Interested in competing with a top professional instructor and other pro/amateur or am/am couples at all levels and ages?
Who Will Teach Me?
Competitive instructor, Glenn Clark, owner of Stardust Dance Studio, trains his competitive team of pro/am and am/am dancers in Bloomfield Hills. He is currently ranked as one of the top ballroom/Latin instructors in the U.S., competing with his team of dancers across the US With over 20 years of experience, he offers certified instruction in all four styles of dance (smooth, rhythm, standard and Latin) representing 25 dances. Glenn and his competitive team have taken home many national and regional awards including student cash awards in excess of $2,000 per event. Currently, Glenn coaches one of the top US amateur ladies in all four styles and won in 2006 the National Superbowl Title at the Ohio Star Ball (the top national ballroom competition) with his amateur partner and won numerous regional and national events in 2006.
How Does Someone Compete?
Beginning students can compete at the novice level and then progressively compete in the bronze, silver, gold and open levels. Students compete with similar age levels allowing each age to demonstrate their skills in the best manner. Students compete with their instructor against other instructor/student couples for pro/am events and amateur couples likewise compete against other amateur couples. Competition is held by dance (for example, a two minute waltz or swing), and by multi-dance events (for example, five Latin dances of cha cha, samba, rhumba, paso doble and jive).
Any Age or Gender Restrictions?
The exciting part of ballroom dancing is that all ages compete, from 5 years old to 95 years old. There are age classifications that help segment the young from the mature, to make the competition more equitable. Both men and women compete with their instructors, sometimes against only the same sex (lady pros and their amateur gentlemen only) and sometimes against each other.
How Does One Learn?
Instruction is taught by the latest certified dance syllabi for each style and level. Each student learns their respective footwork and technique and dances it with their instructor. As proficiency develops, progressively harder footwork and technique is developed.
When Can Someone Start Competing?
The Novice level of competition is open to beginning students (less than 25 hours of instruction). It is recognized that very little instruction has been accomplished, but that early performance experience is valuable and very exciting.
How Can We Compete as an Amateur Couple?
Glenn trains amateur couples in all four styles and helps them enter amateur competitions. Many times these couples dance pro/am and am/am events at the same competition, making it fun and exciting for all.
What Do the Dancers Wear?
The pro/am couples have suggested dress for each style from formal tails and ballgowns to Latin shirts/pants and sassy dresses. Costumes are worn by the more experienced dancers and are usually purchased secondhand from other dancers. Novice dancers wear cocktail attire in their first competitions. Amateur couples sometimes wear cocktail attire or costumes, depending on the rules of the competition.
Is It Expensive to Compete?
The price of each competition depends on the location, number of dances, and days to compete with your instructor. Instructor costs are usually shared with other students. Local events are generally more reasonable than out-of-state events.
What Comprises a Good Competitor?
Common traits found in all competitive dancers include: desire to build level of technique not just choreography, good discipline to practice, enjoyment of performance, desire to mingle and mix with other amateur dancers around the country, willingness to travel.
