✨ Superhero Showdown: Heroes United, Villains Invited ✨
Step into a world where elegance meets epic adventure at this year’s Maryland Regional Ballroom Dance Competition! Dancers and spectators alike are invited to unleash their alter egos for our electrifying Superhero & Villain Nightclub Division—a spotlight event where creativity, character, and charisma share the floor.
Enjoy a full day of top-tier competition featuring Smooth and Rhythm events, showcasing dancers from rising amateurs to seasoned competitors. Professionals will take center stage in our thrilling Jack & Jill Competition, where spontaneous partnerships and on-the-spot chemistry make every round a surprise.
As the sun sets, the celebration continues with a delicious Buffet Banquet Dinner, followed by a world-class Professional Showcase that brings artistry, power, and inspiration to life. A cash bar will be open throughout the evening so you can sip, mingle, and enjoy the festivities in style.
End the night at our high-energy Open Dance Party, where the floor is yours—whether you choose to whirl like a hero or glide like a graceful villain.
Vendors
Boyko is a premier ballroom hair and makeup provider, known for polished, competition-ready looks that elevate every dancer on the floor. With a sharp eye for detail and deep understanding of ballroom aesthetics, Boyko delivers flawless, long-lasting styling tailored to your category, costume, and personal style.
✨ Sign up for Boyko’s hair and makeup services to look confident, camera-ready, and unforgettable!
Click here to book your appointments:
We are excited to welcome Melissa Flynn Photography as the official photographer for our ballroom dance competition!
Throughout the event, Melissa will be photographing dancers on the floor, preserving those unforgettable moments of artistry, athleticism, and joy. Her professional experience with dance photography ensures that each image highlights the grace, movement, and expression that make ballroom dance so special.
To make it easy for dancers and families to secure their favorite memories, Melissa Flynn Photography will offer a special pre-sale photo order option prior to the competition. Pre-ordering allows you to reserve professional images of your performances and take advantage of exclusive pre-sale pricing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to capture your best moments on the dance floor, pre-order your photos here:
More Coming Soon
Accommodations
Competition Location: Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Frederick, 5500 Buckeystown Pike #615
Frederick, MD 21703
Hotel Room Block: Hilton Garden Inn
7226 Corporate Court
Frederick, MD 21703
Click here to reserve your room for a special discounted rate of only $149 per night, including breakfast!
Meet the Judges
Jan Mattingly
Dan Rutherford
Nicole Carroll-Rutherford
Jan Mattingly resides in Houston, Texas and assists with coaching, student level examinations and adjudicating in the FADS Texas region. In all, she has been associated with the Fred Astaire team for over 20 years. She grew up in California and competed in International Latin and Standard as a Junior, Amateur, and Professional. In Houston, Texas she switched to American Style and began dancing with Joe Lozano. Together, they became United States American Style Champions.
- 3-Time Undefeated United States American Smooth Champion
- 3-Time Undefeated United States American Rhythm Champion
- 5-Time Fred Astaire National American Smooth Champion
- 5-Time Fred Astaire National American Rhythm Champion
- Fred Astaire Closed Theater Arts Champion
- 4-Time Ohio Star American Smooth and Rhythm Champion
Dan studied jazz dance extensively from the age of five through his late teens. At that time, he began a career in Ballroom and Latin dance. Dan has produced numerous Champions throughout his career as a Teacher and Coach. Dan has also danced on stage with numerous celebrities as a back-up, chorus line and principal dancer in many productions. Dan is one of the top professionals in the United States.
- Former World Professional Rhythm Champion
- United States Finalist 9 consecutive years
- United States OVERALL Top Professional Couple
- Member organizations: Fred Astaire National Dance Board, North American Dance Teachers Association, DVIDA, National Dance Council of America, World Dance Council Adjudicator
Nicole competed for many years with her students in all styles. She produced many champions as a teacher and coach.
Nicole competed successfully with her professional partner and husband Dan Rutherford. Currently, Nicole is one of the top coaches in the United States.
- World Open Professional American Rhythm Champion
- 8 times United States Open Professional American Rhythm Finalist
- 2 times Overall Top Professional Couple of the Year
- 4 times Top Overall United States Pro-Am Female Instructor