USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020

2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open – See Pictures in this Issue! Organized and Presented by USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 February 28-29, 2020 at Goldcoast Ballroom in Coconut Creek (Ft Lauderdale), FL Our Entire Organizing Team Expresses our Heartfelt Gratitude To all Competitors, to our World-Class Judges & Officials, to our Hard-Working Volunteers, and to our Venue, Goldcoast Ballroom for your important parts in making our Second Annual NQE & WDSF Open Competition

the Very Exciting, Big, Fun, Friendly & Successful Event that it was!!

WDSF Senior III Open Standard - Winners Out of 18 Couples! 1-Yusuf Mihaylov & Elena Simonova (FL), 2-Eric Austin & Yanina Kisler (MA), 3-Thomas Yu & Yuko Naululani Yu (DC), 4-Mike Lynch & Rose-Ann Lynch (VA), 5-Roberto Piacentini & Giovanna Roncoroni (Italy), 6-Claude Guay & Ginette Beaulieu (Canada)Senior

WDSF Senior IV Open Standard - Winners Out of 13 Couples! 1-Terry Yeh & Glendy Yeh (CA), 2-Keijo Vierimaa & Seija Vierimaa (Finland), 3-Claude Guay & Ginette Beaulieu (Canada), 4-John Linn & Kathy Linn (TN), 5-William Manning & Frances Manning (CA), 6-Adel Ghoneimy & Karen Chow (CA) USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 2

News & Announcements From the President, Officers & Directors of USA DANCE, ROYAL PALM CHAPTER

[ The USA Dance National Chapter Of The Year! THREE Chapter Social Dances Each Month Please see our Announcement on page 3 re Temporary Suspension of our Chapter Dances, until further notice, in light of the current COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Please follow the advice of the Health Experts & Stay Safe! We look forward to seeing you all again at Chapter Dances, as soon as it is safe for everyone! ------

Beautiful Showcase Performed by Chapter Members & Competitors Leo Tseng & Brett Haber at our March 10 Chapter Dance At our March 10 Chapter Dance at Goldcoast Ballroom, we were treated to three BEAUTIFUL Showcase Performances by Chapter Members The Second Annual USA Dance National Qualifying Leo Tseng and Brett Haber, a winning Competitor Event (NQE) & WDSF Open Competition in Florida!! Couple! See videos of their Fabulous Waltz, Organized & Presented by USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Quickstep, and Foxtrot Performances shared on at Goldcoast Ballroom, Coconut Creek, Florida our Chapter Facebook page. Thank you to Erica See Organizing Team, Volunteers, and Judges & Officials (pages 6-12) Tate for posting these beautiful videos on See Some Photos from our 2020 Competition on pages 5, 12, 14 et. seq. Facebook! More pics of Leo & Brett on page 19.

______Hundreds of Great Photos by our Professional Exciting! Our Royal Palm Chapter Won National Photographer, Stephen Marino, are available Chapter of the Year - the 2nd Year in a Row!! to view and purchase at Stephen Marino.com ------We are pleased to share with you just a few of the Many Enthusiastic Comments Coming in: We were so excited that we finally got to dance at Royal Palm Dancesport Championships in Fort Lauderdale for the first time. We enjoyed every single minute of it. It’s fun to meet old friends and make new friends. Big applause to Connie Barnhart Koontz and the entire team of volunteers, adjudicators and officials for organizing such a fantastic event. Thank you so very much for all your efforts. Terry & Glendy Yeh (California) *** Great Thanks to David and Connie Barnhart Koontz for putting together WDSF and USA Dance Royal Palm Dancesport Championships! Wonderful competition, superb atmosphere, world class judging panel! ... Elena Simonova & Yusuf Mihaylov (Florida) *** Usadance 2020 Royal Palm Dancesport Championships. … Thank you to Don Davenport, District 9 Director, USA Dance, who presented Thank you to the organizers and volunteers for a wonderful competition. the Award to us at our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships. And, Maria Bolyard & Carmine Rucco (Alabama) *** thank you to Leland Whitney, National VP Social & All National Officers of USA Dance for this Encouraging Award! We will use the $1,000 Award to Thank you so much to you for a very well organized competition again this continue growing our programs and events for all dancers! year. Looking forward to next year

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Carole Labrie & Yvon Martineau (Canada) *** More Exciting News! - Terry O’Donnell, What a great competition - we will be back Our Talented, Long-Time Newsletter Editor Louise & Edward Hanlon (Florida) *** Honored as Chapter Volunteer of the Year!! Certainly had a fantastic day (two actually) GREAT EVENT! Don Davenport (FL), USA Dance Dist 9 Director & Member, Governing Council *** Thank you Connie and Dave for the perfectly organized competition and the amazingly friendly and warm atmosphere! Yelena Vesnovskaya (New York), Judge *** It was a wonderful competition. Congratulations to everyone! Melissa Dexter (California), Judge & USA Dance, Natl VP Professional *** We had a fabulous weekend at Royal Palm DanceSport Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida! Congratulations to Connie and David and all the volunteers who worked so hard all weekend! …Some of our events started from quarter finals and full semi finals. It was wonderful to see so many of our dancing friends in such a lovely atmosphere. Royal Palm Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award Presented Asli Yurtyapan & Gokturk Yurtyapan (Washington State) to Terry O’Donnell by Don Davenport, USA Dance Dist 9 Director More Comments on Page 4, Column 2: at our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships Thank you to All of the 211 Competitors from 26 States & Read More on page 4 of this Newsletter ______6 Countries for your Beautiful Dancing that made this Competition so Exciting! We invite you to Join the Royal Palm Chapter! The National Chapter of the Year! Warmest regards and much appreciation! Join the fun! Become part of a fun National & Local Dance Family of Connie, and Lee, Millie, Crystal, like-minded friends, united in our love of dance! Read some of the Benefits & Susan, Al, Marcia, Dave, and Syrus It’s easy to join or renew: www.royalpalmdancesport.org/16111 The President, Officers and Board Members of the Royal Palm Chapter

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USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 3 ______Temporary Suspension of Royal Palm Chapter Dances, until further notice, due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Message from our Chapter President Following further below is an updated copy of the announcement we emailed to all Royal Palm Chapter Members & Friends on March 14, announcing that effective since March 14, we have Temporarily Suspended our hosting of all Royal Palm Chapter Monthly Social Dances and events, until further notice, due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. As you know, Broward and Palm Beach Counties (our Chapter area) have been among the hardest hit counties in Florida. We miss seeing all of you during this hiatus in social dancing! Please take good care of yourselves, follow the guidance of Health Experts and Authorities, and stay safe during this National and International Pandemic. We will all get through this! For now, we can study and enjoy dance online, uplift one another (by phone and electronic communications), and focus on the light at the end our long tunnel: At some future point, when the Health Authorities confirm it is safe for everyone, we WILL all return to the dancing we love! We will let you all know as soon as our Chapter is able to resume our Monthly Chapter Social Dances. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy re-living the happy time of our February 28-29 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE & WDSF Open competition through the pictures and information in this Newsletter. Hugs! Following is an updated copy of our earlier notice, emailed to all Members and Friends: | Connie Dear Members and Friends, IMPORTANT NOTICE – as of March 14, 2020, and Updated as of March 29, 2020:

