Southeastern DanceSport Championships

Dancers planning to travel to the Southeastern DanceSport Championships over Presidents Day Weekend were probably wondering:  Will there be a competition?  Will we be able to get out of our neighborhood, much less the driveway?  Will my partner be able to make it?  What will the highways look like?  Will airports be open?  Will my flight be delayed or even…CANCELLED?  Should we take our chances and hope for the best? 

These thoughts raced through our minds as predictions of a major storm spread from Canada to the United States.  Rain, snow, and ice were all in the forecast, with wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour.  The Midwest was hit by a polar vortex, bringing temperatures in the low single digits and winds that made it feel like negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit.  Boston received six inches of snow.  A thousand flights were delayed at Chicago O’Hare, 50% of the flights were delayed from Boston, and 40% were delayed from New York, Newark, and Washington, D.C.  Those who didn’t see snow experienced a lot of rain, resulting in flooding in North and South Carolina and thunderstorms in Florida.  It was a mess!

And yet they came — Dancers from across the states, reaching as far as Massachusetts, California, Texas, Missouri, and Florida!  Braving snow, sleet, and rain, they also came from Hawaii, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Vietnam.  They were there to dance… and dance they did!

The 2025 Southeastern DanceSport Championships, a USA Dance Regional, were held February 14-16 in Dunwoody, Georgia.  The event, organized by Daniel Boman and Tiffany Bouquet, was everything it promised to be, hosting 1186 entries.

“The Southeastern DanceSport Championship is always a high point of our competition year!” remarked President and athlete Chuck Garrett.

“We had a much greater international presence this year,” exclaimed Tiffany.  “It was surprising but very gratifying to get immediate interest from other countries, to compete in an American competition.”

The 2025 Southeastern included five World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) events – Senior II, III, and IV Open Standard, and Senior II and Open Latin.  “This year was a success and went a long way towards building international connections,” explained Tiffany. “While the competition itself has a long history of running WDSF events, and hosting foreign competitors, for Daniel and I this was a big step.”

The ballroom competition venue was once again the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, the same hotel used in recent years.  Prices were reasonable, and the hotel provided everything a dancer might need for a weekend stay, including that all-important Starbucks and good food.  As it was chilly, windy, and somewhat wet all weekend, staying in wasn’t a bad idea.  However, for those who wanted to venture out, there were many great local restaurants and shopping opportunities within walking distance.   

What the hotel didn’t provide was arranged by the organizers.  “From the wide variety of events to the high-end vendors, we know our needs will always be met—whether it’s an emergency pair of fishnets from Duffy Betterton of Dance Dress Couture or bodywork for cramping feet from Tereasa Lea of Life Touch,” noted Senior Multi-Style dancer Antoinette Datoc.

KD Love and Artistry in Motion worked tirelessly, creating lovely hairstyles and painted faces so the ladies could look their best.  Showtime Dance Shoes, a local Atlanta company, offered a wide variety of styles and brands of practice and competition shoes, along with on-site sizing and selection.  They also carried those last-minute items that everyone forgets, like shoe brushes and heel protectors. 

Of course, if you have shoes, you must have dresses, and the ladies of Dance Dress Couture filled that role with lovely gowns, practice wear, accessories, and friendly advice.  With beautiful dresses and perfect hair, you also need photos.  Photographer Luke Erlandson, whose images grace every Southeastern advertisement and post, could always be seen moving around the floor with his trusty camera in hand.  He captured every smile and kick with a click and a nod.  Then there were the gifted hands of Teresa Lee of Life Touch.  Anyone who has experienced Teresa’s healing hands has returned to her.  Whether they were getting ready to dance, limping off the floor for a quick fix, or treating themselves to an “I did it” present, Teresa’s table was the place to be!

Throughout the weekend, dancers flourished in the beautiful and friendly ballroom atmosphere, enjoying the company of friends when they were off the dance floor and giving their all when it was their turn.  They participated in every age category, from Teddy Bear (4-6) to Senior VI (75 and up), and the floor was always buzzing with activity. 

“We even had quarter or semi-finals in all four styles of our Master of Syllabus events,” exclaimed Tiffany.  “Our seniors really strutted their stuff.”  Senior IVs Clifford Arnold and Lilian Paternostre won the Standard Master of Syllabus out of 18 couples, while Senior IIIs Johnny and Jun Tang won the Smooth Master of Syllabus, beating 17 other couples!

