Dancing With The Stars - A Teacher's Perspective on Week 2

Dancing with the Stars –Week 2

By Debra Stroiney

So I realized that some of my math was wrong last week regarding how many lessons the stars may have before the first show. Regardless, we don’t know how much they are actually practicing and what they are doing compared to what has been edited for television. Now, on this past episode, it was stated that most have 3 days to learn their dance and routine, and the 4th day is used for blocking the cameras and stage, although there still may be some rehearsal time for actual dancing. So let’s try the math again. 3 days at a possible 4 hours a day equals 12 lessons. Again, we don’t know as much about the backgrounds of each star other than what they tell us. There are some stars that may have the time to practice 8 hours a day and some may not. But 3 days is still a very short amount of time to learn some of these dances and perform them the way that is needed.

Being trained to teach at Fred Astaire has allowed me to use a system of teaching that helps students make progress with their dancing. Fred Astaire himself said that there are no natural dancers; it is a skill that can be learned. I do believe this because I never ballroom danced until 4 years ago. That is why I try to do the same with my own students. Now have you ever had an instructor tell you that you are not ready to learn the Paso Doble, or that we can’t teach you hip action right away because you just won’t get it? They were correct in telling you this. I was watching this week and I realized that in only their 2nd week on the show they had to perform two more difficult dances. I then remembered on the first week they had to perform a Quickstep!

On Dancing with the Stars, there is no system of teaching. Therefore, when you walk into a studio after seeing a show and you ask to learn the Quickstep the instructors discourage you from it. There needs to be fundamental elements that you learn before you tackle a dance like the Quickstep. This also applies to the Paso Doble and Rumba.

The Paso Doble is all character and technique; if you do the steps alone, it only looks like marching. I was impressed with many of the Paso Doble routines on the show this week. I think everyone carried it off well for the training they had. On the other hand, those who dance Rumba gave away that they only had three to four days to practice and learn their routine. Many of the routines were good with some difficult tricks and poses. But, if you look really closely, you will notice that many did not have any hip action. There is only so much you can learn at one time. This is what the judges meant if they said they were stiff or did not have fluidity from one movement to another. If you also look closely, you will notice that the professional dancers did most of the work in the rumba routines. But there are a lot of tricks they are doing to cover up any lack of hip action and fluidity.

I am frequently surprised at some of the steps the professionals teach the stars for their routines. You would be surprised to know some of them are high level international steps not usually taught to someone who has only been dancing for about seven weeks.

I am so impressed by Warren. He really goes out there to perform and moves well. I hope everyone sees that it does not matter what size you are - anyone can dance if they learn how to develop their own balance and body awareness. Take a chance and try it. I bet you he is lighter on his feet than some people who are half his size.

OK, we all know that Cloris is not matching up to the other dancers on this show but lets give her a little credit. She is 82 years old!!!!!!! I wish the judges wouldn’t be so hard on her sometimes. I know that she doesn’t compare to the other dancers and they have to score that accordingly but I would just like to say if she was dancing at a regional competition where there are age categories she would be doing just fine. I think that Corky is doing a great job with her and giving her age appropriate routines. I truly hope, as many of us probably do, that I am alive, dancing and having fun at that age.

On the opposite end of the age spectrum we have Cody. I am also impressed with him because he seems comfortable with his body and how to move it. I have taught teenagers and at first you see their awkwardness as they are learning how to be comfortable in their own skin. But the best thing about that is they learn so quickly and can usually learn to overcome this giving them a confidence to deal with their teenage years. I am sure that Cody displays this confidence due to being a performer.

Speaking of being a performer before participating on this show, I urge you to make a connection between those with previous performance or other dance experience. In this season, Lance and Toni stand out as the performers to me. From being in the music industry, both have a connection with the music and know how to use the music to move around the stage. They may not always show traditional ballroom techniques and character but they are putting on a show that is enjoyable. Lance and Lacey are definitely not traditional but I have to say they are my favorites because of their entertainment value. Through the seasons, there have been many couples that do not have traditional ballroom routines. Also, if you want traditional ballroom routines then pick traditional ballroom music! The professionals are choreographing the dance to the music they are given. I don’t think that the judges should be criticizing the performers for that, if anything it is using their creative talents to make it work for them. In my opinion, the last time I heard it the song “I kissed a girl” was a Swing not a Paso Doble. In fact it was played as a Swing at the last New England Regional Fred Astaire competition. These performers sometimes have an advantage over the ones that don’t. I am happy to see when a professional is in tune with the background of their star and uses their strengths and develop their performance as opposed to forcing them into a character they're not comfortable with.

I think we have a tough competition ahead and I am curious to see who the judges keep marking low.

Rockettes Scheduled for Dancing With The Stars Appearance

On Tuesday, October 7th, the Radio City Rockettes will perform a brand new number on Dancing With The Stars, specially choreographed for the show!

Open House At Fred Astaire Studio In Norwood, MA

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Norwood, MA is having an Open House on October 11th, celebrating Tim Brooks as the new owner. The celebration goes from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and will include 12 professional shows performed by dancers from all over New England, group classes, champagne, and raffles.

Miley Cyrus Rumored To Appear On Dancing With The Stars

According to a recent report, Miley Cyrus has agreed to a request by Dancing With The Stars contestant and her Hannah Montana co-star Cody Linley to appear on an upcoming episode of the show.