Based on a policy directive from USA Dance National, taking into account recommendations of Florida’s Governor and Department of Health, Broward & Palm Beach County Officials, City Officials in our Area, the Centers for Disease Control, and leading Health Experts, the USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 will cancel and suspend our hosting of all monthly Chapter Social Dances and events effective immediately as of March 14, until further notice, due to the health and safety concerns arising from the current COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Accordingly, the Royal Palm Chapter did not host our usual Chapter Dances at Delray Ballroom on Thursday, March 19 and at Star Ballroom on Saturday, March 28, and our Chapter will not be able to act as hosts (and offer the usual $2.00 discount) at our usual monthly Chapter Dances on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Goldcoast Ballroom, the 3rd Thursday of each month at Delray Ballroom, and the 4th Saturday of each month at Star Ballroom, until further notice.

As of March 22, 2020, we believe that all of the Ballrooms in question have also closed temporarily, or cancelled and suspended their public dances and group classes, until further notice, based on their public announcements. Please check with each of the Ballrooms in question directly, to determine their planned schedules in the coming days and weeks. We will let you know as soon as we have the green light to resume hosting of our regular monthly Chapter Dances referenced above (with our usual discounts for USA Dance members). Those Volunteers at our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships who were not able to attend our March 10 Chapter Dance at Goldcoast Ballroom, will be entitled to your Free Admission to a Chapter Social Dance, courtesy of our Chapter, at your choice of any of our first three monthly Chapter Dances after we resume hosting of our regular monthly Chapter Dances.

Those of you who did the hard work of set-up on Thursday, February 27 and take-down after the Competition on February 29 will be entitled to Free Admission (courtesy of our Chapter) at your choice of any TWO of our first 4 Monthly Chapter dances after the Competition (counting our March 10 Dance at Goldcoast and the first 3 Chapter Dances after we are able to resume hosting of our monthly dances.)

We look forward to seeing you all at our next monthly Chapter Dances, as soon as we are able to resume them!

Thank you for your understanding. Please take care and stay safe!

With warmest regards,

Connie

Connie Barnhart Koontz Further info on the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic on pages 23-24. President & Competition Organizer USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 [email protected]

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 4 ______Updated from our February Newsletter: Continued from left column: Terry O’Donnell she is also serving our members and the members of the other Chapters by making them aware of dances and events of other Chapters that they Our Talented, Long-Time Newsletter Editor may wish to attend. Honored as Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Terry O’Donnell deserves the highest recognition and commendation for Volunteer of the Year! this important work she has been doing over the past 16 years. Written by Connie Barnhart Koontz, President, Royal Palm Chapter Her work is fostering good relationships among the different Florida Our Chapter is pleased and proud to Chapters as well as with Chapters outside of Florida, and thereby is announce that we have nominated serving not only our Chapter and its members, but all of the other and proudly & gratefully designated Chapters and their members, and USA Dance nationally.

TERRY O’DONNELL as our Chapter Volunteer of the Year!! An Award with Honorable Commendation was presented to Terry O’Donnell by Don Davenport, USA Dance District 9 District Director & National Chapter Affairs Officer, at our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE & WDSF Open Competition on February 28-29, 2020 at Goldcoast Ballroom!! See photos on page 2 and on this page.

Terry has faithfully and ably served as Editor and Publisher of our Royal

Palm Chapter’s Newsletter for the past 16 years! Over all of these 16 years, Terry has very diligently and reliably done an excellent job as Please join us in Congratulating and Honoring Terry O’Donnell – Editor of our Newsletter. This is a very big, time-consuming, and our Royal Palm Chapter’s VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!!! demanding job that requires a lot of hard work, creativity, attention to ______detail, and dedication, for which we all owe a huge debt of gratitude, A Few More of the Comments Received honor and recognition to Terry. on our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships Terry dependably goes the “extra mile” to make each Newsletter Hi Folks, It was a super fabulous competition! Everything was perfect! interesting, attractive, and readable. She makes a point of including in I am sure the competitors will return next year. each issue a wealth of good pictures of our Chapter’s and other You did a fantastic job organizing it as usual. So much work and now Chapters’ activities. She not only assembles the news, announcements, you need a vacation. Hugs, Patti flyers and other content regarding our Chapter provided by our Chapter Patti MacDonald (Florida) – former President & Competition President and others into an attractive layout, but she also researches, Organizer, USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter *** finds and includes other pertinent and interesting content in each issue. We had an amazing weekend here at the Gold Coast, Florida, Over all these years, Terry has done an Excellent job, not only in attending USA Dance Royal Palm Dancesport Championships. … including news, updates and announcements about our Royal Palm Thank you Connie Barnhart Koontz and her team for organizing Chapter’s activities, but Terry has also developed a practice over many wonderful competition with the warmest hospitality. We are looking years of dedicating approximately half of the pages of our Newsletter forward to seeing you all at the 2021 Royal Palm each month to reporting the upcoming news and activities of our Sister Yuko Naululani Yu & Thomas Yu (Washington D.C.)

Chapters throughout Florida and elsewhere. Royal Palm 2020! Great comp with lots of Dancers! Very well

This form of support of our Sister Chapters, may be unique among organized, thanks for all the hard work Connie, volunteers, and Chapters of USA Dance. This practice of featuring our Sister Chapters officials! Glad we were able to be a part of it! … always fun sharing in each of our monthly Newsletters is entirely to be credited to Terry the floor with these wonderful people and dancers! Wade Butaud & Kim Butaud (Texas) ***

O’Donnell.

Terry maintains the extensive distribution list for our Newsletters, which includes not only all of our own Chapter’s members, but also other Royal Palm subscribers, including officers, directors, and members of the other Sister Andrea Zaramella (North Carolina), Judge *** Chapters whose news and announcements are included, as well as Wonderful weekend! Thank you other out-of-state subscribers. Our subscriber list has, we believe, grown Inez Sahlin (Florida), Judge ***

as a direct result of Terry’s great work in including the News & Events of Thank you very much! Greatly organized and run competition! other Chapters in our monthly Newsletters. Lena Bobrovska & Arkady Dudko (Illinois) ***

Our current Board applauds Terry for continuing this practice of We loved every moment! Thank you all! Royal Palm Dancesport supporting our Sister Chapters through our Newsletters in this way, in the spirit of supporting USA Dance, Inc., as one common State-wide and Championship!!!! Jan Vasquez & Juan Vasquez (Illinois/ CA) National Dance Family of friends. *** Thanks for all your hard work. It was a great competition. We plan to By helping to spread the news of our Sister Chapters’ activities and be back next year. upcoming events, not only is Terry helping our Sister Chapters, but Carol Sonnemann Sutter & Richard Seeger (New York) *** USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 5 ______Some Special Moments from our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships

Emcee Yang Chen leads an Expression of Everyone’s Excitement, with some of the Competitors, Spectators & Volunteers!

