Hi, and Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were good.
We ended 2023 with an East Coast Swing lesson from Tunisia El, Penn Hills Arthur Murray Studio, and music from Mark Boucher. The Palisades was decorated for the holidays, thanks to Janine Hauck and Mary Ann Gaser from our Board, and a good time was had by all.
The Special Needs Adaptive Program (SNAP) ended in November with 16 students, thanks to the excellent work by Barb Johnson, April Fisher and the mentors, most of whom were USA Dance Pittsburgh members.
We’re starting 2024 with a bang!
On January 20, we’ll be at the Wightman School Community Center, with Cris Sharpley, Arthur Murray South and Penn Hills Studios, teaching Salsa and John Siefken DJ’ing. A surprise special dance is planned.
On Sunday, January 21 at 1:30 pm, the next session of the Special Needs Adaptive Program will start at the Higher Voice Studio, 144 East Main Street, Carnegie. Recruitment is underway for both Advanced and Beginner classes. Barb and April are teaching. Please contact Barb at 412 720-0610 if you’re interested in being a mentor (i.e. dance partner) or know a potential participant for either program. We’re really excited about the growth of the program!
Planning is underway to re-start the Woodland Hills after-school program. More to come later.
Volunteering for the National Ballroom DanceSport Championships on March 22-24, 2024 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel will be online thanks to the new website and a Google volunteer form designed by Norrie Bastedo Vladuchick. More information on that here or at the Nationals Website.
We also want to urge Pro/Am (Professional/Amateur) couples to participate in the competitions. There are no required pre-qualifications. It’s a chance to demonstrate proficiency at whatever level you’re dancing, for how many dances you choose within a community of about 900+ dancers. Registration information can be found at registration. Early bird registration ends on February 22.
We’re one of the sponsors of the Carnegie Classic being organized by the CMU Ballroom Dance Club on February 9-11 at Rangos Hall. The weekend includes a welcome dance on Friday evening, competitions on Saturday, and a dance camp on Sunday. Adult dancers are welcomed, and participation would be great practice for the USA Dance Championships. More information at Carnegie Classic.com
Hope to see you soon!
Jane Downing, President, USA Dance Pittsburgh
P.S. – A reminder that admission now costs $15.00 for members; $20.00 non-members; $5.00 students with IDs.