In this post, I will present 10 amateur ballroom dancers who attended OSB 2023 after choosing to participate in my book (“Dancing Queens & Kings”):
- Annette Burden (S2): Winner of both Closed-Gold Rhythm and Smooth.
- Irene Fong (S1): Winner of Closed-Gold Smooth.
- Eric Leininger (S1): a danceholic.
- Brian Ames (C): Placed 3rd in MIB Rhythm and Smooth.
- Nichelle Kennedy (C): A new champion in Open Smooth.
- Giovanni Fortezza (C): 2nd place in Open Rhythm.
- Sara Granberg (B): A finalist in Ballroom – Silver.
- Alexis Salapatek (A): A new champion in Open Smooth.
- Francesca Mattozzi (A): A rising star in Smooth and Ballroom.
- Frank Li (S1): Winner of the top male student award (Gold) two years in a row.
Now, let me briefly highlight them one by one …
1. Annette Burden (S2)
Annette won both Closed-Gold Rhythm and Smooth, in addition to winning the award of the top female student (Gold).
2. Irene Fong (S1)
Irene won Closed-Gold Smooth (photo), in addition to winning the top female student award for multi-dance in Smooth (Gold).
3. Eric Leininger (S1)
Eric placed 4th in Open Rhythm (Gentlemen).
4. Brian Ames (C)
Brian placed 3rd in both MIB (Men In Black) Rhythm and Smooth. He also placed #6 top male student in the World Dancesport Series finale at Ohio (photo).
5. Nichelle Kennedy (C)
Nichelle is the new champion in Open Smooth (photo), in addition to successfully defending her title in 9-dance.
6. Giovanni Fortezza (C)
Giovanni placed 2nd in Open Rhythm after winning it 11 years in a row at the OSB.
7. Sara Granberg (B)
Sara placed 6th in Closed-Silver Ballroom.
8. Alexis Salapatek (A)
Alexis is the new champion in Open Smooth!
9. Francesca Mattozzi (A)
Francesca placed 2nd in Closed-Silver Smooth (photo) and Ballroom.
10. Frank Li (S1)
Frank placed 2rd in MIB Rhythm (photo), on top of winning the award of the top male student (Gold), for the second year in a row.
11. Closing
All of them have good stories to tell in the book!
Now, if you have a good story to tell about your pro/am ballroom dancing, participate in this book to make history together with the industry’s “who is who” (Dancing Queens & Kings: Call for Participation (5)).
Together, let us make the ballroom dancing industry better, faster!
