonged to the center's Traveling Hands Troupe. Click here to read more.

Fred Astaire National Dance Competition Results

Results from Fred Astaire's Cross Country Dancesport Championships held in April 2008 include:

AMATEUR COUPLES
1. Andy Sage & Sara Sage
2. Cliff McCullough & Cathy McCullough
3. Michael Lahue & Robin Lahue
4. Tim Duffy & Bette Anne Duffy
5. Bruce Kennedy & Sharon Kennedy
6. Jim David & Maria David
7. Eric Nielsen & Jennifer Courtney
8. Ron Snyder & Sharon Snyder

TOP STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
2. Andy Sage, Lake Park
3. Eric Nielsen, Belmont
4. Claude Carnahan, Norwalk
5. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
6. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
7. Jess Armitage, Scottsdale North
8. Sean Orr, Tarrytown

9. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
10. Ken Euge, Phoenix North
11. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
12. Fred Doeing, Albany
13. Andy Dopuch, Milwaukee Downtown
14. James Weathers, Chandler
15. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
16. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
17. John Scheuren, Ft. Walton Beach
18. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
19. Poxie Xumsai, Chicago North
20. Robert McComsey, Tarrytown
Ladies:
1. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
2. Gracelynn Tuoti, Buffalo
3. Sara Sage, Lake Park
4. Dawn Greenleaf, Norwood
5. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
6. Debbie Bates, Houston Woodlands
7. Sherry Ramsey, Mesa
8. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
9. Marilyn Bailey, Phoenix North
10. Pam Swerdlick, New York East
11. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
12. Marilyn Derrick, Phoenix
13. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
14. Louisa Jornayvaz, Denver
15. Ashley Coles, Phoenix
16. Joan Hayner, Albany
17. Lois Springer, Scottsdale
18. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
19. Cheryl Anderson, Mesa
20. Lauren Bushman, Scottsdale

TOP NEWCOMER
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Sage, Lake Park
2. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
3. Michael Lahue, Montville
4. Gary Adams, Indianapolis
5. Joe Gorman, Upper Montclair
6. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
7. Poxie Xumsai, Chicago North
8. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
9. Jerry Roland, Westwood
10. Cliff McCullough, Mystic
11. Peter Couto, Chandler
12. Brian Hamilton, Chandler
13. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
14. Kevin Roland, Westwood
Ladies:
1. Sara Sage, Lake Park
2. Ashley Coles, Phoenix
3. Susan Padgham, Scottsdale North
4. Alyssa Patmos, Chandler
5. Dawn Morehead, Durham
6. Lauren Bushman, Scottsdale
7. Marian Swoboda, Madison
8. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
9. Alana Chester, Warren
10. Dyana Fonda, Mystic
11. Robin Lahue, Montville
12. Kristen Atienza, Red Bank
13. Barbara Barbarite, Mamaroneck
14. Debbie Gillis, San Antonio
15. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
16. Norma Hickey, Red Bank
17. Jasmine Fourquet, Red Bank
18. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
19. Judi Duchossois, Chicago North
20. Mimi Dickerson, Norwalk

TOP BRONZE STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Sage, Lake Park
2. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
3. Claude Carnahan, Norwalk
4. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
5. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
6. Fred Doeing, Albany
7. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
8. Ken Euge, Phoenix, North
9. Jess Armitage, Scottsdale North
10. Andy Dopuch, Milwaukee Downtown
11. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
12. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
13. Joe Tafuri, Mamaroneck
14. Jim David, Washington,DC
15. Richard Bell, Mamaroneck
16. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
17. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
18. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
19. John Scheuren, Ft. Walton Beach
20. Dr. Jim Murphy, Westerville
Ladies:
1. Gracelynn Tuoti, Buffalo
2. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
3. Dawn Greenleaf, Norwood
4. Sara Sage, Lake Park
5. Sherry Ramsey, Mesa
6. Debbie Bates, Houston Woodlands
7. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
8. Marilyn Bailey, Phoenix North
9. Marilyn Derrick, Phoenix
10.Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
11. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
12. Pam Swerdlick, New York East
13. Joan Hayner, Albany
14. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
15. Cathy Wheeler, Houston Kingwood
16. Dr. Roslyn Fretwell, Houston Katy
17. Connie Eskelson, Phoenix North
18. Kathy Kish, Tinley Park
19. Donna Gescheidler, Schererville
20. Jennifer Barbarite, Mamaroneck

