USA Dance National Qualifying Event and WDSF Open February 9, 2019

USA Dance National Qualifying Event And WDSF Open

16th Annual Competition Presented by USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 First USA Dance NQE in Florida!

February 9, 2019 At Goldcoast Ballroom Coconut Creek, Florida

www.RoyalPalmDanceSport.org

Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

February 9, 2019 At Goldcoast Ballroom

Welcome to the Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open!

We thank you for choosing to participate in this 16th Annual Competition organized by USA Dance Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 and the first USA Dance National Qualifying Event in Florida!

We are pleased and honored to present this exciting event to you at the beautiful Goldcoast Ballroom, and we acknowledge with gratitude the important role that Goldcoast Ballroom, and its owners Jeff Sandler and Vinny Munno, have played in Co-Sponsoring this special 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.

To our Donors who helped make this Event possible, we express our recognition and gratitude.

Special thanks to all of our dedicated Volunteers for their important role in helping us make this exciting event happen!

On behalf of our entire Board of Directors and Organizing Team, we wish you great dancing, much success, and a really fun time at this exciting Competition!

Warmest Welcome!

Connie Barnhart Koontz Organizer President, USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016

See Lists of our Board Members & Organizing Team, Volunteers, and Donors on the following pages

Competition Venue & Co-Sponsors

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 at the Beautiful and Nationally Renowned Goldcoast Ballroom, as they have done for our Competition each year for the past 15 years! Read more about Jeff and Vinny on the Goldcoast Ballroom website ».

Competition Volunteer Organizing Team Organizer: Connie Barnhart Koontz Co-Chair, Organizing Committee: Lee Fox Competition Registrars & O2cm Managers: Connie Barnhart Koontz Dave Koontz Onsite Registration: Sterling Sightler Deck Captain: Paula Mendelsohn Assistant Deck Captain & Support for Competitors: Autumn Nikirk Linda Miller Reception/ Competitor Check-in: Millie Ledoux Sterling Sightler Linda Miller Patti MacDonald Spectator Ticket Sales & Seating: Terry O’Donnell Ernie Arcaro Logistics Team Awards & Scholarships Coordinators: Connie Koontz Lee Fox Crystal S.H. Wong, CPA Collegiate Outreach & FAU Team Sponsor: Carolyne New Support for Judges: Dave Koontz Al Guzzi Marcia Miller Millie Ledoux Syrus Partian Director of Logistics: Ernie Arcaro Logistics Team: Ernie Arcaro, Bee Behar, Elizabeth Coldren, Matthew Dindial, Rita Ferraraccio, Jill Fragale, Susan Horowitz, Marcia Miller, Rosalie Monte, Syrus Partian, Nancy Price, Roni Sarvas, Jo Ann Scali, Ann Smith, Sheila Smith, Lou Stojanov, Angela Territo, Aileen Waech Awards: Connie Barnhart Koontz Lee Fox Crystal Wong, CPA Awards Platform: Millie Ledoux Robert Kassover Computers & Electronic Equipment: Dave Koontz Food Arrangements: Connie Barnhart Koontz Goldcoast Ballroom Ernie Arcaro Logistics Team Vendor Arrangements: Connie Barnhart Koontz Competition Webmasters, Communications & Promotion: Connie and Dave Koontz (www.RoyalPalmDancesport.org) Chapter Webmaster: Marius Ungureanu (www.USADance-RoyalPalm.org) Chapter Newsletter: Terry O’Donnell Chapter Photographer: Lee Ranger

Sponsors USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 | Catherine and Francis Burzik Foundation | Goldcoast Ballroom We express our particular recognition and gratitude to the Catherine and Francis Burzik Foundation for their generous Grant which made possible the WDSF Open Standard Events at this Competition. Our special deep gratitude to Goldcoast Ballroom for their continuous and generous support and Co-sponsorship of this Competition and each of our previous 15 Competitions.

