PRESIDENT’S LETTER, PITTSBURGH CHAPTER USA DANCE, OCTOBER 27, 2026
Hi! Happy Fall! Hope you’re enjoying the sun and taking advantage of all the local dance opportunities! We’re blessed with a large and diverse choice in our area.
SO—- ARE YOU A NATIONAL STAR?
Rose-Ann Lynch, Managing Editor of American Dancer Magazine, the official national on-line publication of USA Dance, Inc., has published nearly 20 photos of local dancers from Paul Vladuchick’s portfolio of Pittsburgh Chapter dances. The September magazine cover features Michael Haynie and Melva Perich – a first for our chapter. Since early May 2026 Rose-Ann has inserted the social dance pictures randomly in articles to balance out the traditional competition pictures USA Dance Inc. has featured for decades. Many, many thanks to Paul for including us in his dance portfolio, where you’ll find the originals. To find the American Dancer pictures, go to https://americandancer.org.
2027 NATIONALS -April 2-4, 2027, Wyndham Grand Hotel
SOCIAL DANCE PACKAGE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOVEMBER 15
What’s new in 2027? More than 60 dance workshops in four rooms. Discount fees for USA Dance members. Full day and day passes. Á la carte tickets for workshops and social dances. Go to https://usadancenationals.org/social-celebration for complete details.
“Ultimate Social” Package
2-night hotel stay ($529/member double occupancy; $579 non-member).
All workshops, social dances & spectator access to the competitions; Friday night dinner.
“The Locals” Weekend Package ($369 member; $399 non-member).
All workshops, two social dances, Friday night dinner, spectator access to the competitions.
Eight Fun Dance competitions ($25/dance with package or Friday spectator admission).
NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:
WATCH THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
What’s New? More streamlined schedule. More DanceSport workshops. More practice and coaching space. Access to all Dance Workshops and Social Dances. Early bird registration from January 1-31. Collegiate Team Match Saturday night. Winners in 8 age categories of Standard and Latin competitions get points making them eligible as USA representatives in 20+ World Championships or World Cup competitions. Some place high or win those competitions. Draft competition schedules can be accessed at https://usadancenationals.org/schedule.
THANK YOU!
Our September instructor was Sarah Slevinski who taught Tango and Bobby D. was the DJ. In October, Vincent Jones and Rachel Booth, Cross Body Dance + Movement, taught Salsa and Norrie Bastedo DJ’d. Great energy and attendance in both events – thank you, all!
BOARD ELECTIONS
Every two years, each USA Dance Chapter holds elections for up to nine Board members. If there are more than nine candidates, members will be asked to vote. If fewer, at the December 19 dance, the membership will ratify the selection of those who self-nominated. The approved board will elect the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
On-going responsibilities include organizing the monthly dances the third Saturday of the month; attending board meetings the week before the dances; coordinating and being fiscal sponsor for the Special Needs Adaptive Program; supporting the National USA Dance National Ballroom Dance Festival in 2027 and 2028 through volunteer recruitment and marketing to ballroom dance organizations, studios and the public to attract social dancers, competitors and spectators.
There are two ways of nominating board members – self nomination and by petition. Please return one of the completed forms to J anine Hauck (j9hauck@gmail.com) by November 30.
UPCOMING DANCES
November 21. Wightman School. Thanksgiving. Chris Drum, DJ and teaching Rumba.
December 19. Wightman School. Happy Holidays. Brian Lee, DJ and teaching Swing.
January 16, 2027. Wightman School.
Hope to see you on November 21!
Jane Downing, President USA Dance Pittsburgh #3007
Dancer008-@outlook.com or 412 508-1952