We're Almost There...
After an intense two-month rush to the finish line, Competing Like a Pro is finally at the printer's and we will launch the book at Capital DanceSport Championships, August 21st-25th! If you competing with us there and are on package, you will receive a great discount so get your entries and package orders in today!

If you'd like to pre-order your copy today, email us at [email protected] or call us at 614-441-8972. We will mail you the book on September 9th or you can pick it up at Capital DanceSport Championships or United States Dance Championships (USDC). 

In the News:
  • This weekend we are off to dance at the great one-day competition Three Rivers Ballroom Dance Challenge in Pittsburgh. This is a special year for Andrew and his team and both Louis van Amstel and Tony Meredith will be there! It may be last minute but Andrew tells me he is still taking entries so join us! For more information, contact Andrew at 412-656-3667.
  • Louis van Amstel is conducting his LaBlast Trainer Certification class in Pittsburgh this weekend and if you are interested in becoming certified or just catching the new ballroom fitness wave, make a trip to Pittsburgh and join in on the fun. Click here for more information: LaBlast Certification. I was fortunate to meet Louis in Columbus recently. He had this to say about our book, "Competing Like a Pro is an insightful look into the world of a competitive ballroom dancer. It's filled with the useful details everyone should really know before they begin competing, whether it be just for the passion or a full-blown career...I would have liked to have had this book myself when I was starting out!"   
  • We've got Dance to Your Maximum!                                      On September  27-29, Dutch ballroom super star Maximiliaan Winkelhuis, author of Dance To Your Maximum will be in the U.S. (Columbus, OH) to teach his fabulous workshop at ConfiDance Ballroom Academy. While his book has only been offered in the U.K. until now, we are finally able to sell it here in the U.S. Click here to purchase your copy! We will ship it to you right away. 

Embrace Grace,

Jessika Signature
Founder

Next Level Dancing, LLC  

Next Level Dancing Tip: 

From a Judge's Perspective:  
In the upcoming book,
Competing Like a Pro, I have been interviewing several ballroom professionals to ask what their secrets to success are.

 

Marianne Nicole, Judge, Coach, and Organizer offers the following tips on how to compete with greater success. 

 

Jessika: "What insight would you offer to help newer-to-intermediate competitors better understand the judging process?"

Marianne: "Some students get a bit 'step happy' and end up doing too many patterns. There is a misconception that the more steps you do, the more advanced you are. Remember, I may be looking at you doing the step that you are completely comfortable with, and if the technique and artistry is there, I mark you high. The next judge may catch you at a time when you are doing a step that you are not as comfortable with, and your technique and comfort level are lower, so the scores will reflect what is seen at that moment. The more consistent you are in your routines, the more consistent the scores will be. My feeling is that less is more. Quality has to be your number-one priority. I suggest that newcomers do between three and four patterns, no more."   

 

Action Step:

Act now
Meet with your instructor to evaluate your competing routines. If you are newer to competing, check with your instructor to see if you have too many patterns or figures that are causing you to appear "unfinished." You may have steps in your routines that are not quite "there" yet and may need to be taken out until you feel completely ready. If you are more advanced, conduct a similar audit and talk to your instructor about fine-tuning areas that continuously keep you from executing the routines without mistakes. The more comfortable and flawlessly you can execute your routines, the more consistent your scores will be.

 

What the Experts Say About Competing Like a Pro

  

"Nike says Just Do It. I say Just Read It! I recommend this book for competitors of all levels who want to shine on the ballroom floor and make judges take notice."

 - Bill Sparks, Judge, Coach, and World Latin Champion

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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].