Fred Astaire Studio in Virginia Helps School Marching Band

The Kellam High School marching band in Virginia Beach, VA is adding some tango moves to their routine, thanks in part to their local Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The band members worked with professional dancers from the studio to put together a dance and music routine to perform at the Beach Music Games, a competition involving marching bands from Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. This competition is one of a series of events this fall. Ranking high schools will compete in the Atlantic Coast Championships on November 14 in Pennsylvania. Kellam High School's band director, Cameron Baker, got this novel idea for integrating the tango into a marching band routine after taking ballroom dance lessons. Click here to read more.

Dancing With The Stars, Week 2, Day 1 Recap

By Jackie Josephs

Dances: Rumba/Paso Doble

Yay, another week of DWTS is here, and with Ted being kicked off the competition is getting smaller and harder!! This week’s dances couldn’t get much more opposite, so let me tell you what I saw….

Kim and Mark (Rumba): Ugh… another disappointing week for Kim! As usual, her costume and glamour were fantastic and that’s where it unfortunately stops. Her legs and feet were not very pretty; they were often turned in or not straightened all the way. On the up side, her lines were nicely finished and her arms were very elegant and soft. Mark did a great job with the choreography again showing enough tricks vs. rumba elements, but her sensuality was lacking and, again, it was quite boring for me.

Susan and Tony (Rumba): Well, I think that confidence boost from the Quickstep worked!! Her Rumba was definitely better than her first Rhythm dance, the Cha-Cha. She went for a little more risk and definitely was an actress on the floor the whole time. Her lines were nice, soft, and fluid and she had gorgeous developes and leg lines. For all the traveling she did, it was well rehearsed and clean. If she can keep improving every week like she has been, she will do great in this competition! GO TONY!!

Warren and Kym (Paso Doble): This guy is becoming a contender in this competition. His Paso Doble was very impressive. His intensity and movement were great, as well as his timing and footwork! The way he danced the Paso elements and tricks were powerful and demanding. Excellent job!!

Cloris and Corky (Paso Doble): You could definitely see that Corky had a little heart-to-heart with Cloris this week because she was way more tame and quiet. Her Paso Doble, again, impressed me for her age and flexibility. Her work with her skirt was really nice and her hand movements were right on with the Paso feel. She also showed nice balance and control in her solo spins. The only thing that bothered me was that the routine had a little too much of Corky dancing and NOT enough Cloris; I would have liked to see a little more elements and movement on her part. Other than that, she had a great dramatic feeling the whole time. As she said, “blondes have more fun” so let’s hope she gets a fun dance next week!!

Toni and Alec (Rumba): As most of you know, the Rumba should be sexy and romantic, which I feel it was throughout the majority of the routine. However, I thought her costume was too risqué for her. This made her leg lines show more and therefore let the audience see the fact that they were not in the correct position and that she needs to be aware of keeping her knees together. Her arms, however, accented her lines very nicely and you could tell she was very much in the moment with Alec. I feel that her score was still too high considering she had two lifts in her routine.

Misty and Maks (Paso Doble): This was, by far, one of my favorite routines of the night! She has soooo much power and enthusiasm in every step she takes. It’s incredible… a true performer! Her movement was awesome, especially considering the difficulty of Maks’s choreography. She has to keep her base smaller because it gets too wide and then she gets off balance in turns and lines. However, overall, she did fantastic and I love her determination and dramatics. She deserved higher than a 21. Ole!!

Cody and Julianne (Rumba): Once again, he proved that he can act older than 18! His rumba was sexy and mature… I loved it. His lines were really nice and the flexibility in his arms was unexpected. He also demonstrated great feeling with Julianne and the song. His effort in the tricks and stability was great and risky, which is what I like. Julianne always knows how to make her partners really step out of the box. He had a better feeling than Kim K had in her Rumba. Go Cody!!

Brooke and Derek (Paso Doble): I’m beginning to sound redundant, but Brooke, again, looked gorgeous. Her presence and confidence is contagious, she believes in herself and looks fabulous every time she is on the dance floor. Her Paso Doble was out of this world. Her lines were powerful and her solo work was incredible. She did get a little off balance, but her confidence and determination covered that up for the most part. She was the best dance of the evening deserving well above a 24!!

Rocco and Karina (Rumba): Poor, poor Rocco. He is so handsome but he just doesn’t have the finesse of a ballroom dancer. He is awkward on the dance floor and has no fluidity. He didn’t have much hip action and his steps were way too big for a Latin dance. On the up side, his stability for Karina in their tricks was really good and he had toe leads for 90% of the routine which was great to see. I give him an A for effort and hope that he doesn’t get bumped off tonight!

Maurice and Karina (Rumba): Well, contrary to what I said last week,(that the Rhythm dances were going to be his strong side) he failed to bring that to the floor tonight. The Rumba is all about smooth movements and, as a man, accenting the lady and showing her off. Unfortunately, they lacked partnership together and he was a bit clunky and heavy with his steps. His feet were turned in the whole time and the exit out of their trick was a bit scary. On the good end of the spectrum, he had great musicality as he showed off last week. Better luck next time Maurice!!

Lance and Lacey (Paso Doble): Let’s start again with the fact that they did not get a good song for the Paso Doble; in my studio, we use that song as a Swing…go figure. With that being said, I could not get a good feel for the Paso because of the song; it was not a strong, dramatic song and his frame looked weak. There wasn’t enough use of the skirt or cape turns in the routine. She needs to realize that this is ballroom dancing 100% and not So You Think You Can Dance styles. She is quite creative, but a little too risky with some of her choreography, for instance…. the kiss at the end, I found offensive. Lance did give 100% in the routine, but it was definitely not one of my favorites of the evening, and deserved lower than a 20.

