Gratitude!
Ohio Star Ball is done and my feet are slowly recovering. This year, we danced all four styles and the "minors" (nightclub dances) as my friend and fellow dancer Brendan Donelson calls them.

Today, my feet are up on the couch and I'm enjoying a hot brownie and tea feeling grateful and happy.

My favorite part of OSB was meeting so many new faces and reconnecting with ballroom friends from all over the country. Thank you for stopping by the booth and striking up conversations in the ballroom (and ladies' room). Meeting all of you is why I love our ballroom community so much! Next week we are off to the Holiday Dance Classic in Vegas and I hope to see many of you there!

I'm in full swing interviewing the experts for our upcoming book Competing Like a Pro. If you have a favorite Judge, Coach, or Fellow Dancer you think we should consider, please email me at [email protected]. I'd love your feedback and input!

In the News:
  • The Move Like a Champion DVD is here! If you liked the Move Like a Champion book, you will absolutely LOVE this DVD! Diane, Kasia, and Anatoly (of course), take you through the posture exercises and share all the information you need to improve your dancing one vertebrae at a time. Buy it today!  
  • Designs to Shine is our preferred 2013 dress vendor! Maria McGill and her team have designed luxury ballroom and evening dresses for almost 20 years and have been one of my preferred vendors since I started competing. We are excited to interview Maria and have her share invaluable tips and advice to new and experienced ballroom dancers about how to stand out on the floor. I will model several of Maria's creations over the next year on the competitive floor. If you like a dress I'm wearing, please talk to me, Maria, or any of the Designs to Shine team for more information. Even better, mention the Next Level Dancing newsletter and receive an instant 5% discount on your next dress.    

Embrace Grace,

Jessika Signature
Founder

Next Level Dancing, LLC     

 

 

Act now Action Step:

Set up a meeting with your favorite dress designer or schedule a phone interview to ask specific questions about your dress needs. Let them know what your budget is and what level you are currently dancing. Great dressmakers will honor your budget and will recommend a dress that is appropriate for your age and skill level. They will also help you highlight your best features and recommend color options that flatter you.

 

Next Level Dancing Tip: 

From a Judge's Perspective:  

In preparation for the upcoming book, Competing Like a Pro, I have been interviewing several experienced ballroom judges to ask what their pet peeves are when it comes to Pro/Am competing.  

 

The distinguished judge and coach  Glenis Dee Creger offers the following powerful tips:

  1. Dresses and Costumes: Wear a dress or costume that is appropriate for your level of dancing. If you are in pre-bronze, avoid a dress with too many layers in the skirt or one that is overly embellished. When you put a "big" dress  on the floor, judges expect your dancing to match your dress. Similarly, if you are in silver or advanced levels, your dress may need to be more sophisticated to match your dancing. This is a good time to invest in a more "serious" dress. But remember, judges evaluate your dancing and are not easily fooled by fancy dresses that attempt to hide or distract from your lack of experience!    
  2. Selecting a Coach: If you are looking to break through to the next level, you and your instructor may want to work with a coach. In selecting a coach, consider the coach's personality, teaching style, and experience. Remember that selecting a coach in order to "win" his or her favor may backfire, because what can be hidden or missed on the competitive floor is sure to be highlighted during one-on-one coaching. Avoid working with a coach too close to a major competition, as it may provide too much new information that can be difficult to implement.

For more information on Ms. Dee's coaching or upcoming competition, please visit Maryland Dancesport Championship.

 

What Our Readers Say: 

Mona


"In ballroom dancing, the emotional journey of being involved in a competitive sport, combined with creating a successful partnership, are the most exciting and valuable elements to me. These  elements hold important lessons for us and when we choose to focus on them we grow  - and not just as a dancer, but as a person. We all understand that this sport is much more than learning the steps. With The Ballroom Dance Coach, Jessika has provided a phenomenal way to help us grow, to remind us of who we really are and how to apply ourselves.  Don't just take steps - leap to emotional strength and your true self - on and off the floor."   


Mona Maerz, Amateur Ballroom Competitor, Atlanta, GA

 

Your Feedback Please: 

We value you and want to provide resources and tips that truly make a difference. Please share your feedback, questions, and thoughts with us. Let us know what tips and tools you use that are making a difference by emailing us at [email protected].