“We had a greater number of quarterfinals in adult and semi-finals in the senior events than we have ever had before… and had full finals in our Youth and Under 21 Latin,” remarked Tiffany. “This is great to see because we strive to provide a great experience.”

The dancers wholeheartedly agreed!

“We signed up for Southeastern first because we enjoyed it when we attended before, and also to support Daniel and Tiffany,” said Senior IV Standard dancer Allison Gonzalez.  “When we saw that they had added WDSF events, we were twice as delighted to attend!”

“We love going to Southeastern,” said Adult Smooth dancer Nicole Noakes.  “Dan and Tiffany run a fun, well-organized competition.  It’s an NQE (National Qualifying Event) relatively close to where we live and a nice venue.”

“We attend Southeastern every year not just because it’s only 15 minutes from our home in Atlanta but because it’s a competition designed with competitors in mind,” added Antoinette. 

“Tom and I enjoyed seeing friends and participating in the Southeastern Regional, our first time back with USA Dance after a long break,” noted Senior IV and V Standard dancer Renee Malinowski.  “The enormous Crowne Plaza is a gorgeous facility, and we especially loved the large competition floor.  The event was extremely well run and adjudicated by an experienced panel of judges.  What a great way to spend the weekend!!”

“Daniel and Tiffany run a class A competition.  Always innovating new ways to add excitement,” remarked Senior IV Multi-Style dancer Lee Oswalt.  “Every year, the competition runs smoother and is more competitor-focused.  This year was exceptional!”

Regardless of the reason, the floor was bustling all weekend, and the crowd was never silent.  When the Seniors were not up and moving, the young ones took over.  All were smiling and eager to showcase their skills, doing what they loved the most.  And then there were the collegiates!!!

“This year, I especially enjoyed the team competition.  The collegiate/adult athletes provided a tremendous amount of energy and were very welcoming,” remarked Chuck.  “I think that was the highlight of the competition for me.”

“The energy and enthusiasm the collegiate dancers bring to the ballroom is truly inspiring, adding an electric atmosphere that makes the event even more special,” noted Antoinette.  “Having known Tiffany Bouquet and Daniel Boman since their days as collegiate dancers at Georgia Tech, it’s a pleasure to support the outstanding competitions they organize.”

So, who else was there?

George Cometa, a familiar USA Dance face, was the weekend MC, and Daniel Dilley was the scrutineer.  Joining them were stalwart judges Dana Edwards (USA,WDSF), Lee Fox (USA), Phil Lee (Canada, WDSF), Liene Reinbold (USA), Kimberly Smith (USA, WDSF), George Gachechiladze (Georgia, WDSF), Patti Panebianco (USA, WDSF), Salvatore Todaro (Bulgaria, WDSF), Irina Trbunskaya (USA, WDSF), Donatas Vezelis (Lithuania, WDSF), Gianni Chiapperini (Lesotho,WDSF), Patricia Goh (Canada, WDSF), and Chair of Judges Yuehwern Yih (USA, WDSF).  All kept a keen eye on the floor as the dancers moved to the fabulous music of DJ Ralph Yuan (WDSF) and DJ X. 

Certainly, the Southeastern DanceSport Championships is one of the largest Amateur ballroom gatherings in the United States along with the USA Dance National Ballroom DanceSport Championships and Southeastern’s sister competition, The MAC.  However, activities were not limited to Amateur couples; events included Solo Proficiency, Teacher-Student, Rookie/Vet, Pro/Am, Switch-Leads, and Team Matches. 

“The international judges really enjoyed the team match; it’s not really a thing in Europe,” noted Tiffany.  “Donatas Vezelis really got into it and was cheerfully yelling, ‘Roll Tide!’ with the University of Alabama team.  I don’t think he knew what it meant, but he was having fun!”

It’s true that Father Winter kept some dancers from attending this year.  Nevertheless, the heats were full, and the competition was intense.  Everyone finished their rounds and awards, tired and sore but smiling and promising to return next year!  Let’s hope the weather finds its rhythm and dances to a smoother tune then!

“The dates for the 2026 Southeastern DanceSport Championships are still being negotiated,” said Tiffany.  “It will still be in February, but we are trying to move off of Valentine’s Day.  People have other plans for that holiday!  We hope to see you all next year!”