Dancing With The Stars, Week 1, Day 2 Recap

By Jackie Josephs

Week 1-Day 2 Dances: Quickstep/Mambo

Well, sadly, Jeffrey and Edyta got sent home tonight which was sad. He seemed like such a sweet guy who really was enjoying himself. Like he said, “I’m more ha, ha, ha then Cha, Cha, Cha.”

However, there was much more dancing left after he got sent home….12 couples still had to go on the dance floor and prove themselves one more time. This is how I saw it:

Kim and Mark (Mambo): Once I noticed Kim in a Latin costume, I was really hoping that this is where she was going to shine since she’s young and sexy; however, that didn’t come to fruition. She was very lethargic-looking the whole time and had no punch or sass!! Mambo is all about quick movements, hip shaking, and sexy lines. Her routine was choreographed well by Mark and accented the song but she just didn’t make it come alive enough. As Bruno said, she is frustrating to watch because she’s got the look and the body...all she needs now is the confidence!

Susan and Tony (Quickstep): Tony definitely redeemed himself tonight with Susan’s beautiful Quickstep!! She danced like a different person tonight; she was fluid and on time. Her head carriage was pretty good for her first smooth dance and her footwork was great. I’m hoping that this gave her a boost of confidence and now she can start opening up more in the coming weeks. And let me add that her costume was gorgeous. Great job!!

Warren and Kym (Quickstep): As I figured, Smooth is going to be a much bigger challenge for Warren because he can’t let loose as much as he can in the Rhythm style. Surprisingly enough, however, he did do a much better job than I had imagined someone of his size would do. Because of his football background, he really knows how to move his feet quickly and that he did! The choreography was not easy at all and he did a great job of keeping up with Kym and the music. He was energetic throughout the whole routine and put 110% into it. Again, the area that he has to be aware of is his feet. They did get sloppy at certain points and heel leads were not always being done. Overall, for the first week, he did a fantastic job.

Cloris and Corky (Mambo): Wow, what do I say about Cloris??!! She has definitely brought a different spin to the show this season. Her spunk and wittiness with Corky and the judges is absolutely hilarious. The routine that Corky choreographed with her was hysterical, definitely allowing her to let loose and show off her wild side. One element that she did exceptionally well at was her chaines turns - they were really really good. I hope she stays on for a while just so we can see what else they come up with for our entertainment. You go girl!

Toni and Alec (Quickstep): Yet again, I feel that the judges were too nice to her tonight. She did dance the Quickstep well and her timing was good but her posture and frame were not. Her shoulders were way too high and her head carriage was all over the place. Like the judges stated, I thought their partnership together was apparent and they are very in tune with one another. Alec also did a good job with the structure of the dance keeping it simple while still showing the basic elements of it.

Misty and Maks (Mambo): This volleyball player can dance!! She did fantastic tonight, proving that tall and sporty doesn’t mean you can’t be sexy and elegant. She managed to take toe leads throughout most of the dance, which is not easy, and she also rocked it out with all her solo pieces showing that she’s not scared of getting all the attention. Her power and attitude was awesome as well... wish she could have given some of that to Kim. The only area she needs to improve on slightly is straightening her legs. They were both bent most the time which means she’s not using her height to the fullest. She definitely is in this competition for the long haul and deserved a higher score than a 21!

Cody and Julianne (Quickstep): He showed the judges that he can be a man and dance the more mature dances just as well as the younger, sassy ones. His Quickstep was fabulous tonight! His frame was decent and his footwork was phenomenal - quick and precise. I loved how Julianne started the routine and really got the audience’s attention. His sense of maturity throughout the dance was admirable and his finesse was fantastic. I personally loved him tonight!

Brooke and Derek (Quickstep): Brooke looked absolutely ravishing in her costume; they looked so well matched and classy for the beautiful Quickstep. Her Cha Cha was impressive in itself but to come out and again wow the audience and the judges with her Smooth dance was quite an achievement. Her movement was smooth and her timing was spot on. The choreography was adorable and had a great mix of fun and flair. Overall, her feeling of the Quickstep was nothing but accurate. She just needs to clean up her frame a little more by keeping her shoulders down and she will keep getting those high scores!

Rocco and Karina (Quickstep): As I said about Toni, I felt that the judges were a little too generous by giving him a 21. Even though you can tell that he was trying really hard, he just lost the smoothness of the dance. His frame was way too weak and his footwork was sloppy. For me, the choreography was more about tricks than it was about showing actual dancing. With that being said, the tricks were well rehearsed and the entrances and exits were clean. I also loved the energy and feeling he brought to the dance. I think with a few more “beatings” from Karina he will improve in those areas and grow into a much better dancer.

Maurice and Cheryl (Mambo): Well, he proved his quick feet again tonight!! His mambo was sexy!!! His hips never stopped moving and his feeling of the dance was oozing the whole time. The choreography was much better than the Foxtrot. It had a great mix of tricks and elements to the dance and his smile was enjoyable. He needs to work on his posture and his feet need to stay turned out a little more, but Rhythm is definitely going to be his strong side…watch out!!

Lance and Lacey (Quickstep): Let me start with the fact that they were robbed by getting that song, it was NOT a Quickstep at all. So, with that being said, Lacey did a good job with working with the song and making it actually look like a ballroom dance song! However, since the song had a funky beat the judges criticized it for being too “jivey,” but I felt that was unfair. His energetic and fresh twist on the Quickstep was exciting, but his frame bobbled too much and his head was too forward again. However, with his musical background his sense of rhythm is impeccable.