Gold, Silver & Bronze Scholarship Donors USA Dance, Royal Palm Chapter # 6016 Connie & Dave Koontz Marcia Miller & Al Guzzi and their family dogs and cats USA Dance, Orlando Chapter # 6002 USA Dance, White Sands Chapter # 6012 Purple Tiger/ Margaret Burns – Hair & Makeup The Ballroom Shop/ Howard Cunningham – Dancewear, Costumes, Shoes & Jewelry Dancing Videos/ Edith Girardi & David Goudy - Videographer Moondance Studios/ Bobby Campbell – Photographer USA Dance, Suncoast Chapter # 6004

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USA Dance, Greater Daytona Chapter # 6026

Chairman & Adjudicators – 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. 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 iv 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. Adjudicators – Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

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. She became a Personal Life Coach and Ordained Minister. Today, Susan is a Ballroom Dance Consultant for many Independent Ballroom 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.

Adjudicators – Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

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.

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 Profesional rising star Champion 2011 Star Feature In The Film “Serena’s Song” 2013 United Kingdom Profesional Rising star Ballroom Finalist 2013 World Profesional Ballroom Championship Semi -Finalist 2014 Asian Tour Professional Rising Star Champion

Officials – 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 iv.

Officials – Royal Palm DanceSport Championships NQE and WDSF Open

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, Maryland, Knoxville, Tennessee and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the USA Dance National Championships and numerous collegiate events, including the DC DanceSport Inferno. Yang is currently serving as Organizer of the January, 2019 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 the Executive Director of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), a position he has held since August 2009. He served as that Association’s 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.

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.

Alex Foraponov Co-Director of Music & DJ – From Florida and Russia Alex Foraponov started dancing at the age of 4 in Russia. His dance background includes Classical Ballet, Figure Skating and Ballroom Dancing. Over the years, he was dancing for Russia, France, Belgium, Luxemburg and USA in the World and National Championships. Alex was a winner and finalist of many prestigious competitions. Because of his high level of dancing and big achievements, he was invited to perform on TV Dance Shows and judge dance championships around the world. He is a well-known choreographer, coach and dance instructor. He lives and dances in Florida. With his vast knowledge of music, he is an experienced DJ, who has served as music director and DJ for several Ballroom Dance Competitions, including past Royal Palm DanceSport Competitions. vii

Competitor Couples Entered Num Lead Follow State

Pros

100 Vitalii Tozik Serge Aliev FL 101 Joseph B. Smith Diane Shattuck FL 101 Joseph B. Smith Lauren Chabaud FL 101 Joseph B. Smith Nydia Petrosino FL 102 Karla Boldirev Angelica Downey FL 103 Vadim Boldirev Martha Quinones FL 103 Vadim Boldirev Yonat Har-Nov FL 103 Vadim Boldirev Bonnie Bergman FL 103 Vadim Boldirev Shai Har-Nov FL 103 Vadim Boldirev Judy Zeman FL 104 Kirill Hitroff Elaine Parker FL 105 Webert Benoit Melissa Thompson FL

Amateurs 112 Carlos (Daniel) Valladares Judyan Centeno FL 113 Daniel Benjamin Marjolaine Lagace Quebec 114 Danny Rios Daniela Pinzon FL 115 Ariel Reda Rosy de la osa FL 116 Robert Kendall Marjorie Caro FL 117 Edward Soltis Bonnie Burton Minnesota 118 Daniel Tikhomirov Elizabeth Pozniakova New York 119 Lawrence Dunaway Dorothy Dunaway FL 120 Eric Austin Yanina Kisler Massachusetts 121 Youkendy Mera Ada-Nicole Sanger FL 122 Arkady Dudko Lena Dudko Illinois 123 Paul Krentzlin Christine Krentzlin New Jersey 124 Arnold Pagano Constance Pagano Fl 125 Danny Shanetzky Irina Valler FL 126 Steve Brook Kaye Brook FL 127 Dennis Matveev Anna Jonczyk MA 128 Igor Kantorovich Elena Furman Ohio 129 Khuong Pham Arlene Yu New Jersey 130 Daniel Rubashevsky Anastasiya Rubashevsky California 131 Alessandro Scalora Sofia Ward Alabama 132 Alan Burns Kelly Batchelor Illinois 133 Ken McCleary Pamela Weaver FL 134 Leland R. Whitney Leslie M. Whitney Minnesota 135 John Rannella Helena Brody FL 136 Peter See Mindi Sheer Georgia 137 Shane Gadberry Lisa Lumkin Texas 138 Lynn Griebahn Brenda Griebahn FL 139 Ralph Smith Sarah Fu-Smith Illinois 140 Gus Reeves Lynn Unruh FL 141 Gregory Prasch Susan Prasch Minnesota 142 David Loo Karen Turner MI 143 Ken Wellens Christy Wellens Michigan 144 Gregory Story Rebecca Steinkruger Minnesota 145 Peter Munoz-Bennett Margarita Rudyak Massachusetts 146 Damir Saiapov Paloma Kassoff

