Alexis placed 1st in Open Smooth (A) and 2nd in Open Rhythm (A) at OSB 2023, thus concluding her pro/am career on a high note. She is turning pro and has been looking for a pro partner in Smooth and/or Rhythm.
1. Introduction
Alexis started ballroom dancing (Latin) in 2016. Prior to that, she was a competitive gymnast who also danced Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop.
Fall 2020 – Alexis, the Captain of the Aurora Central Catholic High School Dance Team, planned a future studying Elementary Education at the University of Kansas. She did not know that while enjoying her hobby of dancing Latin at MDH (My Dance Hub), a new teacher named Stefan Ciubotaru would show up. Her first lesson with him would open her eyes to what she was born to do: ballroom dancing. As a result, she deferred college in favor of pursuing her newfound dream: professional ballroom dancing!
2. A new journey started
Alexis started training with Stefan in Smooth in September 2020, with the goal of competing at OSB 2020. Unfortunately, OSB 2020 was canceled due to Covid. So, they chose their first competition to be Nashville Starz in January 2021. She did so well in Smooth that Stefan urged her to add Rhythm to her repertoire, thus 9-dance.
Seven days before the Windy City in March 2021, she agreed to give it a shot. This meant learning five new Open Rhythm routines in just one week. It was a huge challenge, but Alexis met it, placing 1st in Open Rhythm at Windy City 2021. Being rewarded for taking on such a challenge became fuel for the incredible journey that ensued.
3. USDC 2021
The competition started off with success in Rhythm: They won the Rising Star and made the final in Open Rhythm. Next up was Smooth. The morning was her first major stumble: She failed to receive a single recall in single dances. She used it as motivation for the rest of the day: She changed into her new dress with a new attitude and danced her heart out. As a result, she got many recalls in the multis and made the final from a quarter. She also won the Rising Star in Open Smooth and placed 3rd in 9-dance!
4. OSB 2021
At OSB 2021, Alexis would face the biggest adversity of her young career: During the 9-dance Rhythm final, Stefan was injured on the floor. They were unable to dance full-out for the remainder of the Rhythm rounds. The next morning, they both got ready to compete in Smooth. But during the warmup, it became clear that his injury was too severe to compete. Sadly, they had to pull out of all their Smooth entries. That night was the BoB finale – Alexis, Stefan, and Brittany (also an instructor at MDH) had earned a spot to compete in Open Gold Showdance. Stefan managed to limp through – They won and performed the honor dance the next (i.e., Friday) night!
5. Change of plans
Over the next several months, it was unclear how long Stefan would be out and in what direction her dancing would go. Finally, in February 2022, Alexis and Stefan were able to walk through their Smooth routines. Sadly, it was decided that Stefan would be unable to dance Rhythm with Alexis going forward.
Later, in the Spring of 2022, Alexis began dancing Rhythm with Egor Likhachov. Although she would no longer be competing in 9-dance, this new partnership was turned into a very positive experience.
6. USDC 2022 and OSC 2022
Alexis had another successful year, making the finals in both Smooth and Rhythm at USDC 2022. OSB 2022 proved to be a turning point as Alexis placed 2nd in both Rhythm and Smooth. She also repeated as the Showdance champion.
7. 2023: final year of her pro/am
The goal for 2023 was to win at the USDC and/or OSB, for which Alexis competed at all the Chicagoland competitions and across the country to get ready.
7.1 Millennium 2023
In June 2023, Alexis and Stefan traveled to Orlando to compete for the first time at Millennium. They placed 1st in Open Smooth Championship but 2nd in Open Smooth Scholarship (by Rule 11). Disappointed but not deterred, Alexis went back to work.
7.2 VA State 2023 – last stop before USDC 2023
In her last stop before the USDC, Alexis was determined to demonstrate that she has the confidence and belief in herself to become a champion. Confidence-building – Even though she had experienced success, she still doubted her ability – That mental block must be overcome! VA State 2023 was that breakthrough. Alexis placed 1st in every dance that weekend and was dancing with more confidence than ever.
Alexis was ready to contend for a title at the USDC and/or OSB …
7.3 USDC 2023
Alexis danced the best she could but came up just short, placing 2nd in Open Smooth for both the National and “Open to the World” title while making both finals in Rhythm.
Although disappointed, she was determined to win at her last chance: OSB 2023!
7.4 Onto OSB 2023
After USDC 2023, Alexis made the difficult decision to switch her Rhythm teacher to Silviu Turcan. They had just over five weeks to prepare for OSB 2023, but they competed and swept Open Rhythm at Harvest Moon Ball and North American Imperial Star Ball along the way. They also won BoB in Rhythm at Harvest Moon Ball.
7.5 OSB 2023
This was Alexis’s last pro/am competition.
First up Rhythm … She once again placed 2nd in Open Rhythm.
Next up, Smooth… While dancing in singles, Alexis failed to be recalled after her first dance: Waltz! This was troubling, as the last time she failed to be recalled in singles was at USDC 2021! Disappointed but calm, she gathered herself to continue.
Finally, it was the Scholarship … This was her last chance at a title and her last comp with Stefan. Fortunately, all her hard work and determination paid off, and they WON – They placed 1st in all dances!
Alexis had finally achieved her goal of winning a title, thus concluding her pro/am career with the loudest bang – It was pure joy beyond description!
Two videos from OSB 2023:
- OSB 2023 Smooth: https://youtu.be/hT3TeAZX698?si=uamWvq-8_Acxr7Fo.
- OSB 2023 Rhythm: https://youtu.be/AfRDudxvScE?si=6K1VTqfgf-lLSAg6.
8.0 Alexis’ teacher Stefan Ciubotaru
Alexis will tell anyone, with or without being asked, that Stefan changed her life. He believed in her more than she believed in herself. He brought back her love of dance, especially ballroom dancing. That Sunday afternoon in October 2020 changed everything for her. Alexis will tell you, “Stefan is the best teacher. He is an amazing dancer and person, and he is why I was able to make this dream come true.”
9. What is next?
After OSB 2023, Alexis started searching for a perfect pro/pro partner. Currently, she is teaching at MDH and preparing to take her instructor exams. It has turned out to be a lot of work, especially since she never learned or competed in the Closed division in either Smooth or Rhythm.
10. Acknowledgements
Alexis would like to say “thank you very much” to her MDH family for its support and belief in her dreams. That little 13-year-old girl who walked into the studio in 2016 has achieved more than she ever thought possible!
“A special ‘thank you’ goes to Brittany Bleggi, who played such an important part in my journey of ballroom dancing that without her support, from the amazing show dance choreographies to the endless hair and accessory adjustments, where would I be? You are like a big sister and another dance mom to me.”
11. Closing
Alexis has started a new chapter in her journey of ballroom dancing: toward pro/pro. It is very tough, but she is determined to make it with victories like she did in pro/am.
“Ballroom dancing has given me so much. Hopefully, I will share some of the joy it brings me with my own students. Oh, yes, I will win a pro/pro title someday!”
