Vicki stumbled into the world of ballroom dancing purely by accident at the age of 52. Like probably every amateur student ever, she went to a ballroom party and then thought she would just try a few lessons. Before she could hardly catch her breath, she was hooked, taking multiple lessons weekly, and then even competing, known as a “sexy dancer” …
After believing twice, within six years, that her ballroom days were over, Pamela has gone from a retired law librarian to a champion in ballroom dancing. She won (1) Closed-Gold in Ballroom at OSB 2018 and (2) Closed-Silver Rhythm at OSB 2023.
Lou started pro/am ballroom dancing in 2016. She dreamed of competing again at Blackpool someday, as she did in 1980 (am/am). Not only has that dream come true, but she became a Blackpool Champion in 2022. Again, she returned in 2023 to win three championships, thus making her a four-time Blackpool Champion!
For this very successful software engineer, ballroom dancing came as an unexpected hobby before tuning itself into so much more: a way of life where discipline, hard work and family were the ingredients not to just win competitions, but to live and fulfill life. Winning medals never changed who she was and through it all, she and her twin sister became affectionately known in the ballroom world as “team Soria.” She thanks her 19-dance training for keeping her in shape and constantly learning everything.
Mike started pro/am ballroom dancing in 2020, sky-rocketing to the top within three years: At USDC 2023, he placed 2nd in Open Rhythm (B) and was crowned as the “Mambo King” in the first-ever Mambo Championship at the USDC!
Mike can potentially become the next Giovanni (Giovanni Fortezza: Savior of the male species in pro/am ballroom dancing). But will he?
Everybody who is anybody in competitive pro/am ballroom dancing should know who Giovanni is, last name optional!
With his teacher Jolanta Mosteika, Giovanni has dominated Rhythm for more than a decade (initially age-group B, and now C), defeating all the men and women in his way to win at the USDC and OSB for 10 consecutive years!
Elaine is such a ballroom danceaholic that she dances all four styles, plus nightclub, and she participated in 30 comps in 2023! At OSB 2023, she made the finals in three styles (Rhythm, Smooth, and Latin) and the semi-final in Ballroom. Additionally, she received the award of the top female student (Bronze). She also received the top Dancesport female student award three years in a row (2021-2023)!
Everybody who is anybody in competitive pro/am ballroom dancing should know Giovanni, the last name optional!
With his teacher Jolanta Mosteika, Giovanni has dominated Rhythm for more than a decade (initially age-group B, and now C), defeating all the men and women in his way to win at the USDC and OSB for ten consecutive years!
Amber thought she was probably too old to start dancing at age 40. She thought it would be hard to succeed if you did not grow up dancing. She thought a lot of things that turned out to be just thoughts. The reality is that when you question those thoughts and push the limits of what you think is possible, you can achieve things you never thought possible, such as winning Rhythm at three different levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) at the OSB three years in a row (2021, 2022, and 2023), which is exactly what she has done!