TOP SILVER STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
2. Eric Nielsen, Belmont
3. Ed Hammond, Durham
4. James Weathers, Chandler
5. Carl Gottlieb, Westwood
6. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
7. John Rogers, West Springfield
8. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
9. Michael Lahue, Montville
10. Harold Pfitzner, Westwood
11. Bob Rauch, Winston Salem
12. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
13. Richard Bell, Mamaroneck
Ladies:
1. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
2. Louisa Jornayvaz, Denver
3. Sarah Gillespie, Tarrytown
4. Kay Hammond, Durham
5. Janet Bruttell, Boca Raton
6. Susan Tringas, Ft. Walton Beach
7. Ellenor Shephard, Greensboro North
8. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
9. Margaret Mateeff, St. Petersburg
10. Margaret Norton, Greensboro North
11. Ann Sossamon, Greenville
12. Jan Polak, Nashville
13. Sharon Wells, Greenville
14. Suzanne Boivin, Milwaukee Wales
15. Elizabeth Aldridge, Greensboro North
16. Diane Howard, Columbus East
17. Lindsey Willis, Tarrytown
18. Deborah Johnston, Canton
19. Linda Faulkner, Hamden
20. Linda Hansen, Milwaukee Central

TOP GOLD STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Sean Orr, Tarrytown
2. Robert McComsey, Tarrytown
3. James Weathers, Chandler
Ladies:
1. Lindsey Willis, Tarrytown
2. Natasha Konon, Tarrytown
3. Randi Zedeck, St. Petersburg
4. Betsy Bell, Norwalk
5. Tina Broccole, Norwalk
6. Alaina French, Mesa
7. Alaina French, Mesa
8. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
9. Kay Hammond, Durham
10. Diane Howard, Columbus East
11. Josephine Howser, Memphis
12. Carol Koth, Denver North
13. Pam Swerdlick, New York East

Dancing In Canton, Ohio with Tony Dovolani

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Tony Dovolani will oversee Latin dance workshops at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, June 4th, 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tony was teamed with Marissa Jaret Winokur on this past season of Dancing With The Stars. He has also partnered with Stacey Keibler, Sara Evans, Leeza Gibbons, and Jane Seymour in past seasons of the show. Recently retired from competing, Tony is the current undefeated United States Professional Rhythm Champion and World Professional Rhythm Champion.

Click here or call 330-453-4028 for more information.

More Blackpool Winners!

Congratulations to Fred Astaire professionals Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian for placing 3rd in the Exhibition division at Blackpool! Eric and Georgia are members of the Fred Astaire National Council of Dance and teach at the Fred Astaire Ft. Walton Beach studio.

Ricardo Cocchi Comes In 2nd At Blackpool!

We are pleased to announce that the newest member of the Fred Astaire National Dance Board, acclaimed dancer Ricardo Cocchi, placed 2nd at this year’s Blackpool Dance Festival, the most prestigious and largest dance competition in the world. With partner Yulia Zagoruychenko, Ricardo came in 2nd across the board in the International Professional Latin division. We are proud to have someone like Ricardo in our organization.

Dancing With The Stars Tony Dovolani Coming To Fred Astaire DC!

Save the date! Dancing With The Stars professional Tony Dovolani is coming to Fred Astaire DC on July 23-24, 2008 for private coachings and group classes. Reserve your space now! Signups will be on a first come, first serve basis! Click here for more information.

Fred Astaire Dance Instructor Sets New Record

By Caitlin Doldan

Thomas Radon, from the Buffalo, NY studio, finished his last lesson at 8:00 a.m. after teaching through the night. That was the end of a week-long marathon to raise money for Kids Create Hope, a pediatric cancer research fund. When Tommy’s student, Sari Zugermayr, heard that he wanted his marathon efforts to be for charity, she suggested one that she was personally involved with, and Tommy was eager to help. Kids Create Hope was founded by her sister in memory of Sari’s brother-in-law who passed away last year from cancer. When the last lesson ended, Tommy was tired but still smiling. “I’m a little sad that it’s over. I don’t know what to do with myself today,” he said, as he left the studio to take his one day off.