Extraordinary Junior Couples: Jordan Palmer & Finley Severance (Georgia) – Alexander Sarkisian & Sofiia Chernikova (Ukraine)

3 Spectacular Show Dances by Alexander & Veronika Voskalchuk, U.S. Open Professional Ballroom Champions! (Performances by Invitation of Goldcoast Ballroom)

The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Formation Team Wowed the Crowd | Making a Difference in Ballroom Dance Awards presented See More pictures from our 2020 Competition on page 13 et. seq. | to FAU Team Sponsor Carolyne New & Coach Tommy Engler USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 6 ______2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 expresses our HEARTFELT GRATITUDE To Our Dedicated & Hard-Working Volunteers at our February 28-29, 2020 Competition! With Special Thanks to Goldcoast Ballroom, Jeff Sandler & Vinny Munno, for their Wonderful Support at the Beautiful Goldcoast Ballroom which our Chapter rented as our Competition Venue! 2020 Volunteer Organizing Team: Organizer: Connie Barnhart Koontz Co-Chairs, Organizing Committee: Lee Fox Dave Koontz Competition Registrar, O2cm Manager, Judges, Heating, Schedule & Program: Connie Barnhart Koontz Onsite Registration: Sterling Sightler Deck Captains: Paula Mendelsohn Linda Miller Assistant Deck Captains & Support for Competitors: Saray Yli-Piipari Roni Sarvas Syrus Partian Competitor Package Assembly & Online Spectator Ticket Sales: Connie Barnhart Koontz Dave Koontz Reception/ Competitor Check-in: Millie Ledoux Sterling Sightler with help from Tammy Light, Real Forget, Elizabeth Coldren & Other Members of Logistics Team Spectator Check-In & Onsite Ticket Sales: Patti MacDonald Les MacDonald Collegiate Outreach & FAU Team Sponsor: Carolyne New Logistics Director: Aileen Waech Logistics Co-Chair: Syrus Partian Logistics Team (in Alphabetical order): Elizabeth Coldren, Real Forget, Lee Graffeo, Cynthia Horn, Barry Kasven, Judy Kinyon, Ruth Laviolette, Tammy Light, Linda Miller, Marcia Miller, W. Pat Mitchell, Miara Mooi Wilten, Syrus Partian, Arlene Peartree, James Ransone, Roni Sarvas, Jo Ann Scali, Aileen Waech, Debbie Yokel Set Up & Take Down (part of Logistics): Aileen Waech, Syrus Partian, Linda Miller, Miara Mooi Wilten JoAnn Scali, with take-down assistance from: Paula Mendelsohn Connie & Dave Koontz and Other members of Logistics Team Support for Judges & Officials (part of Logistics): Roni Sarvas Syrus Partian Miara Mooi Wilten Marcia Miller (Welcome Bags for Judges & Officials and other Dignitaries) Buffet & Food Service (part of Logistics): Aileen Waech Millie Ledoux Roni Sarvas Judy Kinyon Ruth Laviolette, Other members of Logistics Team Grants & Scholarships Fundraising: Connie Barnhart Koontz Dave Koontz Terry O’Donnell (through Chapter Newsletter) Our Whole Board Awards: Connie Barnhart Koontz Roni Sarvas With Chairman, Chairman Assistant & Judges Awards Platform: Millie Ledoux Robert Kassover Computers & Electronic Equipment: Dave Koontz Scrutineer, Daniel Dilley Food Arrangements: Connie Barnhart Koontz Goldcoast Ballroom Logistics Team Hotel Arrangements, Vendor Arrangements & Shuttle Arrangements: Connie Barnhart Koontz Promotion & Communications: Connie Barnhart Koontz, Dave Koontz, Entire Board & Organizing Committee Competition Webmasters: Connie and Dave Koontz (Competition website – www.RoyalPalmDancesport.org) Chapter Webmaster: Marius Ungureanu (Chapter website – www.USADance-RoyalPalm.org) Chapter Newsletter: Terry O’Donnell | Chapter Photographer: Lee Ranger

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 7 ______

USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Recognizes and Thanks The Sponsors & Scholarship Donors Who generously helped support the 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE & WDSF Open We express our particular recognition and gratitude to our Sponsors, and to all of our Scholarship Donors for their generous Support which helped make possible this Competition & the Scholarships Awarded.

Sponsors USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Goldcoast Ballroom American DanceSport Festival Carolyne New Dave & Connie Koontz

Gold, Silver & Bronze Scholarship Donors USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 American DanceSport Festival Dave & Connie Koontz Ann Durocher, Gumbo DanceSport Championships Al Guzzi & Marcia Miller and their family dogs and cats Donation in the name of HERB R. McCARTER, JR. by Terrry O’Donnell Carolyne New USA Dance, Orlando Chapter # 6002 USA Dance, Sarasota White Sands Chapter # 6012 USA Dance, Suncoast Chapter # 6004 USA Dance, Greater Daytona Chapter # 6026 Dancing Videos/ Edith Girardi & David Goudy - Videographer Purple Tiger/ Margaret Burns – Hair & Makeup The Ballroom Shop/ Howard Cunningham – Dancewear, Costumes, Shoes & Jewelry Stephen Marino – Photographer MK Style – Marius Kriukelis Weber Benoit – WNB Designs Total Scholarships Awarded to Worthy DanceSport Athletes: $5,525.00

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 8 ______Chairman & Adjudicators – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open We express our deep gratitude to our Highly Distinguished Panel of World-Class Adjudicators and Officials: Sami Yli-Piipari Chairman of Adjudicators – From USA (Georgia) and Finland Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – Chair+ A+ B+ C+ D+ Sami Yli-Piipari is a USA Dance and WDSF Certified Chairman of Adjudicators and USA Dance and WDSF Certified Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm, at Championship Level in both Standard and Latin. Sami serves as Chairman of Adjudicators and Adjudicator for numerous USA Dance National Qualifying Event Competitions throughout the United States, and for the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships. In addition, representing the U.S., he serves as a WDSF Chairman and Adjudicator. He has judged several World and Continental Championships. Sami started ballroom dancing at the age of 10 in his native country, Finland. During his career with his wife Karita Yli-Piipari, he achieved numerous international and national titles including 15 total Finnish National Championship Titles, in both Amateur and Professional Standard, Latin, and 10-Dance. He is also a former World & European Professional 10-Dance Grand Finalist, United Kingdom & International Professional Rising Star Finalist, and Blackpool Professional Rising Star Semi-Finalist. His Competitive Accomplishments, with his partner and wife, Karita Yli-Piipari, include, among many others: 15-Times Finland National Champion, in Standard, Latin, and 10-Dance, World Professional 10 Dance Grand Finalist, European Professional 10 Dance Grand Finalist, UK Open Professional Rising Star Finalist, International Professional Rising Star Finalist, Blackpool Professional Rising Star Semi-Finalist, and Slovenian Open Professional Standard Champion. He is located in Athens, Georgia.

