The Dance Review - Nick Kelly Reports on the UK Closed Amateur Ballroom Championship 2024

For most, the dance season starts in September and culminates in July at the Dance Promotors Association’s Bournemouth Summer Festival. Each year Bournemouth welcomes thousands of dancers from around the country to participate in the plethora of events offered at this magnificent five-day festival. My congratulations go to the DPA Executive Committee on the presentation of their 37th Summer Festival.

The Saturday evening at Bournemouth is most certainly one of the weeks highlights, this year hosting the finals of the Juvenile Ballroom, and Junior Latin Championships, the Semi-Finals and Finals of the Amateur Ballroom Championships, and of course both the Professional Ballroom and Professional Latin Championships. It was my pleasure to spectate all rounds of The United Kingdom Closed Amateur Ballroom Championships. My reports on the finalists and their performances are below.

1. Glenn-Richard Boyce & Caroly Janes (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st)

Champions this year by being placed 1st in all five dances were couple 131, Glenn-Richard Boyce and Caroly Janes. Glenn and Caroly in my opinion are the ultimate competitive couple, one of the best ballroom couples in the world and true experts of their craft. Not only do they appreciate the importance of quality dancing at the highest level, but also all the preparation and training that comes with being a true Ballroom champion. They dominate the competition floor with their powerful swing and beautiful musicality. They exude confidence, performance and the true ballroom illusion of perfect harmony between two bodies moving as one. Their fitness training allows them to excel where other couples faulter. When it comes to stamina, they are truly in a class of their own. Their Viennese Waltz in particular shines above the rest for me, being the only couple to have visibly correct footwork throughout, I am glad to see that success hasn’t altered their attention to detail. Congratulations on retaining this title for a third consecutive year.

2nd - Andrei Toader & Mia Linnik-Holden (2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd)

Runners up this year were couple 148, Andrei Toader and Mia Linnik-Holden. They were placed 2nd in the Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep and 3rd in the Tango. Andrei and Mia are another couple who could be considered one of the best in the world. They have a different style compared to the other British Amateur couples that surround them, prioritising a more classical style of Ballroom dancing. I applaud their bravery and commitment to explore a more classical style, but at times they can appear un-competitive in their approach or even look under-energised compared to the couples around them, something perhaps to consider for next season. They have improved since I saw them perform at Blackpool in May, showing a better understanding of the couple’s centre and how it links to space and motion. I particularly love the use of swing and the 4-bar “Running Right Turn” that opens their Quickstep. Mia and Andrei have many qualities and at times can execute dancing and choreography that could challenge those above, particularly in both Waltz dances. Unfortunately, Tango looked a little tight in the shoulder line tonight... Regardless, I have no doubt this couple will continue to go from strength to strength. Congratulations on another fantastic competition, well done.

3rd - Mark Chilcote & Maddison Ingoldsby (3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd)

Into third place this evening were Mark Chilcote and Maddison Ingoldsby, couple 139. They were placed 2nd in the Tango and 3rd in the Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. Mark and Maddison set off into this competition on the back of being crowned United Kingdom Closed Amateur 10-Dance Champions on Thursday, for a third year running. They are by far the one of most improved couples in recent months. Tthey had an incredibly successful competition at the British Open in May, bringing home not one but two British Open championship titles. They seemed to be struggling with togetherness in the early rounds today, creating an uncoordinated look in their performance... I am pleased to say however that when it came to the final, these two had clearly pulled together and delivered one of their best performances to date. Mark is an exceptionally talented dancer, and although at times his performance can lack maturity, he is always one of the best competitors on the floor. Mark’s qualities are only complimented by the unquestionable beauty and softness that Maddison brings to this partnership. They truly are a perfect match and, in my opinion, are on their way to becoming icons of dance. Well done on a successful summer festival.

4th - Mykhailo Bokii & Ivanna Tymczyszyn (4th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 4th)

Fourth place this evening were Mykhailo Bokii and Ivanna Tymczyszyn, couple 59, and they were placed 4th in all five dances. Two dancers whose silhouette create the defining look of today’s competitive Ballroom dancing, Mykhailo and Ivanna have a look of elegance and class that rivals all those above. Their dancing seems to prioritise structure and shift of weight which is a very competitive approach indeed. Although this can be effective, I feel in order to challenge those above an exploration of three-dimensional activity is needed. This coupled with a better understanding of how to use centering and gravity to the couples advantage would improve the fantastic dancing this couple already produce. Congratulations on your performance, well done.

5th - Leandro Di Rossi & Chloe Barratt-Blake (6th, 5th, 5th, 5th, 6th)

Placing fifth were couple 64, Leandro Di Rossi and Chloe Barratt-Blake. They were placed 5th in the Tango, Viennese Waltz, and Slow Foxtrot, and 6th in the Waltz and Quickstep. Leandro and Chloe are two dancers who, in my opinion, have a lot of untapped potential. Another couple who have a classical look to their dancing, however they do this whilst managing to apply a slightly modern twist which is very clever and attractive to the eye. They are classy, stylish and offer beautiful Ballroom shaping whilst executing some difficult but effective chorographical choices. For me this is why they could have easily found their way into a higher final placing this evening. Most definitely a couple to watch for the future! Congratulations on your improvement over the last 12 months and for finding your way into this prestigious final.

6th – Kyrylo Novikov & Tallulah Willkinson (5th, 7th, 6th, 6th, 7th)

Finishing in sixth place were Kyrylo Novikov and Tallulah Willkinson, couple 16. I really enjoy the dancing this couple are producing; they are full of youthful energy, attack and have a competitive drive that makes them stand out as finalists from the very first round. Tallulah and Kyrylo are still in their first year of dancing together and therefore have a little less experience than some of the other competitors around them however, I have no doubt that as time passes and they continue to improve they will climb the amateur ranks with great ease. A couple who were thrilled to make the grand final this evening, and the good news is, I think they are there to stay! Congratulations to you both, the future is looking very bright indeed.

7th -  Max Draper & Sophia Tyshchyk (7th, 6th, 7th, 7th, 5th,)

Completing the final and finishing in seventh place this evening were couple 68, Max Draper and Sophia Tyshchyk. Another relatively new couple and what a result they have achieved today. I first watched Sofia and Max dance at the British Open Championships at Blackpool in May and what an improvement they have made. Their quality of movement is their best asset seconded by their immensely improved stamina, which must have been a contributing factor securing them not just a place in this final but also 5th place in the Quickstep. Success is bound to continue for this couple; however I must mention that to truly challenge those above, Max and Sofia must try to create a more stable couples centre and not distort their body lines. I’m sure they are aware of this issue and are no doubt already working to make improvements for next season. Well done and congratulations.

Such an incredible standard of dancing throughout today’s competition which, resulted in a final of seven fantastic couples. If I had only one piece of feedback for most of the Amateur Ballroom competitors, it would be to gain a better understanding of the fundamental principles of Ballroom Tango, as there was far too much body flight in the earlier rounds of this competition today, which resulted in unnecessary rise, and counter balancing sway, both of which are not standard characteristics of Tango.

It would be a shame to not mention that the semi-final consisted of 12 couples. The couples finishing in the semi-final round are listed below in numerical order. Congratulations to all the dancers today and the best of luck for the remainder of 2024.

Semi-Finalists in numerical order.

18 - Lewis Hateley & Nadya Martynenko

33 - Oliver Johnson & Sophie Heyworth 

128 - Gabriele Castellani & Caroline Court

133 - Arthur Sugonjev & Tulip Wellman-Riggs

143 - Alessandro Bidinat & Danielle Jay Foster