Ted and Inna (Mambo): There is something so suave about Ted. He’s a man’s man for sure. He brought out his inner Latino and shook his hips like a pro. He, again, had the best footwork of the night and his shimmies were fantastic!! He was a little awkward at times and a little unsure of himself, but his showmanship won me over and I thought he deserved more than a 19! He’s going to be an inspiration for all the men out there!!

Dancing With The Stars - A Teacher's Perspective

By Debra Stroiney, Fred Astaire dance instructor and Franchise Compliance administrator for Fred Astaire Corporate

Dancing With The Stars - Week 1

As this being my first blog for Dancing With The Stars, this may seem a little vague and varied on topics. The first week is overwhelming with the 3 nights, 2 dances and 2 contestants being voted off. Everyone had to learn their steps, how to dance, how to perform and how to wear ballroom dancing shoes and costumes! What we want to see is who picked up the steps the best, which one has a great stage presence, who may get by on votes alone?

So what level would the contestants be at if they started at a Fred Astaire studio with an introductory offer? If they danced 4 hours a day for 6 weeks that would be 24 one-hour lessons; on average this would put the student at the end of Social Foundation, and early Bronze level. Wow! Can you imagine your instructor asking you to be in a dance competition on national TV at the Social Foundation or Bronze level!

Ever since the first season, I do view the male contestants on the show differently. I think of the male students in our studios when they do their first competition. The male contestant must develop their leading skills, have good posture while also trying to remember the routine, clean footwork and having a presence out on the floor. The female contestant must also do many of these things but they do not have to worry about leading as much. They have a strong male lead to put them in the right spot, to highlight them in the correct character, and yes they still have to do it well but there is something about it that doesn’t seem as difficult as it is for the men.

And, of course, this week on the show 2 male contestants were eliminated. In their circumstances, I feel that Ted did well in his Fox Trot when you consider that he had to do feather steps, telemarks and pivots in his routine! Fox Trot can be one of the hardest international dances to learn. But at Fred Astaire we start by teaching the Fox Trot because it is an opportunity for us to get the students to do what they already know…walking. I know that Dancing With The Stars is a competition and you have to do competitive moves to feel that you have a chance, but what happened to teaching some simpler moves, doing some easy tricks and teaching the stage presence, the posture, and the ability to go out there and present yourself well? I feel that some of the weaker dancers on the show may hear better comments from the judges if they were to start this way. Regardless of how they did perform they also have to get the votes… So when you pair a low mark with the fact that they haven’t won over the viewing audience and are not a well known star, then we have eliminations. This is also what can be said happened to Jeff Ross. He went out there with a great attitude but there were others that got higher marks and I have never heard of him before making it hard for him to last very long on the show.

I feel that this season of Dancing With The Stars could be very exciting. On the first night I felt like there were many great performances and dancers. I could see the contestants that had previous training versus the ones who have not. Not everyone always sees this as fair but this is how it works in any ballroom dancing competition. There will always be the ones that have had more experience in one way or another. There will always be the ones that learn faster than others. There will always be ones that will get better marks for unknown reasons. But unlike ballroom dancing competitions, audience votes count! So if you see someone who you think did great but got low marks, vote for them! Trust me - it’s a great feeling that the audience loves you even if the judges don’t!

They Make It Look So Easy!

Dancing With The Stars, Week 1, Recap

By Jackie Josephs, professional dancer and Fred Astaire Studio owner

Another season of "Dancing with the Stars" is upon us!!!! With a mix of so many different personalities and talent it's sure to be an amazing 12 weeks of dancing, drama, and excitement!!

Week 1-Day 1
Dances: Foxtrot/Cha Cha

Cody and Julianne(Cha Cha): These two are perfect for each other! Young, fresh and full of energy! As soon as they walked out onto the floor they looked amazing, their costumes were fabulous and his performance was a great way to start the show off! His technique was pretty good for his first time doing a rhythm dance, lines were strong and his timing was excellent. One area that he can improve on is his posture just a little bit. Sometimes his shoulders go up, which affects his lead. I also enjoyed the choreography. It was clean, easy and showed off his strong points. As for his performance, I thought that he had great feeling in this dance and really presented himself well by opening up his chest and presenting Julianne well by letting her do her thing. Overall he did a great job for his first dance and in my opinion he deserved a much better score than an 18!

Susan and Tony(Cha-Cha): Well, first of all it's so exciting that our own FADS man made it back yet again for another season and got paired up with the beautiful and sophisticated Susan Lucci. As she walked onto the floor she looked beautiful in her sexy red dress; however, as the music began, the routine was a little rough on the eyes. Her leg action was not smooth and she got off time in a few areas. As the judges stated, she does look quite frail and safe. I think the smooth dances will be her stronger point. On the plus side, her constant smile during the routine was very pleasant and the choreography was well suited for her ability and age. I would like to see her open up more in the next rhythm dance that she does and get a little riskier.

Warren and Kym(Cha Cha): I love this guy!!! He is such a big ball of fun and rhythm!! His sense of style and his natural ability of timing shined through this routine from start to finish. His confidence on the floor was fantastic and his "freestyling" was so enjoyable to watch. You could tell he was having so much fun the entire time. He is definitely the Emmitt Smith of Season 7. The only thing that he has to be more aware of is his foot action. His feet are so large that sometimes they"plop" onto the floor instead of keeping pressure into the floor. I feel that Kym did a great job with the choreography and let him show off his own moves as well as keeping the basic elements of the Cha Cha. I cannot wait to see more of him and see him get more and more comfortable with his size on the dance floor!

