New England Dance Festival

A FANTASTIC time was had by all!!!

The New England Dance Festival is an annual three day event offering lessons, competitions and social dancing in Newton, Massachusetts. Classes were held in two step, west coast swing, east coast swing, cha-cha, waltz, nightclub two step and line dances. During the day pro-am and divisional competitions were held in the main ballroom with breaks for social dancing. And, of course, every night there was a heck of a party going on!

Featured teachers and judges included local pros Robert Cordoba, Rick Ball, Bill Williams and Steve Lescarbeau; New York pros Solomon Singer and Beverly Cartwright; Rhode Island pros John & Dee Soares and David Endicott; and an assortment of pros from all over the country including: John Whipple (Florida), Barry Durand (Maryland), Tony Lee (New Jersey), Rex & Rachel Jones (Georgia), Dancin' Dean (Vermont), Kristin Geil Ham (Colorado), Rowdy Dufrene (Texas), Kenneth Toy (California) and Jeff Bartholemew (Pennsylvania).

Robert Cordoba is an internationally acclaimed teacher and performer. He taught an amazing three part series: "Using the KISS Method," "Shapes & Angles" and "Let it Flow - Advanced Styling." Much of what he taught was really about simple basics and dressing them up as well as packaging your dance skills in a more sleek and stylish way. This is the kind of thing everyone really needs - not more convoluted patterns! And, Robert knows how to teach so that all levels of students get something out of his classes.

http://www.robertdeborah.com

Another personal favorite was: "It Makes Your Cha-Cha Hot!" Up-and-coming professional dancer and teacher Solomon Singer planted the seeds of Latin motion and technique to enhance cha-cha. Several students commented that this type of class was just what they were hoping for. Watching Solomon's Latin body motion was a motivation injection!

Local pro, John Ball, gave a two step workshop "Beyond the Basics" with his charming wife. It was a concise, well thought out lesson and the students really appreciated the individual attention given so that absolutely everyone got the material. This guy is a excellent teacher.

The competitions were very interesting. The ages ranged from children to senior citizens. Everyone did an excellent job - and it was an amazing show to watch. No one appeared nervous and there was a great deal of joy on the dance floor. The costumes were gorgeous - ladies in brightly colored satins and rhinestones - gentlemen in glittery ties and cowboy hats. It took my breath away.

On Saturday night there was the Black & White Ball featuring masters competitions and professional performances. Afterwards, there was general dancing in the main ballroom and a west coast swing room featuring Robert Cordoba as DJ - who did a wonderful job! Robert was also the head judge for the Jack n' Jills.

This event was held at the Boston Newton Marriott and it was a pleasure to stay there. We were on a lake and it was possible to rent a kayak or go off and enjoy the scenery when taking a break from dancing. The hotel was so easy to get to since we could just hop a train from Boston or take a bus from anywhere and the hotel shuttle was available to pick us up.

One last thing: Kathy St. Jean and Randy Deats just took this event over from Jack and Debbie Paulus with only eight months to get ready. What a great start they are off to! This will become THE premier annual country dance event on the east coast. Don't miss out next year!

http://www.nedancefestival.com