Lee Fox Adjudicator & Invigilator – From Florida and Georgia Certified: USA Dance – Invigilator+ A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Lee Fox is a USA Dance Championship Level Certified Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm, and also holds Licentiate Certification in Theater Arts from the Imperial Society of the Teachers of Dance. He is also a USA Dance Certified Invigilator. Lee has acted as an Adjudicator and Chairman of Judges at many regional competitions and showcases for many years, as well as having adjudicating at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships. Lee has been the long-time President and is an Examiner of the National Dance Teachers Association of America (NDTA). In that position, he trains dance teachers for examinations, and administers examinations, for professional certifications. He is Certified as a Fellow (the highest level) in International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth, and American Rhythm by NDTA, and Certified in the licentiate level of International Standard, International Latin, American Rhythm and Theater Arts with the Imperial Society of the Teachers of Dance. A Certified USA Dance Invigilator, he is known for his vast and exacting knowledge of all official syllabi of both USA Dance, ISTD, and NDCA in all styles of dance. Lee has competed professionally in various events nationally and internationally over several years. Lee has had over 35 years of teaching experience, teaching and coaching individual students, as well as formation teams, at all levels from beginners to intermediate to advanced level choreography and competition coaching. He is now a frequent guest instructor at national and regional dance events, conventions and cruises. He has been invited to instruct and judge in San Francisco, Montreal, Atlanta, Copenhagen, New York, and Los Angeles, among many other cities.

Melissa Dexter Adjudicator – From California and Italy Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Melissa Dexter is a USA Dance and WDSF Championship Level Certified Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm, and Theater Arts. She is a former three-time United States Latin American Champion, four time Italian Professional Latin Champion, Italian Showdance Latin Champion, British Open Finalist, “World Professional Masters” Vice Champion, World Professional Latin Finalist, Grand Slam Champion, three-time European and World Finalist, and British Open Professional Latin Finalist, and she received the Distinguished Feather Award, the dancing world’s Oscar, two times. With her partner and husband Giacomo Steccaglia, Melissa won many top titles in Italy, Europe, England, the United States, and World Championships. Among Melissa’s many Accomplishments: World finalist, European Finalist, Blackpool Finalist, World Latin American Showdance Vice Champion, “World Professional Masters Championship” Vice Champion, 3-Time United States Latin American Champion, 4-Time Italian Latin American Champion, Italian Latin American Showdance Champion, 2-time South American Showdance Vice Champion, British Open Professional Latin Finalist, European Professional Latin American Finalist, Imperial Professional Latin Champion, International Finalist, Ohio Star Ball Championships Professional Latin Champion, All England, and Universal Professional Latin Champion, Today, her extensive resume includes choreographer for film, television, and stage, as well as world-class adjudicator, coach, and lecturer. Melissa Dexter together with her partner and husband Giacomo Steccaglia are the founders of Dancessense Studios in Carlsbad, CA. Melissa is Vice President, Professional Dance of USA Dance, Inc.

Patricia Goh Adjudicator – From Ontario, Canada Certified: WDSF & CDS Chair+ A+B+C+D+, WDSF Formation, WDSF Showdance, NCA, Scrutineer WDSF Chairperson, WDSF PD Adjudicator, WDSF Adjudicator Patricia Goh is the President of Canada DanceSport Professional Division. She also serves on the WDSF Equality Commission, Technical Systems Committee and Sports Policies Development Committee. Patricia is a Chairperson of Adjudicators at major competitions that include national and provincial championships and has chaired the WDSF World Championships. Patricia, a WDSF World Championship Adjudicator, regularly represents Canada judging various World championships and national championships globally and most recently, the Grand Slam Finals in Shanghai. Amongst her competitive laurels are Canadian Ontario Adult Standard and Adult 10-Dance Champion, North American Professional Rising Star Standard Vice Champion, Adult Latin Bronze Medalist, Canadian and North American Professional, Adult Standard and Ten Dance Grand Finalist. Patricia coaches and shares her passion of dancing with dance enthusiasts and athletes of different ages and levels. She is a competition organizer, a World Championship event coordinator and a recipient of the Canadian Ontario DanceSport Award of Distinction. Patricia has been featured in magazines, newspapers, radio talk shows and television shows. She is also a strong supporter of charitable and community events and participates actively in these events. In addition to holding advanced certifications in International and American dance disciplines, Patricia also holds advanced certification in music and ballet. Furthermore, Patricia holds a business school master’s degree, a professional designation in IT Audit and the CPA professional accounting designation.

6 USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 9 ______

Adjudicators, Continued – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

Mariam Izmaylova Adjudicator – From Massachusetts and Russia Certified: USA Dance – A+ B+ C- D-

2008 WDSF Adult Ballroom World Cup Semi Finalist (10th place). 2009-2011 Three times Undefeated U.S Amateur Ballroom Champion 2011&2012&2013 World Masters Profesional Ballroom Finalist 2011 Ohio Star Ball Professional rising star Champion 2011 Star Feature In the Film “Serena’s Song” 2013 United Kingdom Professional Rising star Ballroom Finalist 2013 World Professional Ballroom Championship Semi -Finalist 2014 Asian Tour Professional Rising Star Champion

Phil Lee Adjudicator – From Ontario, Canada Certified: WDSF & CDS Chair+ A+B+C+D+, WDSF Formation, WDSF Showdance, NCA, Scrutineer WDSF Chairperson, WDSF PD Adjudicator, WDSF Adjudicator Phil Lee is a WDSF Chairperson, WDSF Formation and Showdance Adjudicator, WDSF Adjudicator, WDSF PD Adjudicator, National Championship Chair of Adjudicators and National Championship Adjudicator in International and American styles, and a Certified Scrutineer. He frequently represents Canada judging WDSF competitions and has recently judged WDSF’s first American Smooth Championships. Phil is also a Chairperson of Adjudicators at major Canadian competitions. Amongst Phil’s many competitive laurels are Canadian Ontario Adult Standard and Adult 10-Dance Champion, North American Professional Rising Star Standard Vice Champion, Canadian Ontario Adult Latin Bronze Medallist, Canadian and North American Professional, Adult Standard and Ten Dance Grand Finalist. Phil enjoys coaching competitive dancers from novice to championship levels and teaching new talents. Phil is a competition organizer, has served on the Executive Council of Ontario’s dance teachers association, and is a CDS examiner. He was also awarded the Ontario DanceSport Award of Distinction for his significant contribution to dancesport. Phil is a business school graduate with a master’s degree and holds a professional CPA accounting designation.