Cloris and Corky(Foxtrot): I'm not going to lie, I didn't know what to expect when she walked onto the floor; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Even though she is 82, she has proven that ballroom dancing is for all ages. She had a great fluid motion throughout the dance and Corky did a great job without overdoing it with her but at the same time challenging her. She had great pivots which was quite unexpected and she had a great sense of the sexiness and sass of the Foxtrot. My opinion is that for her to get out there and dance as well as she did that the judges could have been a little easier on her. Of course her movement and technique were not the best but I feel she still did an excellent job.

Toni and Alec (Cha Cha): First of all, I have to give props to Toni for getting out there and dancing with her heart condition - that's an achievement in itself. Her Cha Cha was very sexy and sultry and her footwork was pretty good throughout the majority of the routine. The area that bothered me the most was her posture. She kept her head up but her shoulders were too high, which made her frame look weak. The only thing that bothered me was that it was choppy, the transitions were not fluid and she "hopped" in some areas instead of staying grounded. Her score for me was a little too high.

Max and Misty (Foxtrot): Legs, Legs, Legs!!!! She is sooo tall that Max definitely has his hands full with her to get them sexy and pretty and not too sporty looking; however, her stature demands attention. As soon as she walked onto the floor you could tell she was a true competitor and had her "game face" ready. I didn't really know if it was going to be fluid or not because she is so tall; however, she was great. Her frame was very good and she kept her shoulders down for the most part, which again is very difficult with no prior training. Her lines were beautiful, she definitely used her wing span to her advantage and her musicality was right on key. Overall I loved how graceful she looked and her enthusiasm is going to take her very far!

Kim and Mark (Foxtrot): Being the past winner of DWTS, Mark is dealing with a whole different level of talent with Kim. She is such a beautiful girl and she looked gorgeous in her dress. Her presence on the floor was pleasant and safe and her frame stayed pretty strong. However, her movement was not big enough in the basics and her face never changed throughout the entire routine, quite boring. The routine matched the musical hits well and her awareness of that was good in some areas; however, overall, she has to open up out of her shy shell and become more risky and demanding on the dance floor. With a partner like Mark, she's going to need to step up so he doesn't look like he is over dancing her.

Jeff and Edyta (Cha Cha): Well at least he's funny right?? I felt so bad for him because you can tell he tries so hard and put everything he had into with his broken eye and all but he has a lot of areas that he has to improve on if he's going to stay in this competition. His posture was not good and his footwork wasn't either. On the up side, he did the tricks well with Edyta and kept his energy up the entire time. He just didn't have much musicality and he's really going to need to buckle down in the studio to stay around in this competition. Edyta however did do a great job in bringing him this far with noooo dancing in his past. I like him though and I hope he can stick it out for a little longer!

Brooke and Derek (Cha Cha): WOW!! From her sexy look and that pant suit she was ready for business. In the past, the models have not done well on the show but Brooke is changing that for sure. Her musicality and sass were hot and her extension was really surprising as well as her great understanding of hip action. To be a mom of four and have a body like that is impressive. She was fabulous for her first dance and the choreography was perfect, Derek did an excellent job. She is going to be around for a long time if she stays on this path!!

Rocco and Karina (Foxtrot): Rocco is definitely a cutie and like Jeff tries really hard, but has some major areas that he needs to improve on as well. The Foxtrot for the guy is all about the frame and finesse and his was a little askew. He was too jumpy during the basics where he should have been smooth and the exit of the trick they did was not smooth... it was a little scary. On the flip side, his musicality with the song and choreography was nice, and he had an adorable smile the whole time which showed he was truly enjoying himself.

Maurice and Cheryl (Foxtrot): Being a runner, he definitely has fast feet and knows how to move quickly which will be a plus for him. During his Foxtrot, he had good posture and his footwork was good as well. Like Misty and Warren, you can see his sportsmanship and competitiveness come out as he's dancing and training. I felt that the choreography was too funky for Foxtrot though; Cheryl should have put more basic elements in it and showed the true concept of foxtrot rather than making it "hip-hop" looking. However, I think with his determination he will be around for a long time.

Lance and Lacey (Cha Cha): He was one of my favorites tonight! I knew that he would be talented anyway because he does have a dance background from being in 'N SYNC. Their Cha Cha definitely embraced the feeling of the dance. It was hot, edgy and very sexy. His timing was right on through the entire routine and the choreography was very different and cool. The only thing that he needs to be aware of is his base - it gets a little too wide and his head gets a little forward. Other than that he did a great job for the first night!!

Ted and Inna (Foxtrot): Ted was shockingly elegant and sophisticated. Very smooth throughout the dance and the choreography was nice and "trotty." Frame was nice and strong and it looked like he was actually leading most of the time. His footwork was also the best of the evening. I'm hoping that he will be able to stick around longer and be able to improve from week to week!

Standing Room Only At Fred's South Charlotte Grand Opening!

Vitaliy and Lyudmila opened their new studio to a packed house this past Friday, September 12, dazzling the audience with performances from students and instructors alike. The crowd was electrified with energy from all of the different dances on display for them, ranging in character from the powerful Tango and Paso Doble, to cheeky and flirtatious Cha-Chas, Swings, and Quickstep, all the way to passionate Rumbas and romantic Waltzes among others performed that night. Even passers-by were captivated, stopping to watch from the windows. Vitaliy and Lyudmila were very honored and proud to host such a crowd and could not have envisioned the grand opening of their studio going any better. Requests for dance sessions are already pouring in and the studio is still abuzz with the energy from that night. The entire staff of Fred Astaire South Charlotte is looking forward to spreading their love of dance throughout the community, and would like to thank all that helped make their grand opening an outstanding success!

