United States Dance Championships (USDC) 2024: A Fresh Look, New Champions, and the Best Year Yet!
The American ballroom dance community experienced an unforgettable start to September with the week-long celebration of the USA National Dance Championships 2024. This prestigious event, recognised as one of the most significant in the country, brought together top dancers from across the nation. For an entire week, Orlando became the epicenter of ballroom dance, where competition, elegance, and excellence merged to create a vibrant and extraordinary atmosphere. The scale and grandeur of the event were unmatched, marking a truly remarkable moment for the Dancesport in the United States.
USDC 2024 exceeded expectations from the moment participants arrived. This year the Competition Director, Wayne Eng, truly surpassed himself , transforming the venue into a visual masterpiece. Hallways leading to the ballroom were adorned with cutting-edge digital screens, creating an immersive experience for the attendees, each of whom felt they were part of something truly monumental.
The ballroom itself was enormous, boasting a breathtaking digital backdrop that changed with each event, enhancing the grandiose and celebratory atmosphere of the competition. The visual presentation, coupled with the size and layout of the ballroom, reinforced the significance of the event, making it clear that this is the most important ballroom dance competition in the United States.
As a judge at this year's event, I was particularly impressed by the elevated quality and quantity of the ProAm dance couples. It was evident that the participants had set ambitious competitive goals. The dedication, passion, and technical excellence demonstrated by the competitors were truly remarkable. The ProAm competitions were fierce, with the first rounds and quarterfinals in most of the categories adding to the intensity and uplifting spirit.
What stood out this year at USDC was the level of maturity, discipline, and grace exhibited by the ProAm dancers. Their achievements and progress in the art of ballroom dancing at this stage in their lives are not only respectable but also inspiring. The male ProAm dancers, in particular, touched my heart by exuding a sense of joy and love for dance, coupled with a very high technical proficiency.
Despite the high level of competition, the overall atmosphere remained warm and supportive, highlighting the strong sense of friendship in the ballroom dance community. The blend of excitement, competitiveness, and joy created an unforgettable experience for all participants and spectators.
On Friday evening, the ballroom was filled with astonishment as the event reached a stunning peak of the night. Following an incredible retirement show dance by Celia Chou and Erminio Stefano, the audience was further captivated by a surprise performance from Loren Allred, who performed the song to which the couple had danced. The performance was both outstanding and mesmerizing, with a dazzling array of lights from the cell phones illuminating the ballroom, creating an ambiance that seemed to dance in sync with the music.
The professional events represented the highlights of USA National Dance Championships 2024, attracting top couples from across the nation, all striving for the prestigious title and thus creating an air of vibrant and exciting anticipation.
This year, the leading dancers in the USA enjoyed a unique privilege to perform to a spectacular live band. The music’s rich and immersive quality deeply resonated with everyone in the ballroom.
The 2024 USA National Dance Championships set a new standard for ballroom dance competitions in the country. The event was not only a showcase of top-tier talent but also a celebration of the dedication and passion of dancers from all areas of life. The high level of organization, the impressive venue, and the quality of performances all contributed to a remarkable event that will be remembered for years to come.
Oksana Zolotarevskaya ,
USA National Professional Mambo Champion
British National Professional Latin Champion
Dutch National Professional Latin Champion
Russian National Professional Champion in Latin and Standard Formation Team
USA National Judge
World Class Judge
Images: Charles Ryder
