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Doylestown, PA – During the first week of November 2022, local ballroom dance studio, Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Doylestown traveled to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Fred Astaire National Dance Championships during the company’s 75th year of dancing.
Nine of Fred Astaire Doylestown’s students participated in the national competition with their instructors: Diane Clemons, Michael Close, Samantha Ferris, Debra Lajeunesse, Debbie Powell, LeeAnn Reed, Derek and Christine Sheaffer, and Nancy Stone. Each student earned themselves impressive results in one of the most difficult competitions, taking home many National Champion (first place) and National Vice-Champion (second place) titles. Their hard work and dedication paid off as the Doylestown studio was granted first place, earning the Top Studio Award out of 110 studios.
Diane Clemons, a frequent competitor with her instructor Roman, earned 
many notable placements. She now holds the title of National Champion in the following divisions: Bronze International Standard Scholarship, and Bronze SR International Latin Scholarship.
Diane’s other placements include: fourth place in the Open Smooth SR Championship. She placed fifth in the following divisions: Silver Smooth SR Scholarship, and Silver Rhythm SR Scholarship. She placed sixth in the Silver Smooth SR Championship, Silver Rhythm SR Championship, and the 9-Dance C Championship. She earned seventh place in the Open Smooth SR Scholarship, Open Rhythm SR Championship, and Open Rhythm SR Scholarship divisions.
Michael Close, in his very first national competition with his instructor Iryna Savushkina, 
earned the title of National Champion in the Gentleman’s Rhythm Bronze B Championship. He placed fifth in the Rhythm Bronze B Scholarship.
Samantha Ferris, an avid competitor with her instructor Roman, claimed many 
impressive placements. She now holds the title of National Champion in the following divisions: Silver Rhythm A Championship, Open Rhythm A Championship, Silver Smooth A Championship, and Silver Smooth B Championship.
She holds the title of National Vice-Champion in the Silver Rhythm B Championship and the Silver 9-Dance Championship.
Samantha’s other placements include: third place in the Open Rhythm B Championship, and the Open Smooth Championship A Division Championship. She placed fifth in the Open Smooth B Division Championship.
Debra Lajeunesse, another returning competitor with both her instructors Val 
and Roman, earned many high-ranking titles. Together with Val, Debra now holds the title of National Champion in the following divisions: International Latin C Championship, International Latin B Scholarship, Bronze Rhythm C Championship, and Bronze Smooth C Championship. Debra holds the title of National Vice-Champion in the following divisions: International Standard Scholarship and Bronze Rhythm C Scholarship.
With Roman, she became National Vice-Champion in the following divisions: International Standard Championship and Bronze Smooth C Scholarship.
Debra’s other placements include: third place in both Open Rhythm C Championship and Scholarship Divisions, and the 9-Dance C Championship. She placed fourth in her Open Smooth Championship, and sixth in both her Open Smooth Scholarship and Bronze Smooth B Scholarship.
Debbie Powell, with her instructor Val, brought home with excellent results. 
She holds the title of National Champion in the Bronze SR Rhythm Championship. She holds the title of National Vice-Champion in both Bronze SR Rhythm Scholarship and Bronze SR Smooth Scholarship.
LeeAnn Reed, with her instructor Roman, also brought home impressive 
placements. She now holds the title of National Champion in the Bronze SR Smooth Scholarship. She also holds the title of National Vice-Champion in the International Standard Championship. Her other placements include: fifth place in the Bronze SR Smooth Championship and sixth in both Bronze SR Rhythm Championship and Scholarship Divisions.
As an amateur couple, Derek and Christine Sheaffer returned to the 
competition floor, earning themselves well-deserved results. They now hold the titles of National Champion in the following divisions: International Standard Championship and Scholarship, and Amateur Bronze Rhythm Scholarship. The earned the titles of Vice-Champion in the following divisions: Amateur Bronze Rhythm Championship, and both Bronze Smooth Championship and Scholarship.
Together with his instructor Iryna Savushkina, Derek Sheaffer himself earned the title of National Vice-Champion in the Bronze B Smooth Championship.
Nancy Stone, with both her instructors Val and Roman, earned high-ranking 
results. With Roman, she earned the title of National Champion in the International Standard Scholarship division.
With Val, Nancy also earned a National Champion title in the following divisions: International Standard Championship, International Latin B Championship, Bronze B Rhythm Scholarship, and Bronze C Smooth Scholarship. She earned the Vice-Champion title in the following divisions: International Latin C Scholarship, Bronze B Rhythm Championship, and Bronze B Smooth Championship.
Doylestown professionals Roman Doroshenko and Val Golubev earned significant recognition titles as well. Roman claimed first place for the following Top Teacher Awards: Top Overall Teacher, Top Smooth Teacher, and Top International Standard Teacher. He earned third place for Top Rhythm Teacher. Val earned second place for both Top Rhythm and Top Smooth Teacher. He placed third for Top Overall Teacher, and fourth for Top International Latin Teacher. Together with his professional partner Valeria Mkrtchian, Val became National Vice-Champion, taking home second place in the Professional Rhythm Closed Championship.
Igori Bogatiriov and Yuliya Jung, owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Doylestown, were honored to receive first place for Top Studio. It was an overwhelming achievement, and they could not be happier. They thanked all the studio’s amazing students, saying “We are so proud to have all of you on our team. Well deserved, with all your hard work.” They also thanked the coaches and Fred Astaire Dance Studios® personnel who helped make this success possible.
Students of Fred Astaire Doylestown cannot wait to continue their dancing journeys, whether it be practicing for the next showcase, competition or coming for a fun date night! As they say at the studio, “Life’s Better When You Dance!” Call the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Doylestown at 215-254-5494 or email doylestown@fredastaire.com to start today!
#OneTeamOneDream #LifesBetterWhenYouDance