Spotlight On...Sasha & Olga Bylim

By Catherine Brill, Fred Astaire Corporate Copywriter

Twelve years ago, Sasha and Olga Bylim came to the United States in search of a better life, both personally and professionally. Their move was a huge leap of faith. Although they had traveled around the world as professional dance competitors, they’d never been to America before, and their two-year-old daughter, Olesya, had to stay in the Ukraine with grandparents for a few months while they got settled. When they first arrived, they had an offer to work at an independent studio in Indianapolis. "Thank God," Olga recalls, "that didn’t work out. It went bankrupt within a year."

With the encouragement of Marina and Taliat Tarsinov and Darius and Jolanta Mosteika, the Bylims joined the Fred Astaire New York East Side studio. Now they are owners of two Fred Astaire franchises and honored members of our National Dance Board. "We are living the American dream," Sasha says.

Sasha and Olga first met in a dance studio in their hometown in the Ukraine. They competed for 23 years with remarkable success: they were finalists in the 1990 Soviet Union 10-Dance, 3 Time Ukrainian Professional Standard Champions, 1996 Fred Astaire National Champions, 2000 U.S. National Rising Star International Standard Champions, 2000 U.S. National International Standard finalists, and finalists in many more major international championships. They also owned a dance studio in the Ukraine for 10 years.

When Mikhail Gorbachev came to power, the Bylims were hopeful and excited that conditions might improve in their country. But as time went by and their hopes began to fade, they knew they had to leave their homeland. Meeting up with the Tarsinovs at a Blackpool Festival one year, they heard great stories about the Fred Astaire organization. "It sounded as if life could be so much different and better in the U.S."

They taught at the NY East Side studio for three years before opening a new studio in Tarrytown, New York, 18 miles from New York City. The Tarrytown studio has been very successful throughout the years and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Two months ago, Sasha and Olga branched out once again, and opened a franchise in Huntington Station, New York, along with Oleg Skrypnyk and Lena Tolochiy. This area in Long Island has great potential for additional studio locations and they plan on opening five studios there in the next 10 years.

The Bylims are very proud of the wonderful staff members in their studios – all former students of theirs from the Ukraine. "They are wonderful dancers. We know for sure because we’ve watched them grow," Sasha says. They want their staff members to have the same kind of opportunities that they’ve enjoyed, and would like to help them move forward professionally. "You can’t keep employees happy just by paying them well. Everyone needs incentives to grow in their career."

In January of this year, the Bylims became U.S. citizens, completing full-circle the journey they started twelve years ago. "As immigrants to this country," Olga explains, "it’s always been important to us to feel like we belong." We are fortunate that they found a new family with us at Fred Astaire.

The 38th United States Dance Championship

By Armando Martin, Fred Astaire National Dance Director

America’s most prestigious Dance Championship was held in Orlando, Florida from September 2-6 2008. It is hard to believe that it has been 38 years since John Monte, Fred Astaire's longtime Dance Director, began with a dream of running the United States Championships and - with so much hard work and perseverance - made it into what it is today.

USDC is where everyone from all over the world goes to showcase their talents, win titles, and why not, go to Disney World afterwards and this year was no exception. Having more that 7000 entries and couples from more than 37 countries, USDC was once again the place to be the first week in September.

It is only fitting that a competition that was created by the Fred Astaire Company would have so many of our couples compete and, in some cases, win the TOP titles; in fact, couples that are or will be affiliated with FADS very soon won 4 of the TOP 5 titles at this year’s championships…something that we should all be very proud and ecstatic about.

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate all of our FADS couples that participated all week long. Both Pro and Pro-Am couples truly made a great statement about the incredibly high caliber of dancing we have in our company today. There were times when I looked out onto the dance floor and saw two or three FADS Pro-Am couples in a final of a competition that started with 30 to 40 couples - very impressive.

The International Latin was won by our very own Riccardo Cocchi with his partner Yulia. The speed, power and precision that these two perfect Latin dancers displayed on the floor was incredible. They won all 5 dances with ease and conviction. Also in the Latin category, we had our longtime FADS National Latin Champions, Ilya and Nadia from New Jersey. Ilya and Nadia must have been very disappointed with their final result as I was; I thought their dancing was strong, classy, and full of their very own unique style.

The American Smooth was won by Jonathan Roberts and Valentina who have been doing a lot of work with our company since my first meeting with them last July and will be fully joining the company by October. Their dancing was fantastic and they had to be to uncrown last year’s champions the way they did. Valentina, as always, danced like a princess in some kind of perfect dream, never going outside of her character and always delighting the onlookers. Jonathan was the perfect partner to her, always showcasing her beauty and elegance.

Also in the Smooth final was one of my favorite couples in the competition, Misha and Gala from the New York East studio. They had the night of their lives! Although this couple has been coming up very quickly through the competitive ranks under the watchful eyes of Marina and Taliat Tarsinov, I believe that they surprised themselves with their placement, having never been in the US final before they jumped straight up to 4th place this year. Their dancing was inspired, beautiful and larger than life. If they continue to improve on this track, there is no title this great looking couple cannot win.

Other couples who deserve an honorable mention in the Smooth are Vladimir & Vera Kosarev from our Rochester, NY studio; Warren and Babette Brown from our Jupiter studio, and Yuriy Simakov and Oksana Klyuchnyk from North Carolina. All three couples showed great promise and, I am sure, will have much success in the future.

