Dancing Queens & Kings
My new book (“Dancing Queens & Kings”) will be available at Amazon by 5/30. In this post, I will publish (1) Book reviews, (2) Acknowledgments, (3) Foreword, (4) Introduction, and (5) Afterword.
Frank Li: The most efficient amateur male in pro/am ballroom dancing
My first out-of-town ballroom dance competition was OSB 2019, and I placed 4th (Gentlemen, Open Smooth, age-group C). After that, I started privately claiming that I am America’s most efficient male amateur in pro/am ballroom dancing (age-group C initially and S1 now) based on this simple fact: All the other five finalists had been dancing for many more years than I had. Now, it is time to reveal this claim publicly!
Vicki Barbera: A sexy ballroom dancer
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” …
Pamela Melton: From a law librarian to a champion in ballroom dancing
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.
Mercedes Soria: Life is not the same without ballroom dancing
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 Butler: The next Giovanni?
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?
Elaine Krieger: A ballroom danceaholic
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)!
Giovanni Fortezza: The savior of the male species in competitive pro/am ballroom dancing
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!
Brian Ames: A gentleman competitor with big dance dreams
It is almost accidental that Brian is an accomplished Bronze-level dancer today. Seven years ago, he was barely aware of this beautiful art form. His dreams then are not his dreams today. Dancesport has taken a place in the core of his personal and professional life, which means it is at the core of his hopes and dreams.
The most efficient amateur male in pro/am ballroom dancing!
My first out-of-town ballroom dance competition was OSB 2019, and I placed 4th (Gentlemen, Open Smooth, age-group C). After that, I started privately claiming that I am America’s most efficient male amateur in pro/am ballroom dancing (age-group C initially and S1 now) based on this simple fact: All the other five finalists had been dancing for many more years than I had. Now, it is time to reveal this claim publicly!