Greenwich, CT – September 20, 2025 – What a spectacular night! The team at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Greenwich is bursting with pride following the incredible success of our annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich charity dance-off. Thanks to the generosity and spirit of our amazing community, we helped raise an astounding $210,432 to benefit Abilis!
The ballroom at the beautiful Tamarack Country Club was buzzing with excitement as our dedicated dancers hit the floor. This event is a true passion project for us, and seeing the community rally together to support Abilis—an organization providing critical services for people with disabilities—makes all the hard work worth it!
Dedication on and Off the Dance Floor
This event is truly a labor of love, and the success belongs to an entire community. We are immensely grateful to the tireless dedication of the entire Fred Astaire Greenwich family.
A massive thank you to our phenomenal co-owners, Elmar Schmidt and Clemens Lengenfelder, whose vision and commitment make this night possible year after year. And to our incredible instructors, Matthew, Carol, David and Marko, thank you for transforming local stars into magnificent dancers! Your passion and professionalism shone brightly throughout the evening.
We also celebrate our extraordinary co-chairs, Afton and Brendon Fraser, who have been the guiding force behind this event for seven years, building it into the magnificent success it is today.
Stars and Smiles Light Up the Night!
The energy was amplified by our star-studded lineup! Thank you to our celebrity judges, Academy Award-winning actor Brendan Fraser, comedy writer Jeff Greenstein, and model and actress Paulina Porizkova, for sharing their time and expertise. And a big shout-out to our dazzling emcees and hosts, Ali Wentworth and Billy Blanks, Jr., for keeping the evening moving with humor and grace.
Celebrating Our Dancers – True Stars!
The real magic of the evening came from the dancers. We are so proud of the commitment shown by every single participant. They worked tirelessly, mastered routines, and danced their hearts out for Abilis!
Congratulations and thank you to all of our incredible dancers: Afton Fraser, Alyssa and Dean Marrazzo, Laura Drynan, Natalia Bychkova, Carly and David, Rita Lurito, Trevor Crow, Andre DeNunzio, Grace and Anna Galatioto, Victoria Bennett, Karyn Anastasio, Elaine Madonna, and William Grace! You all truly embodied the spirit of the ballroom!
The Trophy Winners!
The competition was stiff, but ultimately, two couples walked away with top honors:
- The coveted Mirror Ball Trophy went to the wonderfully talented newlyweds, Alyssa and Dean Marrazzo! Congratulations!
- The People’s Choice Award and the Junior Mirrorball trophies were swept up by the phenomenal Grace and Anna Galatioto!
Congratulations again to the winners and to everyone who performed. You made us proud!
The success of the 2025 Dancing Stars of Greenwich is a testament to the power of our community and the joy of dance. We are already looking forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better for Abilis!
Want to learn the moves you saw on the dance floor? Stop by Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Greenwich and discover the joy of dancing for yourself!
