Blog Archives
Superstars of Ballroom 4-6 February 2011
Next weekend, the first Superstars of Ballroom Dance Camp at the Burbank Marriott and Convention Center, 4-6 February 2011, gives you the opportunity to take classes with your favorite “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers as well as some of their friends. There are even some private lessons available.
On Friday, the dance scene will be hot and sexy with salsa classes with Paul Barris, cha cha with Dmitry Chaplin or Elena Grinenko and rumba witih Tony Dovolani. That will get you prepared for the salsa part that evening with Angel Lebron y su Sabor Latino.
Saturday, there will be more Latin dances (samba with Dmitry Chaplin, rumba with Corky Ballas, paso doble with Tony Dovolani and tango with Elena Grinenko). Chelsie Hightower will be giving waltz lessons, and Nick Kosovich will be teaching foxtrot and Vienesse waltz. For those who want something daring, there is a lift class and a spin, dip and variation class.
Saturday evening, there will be a dinner show and party with Dovolani, Hightower, Chaplin and Cheryl Burke performing. On Sunday, it’s West Coast swing, Cuban motion, Argentine tango, Lindy hop, jive (with Kym Johnson), Bolero and East Coast swing. As you can imagine, Sunday night is a swing party! As we reported earlier, private dance lessons with Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke have already sold out. Corky Ballas, who trained Derek Hough, Mark Ballas and Julianne Hough has one slot left!
Corky Ballas: $250.00 Corky Ballas and wife Shirley Ballas, were one of the most successful competitive Latin Dance couples of their time. Seven time undefeated US International Latin Champions, they were also World International Champions, World British Champions, and twice British National Champions. Corky has trained many of Dancing with the Stars’ professionals including Karina Smirnoff, Julianne Hough, Derek Hough, Tony Dovolani, Edyta Sliwinska, Alec Mazo, Brian Bortuna, Jonathan Roberts, Anna Trebunskaya, Jessie DeSoto and, of course, Mark Ballas. On August 25, 2008, the show’s producers announced Corky himself would compete as a pro on season 7 alongside his son and former pupils. He was partnered with 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman.
Paul Barris: $100.00 An accomplished ballroom dancer for nearly two decades, BDC online instructor Paul Barris loves everything about dance – from performing to choreographing to teaching lessons. Since starting his dance career at the age of 10, Paul has traveled the world to compete – including winning the “Super Bowl” of dance championships, the British Open, in 2000. More recently he starred on Oxygen’s hit show, “Dance your Ass Off,” and he continues to teach students around the world.
Dmitry Chaplin: $187.50 Chaplin is an international Latin dancer and an Emmy-nominated choreographer, best known for being a Top 10 finalist on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance (Season 2).”During season eight of DWTS he was paired with Holly Madison who replaced Jewel after Jewel fractured tibias in both her legs during the pre-show practice sessions. He was paired with singer Mya during season 9 and finished second. His Emmy Award nomination was for the Argentine tango to “A Los Amigos” from the soundtrack of “Forever Tango, in 2008 with Chelsie Hightower and Joshua Allen for season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Elena Grinenko: $187.50 Born in Moscow, Russia, Elena Grinenko began dancing Ballroom at the age of seven. By the age of 13 she became Vice Champion of the first 16-18 year old Youth Championship in Russia while dancing with an older partner. From there Elena went on to win the National Youth Championship in Russia before turning pro, moving to the United States, and winning an American National Rising Star Championship and the International Rising Star Championship with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. In 2002 Elena Grinenko went on to star in the Broadway production of “Latin Fusion” and later “Latin Revolution.” But the competitive stage was not to be absent of her for long, for in 2005 she returned and with Toni Dovolani to become the National and World Champions in the American Rhythm Division.
Not long after Elena Grinenko was welcomed to season 3 of “Dancing with the Stars” as partner to Tucker Carlson and went on in season 4 to partner with Clyde Drexler.
Nick Kosovich: $250.00 Kosovich is a two-time U.S. American Ballroom Champion and the 2005 World American Ballroom Champion. He is also the Arthur Murray National American Ballroom champion. Kosovich retired from competitive dancing in 2005. He and his wife, Lena, operate a costume design business, Lenique. Kosovich was paired with Tatum O’Neal during season 2 of DWTS. In season 3, he was paired with Vivica A. Fox. For information on how to sign up for the dance camp or get a private session with one of the professional dancers, visit the Superstars of Ballroom Dance Camp Website.