Inez Sahlin Adjudicator – From Florida and Czech Republic Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Ms. Sahlin is a Championship Judge and International coach, teaching and coaching independently in United States and Europe. Originally from the Czech Republic, she now resides in Bonita Springs, FL. She is a member and accredited member of WDSF, ISTD, USISTD DTCB and USA Dance. She is trained and licensed in both the International and American Styles. Her credits include: Former Amateur Champion and Runner-Up in Standard, 10-Dance, Team and Formation Dance, and World Champion Finalist, in her native country of Czech Republic; Champion, Winner or Finalist of over 300 competitions all over Europe. Ms. Sahlin moved to the United States in 1992 and continued her competitive career as a professional here. She was a Professional Champion or Finalist in many Championships and competitions in the USA and achieved the semifinals at the US Open. Currently Ms. Sahlin is teaching independently in the United States and travels regularly to coach in Europe. She keeps a busy schedule as an adjudicator, judging WDSF and USA Dance Championships and competitions, including World Championships, World Cups, Grand Slams and Continental Championships. Ms. Sahlin is qualified and licensed as an international Adjudicator by the WDSF, in both Latin and Standard Disciplines and in both Professional and Amateur Divisions. In addition, she is qualified as an Adjudicator under the new, rigorous WDSF Olympics-style Judging System 2.0. She keeps a busy schedule as an adjudicator, judging numerous WDSF and USA Dance Championships and competitions, including World Championships, World Cups, Grand Slams and Continental Championships and competitions all over the World, in addition to USA Dance National Championships and NQE’s, University competitions, and other Championships and competitions in the U.S.A.

Susan Silva Adjudicator – From Florida, New York and Connecticut Certified: USA Dance + former NDCA – A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Susan Silva is a USA Dance Championship Level Certified Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm, and Theater Arts (Theatrical, Exhibition and Performing Arts). She served as an Adjudicator at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in 2018. Susan is a Professional Adjudicator, Dance Coach, Lecturer, and former United States National Professional Champion in American Style, Theatrical and Exhibition. A native of New York, Susan started dancing at the age of three. She trained in all styles of Ballroom Dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm, and Theatrical. As Professional Competitors, Susan and her partner David Van Hamilton, were United States National Professional Champions in American Style, Theatrical and Exhibition, as well as Blackpool Invitational Exhibition Bronze Medalists. They were renowned and top ranked Professional Ballroom Dance Champions and Performers in the United States for over 10 years. They competed in all styles of Ballroom Dance and were National Professional Champions and finalists, and achieved many top Titles, including Ohio Star Ball Exhibition Champions, and many others in the United States and Canada. In addition, Susan Silva and David Van Hamilton appeared on several television shows, including “A Night of Championship Dancing” with Juliet Prowse and others, lectured and held master classes in many major dance conventions & studios, and appeared as the very popular Adagio Team of Hamilton & Silva at venues throughout the United States and Mexico, performing extended shows in New York City and Las Vegas. Susan also performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and at the age of eighteen, as part of the Discotheque Dancers, she performed at Shea Stadium, NYC, in the opening act at the Beatles Concert, and then toured with the Beatles throughout the United States. Susan developed and wrote a Theatrical Ballroom Syllabus in written manual and video form, which can be used to enhance every style of ballroom dance today. She has been actively involved in writing and developing USA Dance’s official Syllabus for Theatrical Ballroom, and she is also currently working on rules and an adjudicator’s exam in Theatrical, Cabaret Style, and Show Dance for USA Dance. During her career Susan had a life-changing experience. She was ill and in a wheel chair in 2003, and was told she may never dance again. But, her passion to dance has never left her. She believed to dance again, and she did in 2007. Today, Susan is a Ballroom Dance Consultant for many Independent Ballroom

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 10 ______Adjudicators, Continued – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open Dance Schools, and a coach and teacher for professional, amateur, and pro/am students throughout the U.S.A. She has supervised and trained teachers in Ballroom Dance Technique, and holds Master Classes, Seminars, and Workshops in all styles of dance. Susan writes a regular column for DanceBeat. She is the former Vice President of the National Dance Teachers Association of America. Susan Silva is Chairman of the USA Dance Theatrical Dancesport Division, which has within its purview Theatrical Ballroom, Cabaret, and Show Dance. She served as an Adjudicator at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in 2018.

Kimberly Smith Adjudicator – From Alabama Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Kimberly Smith has been teaching dancing for 38 years and has owned and operated Dr. Dance Studio, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama for 32 years. Kim has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a professional competitor, pro/am competitor, teacher and currently coaches amateur and professional couples. She holds both Memberships and Fellowships with the North American Dance Teachers Association and Licentiates with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, which embodies the world’s acknowledged leaders in the dance profession. She continues proudly to serve the society on the National Committee as Treasurer of the USISTD. As an adjudicator, Kim is a WDSF A level 3.0 adjudicator and has had the honor of judging the WDSF World Sr. I Latin Championships as well as many Open WDSF Championship events. Kim leads the newly formed Exam Department of USA Dance and serves on the Professional Council.

Yuehwern Yih Adjudicator – From Indiana and Taiwan Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – Chair+ A+ B+ C+ D+ +Scrutineer Dr. Yuehwern Yih is a USA Dance and WDSF Certified Adjudicator, with Championship Level Certification in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm, as well as a USA Dance Certified Chairman of Adjudicators and NDCA Certified Scrutineer. She is a Certified Adjudicator by World Dancesport Federation (WDSF) in International Latin and Standard. She is a Championship Certified Adjudicator with North American Dancesport Teachers Association (NADTA) and USA Dance in both International Styles and American Styles. Dr. Yih is a professional ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, and adjudicator. In addition to judging and choreographing, Yuehwern and her partner, Daniel, spend most of their time being the head coaches of the Purdue Latin & Ballroom Dance Team. In 2010, when the Team was invited to compete on Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars on Fox, they coached the dancers to a 1st round victory, and placed second in collegiate formation team competition at the finale. Yuehwern was a finalist in many professional events and runner-up in USA Dancesport Championships in a span of 15 years. Throughout her dancing career, she is always fascinated by the dynamics, intricate synergy and kinetics between partners in competitive ballroom dancing. She is passionate about learning, teaching, and helping students find their pathways to success on and off the dance floor. She founded a college competition team at Purdue over 20 years ago and this team is not only ranked highly nationally, but also the incubator of many Dancesport competitors, professionals, and lifelong dancers. Each year Yuehwern is also the key person to organize the Purdue Ballroom Classic, which attracts more than 400 collegiate competitors each year from 20+ universities in the Midwest area over the last two decades. Yuehwern studied ballet and performed with the Lafayette Ballet Company before learning ballroom dance. In addition, she completed her B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial Engineering, specializing in operation management and system engineering. She is currently a Full Professor in Industrial Engineering at Purdue University and the Associate Director of Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering.

