Learn and Practice Updates

Our Learn and Practice events are the fourth Sunday of every month at 1:00 pm. We are currently holding Zoom sessions, but are looking forward to the time when we can return to in person instruction. Here’s a sneak peak at upcoming Learn and Practice events:

February 28th Boris Spitchka the importance of warming up for dance and preparation exercises

March 28th Igor Litvinov: Exercises and steps for Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango

April 25th Jason Fenton:East Coast swing and One partner Charleston

Our Zoom link is

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89088152087?pwd=VmUyRlJtelpJanhKY3h6bXRUYXlQQT09

Meeting ID: 890 8815 2087

Passcode: 436942

Please join us!

Learn and Practice

Don’t forget to join us later for the forum on Proficiency competitions and medal testing. We are delighted to announce that Lori Woods-Gay, a USISTD examiner and winner of many dance awards will be joining us for the discussion. See you at 1:00.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89088152087?pwd=VmUyRlJtelpJanhKY3h6bXRUYXlQQT09

Meeting ID: 890 8815 2087

Passcode: 436942

Learn and Practice events

The Albany Chapter of USISTD is proud to announce the following line up for our upcoming Learn and Practice Sessions.

January: Discussion Forum on Competition and Medal Testing

February: Boris Spitchka from the Fred Astaire Studio in Latham Topic TBA

March: Igor Litvinov, national and world class adjudicator and Dancesport organizer, topic Waltz, Foxtrot

April: Jason Fenton, swing, Lindy hop and Charleston instructor

The Learn and Practice sessions are always held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 1:00. We now have a recurring Zoom address: Please join us!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89088152087?pwd=VmUyRlJtelpJanhKY3h6bXRUYXlQQT09

Meeting ID: 890 8815 2087

Passcode: 436942

Spring Ballroom Challenge

Happy New Year! Our Spring Ballroom Challenge will be here before you know it. Participants will need time to prepare so tune in to our January Learn and Practice for information about the challenge. Check out our events page for information and links to registration form and fee schedules. We are very fortunate to have Michael Choi as our examiner for this event. Michael is a distinguished dancer and a certified USISTD evaluator.

This will be our first in person event since the pandemic began last March. Strict social distancing protocols will be followed. Unfortunately spectators are not allowed at this event. We encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your technique and get valuable feedback on your dancing.

January Learn and Practice

Be sure to attend our January Learn and Practice on Sunday, January 24th. This Session will not be a lesson, but a forum for members to ask questions about medal testing and competition. With the upcoming Spring Ballroom Challenge, many of you have questions about what this entails. Members of USISTD will be available to give short descriptions of medal testing and competition and to answer any questions you might have. If you need a zoom invitation, please email us at AlbanychapterUSISTD@gmail.com

Thank You to Louise and Paul Giuliano

Our December Learn and Practice led by Louise and Paul Giuliano was a great success. Thank you Louise for preparing such an interesting program. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

December Learn and Practice on Zoom

The Albany Chapter of USISTD will be holding its December Learn and Practice on Sunday, December 27th at 1:00 pm. Our instructor will be Louise Giuliano who will be teaching Exercises for improving quality of movement in smooth/standard dances. That will be followed by Louise and her husband, Paul with a demonstration of the coordination of lead and follow. Please check our Facebook page. If you are interested in receiving a Zoom invitation, please email us at Albanychapterusistd@gmail.com

Spring Ballroom Challenge

The Albany Upstate NY Chapter of USISTD will be presenting a Spring Ballroom Challenge on Saturday, March 13th. The event will be hosted by Dance Fire Studio in Niskayuna. The Ballroom challenge will have USISTD Medal testing and Proficiency Competitions for youth and adult. Our Examiner will be Michael Choi. Since this is our first in person event since the pandemic, please note that all safety protocols will be strictly enforced. Please check out our events page for all the relevant details.

If you have questions about Medal Testing and Proficiency Competition please join us for a question and answer forum at our January Learn and Practice, scheduled for January 24th at 1:00 pm. If you would like a zoom invitation, please email us at Albanychapterusistd@gmail.com

Thank you James Repetti

Yesterday’s Learn and Practice with James was phenomenal. Viewers learned short routines in Mambo and Bachata. The lessons were thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. Thank you James for a terrific dance experience.

Exciting News!

Albany Upstate USISTD will be having a Spring Ballroom Competition hosted by Dance FIre Studios. We are very excited to be able to provide this opportunity for all ballroom dancers! The competition will consist of two parts a proficiency competition and USISTD medal testing. Our evaluator for the event will be Michael Choi one of eleven nationally certified USISTD evaluators. This event will be open to dancers of all levels. In the proficiency competition, you will be dancing as if in a competition, but Michael will only be focused on you. There will not be a score, but you will be given a critique of your dancing including technique, timing, and musicality.

The medal testing involves dancing a short routine to demonstrate the techniques of the particular dance and level that is being tested. The technique is outlined in the USISTD syllabus. One or both partners may be tested. Further information will be forthcoming - keep an eye on this site for details.

This event will be conducted with all the COVID safety protocols in place.