DWTS: Rumba routines compared
Rumba (technique/performance)
- Brandy Norwood and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 22 (7,8,7) 26 (9,8,9)=48
- Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer: 18 (6,6,6) 22 (8,7,7)=40
- Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas: 17 (6,6,5) 18 (6,6,6)=35
- Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya: 15 (5,5,5) 19 (7,6,6)=34
- Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas: 18 (6,6,6) 14 (4,5,5)=32
During week 5, Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke performed the rumba for a score of 24 (8, 8, 8) to the theme from “Hill Street Blues.”
During week 5, Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani performed the rumba for a 23.
During week 8 for the instant dance challenge, Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough were awarded the first perfect score.
DWTS: Compare the waltz
Tony Dovolani had to wax his legs, but this week, he had a winner. His celebrity partner Audrina Patridge came through with two nines, the first nines of the season.
Waltz
- Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani: 26
- Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer: 23
- Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas: 20
During week 8, Brandy & Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed to “Dark Waltz.” Score: 29 (9, 10, 10)
During week 8, Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya performed the waltz to “Take It to the Limit” by The Eagles for a score of 24.
Week 9, Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas danced the waltz to “Mary Goes to Jesus” from “Passion of Christ” soundtrack for a score of 26 (8, 9, 9).
Week 9, Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough performed a waltz to “Way Over Yonder” by Carole King.
DWTS: Compare quickstep routines (VIDEOS)
Here’s a surprise, reality TV star Audrina Patridge was tops in the quickstep but not good enough to keep Tony Dovolani from waxing his legs.
Quickstep:
- Brandy Norwood and Maksim Chermkovskiy: 27
- Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke: 37 (10, 9, 9, 9) or 27 adjusted.
- Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya: 24
- Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani: 23 (8,8,7) “Love Machine” – Girls Aloud
- Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer: 22 (8,7,7) “I Want You To”
- Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas: 22 (7,8,7) “You Can’t Hurry Love”
- Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas: 19 (7,6,6) “Suddenly I See” – KT Tunstall
- Mike Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff: 18 (6,6,6) “We No Speak Americano”
During Week 5, Brandy Norwood and Maksim Chermkovskiy received a 27 (9,9,9) for their quickstep.
During week 5, Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya dance to the theme song for “Bewitched.” They received a 24.
Week 7, Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke: 37 (10, 9, 9, 9) Quickstep to “Hey Pachuco” by Royal Crown Revue. Adjusted score: 27. They were eliminated.
During week 8, Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough danced to “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” by Frank Sinatra for a score of 27 (9, 9, 9)
Compare the cha cha cha (VIDEO)
Here’s how the six teams who danced the cha cha cha compare.
- Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer (8,7,8) 23
- Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani (6,7,6) 19
- Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas (6,6,6) 18
- Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas (6,6,6) 18
- David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson (5,5,5) 15
- Mike Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff (5,5,5) 15
During week 8, Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed the cha cha cha for a score of 28 (9, 9, 10) to “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. This was their instant dance.
Week 8, Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya performed the cha cha cha as their instant dance for a score of 24.
Week 9, Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough danced to “Mercy” by Duffy for a perfect score of 30.
Dancing with the Stars: Derek Hough
Derek Hough was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and in 1998 went to London with his sister, Julianne Hough to study ballroom dancing with Corky and Shirley Ballas.
Hough and Mark Ballas, the only son of Corky and Shirley, formed a pop group with Julianne, but Julianne as begun a solo career as a country singer. The Hough and Ballas Band was for a time called Almost Amy, but now is called Ballas Hough Band (BHB). On his sister’s self-titled debut album, he and his sister sing a duet (“Dreaming Under the Same Moon”)
Hough was the lead in the London production of the musical version of “Footloose.” His sister will reportedly be in the movie version of the musical. He has appeared in music videos such as “99 Times” (Kate Voegele), “Download” (Lil Kim) and “Parachute” (Cheryl Cole).
Dance achievements:
- With Chelsie Hightower, nominated for a Emmy for “Paso Doble Malagueña” dance choreographed by DWTS-2010.
- Two other Creative Arts Primetime Emmy nominations (2010 and 2009)
- Starred as Ren in the original cast of London’s “Footloose: The Musical” in 2006
- IDSF World Youth Latin Champion 2002 (with partner Aneta Piotrowska)• World Under 21 Latin American Champion
• Two-time Open British Champion (Blackpool)
• Two-time International ‘Open to the World Champion’
• Two-time US Open Champion
AGE: 25
BIRTH DATE: 17 May 1985 (Taurus)
FORMER PARTNERS:
- Jennie Garth (Season 5)
- Shannon Elizabeth (Season 6)
- Brooke Burke (Season 7)-Won.