Lev Vesnovskiy Adjudicator – From New York and Russia Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – A+ B+ C+ D+ Lev Vesnovskiy is a Licensed WDSF `A` and USA Dance Adjudicator who has been teaching and training dancers for the past 30 years. His students became Russian Youth Latin National Champions and USA Youth and Under 21 Standard National Champions. Lev became one of the first certified professionals and the first invigilator in the Asia region of Russia. As an adjudicator, Lev has judged many esteemed National and International competitions. He started his dancing career in 1978 in Russia and competed in all major European and North American championships as amateur in Standard, Latin and 10-dance and professional in Standard. Parallel to his dance career he graduated the Novosibirsk State University with Bachelor in Physics and Master in Computer Science. With his wife and dance partner Lev has founded and led the first in Russia ballroom choreography faculty in Novosibirsk University of Performing Arts and became the first lector and examiner in the region. He has published few books about ballroom dancing including the Russian version of Technique of Latin Dancing approved by Mr. Walter Laird himself. Since 2001, Lev has been the owner and instructor of Atlantic Ballroom Dance Studio in Brooklyn New York. He is Organizer of the Metropolitan DanceSport Championship in Brooklyn, NY

Yelena Vesnovskaya Adjudicator – From New York and Russia Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – A+ B+ C+ D+ Yelena Vesnovskaya has been teaching and training dancers for the past 30 years. From the age of seven she studied ballet, folk, modern, and contemporary styles of dance in Russia. At age twelve she discovered ballroom dancing, which quickly became her primary style of dance. Yelena graduated the Performing Arts University in Novosibirsk Russia, with degrees in Choreography and Ballet Mastery. After graduating, Yelena became the founder and administrator of the Ballroom Dance Department at the Novosibirsk University of Performing Arts. Yelena has published books, teaching materials, and has been cited in numerous technique and development publications. As an adjudicator, Yelena has judged many esteemed national and international competition. Her students became Russian Youth Latin National Champions. As a professional dancer Yelena has competed in all major European and North American championships and has trained with the top coaches and trainers in the world. Since 2001, Yelena has been the owner and primary instructor of Atlantic Ballroom Dance Studio in Brooklyn New York. In Atlantic Ballroom, Her main focus has been to raise dancers to be determined and passionate competitors. Her education and experience from Russia and the United States create a strict and diverse curriculum, which imbeds into dancers the fundamentals that are necessary for success. Her student couples in the USA have reached many heights, such as Youth and Under 21 Standard National Champions.

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 11 ______

Adjudicators, Continued – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

Andrea Zaramella Adjudicator – From USA (North Carolina) and Italy Certified: USA Dance: A+ B+ C+ D+ Andrea Zaramella started dancing at the age of 9 in a small city on the Southeast coast of Italy called Brindisi. He started traveling and competing all over the world from the age of 14. In his 27 year career in ballroom dance, several of his accomplishments include being the  2-Time World Under 21 Ballroom Champion,  5-Time undefeated Italian Ballroom Champion,  Standard Blackpool Rising Star Vice-Champion,  Blackpool Open Semi-Finalist,  He also performed in several TV shows, and was a part of Dancing with the Stars in Italy.  WDC international adjudicator for Italy as well as an ISTD and USA Dance certified Championship Level National Adjudicator in the US. Now based out of Charlotte, NC he currently teaches, coaches and choreographs for top performing competitive students, amateur and professional couples, and produces and manages shows and dance competitions in the US and Europe. Some of these include The Excellence Charlotte Dance Festival, The Italian Pearl, and Dance Legends Charlotte, as well as currently, the USA Dance Charlotte Star Ball NQE. Andrea is also the founder of Tomorrow’s Champions Foundation, which is a charitable project that provides ballroom dance education and lessons for children and youth with disabilities with the goal of improving their future and creating an impact in their lives. Officials – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

Sami Yli-Piipari Chairman of Adjudicators – From USA (Georgia) and Finland Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – Chair+ A+ B+ C+ D+ Sami Yli-Piipari is a USA Dance and WDSF Certified Chairman of Adjudicators and USA Dance and WDSF Certified Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm, at Championship Level in both Standard and Latin.

See his biography in the first listing at the top of page 8.

Mark Barth Chairman Assistant – From New York & Florida Certified: USA Dance + WDSF – Chair+ A+ B+ C+ D+ E+ Mark Barth is a USA Dance and WDSF Certified Chairman of Adjudicators and Certified Championship Level Adjudicator in all Styles of Dance. His professional titles include: City of Bradford UK Finalist, Eastern U.S. Rising Star Modern Champions, Southeastern States Ballroom Champions, Rising Star United States Championships finalist, Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Modern Championship finalist, and many other titles. He has performed and given shows at various dance competitions, stage productions and special events throughout the U.S. He has been on national T.V. Channels 7 & 12 in the New York area and also taught for the Cable network on the Latin Channel. He has taught at many venues in the U.S. and England, and has taught and assisted in numerous Professional Congresses for Professionals in the U.S. Mark holds a Membership in N.A.D.T.A in Standard & Latin – Smooth, Rhythm and Theatre Arts, Licenciate I.S.T.D. Standard & Latin, USA Certified Adjudicator International & American Style, Scrutineer, & Chairman, Certified Adjudicator W.D.S.F – JS 3.0 & Chairman. Mark is currently giving lectures, organizing shows, and judging throughout the U.S. Mark operates the Silva Dance Studio in New York and Florida, and is teaching and coaching Amateurs and Professional Dancers.

Yang Chen Emcee – From New York Yang Chen has been dancing for more than twenty years and is currently the President of the Greater New York USA Dance Chapter. He has previously served as National President of USA Dance. Yang has extensive experience as a Master of Ceremonies of many ballroom competitions including the Manhattan Amateur Classic, NJ DanceSport Classic, National Qualifying Events in Bethesda, MD and Baton Rouge, LA, the USA Dance National Championships and numerous collegiate events, including the DC DanceSport Inferno. Yang is currently serving as Organizer of the January, 2020 Manhattan Amateur Classic (MAC) competition. Yang Chen is an attorney and graduate of New York University School of Law and Binghamton University. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, the United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Having practiced law with large law firms in New York City for a number of years, Yang now serves as Executive Director of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), a position he has held since August 2009, after serving as President in 2008. Yang lives in New York City, and yes, his first name is pronounced “young.”

Karen Pritchard Emcee – From Florida and England Born in England, Karen Pritchard competed in Ballroom & Latin Championships, competing through the ranks of British Amateur Ballroom and Latin to British Professional Ballroom and Cabaret Champion status. After winning The British Royal 10 Dance Championship, International 10 Dance Championship in Europe, and reaching the finals at the prestigious Blackpool Championships, she travelled and performed in Cabaret and Coached on Holland America Line Cruises for 13 years, including 7 World Cruises. Returning to land, Karen became the Choreographer, roducer/Director of KP Productions, a Musical Theatre Company. Karen now Emcee’s for several of the Competitions here in South Florida, and is known for her delightful spontaneous humor, and her superb timing and knowledge of dancing and competing, which are so instrumental in making the Competitions run smoothly and be so enjoyable to the competitors and audience alike. Her philosophy is, “Dancing should be fun for the performers and also for the audience, making the day memorable for all”. Her Credits Include: • Former British 10 Dance Champion. • 5 Times Blackpool Ballroom & Cabaret Finalist. • Qualified Member of I.S.T.D. and British Dance Federation. • Director, Producer & Choreographer of Musical Theatre Company. • Teacher of the Arts, Theatre Acting, Singing and Dance for Musical Productions.

USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Newsletter March-April, 2020 Page 12 ______

Officials, continued – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open Daniel Dilley Scrutineer – From Indiana Daniel Dilley is Certified by USA Dance and WDSF as a Scrutineer A+ B+ C+ D+, and also Certified by USA Dance and WDSF as a Chairman of Adjudicators and as a Championship Level Adjudicator in all styles of dance, Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm. He is also Certified as an Adjudicator by the North American Dancesport Teachers Association (NADTA) and Certified as a Scrutineer by NDCA. He has extensive experience as a Scrutineer and Adjudicator, and enough equipment to run O2CM wireless judging for 30+ judges. As a competitor, Daniel was Cincinnati Ballroom Classic Rising Star Champion, Volunteer State Rising Star Champion, and a Finalist in many U.S. competitions. Daniel is head coach of the Purdue Latin & Ballroom Dance Team, which has about 125 members each semester, requiring competitive coaching in all levels from Newcomer to Championship.

Daniel also co-organizes the annual Purdue Ballroom Classic Competition, which attracts more than 400 collegiate ballroom dance competitors each year in the Midwest.

Vinny Munno Music Director & DJ – From Florida and New Jersey Vincent (Vinny) Munno is Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Goldcoast Ballroom, along with Jeff Sandler. Vinny is known not only throughout Florida but nationally and around the world for his electrifying music as a DJ. It has been said that he sets the standard for disk jockeys not only in South Florida but worldwide. Vinny has served as Director of Music for the annual Royal Palm DanceSport Competition for all of its prior 15 years of existence. He has a vast knowledge and repertoire of music, meeting the regulation tempos and length for each style of dance and competition heat. As an example of the international recognition and acclaim that Vinny Munno and Co-Founder Jeff Sandler have received, they were invited to preside over the first ever Annual Euro Salsa Congress in Munich, Germany. Vinny acted as DJ and Jeff acted as Host and Master of Ceremonies at that spectacular international event. Vinny is pictured above in his role as DJ at the First Annual Euro Salsa Congress in Munich, Germany. Vinny also is a very accomplished dancer. At the age of eight, he began his dancing career by training in ballet, jazz, and tap. During his school years, he also was exceptionally skilled in gymnastics. He continued to study ballet for eight years at the New Jersey Dance Theater Guild. He graduated from the Dance Educators of America Teacher’s Training School in New York City. For six years he appeared in the New Jersey Dance Theater Guild’s production of “The Nutcracker”. Vinny later studied Ballroom dance seriously, and became an accomplished Ballroom dancer and competitor. Dancing with US Champion Professional Susie Thompson, he won titles including US American Rhythm Pro-Am Gentleman Champion in 1999 and 2000, and US American Smooth Pro-Am Gentleman Champion and Ohio Star American Rhythm Finalist in 2001. Originally from New Jersey, before moving to Florida and dedicating himself full time to dance, Vinny had a career in banking, which included starting as a loan processor and serving eight years as bank branch manager.

Jeff Sandler Vinny Munno Co-Founders & Co-Owners of Goldcoast Ballroom, Our Competition Venue

Our grateful recognition and special appreciation go to Jeff Sandler and Vinny Munno, Co-Founders and Co-Owners of Goldcoast Ballroom, for hosting and generously co-sponsoring the Annual Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE & WDSF Open at the Beautiful and Nationally Renowned Goldcoast Ballroom, as they have done for our Competition each year for 17 years in a row!

Some of our Hardworking Volunteers – 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

VBarry Kasven, Judy Kinyon, Aileen Waech, Roni Sarvas, Syrus Partian | Linda Miller, JoAnn Scali, Arlene Peartree, Syrus Partian, Linda Miller & Paula Mendelsohn Cynthia Horn, James Ransone See List of All Volunteers on page 6

See more pictures from our 2020 Royal Palm DanceSport Championships on the following pages of this Newsletter. Go to our USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Facebook Page to see many beautiful Videos from our 2020 Competition!

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“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled Royal Palm DanceSport Championships by a spark from another person. Each of us has NQE and WDSF Open cause to think with deep gratitude of those who February 28-29, 2020 At Goldcoast Ballroom have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer

Thank you for choosing to participate in this 17th

We LOVE our Sponsors, Annual Competition organized by USA Dance Royal Donors, Volunteers and Palm Chapter #6016 and the Second Annual USA Dance National Qualifying Event in Florida!

Adherents ~ Most of all, thank you to all of you wonderful We greatly appreciate the Competitors for gracing the Competition with your significant roles you all beautiful and inspiring dancing! It is with love for played in the success of all of you that we have worked hard to organize this this immense Event! exciting and fun Event.

We are honored and grateful to have such a highly distinguished and geographically diverse panel of World Class Adjudicators and Officials presiding at

this Event, and we thank them deeply.

Birthday Blessings to our We were pleased and honored to present this March/April Celebrants Competition to you at the beautiful Goldcoast Ballroom, and we acknowledge with gratitude the important role that Goldcoast Ballroom, and its March ~ Walter Fox owners Jeff Sandler and Vinny Munno, have played in Co-Sponsoring this special Event and in hosting Millie Ledoux our Royal Palm DanceSport competitions over the past 17 years. Yusuf Mihaylov To the Sponsors and Donors who helped make the Scholarships at this Event possible, we express our Susan Silva recognition and gratitude. They are listed on page 7 of our Newsletter and on our Competition website. April ~ Susan Golob Special thanks to all of our 30+ dedicated Volunteers, and Spectators for their important role in helping us Marissa Schwartz make happen this exciting event!

Crystal Sheung Wong On behalf of our entire Board of Directors and Organizing Team, we hope you enjoyed great ! dancing, much success, and a really fun time at this Happy Birthday rousing Competition!

Warmest Thank You to All!

If we missed your birthday, it is because Connie Barnhart Koontz, Organizer & President, we do not have your date listed. We’d love USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016, and

You Our Whole Board, Organizing Team & Volunteers to celebrate on Your very Important

Joyous Day if you would share with us Happy Dancing and your Birth Month, no Year necessary. See You All again Next Year!

Email it to me at - [email protected] hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April , 2020 Page 14

Goldcoast Goldcoast Ballroom Ballroom serving serving Breakfast Breakfast & Snacks & at Snacks Our gÉ bâÜ 2020 Royal Palm(Albert Competition & Margit (Albert with & MargitVolunteer) with Volunteer) axã `xÅuxÜá

Terry Clemons

Marissa Schwartz

Lucas Townsend

______H eartfelt

Goldcoast Ballroom serving Lunch - Nan & Helen

or our enewal F Y R

Marius Ungureanu

Crystal Sheung Wong

To RENEW your Membership in

Royal Palm Chapter #6016:

Go to: https://usadance.org/login.aspx

and Log in to your USA Dance Account.

Click on the Renewal prompt you will find there, CateredCateredCatered Buffet Buffet Dinner Dinner setProvided Provided up by bythe Royalby Royal Royal Palm Palm Palm Chapter Chapter Chapter # for6016 the

to renew and pay your dues online. Royal At Our Palm 2020 Chapter Royal CompetitionPalm DanceSport at the Championships Goldcoast Ballroom.

