We would like to thank Boris and Sasha for their informative Learn and Practice session yesterday! It was very informative , and a valuable reminder that warm-up exercises are an important part of dance. We appreciate you taking the time to do this lesson for us!
Deadline Approaching!
Attention all dancers, the deadline for applications for the Spring Ballroom Challenge is rapidly approaching! Sign up to participate in a proficiency competition and get valuable feedback from our evaluator Michael Choi. Michael is one of the few USISTD certified examiners. Competition not your style? Improve your dance technique through medal testing. Go to our Events page for registration and fee information. Deadline is February 27th. Don’t miss it!
Spring Ballroom Challenge
It is with a great deal of excitement and anticipation that we are presenting the Spring Ballroom Challenge to be held IN PERSON on Saturday, March 13th. We are acutely aware of the current pandemic situation and are taking all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of all participants. Registration is now open for the Youth and Adult proficiency competition and USISTD medal testing. For complete information see our EVENTS page.
Our evaluator will be Michael Choi, an experienced dance competitor, instructor and one of the select few USISTD Examiners. We are pleased that Michael will be joining us for this special event.
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