Choreography and music come together for a sensuous adventure.
Story and Photography by Terry Check
Occasionally couples dance at weddings and gala events, not realizing the growing popularity of dancing with 25 million participants in the USA. Several sport organizations such as USA Dance, DanceSport Federation, and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) promote competitive DanceSport competitions ranging from newcomer to professional and ages 5 to 100. Dancing is for everyone.
DanceSport participants are artistic athletes requiring physical strength, stamina, co-ordination, teamwork, artistic style, and music interpretation allowing for creative expression, emotion, and freedom of movement. The International Olympic Committee has recognized DanceSport as a trial sport for eventual inclusion in the Olympic program. Competitive dancing usually includes several ballroom styles: American Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz), American Rhythm (Cha Cha, American Rumba, Swing, Bolero, and Mambo), International Standard or Ballroom (Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep) and International Latin (Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive).
Throughout the year hundreds of DanceSport competitions, offering prize money and scholarships, are scheduled in metropolitan areas in the United States. Earlier this year Masquerade Magazine was invited to attend the Nashville Starz Dance Spectacular organized by the world-famous dance team of Andre and Natalie Paramonov. This dance competition is sanctioned by the National Dance Council of America as part of the NDCA ranking of dance couples culminating at the annual awards gala.
Yes, everyone can participate in DanceSport competitions at all levels of dance skills. Typically, dancers who are members of local dance studios such as Fred Astaire, practice taking dance classes and then enter competitions at their skill level. With more than 600 participants, Nashville Starz is a dance spectacular where everyone got to enjoy the camaraderie of dance couples while watching the artistic creativity, expertise and stamina of world-class dancers. Professional dancers practice endlessly, perfecting their skills as a full-time career.
For the past 28 years, Andre and Natalie have been dancing partners, starting at the University of St. Petersburg, Russia, eventually getting married and winning multiple championships worldwide. In creating the Nashville Starz Dance Spectacular, the dance champions who delivered an amazing 3-day event displaying multiple dance categories and judges including the popular Pro/Am coupling amateur dancers with a professional dancer, many times the instructor from their dance studio. With social media and the world class reputation of Andre and Natalie the event was a great success with additional dance spectaculars planned for Detroit, Michigan and Irvine, California later this year.
Whenever Andre and Natalie are not planning or hosting a dance spectacular, the world champions coach other professional dancers, conduct private individual lessons, and judge competitions throughout the world. The dancing couple is working on several upcoming projects in the DanceSport world. Stay tuned for details. When asked about the most memorable moments in their dance career, Andre said, “Hmm, you know what I would like to say … winning dance events, but to be honest with you it is none of them. It is about the energy we experience on the dance floor and those are almost perfect moments, the most beautiful and brightest memoirs.”
During the interview, I mentioned to Andre and Natalie, “When I watch professional dancers, connected in rhythm, spirit and artistic expression; looking at the glee in their faces, I almost think that they are having more fun than having sexual intercourse.” Without hesitation Andre said, “I agree with you. Ballroom dancing is an endless love affair with your partner,” as shown in their Bolero performance.
He suggested to start taking dance lessons, practice, and practice more, then enter a competition in the Pro/Am division to experience the “glee”.
Meet Andre and Natalie Paramonov
Masquerade Magazine (https://masquerade.us/) would like to thank Andre and Natalie for their gracious hospitality and interview about the Nashville Starz (https://m.nashvillestarz.net/) and the DanceSport phenomenon throughout the world. Special thanks to Csilla Kollar (csillakollar.editing@gmail.com), and Eva Evans (evaevansretouch@gmail.com) for providing professional retouch services.
