Articles
April 2010. The Dance Beat magazine.
Dancing for the "Stars and Stripes". Report by Olga Faraponova.
Most kids and adults only dream of the opportunity to go Blackpool, yet these talented and hard working couples showed that they had the stuff champions are made off competing in a competition that draws over 400 couples between the Junior and Juvenile events. Junior Blackpool dance Festival spans over seven days in early April and has over 30 countries represented.
Jonathan Wilkins, World Champion, and winner of America's Ballroom Challenge, seen on PBS, was assisted this year by Olga Faraponova – Wright, two times Professional National Champion to head up the US Team bringing four juvenile couples and four junior couples to represent the USA.
"It is fantastic to have such strong showing by our American kids", says Lars Linder Erik's dad. "These kids are on the top here in the USA, it is an incredible experience for them to competitive on such a high international level – especially when they are up against couples that are 12 years old in their division and have been to Blackpool for many years".
"Making the quarter final in Blackpool is very tough... making it to the quarter final is like making the final in most competitions", says Jonathan Wilkins. That is an incredible accomplishment for our American dance athletes.
Legendary Sammy Stopford, Professional Latin champion at the British Open shared his observations on the Juvenile competitions. "I love the Jive competition – as one of the best competitions of the week. It's a spectacle that is well worth seeing for anybody, the level is quite high. It is quite difficult to make simple Jive look really good and with high energy. I think the kids do a fantastic job". When asked what John Wood looks for in a good finalist couple: "I look for ease of action, the underlying tick and pulse, a natural tick. Some don't quite have it and acquire it, and some have it and lose it – it is quite interesting at this age".
Former Russian DanceSport Federation President Leonid Pletnov was present at the Junior Blackpool Festival and he shared some of his observations. "These kids are dancing in a historical place. You can’t repeat it anywhere in the world, because all the best, all the great from the past have danced here. You can still feel their presence here in the air somewhere, watching from ceiling, surely enjoying it". Leonid Pletnov continues, "This is an amazing place when couples from all over the world come together and you can see the stars of the future. The most important thing for a juvenile competitor in Blackpool is to be natural, to look natural, if something looks artificial it does not look good – it should not win. The quality should show and should be natural".
The young dancers were captivated by this almost regal atmosphere. You would not have been surprised if Her Majesty the Queen would have entered the ballroom with the amount of cheering and regalia.
The Juvenile team finished strong in 5th place with the win going to the Ukraine. The self confidence and growth that these young athletes come away with from Blackpool is clearly evident in their return to the USA. Erik and Rickie as well as Nathan and Polina flew from London just days before the London airport was shut down due to the Icelandic Volcano fallout. The two young couples flew directly to the USA DanceSport Nationals that were held in Los Angeles, California where they competed the following morning. "I can't wait to complete", said Rickie as she reflected on her experience in England. For Erik and Rickie this year's Nationals would be extra challenging as they come in to it as two time defending national champions. They won the Pre Teen II Gold Standard as well as the Pre Teen II Latin – making them three time National Champions. To top it off, a very special award was presented by Carrie Ann Inaba, judge on Dancing with the Stars to Erik and Rickie for their star quality achievement at Nationals.
Nathan and Polina also had incredible success at nationals winning a national title in the Pre Teen Silver division and taking second place behind Erik and Rickie in the highest level Gold division. This is an incredible achievement for Nathan and Polina as they have competed together for less than two years.
The kids' success comes from their devoted coaches and families. The kids have a passion for dancing that clearly is visible. The opportunity for any young dancer to go to Blackpool to compete should be encouraged – at any level. The greater international presence we can show, the more the kids will grow in their confidence and skills. "Just being in the presence of other world class dancers rubs off on other kids. Even if you only went to support and watch – you would come away as a better person and dancer... all the kids are so encouraging and supportive of each other", says Lars Linder.
"The experience in Blackpool really prepares the kids for competitions here at home, there are so many couples, you come away with a greater ability to dance great", reflects Michelle Taylor.
When the kids were asked what they thought about these two big competitions; Nathan said, "I need to practice more", Polina said, "It was so much fun", followed by Rickie, "It's hard being on the top", and Erik concluded saying, "I can't wait to go back and do it again!"