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SwingTime Ballroom sweeps competitions


SwingTime Ballroom Sweeps the Start of the 2014 Dancesport Competition Season:
Studio dancers takes more than 70 first place finishes at Baltimore Dancesport Challenge and a top three placing at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships

(Fallston, MD) –  SwingTime Ballroom has taken the start of the 2014 dancseport competition season by storm with more than 75 first place finishes at the recent 2014 Baltimore Dancesport Challenge and the Platinum Dancesport Classic earlier in the year. Both pro-am and amateur couples took to the floor to win at these two competitions.

The new partnership of amateur Denise Layfield of Jarrettsville and professional Kirill Gorjatsev got things started by taking first place finishes in Open Silver and Open Gold Smooth at the Platinum Dancesport Classic held in Miami, Fl in February. At their next appearance at the Baltimore Dancesport Challenge in March, the couple swept Open Silver and Gold Smooth, and won the Gold Open Smooth Dancesport Challenge.

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This accomplished pair wasn’t alone in their victories, though. Studio owner Scott Layfield took new amateur student Jan Marie Turjillo of Bel Air to first place finishes in her debut competition, winning in Smooth Waltz and Foxtrot. With amateur student Barbara Ziegler of Bel Air, he also claimed a first place for their Smooth Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot.

Professional studio instructor Froilan Mate partnered Gina Kazimir of Bel Air and Joanne O’Connell of Phoenix to victories as well. Gina and Froilan took first place honors in their Smooth and Rhythm classes, and were also named top medalists for the Dancesport Challenge Championships in both open and closed Smooth and Rhythm. Froilan and Joanne took blue ribbons in all of their Rhythm dances also.

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In addition to the pros, two new amateur couples competed for the first time, and took top honors. Michael and Caitlin Himmer of Forest Hill won their debut waltz, while Kristen Renshaw of Jarrettsville and Terry Slough of Fallston won their West Coast Swing.

In late march Susan Sassaman and Christos Serdenes qualified to compete in the prestigious USA Dance 2014 National DanceSport Championships, held in Baltimore. The pair, who train with Passione Italiana Ballroon in Delaware and practice at SwingTime Ballroom, faced competition from around the globe for this major event, and placed in the top three for Amateur Senior 3 Gold Standard.

SwingTime Ballroom offers instruction and open dance parties featuring Rhythm, Smooth, Latin and Standard ballroom dance styles, plus wedding dance choreography and classes, belly dancing, Zumba, toning and more. No partner is ever needed and everyone from first time dancers to dedicated competitors is welcome.

In addition to lessons and coaching, the studio offers a full line of dancewear for ballroom, bellydance, ballet and more, practice apparel, gowns and costumes, shoes and accessories for all styles of dance. Private and group lessons and rentals are available, and there are social dances on Friday evenings where everyone is welcome. The space is also now home to Miss Janette Browns' Studio of Dance and offers ballet, tap and jazz classes for children, teens and adults.

For more information call  410-877-2633 or visit online at  www.swingtimeballroom.com. The studio is located in Fallston by the Harvest Fare at the junction of Belair and Mountain Roads (Rts 1 & 152).

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