- Lil’ Kim (Season 8 )
- Joanna Krupa (Season 9)
- Nicole Scherzinger (Season 10)-Won.
CURRENT PARTNER: Jennifer Grey
Website: MySpace
Dancing with the Stars: Mark Ballas
Mark Alexander Corky Ballas Jr. was born in Houston, Texas to Corky Ballas Sr. and his wife British-born wife and dance partner Shirley (Rich) Ballas. Ballas was raised in London, England where he performed as a singer/songwriter with Derek Hough and his sister Julianne Hough as well as danced competitively and professionally.
Julianne Hough was his partner and they won the Junior Latin American Dance Championship and the gold medal at the Junior Olympics. Ballas would also win the British Open to the World, the US Open to the World and the International Open to the World.
During his first season in DWTS he and his partner Sabrina Bryan received a perfect score for their paso doble to “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).”
The next season with Kristi Yamaguchi, they would receive perfect scores for their jive to “Rip It Up,” cha cha cha to “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and freestyle “Workin’ Day and Night.”
With Shawn Johnson, they received a perfect score for their freestyle to “Do Your Thing” and their cha cha cha to “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” during the finals. Their semi-final Argentine tango to “Asi Se Baila el Tango” also received a perfect score.
AGE: 24
BIRTH DATE: 24 May 1986 (Taurus)
FORMER PARTNERS:
- Sabrina Bryan (Season 5)
- Kristi Yamaguchi (Season 6)- Won
- Kim Kardashian (Season 7)-Won
- Shawn Johnson (Season 8)
- Melissa Joan Hart (Season 9)
- Shannen Doherty (Season 10)
CURRENT PARTNER: Bristol Palin
Website: MySpace
Dancing with the Stars: Corky Ballas
Corky Ballas was born Mark Alexander Ballas in Texas and is therefore, Mark Ballas, Sr. He is a retired ballroom dancer who with his former wife, the British-born Shirley (nee Rich) Ballas, was the 1996 Open to the World International Champions, the Open to the World British Champions and the British National Champions.
Beginning dancing at age six, he followed his mother, Maria Luisa Marulanda Ballas, into flamenco. His father, George Ballas Sr. owned a 64,000-square foot dance studio called Dance City USA which employed 125 teachers. His father sold the studio and went on to invent the Weed Eater. Ballas is of a Greek, Mexican and Spanish background.
Corky Ballas began International Latin dancing at 18 and competed in the Latin Pro/Am with his teacher Patrea Lockie. They were the Pro/Am champions for three years. Ballas went pro teaming up with Shirley who began as his teacher, became his partner and later his wife.
Ballas is based in Los Angeles and Houston. He currently judges professional competitions. Ballas has trained:
- Mark Ballas, his son.
- Tony Dovolani
- Derek Hough
- Julianne Hough
- Alec Mazo
- Jonathan Roberts
- Edyta Sliwinska
- Karina Smirnoff
- Anna Trebunskaya
AGE: 49
BIRTH DATE: 25 December 1960 (Capricorn)
FORMER PARTNER: Cloris Leachman (Season 7)
CURRENT PARTNER: Florence Henderson
Website: www.Corky.com
Florence Henderson can cha cha cha (VIDEO)
Last time “Dancing with the Stars” fans saw Corky Ballas, he was dancing with Cloris Leachman…if you can call it dancing. Florence Henderson looks like she’ll be more serious competition.
Who do you think will handle the cha cha cha better? Henderson or Kyle Massey?
Henderson may be able to count of her fans from her “Brady Bunch” days as well as her skills from her Broadway performances.
Henderson was mentioned on “Glee” during its first season:
“Dancing with the Stars” premieres on 20 September 2010 on ABC.
Dancing with the Stars Season 11: Florence Henderson rehearses
Photo: ABC/Greg Zabilski.
Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas will perform the Viennese waltz and salsa. Also performing those dances will be Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower, Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel, Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya.
Viennese Waltz
1. Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower
2. Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
3. Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel
4. Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
5. Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas
6. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya
Cha cha cha
1. Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke
2. David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson
3. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer
4. Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas
5. Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani
6. Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff
Salsa
1. Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower
2. Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
3. Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel
4. Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
5. Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas
6. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya
Foxtrot
1. Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke
2. David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson
3. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer
4. Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas
5. Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani
6. Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff
“Dancing with the Stars” season 11 premieres 20 September 2010 on ABC.
Photo: ABC/Greg Zabilski.
