The BYU Ballroom Dance Team recently competed at the British Open Ballroom Dance Championships in Blackpool, England where they were crowned champions in both Ballroom and Latin categories. The Team has a long history of dominating this prestigious event, having now won the competition a record 24 times. But this achievement marked the first for new directors Curt and Sharon Holman, who began directing the Team in the summer of 2015.
“Our Team did an unbelievable job,” Holman said. “The presentation matched the elegance and grandeur of the ballroom. The energy was palpable. At the end of the performance the announcer sprang to the mic and said, ‘Now that is what formation dancing is all about!’”
The Latin category was particularly fierce as BYU competed against seven other teams from around the world, including China, England, and Wales.
“I like competition and in Blackpool you compete against the world’s best. I feel like our Team presented with excellence and artistry.”
Holman continued, “Each team presented well, but when I watched the Beijing Team dance I knew it was going to be a dog fight. They were highly disciplined and artistic. They took a different approach in the presentation and in the end I think our piece had the authenticity, the heart, and the artistry that played to our favor. It’s exciting to win but even more exciting to win against someone as highly disciplined as the Beijing Dance Academy.”
Watch the Latin American Competition Medley here.
Watch the Ballroom Competition Medley here.
With the competition behind them, the group will now embark on a two-week performance tour throughout Great Britain. The tour will feature 11 performances, three devotionals, and two workshops. For a complete list of performances and tickets, information can be found at here.