Although the standard competitions didn't produce any FADS winners, it was a great showcase for two very good couples in our company. Greg Fidurski and Gabriela Jileva from Montville, NJ were in the final of the Open to the World Rising Star competition and were also second in the Standard Showdance. This couple’s expression and musicality truly sets them apart when they are on the floor. Greg's happy-go-lucky personality is always a refreshing sight on the Standard floor, which is sometimes filled with very serious and focused faces.

Ruslan Meshkov and Sandra Nema from the Albany, NY studio had a fantastic USDC, placing second in the US Rising Star competition and fourth in the Open to the World Rising Star. This young, beautiful couple continues to improve by leaps and bounds. They have a very tall look on the floor while at the same time showing great depth in the use of their legs and feet. I haven’t seen this kind of combination since John Woods and Ann Lewis were the World Champions about 12 years ago. Keep watching for this couple in the future.

For the first time in a long time, the Open Rhythm competition did not showcase a FADS couple in the final, although Albina Habrle and Hayk Arshakian from Milwaukee danced well enough to have been in it. Aaron Desoto and Jaana Lillemagi turned out a great showing; they placed 6th in the Rising Star Rhythm, but in my estimation they could have been higher. They have a very good look on the floor and their dancing is getting better every time I see them.

Another couple to look out for is Ilya Velednitsky and Mandy Carlyle. I love this girl - she is a pleasure to watch and they have tons of talent and lots of time to develop it. Also Andrey and Elena from South Carolina made a good showing. Technically and visually, this couple has it all. If they could be a little more passionate and even wilder, they could really climb up the standing in this style.

The Cabaret competition was totally dominated by FADS. The top two couples fought a very good fight for the entire competition, no last names needed here…Eric and Georgia and Jesse and Kimalee, both trained by Luann and Bruno, were flawless in their performances. I had the difficult task of having to make a decision as one of the judges and I was well prepared to give the top ranking to Jesse and Kimalee until Eric laid Georgia flat on his head and began to spin as fast as was humanly possible. He stopped suddenly and she continued to spin on his head like a helicopter before coming down to a complete stop! Right then and there, my mark changed.

But I must congratulate both couples for their efforts, in a style that is full of some very weird even laughable performances. These four young people bring out all that is best in dance, athleticism and artistry.

Well, that's enough from me this time, but listen, as they say on the NFL, the winners always go to Disney World, so you too can see these great performances again in October at the Fred Astaire National Dance Championships in Orlando, FL. Come and be entertained and amazed at the talent that our company has to offer! See you in Orlando.

Dancing Tips - Cuban Motion

By Stanley Mc Calla, US 10 Dance Finalist, Fred Astaire National Smooth Champion, Fred Astaire National Dance Board Member, Coach and Adjudicator, Fred Astaire Dance Board Examiner

Hello there! I hope everything is well with you. A competition that I recently judged gave me the inspiration to revisit an article that I had submitted to you in the past.

While judging during that weekend of competition, I found myself rocking from foot to foot to an array of rhythmical melodies that were simply infectious to the soul. The energy projected and the fun expressed by the dancers brought me a nostalgic feeling that I couldn’t control. All the while I felt my essence swaying my body from left to right along with the competitors at the same time I was unconsciously wanting to help some of them with a better use of foot, leg and body action.

That’s why today I want to talk to you about Cuban motion and how you can practice it.

Cuban motion is described as the lateral motion of the hips which occurs as a result of the flexing and straightening of the knees and never a conscious swing of the hips. You can use this technique in the Rumba, Bolero, Mambo, Cha Cha, Merengue, and Salsa, to name a few.

Stand with your back straight, your shoulders lined up over your hips, your center pulled toward your spine, feet together with toes turned out. You should feel that your weight is poised towards the balls of your feet. Start by bending one knee at a time, and then straighten it. While doing this, you should control the movement through the center of your body. In order to feel your center, tighten your stomach muscles as well as your plexus muscle.

You should then feel the natural and lateral motion of your hips. If you don’t, then your posture is incorrect.

Once you feel the correct motion, try to use the same principle by taking a small step to the side with your left foot then slowly close your right foot to your left foot. All the while, remember your posture, the center, and bending and straightening your knees one at a time.

Make sure that you confirm what you’re doing with your teacher.

Until next time, happy dancing!

Cheers,

Stanley McCalla

Behind The Scenes Look at Jersey Boys

If you missed out on seeing the Fred Astaire Dance Studio's "Jersey Boys" showcase, go to www.dplab.com for great pictures. You can also order prints and a video of the show there.

Article about local Broadway Show

Local stars cut a rug, Broadway-style

Decked out in fancy costumes, local dancers showed off skilled moves Sept. 12 at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs. They cut loose on the cha-cha, rhumba, two-step, foxtrot and more during the Chicagoland Fred Astaire Showcase.

More than 300 people attended the event to watch the "Give My Regards to Broadway"-themed show. Nearly a dozen dancers hailed from Northwest Indiana.

Dancers performed with instructors and, in some instances, with their significant others. There also were open dance segments allowing anyone to step up to the floor.

A definite feeling of excitement permeated the air as couples performed to tunes from shows such as "Phantom of the Opera," "Cabaret," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Mama Mia" and "Moulin Rouge."

Those watching the show also were treated to a performance by professional dancers. The showcase was held at the perfect time -- since ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" new season debuts Monday.

"There's no age limit when it comes to dancing," said Schererville resident Bill Davy, owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Schererville and Tinley Park.

