National Qualification Waived for 2022 USA Dance National Ballroom DanceSport Championships
The USA Dance Board of Directors has voted to waive the qualification requirements for the 2022 USA Dance National Ballroom DanceSport Championships and invites all athletes to take part in this exciting event. This is in response to COVID travel restrictions imposed by local governments, and limited attendance at National Qualifying Events.
As announced at the Annual General Meeting, the 2022 United States DanceSport Ballroom Championships, April 1-3, will be a unified Nationals, organized by the National Organizing Committee led by President Ken Richards and chaired by Ann Durocher. It will include Amateur, Professional, Collegiate, and Pro/Am National Championship events along with a Social Dance, Collegiate Team Matches, Workshops, and a Professional Show.
Providing a great venue for a jam-packed weekend of dancing, the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, near Heinz Field, is the perfect home base for exploring this thriving epicenter for sports, arts, culture and outdoor activities. From cultural discoveries to sporting events, and fine dining to family fun, Pittsburgh’s bustling downtown landscape offers attractions, activities, and entertainment for all tastes.
Check out the beautiful venue and surrounding area at https://www.wyndhamgrandpittsburgh.com/ Watch for regular updates at https://www.usadancenationals.org!
Islanders DanceSport Championships and Camp
Islanders DanceSport Championships will kick off the 2022 competition calendar for USA Dance. This Registered Event takes place on January 15, 2022 at the beautiful and convenient Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Newark Airport. The Championships will include competitive events for Kids, Youth, Adults, Solo Dancers, Teacher/Student, Collegiate, Seniors, and Pro-Am Competitors.
Additionally, on January 16th the organizers will host a USA Dance sanctioned Training Camp at the Olympia Activity Sport Center in Staten Island, New York. The camp will feature workshops, private lessons, and practice rounds taught by top dance coaches and choreographers from all over the world.
Learn more about both at https://www.islds.com/
New WDSF RLS Administrator & International Advisor
President Ken Richards has appointed Katusha Wilder to act as the new WDSF Registration and Licensing System (RLS) Administrator and International Advisor. In this new role, Katusha will help the Professional, DanceSport-Ballroom, and DanceSport-Breaking Vice Presidents manage the application process for international athletes, adjudicators, and competition organizers who are applying to take part in the WDSF International sports programs. Katusha can be reached at international-advisor@usadance.org
Rule Changes
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Professional Dance Council, has voted to amend the DanceSport Rulebook and reestablish the position of DanceSport Rules Official to help the Chair of Adjudicators and the organization ensure that all National Qualifying Events and National Championship events are fully compliant and being operated in the best interests of our athletes and our National Sports Programs. Those who are interested in serving in this new position should email pdc@usadance.org
The DanceSport Council, upon the recommendation of the Director of Education, has suspended for the remainder of the season, the rule prohibiting adjudicators from teaching at camps within 14 days of a competition. This decision was necessary, given the number of competitions, many holding National Championship events, that would have made it impossible for USA Dance Academy to sanction any athlete development camps until late December. For more information on upcoming dance camps please email Director of Education Renata Shvarts at pro-council2@usadance.org
The Board of Directors, in order to promote the growth of certain underdeveloped membership categories, has taken the following steps:
- Professional Athlete Membership fee is reduced to $25 for 2021 and 2022. Those current members who paid the full price will have their membership extended to December 31, 2022
- Pro/Am Amateur (who only compete in Pro/Am categories) Membership fee is reduced to $25 for 2021 and 2022. Those current members who paid the full price will have their membership extended to December 31, 2022
- DanceSport Coach Membership fee is reduced to $25 for 2021 and 2022.
- All Special Olympic Membership fees are reduced to $10 for 2021.