Or, simply go to: http://www.royalpalmdancesport.org/16111

Complete the Form, and check the “Renewal Box” in the Form. Click “Send” at the bottom of the Form. Then click the “Pay Now” button to pay your dues by Credit Card or Paypal.

TO JOIN : GO to USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter #6016 Online: www.RoyalPalmDanceSport.org/16111 hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 15

“Big thank you to our Great Competition Photographer, Stephen Marino, for providing certain of the photos in this Newsletter to our Chapter for inclusion here.” hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 16

Senior I Championship Standard:

1 - Gokturk & Asli Yurtyapan (WA) 2 - Alan Burns & Kelly Batchelor (IL) 3 - Peter Munoz-Bennett & Rita Rudyak (MA) 4 - Jonathan & Mandy Blankenship (MO)

Senior III Championship Latin: 1 - Wade & Kim Butaud (TX), 2 - Carmine Rucco & Maria Bolyard (AL), 3 - Valeriy Ort & Rita Lynn Ort (TX), 4 - Ming Wang & Chenhua Yang (TN), 5 - John & Kathy Linn (TN), 6 - Arkady Dudko & Lena Bobrovska Dudko hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 17

Senior IV Championship Standard:

1 - Terry & Glendy Yeh (CA), 2 - Claude Guay & Ginette Beaulieu (Canada), 3 - John & Kathy Linn (TN), 4 - Bob Giordani & Brigitte Gerl (MD), 5 - Edward & Corrina Huang (TX), 6 - Adel Ghoneimy & Karen Chow (CA), 7- William & Frances Manning (CA)

Senior V Championship Standard:

1 - Leo Chu & Yingying Chu (CA), 2 - James & Patsy Mendlik (OH) hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 18

WDSF Senior II Open Latin:

1 - Michael Murphy & Christine Lys - (CA), 2 - Wade Butaud & Kim Butaud (TX), 3 - Eamonn Knights & Ida Jones (MD), 4 - Ian Redmount & Hisako Matsuo (MO), 5 - David McNish & Rhonda McNish (TN), 6 - C. Philip Carter & Ann Carter (TN)

WDSF Senior II Open Standard:

1 - Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan (WA), 2 - Alan Burns & Kelly Batchelor (IL), 3 - Thomas Yu & Yuko Naululani Yu (DC), 4 - Yvon Martineau & Carole Labrie (Canada), 5 - Peter Munoz-Bennett & Rita Rudyak (MA), 6 - Arkady Dudko & Lena Bobrovska Dudko (IL)

hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 19

Leo Tseng & Brett Haber (FL)

Edward & Louise Hanlon - FL Artisiom Pazniakou & Daria Goryaynova - USA & Belarus

Adult Champ Latin

Greg Warner & Jill Smith (MN)

Juan & Jan Vasquez- IL/CA

John Rannella & Helena Brody (FL)

John & Lina Kulikowski - Royal Palm Chapter long-time Members enjoying an Intermission Ken McCleary & Pamela Weaver (FL) Ethan Sholes & Rosalie Monte (FL) at the Competition. ~ Photo by Lee Ranger ~ \ hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 20

Wade Butaud & Kim Butaud (TX)

Yvon Martineau & Carole Labrie Quebec, Canada

Mitchell Hayutt & Sofia Levitt (NY) Youth Champ Standard

Stephen Takata & Joanna Mielnick (CO) Senior II Champ Smooth

Team Awesome-Faculty at the Exciting Miami Dance Camp - Organized by Jonathan & Mandy Blankenship (MO) Alexander & Veronika Voskalchuk Adult and Senior I Standard hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 21

Claude Guay & Ginette Beaulieu (Canada) Eammon Knights & Ida Jones - MD

Eric Austin & Yanina Kisler (MA)

Al Guzzi & Marcia Miller - FL Yusuf Mihaylov & Elena Simonova (FL) Senior III Standard Championship Michael Murphy & Christine Lys (CA)

Thomas Schultz & Pen & Lisa Cosby (FL) Gold Roberto Piacentini &

Shelley Reeves (Costa Rica) Novice & Pre-Champ Giovanna Roncoroni (Italy) hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 22

The life lessons that we hold most dear have come from dance.

Dance is storytelling and language; it is a means of expressing

Emotions both powerful and beautiful.

Holly Hatcher-Frazier

hfT WtÇvx eÉçtÄ ctÄÅ V{tÑàxÜ 6ICDI axãáÄxààxÜ March/April, 2020 Page 23

DANCING AROUND DANCING ROUND

2020,

In view 24

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National Coronavirus Social Distancing Guidelines Extended

WASHINGTON – On March 30, it was officially announced that the National Coronavirus Social Distancing Guidelines of the CDC, which were adopted by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, are being extended for a month, until April 30, as sickness and death from the Coronavirus Pandemic continue to rise in the U.S. Here is a summary of the National Guidelines:

Good practices for social distancing and hygiene include:

* No gatherings of 10 or more * Disinfect common surfaces * Wash hands for 20 seconds or more * Maintain six feet or more between yourself and others in public * Sneeze and cough into a tissue or elbow * Isolate yourself if sick, call your doctor

USA DANCE CHAPTER CONTACTS:

* USA Dance Cape Coral Florida Chapter #6123 - Contact Carol Davis, President ~ 239-565-7947 or email - [email protected] * USA Dance Chapter #6026 - Greater Daytona FL President, Greg Marcum 386-689-8038 or email - [email protected] * USA Dance Orlando Chapter #6002 Contact: Darla Schmitt, Chapter President (407) 719-1800 or email - [email protected] * USA Dance Suncoast Chapter #6004 President: Nancy Welch - 576-1206 email - [email protected] * USA Dance Sarasota White Sands FL Chapter #6012 Contact: Janis Merluzzo, President at 941-685-7026 oror email - [email protected] * USA DANCE CHAPTER #6047 MARTIN-ST. LUCIE Ron Bryson - email Communications email: [email protected] * USA DANCE CHAPTER #2012 Minneapolis-St. Paul. MN President - Joyce Thompson email - [email protected] * USA Dance Southern Star Chapter #6038

Contact Peg or Mike Johnston (813-685-1656) or email - [email protected]

* USA Dance Chapter #6070 Vero Beach Florida Tommy Pilero, President - 828-423-1487 or email - [email protected]

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“Everything happens for a reason. Every event has a purpose and every setback its lesson. Failure, whether of personal, professional or even spiritual kind, is essential to personal expansion. It brings inner growth and a whole host of psychic rewards. Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is. ― Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Marathi) Sanyasi Jyane Apli Sampati Vikli https://medium.com/@smellycode/salient-notes-from-the-monk-who-sold-his-ferrari-41fe65b7345e

“We have made it through far greater things. We are going to be OK. We are strong.

We have endurance, and we have stability. We know what we are doing.”

~ Governor Andrew Cuomo ~

ATTRIBUTIONS

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