Davy, who's been in the business for 30 years, said he's noticed the demographics have changed in a big way in ballroom dancing.

"Thirty years ago, you'd see people 60 years of age and older interested in ballroom dancing. As time has progressed, the ages have gotten younger," he said.

At his studios, he's taught everyone from teens to students 80 years old.For mother and daughter Donna and Diana Gescheidler, of Hammond, dancing provides them with an activity they can enjoy together.

During the showcase, daughter Diana performed to "Annie Get Your Gun," with instructor Jake Thomas, of Lansing. Her mother Donna delivered two dances, entertaining the crowd with the lyrical pirate-themed number titled "Pirates of the Caribbean" and a sweeping dance to music from "Phantom of the Opera."

Diana said she got interested in ballroom because of her mother's interest in dance."I took beginner's lessons and fell in love with it," Diana said, adding her mother gave her a gift certificate for lessons at the Schererville studio."I leave everything else behind when I dance." Donna said. She's also immersed in another type of dancing as a performer with the Indiana Ballet Theater in Merrillville.

Former teacher Rae Ann Ostenberg, of Crown Point, became so enamored of the craft she now owns a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Burr Ridge."I was a public school teacher in the Crown Point school system for 23 years," she said. After a dramatic change in her life circumstances, Ostenberg decided to pursue her interest in dance.Maggie Cole, 14, of Munster, got bit by the dance bug after watching "Dancing with the Stars" on TV.

Cole, who performed to the soundtrack from "Mama Mia," said her mother, who is a personal trainer and diabetes educator, encouraged her to take lessons. "When I dance, it makes me feel happy," Cole said.

Other region ballroom terpsichoreans who performed at Willowbrook include:

* Charlene McCormick, Crown Point, is thrilled to trade in her business attire whenever she takes to the dance floor. A real estate agent dolled up as a flapper, McCormick pulled out all the stops during the showcase with her "Sweet Charity" number, which she performed with instructor Keith Clinton, of Valparaiso.
* Debbie Davy, Lansing, is sister to Bill Davy, who owns the two Fred Astaire dance studios. Davy, who is a nurse in the plastic and reconstructive surgery department at University of Chicago Hospital, started taking lessons four years ago at her brother's behest.
* Michael and Tamra Kenney, Schererville, decided to take ballroom dance lessons as a couple. She is a first grade teacher who "always loved to dance," and he is an executive compensation consultant who said taking lessons has given them a chance to enjoy the activity as a team.
* Madeline and Donald Casson, Dyer, performed a Viennese waltz to the lilting "Edelweiss," from the "Sound of Music." They started dancing two years ago -- and have been married for two years. Madeline is an accountant in Tinley Park, and Donald is a commercial garbage-truck driver for Allied Waste in Crestwood.
* Rick Strohl, Schererville, started to dance to "call my wife's bluff" when she hinted he ought to try it. Strohl said it's good exercise, a great stress reliever -- and fun.
* Becky Lovall, Highland, has only been cutting the rug in class for the past four months and says "it's a blast."

FYI: Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 121 E. Joliet St., Schererville (219) 322-5880 or 7901 W. 159th St., Tinley Park (219) 444-0123.

Cleveland Dancesport Challenge

Chris & Simona

This weekend at the Cleveland Dancesport Challenge, Fred Astaire Dance Studios were sitting pretty at the top of the heap! Aaron and Jaana from the Chicago North Studio placed first in all dances from a semi-final in the Open American Rhythm division. Chris and Simona, also from the Chicago North Studio, placed second in all dances from a semi-final in the Open American Smooth division. And Vladimir and Vera from the Buffalo Studio took straight firsts in the American Smooth Division. Thanks to all dancers for representing the Fred Astaire Organization so well!

Aaron & Jaana

It's All About The Chemistry

Success can turn on the couples' chemistry

BY JULIE HINDS, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

How important is the right partner in ballroom dancing?

It's a crucial element, according to Fabian Sanchez, who was Marlee Matlin's partner last season on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."
Sanchez, who has a Fred Astaire dance studio in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, compares dancing to marriage.

"If there's no chemistry, it shows all over," he says. "I'd rather see a couple that has great chemistry and you believe their story than to see two amazingly talented technical dancers who have no chemistry."

Although Sanchez isn't part of the "Dancing" cast this season, he thinks the new lineup of talent sounds "awesome."

He's excited to see Corky Ballas join the pro dancers and curious to see how 82-year-old Cloris Leachman does under his tutelage.

"She's a little firecracker, from what I've heard," he says.

He thinks former boy band star Lance Bass, with his pop music background, and Kim Kardashian, who's young and striking, could do well.

And he wonders if Warren Sapp will follow in the footsteps of another football dancing king.

"He could surprise everybody and be another Emmitt Smith," says Sanchez. "Emmitt could get down, man."

Contact JULIE HINDS at 313-222-6427 or jhinds@freepress.com.

Dancing With The Stars Tampa Bay

Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Florida, along with Heartbeat International, are gearing up for "Dancing With The Stars Tampa Bay" on Thursday, November 6th, 6:30-11:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Vinoy's Palm Court Ballroom in St. Petersburg, Florida.

This black-tie event is patterned after ABC's Dancing With The Stars where local community leaders from the Tampa Bay area are paired with professional ballroom instructors for a dazzling event. Performances will be judged by national and international ballroom competition adjudicators, combined with live audience votes. American Rhythm Champions and Dancing With The Stars celeb dancers Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko will be joining this year's event.

Best of Dancing With The Stars