Get ready for a thrilling weekend at the Monster Mash Maryland Regional Dance Competition, hosted at the beautiful Turf Valley Resort! This high-energy event brings dancers of all levels together for an unforgettable celebration of talent, creativity, and Halloween fun.
Enjoy a full lineup of exciting events, including solo and showcase performances, country dance rounds, and dynamic American Smooth and Rhythm competitions. As the sun sets, the energy rises with our Halloween-themed nightclub—where costumes, music, and dancing create a spooktacular party atmosphere.
The weekend also features a formal banquet dinner, offering a chance to relax, connect, and celebrate achievements in style, followed by an incredible professional show you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re competing, performing, or cheering from the sidelines, Monster Mash promises a festive and unforgettable dance experience for all.
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 Timeline Media as the official photographer for our ballroom dance competition!
Throughout the event, they will be photographing dancers on the floor, preserving those unforgettable moments of artistry, athleticism, and joy.
To make it easy for dancers and families to secure their favorite memories, Timeline Media 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 coming soon!
Petrosyan Designs
Professional Dance Costumes for Ballroom Competition & Stage Shows
Jewels by Jazz
Luxury Ballroom and Custom Jewelry
Designed to Shine Under the Competition Lights
Upstage Footwear
An exclusive footwear brand known for high-quality, handcrafted shoes that blend raw materials with innovative design, tailored for dancers who demand both style and performance.
Accommodations
Turf Valley Resort:
Surrounded by 1,000 acres and two pristine golf courses, we provide the perfect resort setting in Central Maryland. Unwind in our spacious hotel suites, play our championship golf courses, relax at the spa or pool and dine in our onsite restaurant.
Book your room here, using group code: 28K71T
Meet the Judges
Ilya Ifraimov
Marylynn Benitez
Hayk Balasanyan
Coming Soon
Ilya coaches and choreographs in all levels and styles. A World Class Adjudicator and Choreographer, he’s been a member of NDC since 2005 and has collaborated in the creation of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios International Latin Syllabus. Ilya has also appeared on American Ballroom Challenge and The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
- US PRO Latin Finalist
- World Cup Runner-Up
- World Masters Champion
- Blackpool, International and UK Rising Star Finalist
- 6-Time Fred Astaire National Champion
- North American Show Dance Champion
Marylynn Benitez was first introduced to the world of Ballroom dancing while attending the University of Southern California, where she became a member of its Formation Dance Team, headed by Carol Montez. She continued as an Amateur competitor in the International Latin Style. Her Amateur career culminated in becoming the US National Champion and representing the US in three consecutive World Championships. As a Professional competitor, she earned Championship Titles in the US and internationally, including US Rising Star International Latin Champion, British Rising Star International Latin Champion and Fred Astaire International Latin Champion. Other professional achievements include choreography and roles in movies and television productions. She has also had the opportunity to share her expertise in the University arena. Marylynn has been a part of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios family since 1993 as a Competitor, Instructor, Studio Owner, Coach, National Dance Board Member, National Adjudicator and National Examiner.
- British International Rising Star Latin Champion
- Blackpool Rising Star Latin Finalist
- Represented the USA in Blackpool Team Match
- United States Latin Finalist
- United States Rising Star Latin Champion
- Ohio Star Ball Finalist and featured soloist in PBS Telecast
- Fred Astaire International Latin Champion
- Fred Astaire Examiner
- Collaborated in the creation of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ Silver and Gold Level Syllabus, and Demonstrator in the Silver Syllabus DVDs
- Assistant Choreographer and featured dancer in the films Salsa and Dance With Me
Hayk Balasanyan, born in 1986, moved to the United States in 2010. In his Armenian journey of dancing, Hayk was an Armenian 10-Dance and Latin Champion for several years. In America in 2010, Hayk started to dance with his partner, Emilia Poghosyan in the Professional Latin Division. During their eight years of dancing together, Hayk earned the United States Professional International Latin Rising Star Champion, five-time Fred Astaire National Champion and United States National Rising Star Champion titles.
- United States Professional Latin Rising Star Champions
- United States National Open to the World Professional Latin Rising Star Vice Champions
- United States National Show Dance Vice Champions
- Blackpool Dance Championships Professional International Latin Quarter Finalist
- 5-Time Fred Astaire National Professional Latin Champion
- 5-Time Fred Astaire World Professional Latin Champion
- 5-Time Fred Astaire Cross Country Professional Latin Champion
- 2-Time Fred Astaire National Professional Show Dance Champion