2024 Hot Ballroom

I first took part in the Hot Ballroom Night back in September 2016! What began as a creative idea—local celebrities dancing for their favorite charities with an instructor of their choice, following the Dancing with the Stars format—has evolved into an exhilarating and impactful event. From the competition to hall rentals, a distinguished panel of judges, and a fan voting system where each dollar voted directly supports the cause, Hot Ballroom Night quickly became an unforgettable experience. But the real magic happened when Irina Trebunskaya of You Can Dance Studio in Hermosa Beach, California, and her daughter, Anna Trebunskaya—an accomplished Dancing with the Stars professional—brought their energy and passion to the event. Their unique vision turned it into something extraordinary.

When Irina invited me to compete with five other women, I didn’t hesitate. As the treasurer for the USA Dance Los Angeles Chapter at the time, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for a cause I deeply cared about while also enjoying the thrill of competition.

The following year, Irina elevated the event by introducing the Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge and a USA Dance Youth National Qualifying Event under her non-profit organization, Dance It Up. Fast-forward to 2024, and we’ve just wrapped up the sixth Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge, which has become a beacon for dance enthusiasts, leaving us with unforgettable memories and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Last year, the event became a Western Regional Championship with the USA Dance Los Angeles County Chapter as a co-sponsor. This year, we took it up another notch, co-organizing the 2024 challenge alongside Irina Trebunskaya of Dance It Up and Oksana Kalinuka of OC Dancing Ballroom. Held from December 6–8, 2024, at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel, this three-day DanceSport celebration was a whirlwind of excitement.

The action began Friday with a Matinee Session of general social dancing, followed by an exhilarating master dance class. The Evening Session sizzled with even more social dancing, a cocktail reception, and a stunning fashion show by Diversity Fashion World. The professional show that followed, featuring USA Dance Professional National Ballroom Champions Oreste & Evgeniya Alitto (2023) and USA Dance National Show Dance Champion Mariia Oblakova with Aleksei Chebotar performing a passionate Argentine Tango, left the audience mesmerized. The evening culminated with a delightful buffet dinner as professionals wowed the crowd with their electrifying performances. The Ballroom Club at Valley Utah University was a wonderful addition to the evening.

This year, we introduced something truly special: USA Dance Los Angeles provided scholarships for students to join the competition. The students’ energy and enthusiasm added a fresh and exciting dimension to the event, and Seniors especially enjoyed the lively and cheerful support from the collegiate competitors.

Saturday’s competition was fierce, with dancers from Youth, Under-21, Adult, and Senior categories competing in Rhythm, Smooth, Standard, and Latin. We broke our own attendance record, with participants across every level from Syllabus up to Championship. It was also a joy to see USA Dance President-Elect Charles Garrett and his partner, Lee Oswalt, on the dance floor.

Saturday evening was the event’s pinnacle, as the Championship Events lit up the ballroom with passion, dedication, and breathtaking performances. The energy was electric as competitors pushed themselves to new heights. The Awards Ceremony that followed celebrated all the hard work and talent on display throughout the weekend. We were thrilled to see a great turnout in every age group, from Youth to Senior V, in Syllabus.

Sunday’s competition introduced the World Juvenile Under-10 Ballroom and Latin, and Latin Solo Championships. These young stars, competing in Syllabus (Bronze-Gold) levels, wowed the audience with their exceptional performances. The Teddy Bears, Pre-Teen 1-2, and Junior 1-2 categories brought the house down with their energy, focus, and joy, showcasing their skills in all styles of dancing.

The 2024 Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge was the most successful yet, with a record-breaking number of competitors. None of this would have been possible without the tireless dedication of the dancers, judges, volunteers, and organizers who worked tirelessly to bring the event to life.

Looking ahead, we’re already planning next year’s event, which will take place December 5-7, 2025, at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles. We can’t wait to see you there for another spectacular celebration of dance!