FRED ASTAIRE STUDENTS WIN BIG AT MASS DANCESPORT COMPETITION

DEDHAM — Students from the Dedham Fred Astaire Dance Studio took home several trophies at the Fifth Annual Massachusetts Dancesport Challenge, held Saturday, August 23rd, 2014 in Melrose.

Four students proudly represented their studio. Dancing the pro/am division with their teacher Kemar Bennett, students Laura Blaha, Melissa Zine and Denise Hajjar won their respective championships and student Pat Menard placed second in hers. In addition, Bennett was presented with a Top Teacher award. Bennett, a former National Ballroom and Latin dance champion from Barbados commented, “This was a very special day for me and my students and we couldn’t be more pleased with how our students performed.” Bennett sees a very exciting and promising future ahead for them and for the studio.

In the pro/am division, students partner with their teachers and compete against other pro/am couples in their corresponding level of proficiency and age category. Proficiency levels range from newcomer through open and age classifications start at junior and extend all the way to senior. This creates a fair competitive environment because the student is only judged against students of similar age and skill. Dancers compete in a variety of dance styles that include traditional smooth dances like the waltz, tango and foxtrot as well as the flashy Latin American and rhythm dances like the cha cha cha, rumba and swing. A panel of judges ranks each student and the competitor with the highest combined ranking is awarded first place. Students from the Dedham Fred Astaire dance studio competed against students from other studios in and around Boston.

Fred Astaire isn’t only about competition though. “Dance is a fun physical activity that can be an alternative for other sports like golf or tennis,” said Fred Astaire Dedham Studio Manager Rachel Palmieri. She continued, “The majority of our students are social dancers who love to dance because it’s fun, social and keeps them healthy and fit.” Each week, students take private lessons and attend group classes, learning a variety of dances which they practice with other students at weekly Friday night parties. Menard, a Dedham resident and high school teacher, has been a student at Fred Astaire for over ten years and enjoys both the social and competition aspects of ballroom dancing. “I really love the Fred Astaire Studio,” said Menard, “The instructors are fantastic and the students are really supportive of each other.”

Both Bennett and Palmieri expressed their gratitude to students for participating. “We have a lot of fun preparing for competitions, so when our students do well it adds icing to the cake!”

The Dedham Fred Astaire Dance Studio is located in Dedham Square at 619 High Street. More information on the studio and classes offered is available at www.fredastairededham.com or call us at (781) 320-5678.