147 Thomas Wiggins Destiny John North Caro 148 Carmine Rucco Maria Bolyard Alabama 149 Esteban Garcia-Ruiz Sarah Korol FL 149 Esteban Garcia-Ruiz Mahaliah Farquharson FL viii

Competitor Couples Entered, Continued 150 Michael Popovich Nicole McCain FL 151 Andrew Pressly Melissa Duran

152 Greg Warner Jill Smith Minnesota 153 Norman Sarmiento Patti Rhodes FL 154 Rick Stuart Linda Stuart FL 155 Thomas Schultz Shelley Reeves FL 156 Lucas Lopez Jacqueline Alexander FL 157 James Bartlett Catherine Jane FL 158 Jim Scalise Kimberly Scalise FL 159 Mike Lynch Rose-Ann Lynch Virginia 160 Ihunanyachi Ikechi-Yko Mahaliah Farquharson FL 161 Michael May Pallany English South Carolina 162 Sebastian Mankevich Anastasia Yakovleva FL 163 Benjamin Trobaugh Aleksandra Montanus FL 164 Christopher Chaleki Karen Chaleki Virginia 165 James Mendlik Patsy Mendlik FL 166 Yvon Martineau Carole Labrie Quebec, Canada 167 Kurt Anderson Jessica Doro Minnesota 168 Gabriel Hung-Hintz Alevtina Yakovleva FL 169 Walt Sadowski Marcy Larkin FL 170 Richard Stewart Melanie Tichenor Louisiana 171 John Buczek Dariel Buczek North Carolina 172 Pat Salerno Loren Salerno Connecticut 173 Claude Guay Ginette Beaulieu Quebec, Canada 174 Randy Heysek Sandra Sha FL 175 Yusuf Mihaylov Elena Simonova FL 176 Lucas Townsend Marissa Schwartz FL 176 Lucas Townsend Judyan Centeno FL 177 Matthew Randolph Maggie Campbell Minnesota 178 R. Craig Smith H. Michelle Smith Virginia 179 Carlie Coats Jan Yarborough Coats North Carolina 180 Stephen Takata Joanna Mielnick Colorado 181 Thomas Yu Yuko Naululani Yu DC 182 Alexander Voshchin Marsha Voshchin Massachusetts 183 Aliaksandr Rybakou Madeleine Mravkarov Georgia 184 Robin Eliot Joy Eliot FL 185 Igor Golovach Michelle Blank New Jersey 186 Daniel Gradowitsch Lauren Sirotkin FL 187 Jonathan Medlin Malin Allert NC 188 Stanley Thompson Natasha Janey FL 189 Richard Seeger Carol Sutter New York 190 Patrick Haizel Sharon Governali New York 191 Gary Gitner Karen Rash-Gitner Oregon 192 Alan Lipscomb Patti MacDonald FL. 193 Russell Alliev Stephanie Alliev Minnesota 194 Kevin Yee Loong Angela Yee Loong ON 195 Yen-Chieh (Leo) Tseng Brett Haber FL 196 Eckhard Grosz Gabriela Grosz Austria 197 Daniel Flynn Laurie Flynn FL 198 Jacob Hassan Lusha Miliashkevich Fl 199 Jett Gillum Marissa Schwartz FL 199 Jett Gillum Anne-Lunie Rodney FL 200 Al Guzzi Marcia Miller FL