After a tumultuous end to our dance season, just weeks before the 2023 World DanceSport Federation Youth Standard World Championships, we were notified that we were invited by USA Dance to represent the United States in Szombathely, Hungary.
With this invitation came lots of excitement! Christopher is part Hungarian, as his mother Judit Gaspar is from Szombathely! Having our last Youth World Championship in the city she grew up in had a very personal significance, in addition to meaning we would be able to meet relatives and see family and friends again!
We swiftly went to purchase our flight tickets. It was pretty close to the competition date already, but we found a good deal by flying into Zagreb, Croatia, and driving to the competition’s location.
Knowing we would be competing at a world competition in less than a month, we bumped up the intensity of our practices and transitioned from technical training to more performance-centered training. We focused on stamina, visualization, presentation, and high-level concepts, rather than on small details and very precise actions. Our lessons with coaches Andrea Zaramella and Judit Gaspar were not only focused on looking good physically but also on being mentally prepared for a different environment full of very strong competitors.
Arriving at the World Championships in Szombathely, we were greeted by loving family and the complex Hungarian language! No problem! Christopher and his mother are both fluent in Hungarian, and Holly tried her best!
On September 23, we competed in a beautiful ballroom, looking and feeling wonderful. We were surrounded not only by another couple representing the USA — Mark Burenko and Nicole Popov Spektor — but also by couples from dozens of other nations. We placed 38 of 61 couples — making it to round two!
Video clip of Christopher and Holly’s Tango.
Shout out to USA Dance for providing us with this opportunity, as well as a stipend for our travels! We’d also like not only to thank the organizers of the competition, but also our parents, family, friends, and the steadfast supporters at our home — Champions DanceSport Club in Everett, Massachusetts.
Looking forward to the future, we are excited to perform with just as much enthusiasm and success for Team USA in Riga, Latvia, for the 2023 World DanceSport Federation Under-21 Standard World Championships on November 19. Although we are facing college applications for Christopher and Junior year challenges for Holly, that will not slow us down! We are currently preparing to compete at the USA Dance Chicago DanceSport Championships, a Regional Qualifying Event, and are very excited to be headed there October 13-15.
Editor’s Note: The 2023 World DanceSport Federation Youth Standard World Championships can be seen in its entirety. Christopher and Holly wore #101 (red dress) and Mark and Nicole wore #106 (black dress). Check out the beautiful dancing by these two extraordinary young couples.
Thank you to Holly and Christopher for submitting this piece to American Dancer!!!!! Competitors, do you have a story to tell? Are you headed overseas to represent the United States? Did you have a great time at a USA Dance competition? Please share your story and photos with USA Dance through American Dancer. Stories and photos should be sent to Managing Editor Rose-Ann Lynch at: americandancer@usadance.org.