Tommy accomplished an amazing feat by teaching 212 lessons in one week! He was the previous record holder for lessons taught, with a total of 146 in 7 days. Last year, his record was broken by a gentleman who taught 150 lessons in 5 days. Tommy wanted to be the record holder once more, and this time, he decided to do it for charity. He allowed himself one 45 minute break within a 24 hour period when his schedule allowed, and taught with no sleep at all on Thursday and Friday in order to reach his goal. By the fifth day, he had broken the previous record by teaching 151 lessons, and continued his efforts for 2 more days to reach 212. Tommy’s schedule was booked from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. the next morning, and he had students coming in the middle of the night, giving him a tremendous amount of support and incredible amounts of food. All of his ladies were providing him with a constant supply of vitamin water and snacks to keep him going. “I wanted to beat the record for myself, but I wanted it to mean more this time. Raising money for charity made it a more worthy cause, and it kept me motivated.”

The most amazing part of the week was when he donated a portion of his paycheck to Kids Create Hope. In addition to the money from Tommy, the Buffalo Studio held a fundraiser that offered free group classes for children, face painting, and an array of desserts provided by one of Tommy’s students, Ann Lentsch. Many students also came to help with the children. It was an incredibly moving event when Tommy presented his check, and although he was exhausted, there was a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction in his face. “The staff at the studio was really awesome. They encouraged their students to participate, and were constantly checking on how I was doing. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.”

At the end of the week, the Buffalo Studio had a champagne toast and many of the ladies came to the studio on their way to work just to congratulate him. The owners of the studio, Andrei and Anastasia Abrashin, were very excited for Tommy when it was all over. “When Tommy told us about how many lessons he wanted to teach, we thought he was crazy, but we knew he would do it. We are thrilled that he reached his goal, and so proud to have him in our studio. We love him.”

It was an incredible physical and emotional accomplishment for Tommy to dedicate so much effort to raise money for pediatric cancer, and the Buffalo studio is proud to work with him. One of the other teachers, Jessica, said, “As a new teacher at the studio, it was inspiring to see Tommy work so hard. He always gave 100 percent to all of his students, no matter how tired he felt, and that’s why they love him so much.”

After taking only one day off, Tommy is back to his regular schedule of 70 to 80 lessons per week, and looks forward to doing more charity work to raise money. “It was so rewarding during the fundraiser to see the staff of Kids Create Hope so appreciative of the event. I would love to do more.” In addition to teaching his busy schedule, he also does a summer program at the African American Culture Society, the YMCA, and several local schools. It is clear that Tommy’s ambitions are endless when it involves sharing the joy of dance. He is a talented and passionate man that has a rewarding future in the Fred Astaire Company, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Baby Boomers Hit The Dance Floor

Even though baby boomers are now entering their 60s, they show no signs of slowing down! Chris Cloud, owner of a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Lancaster, Ohio, has recently noticed how baby boomers are getting out and taking to the dance floor. In his studio, he offers dance classes specifically for the Baby Boomer group. "They are getting to the point where they've worked hard and need some relief and some fun," Cloud said in a recent article about this dancing trend.

Dancing With Desire 2008

Fred Astaire Dance Studios is proud to present Dancing with Desire ‘08, a show featuring internationally acclaimed dance champions and guest celebrity performers, on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Okaloosa Island, FL.


This unique "star-studded" night will feature dance performances by:

• Tony Dovolani & Elena Grinenko
  Professional Ballroom Dancers and Dancing with the Stars Celebrities


• Danny Wuerffel
  Former NFL Player and Heisman Trophy Winner


• Maksim Chmerkovskiy
  Former World Finalist and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Valeriya Kozharinova
  World Youth Latin Champions


• Julianne Hough
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Mark Ballas
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Derek Hough
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Fabian Sanchez
  World Mambo Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Ilya Iframov & Nadia Gulina
  World Rising Star Latin Champions

Special guest performances include World Cabaret Dance Champions Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian, and U.S. Dance Champions Joe and Tommie Trovato. Also performing are U.S. Cabaret Finalists Jesse Benedetti and Kimalee Piedad, and a special performance by the Desire Street Students.

Dancing with Desire ‘08 proceeds go to support the Desire Street Ministries (now located in Baton Rouge, LA) and also to support the local YMCA program. For more information, click here.

Hats Off To Tony Dovolani and Fabian Sanchez!

Congratulations to both Tony Dovolani and Fabian Sanchez for their star performances on this spring’s Dancing With The Stars! Tony Dovolani has been associated with the Fred Astaire organization for many years and Fabian owns a Fred Astaire Studio in Birmingham, AL.


Both Tony and Fabian remained on season 6 of Dancing With The Stars for many weeks. Fabian, with partner Marlee Matlin, made it to the quarterfinals and Tony, with Broadway actress Marissa Jaret Winokur, got all the way to the semifinals this season. We are proud to have such great dancers represent our organization!