Bronya.B - The Voice That KNOWS Dance

11th BDFI Malaysian Open Dancesport Championship 2012 (8th January 2012)

2012-01-26T03:05:00.000+08:00

This was the first Malaysian championship of the year, organized by Ms Amy Lee of Amy Dancesport Center (ADC) and the first to be held in a newly discovered venue - SJK(C) Naam Keong in Cheras. I must say that after having some trouble finding the place and appearing to travel thru the older part of Cheras I was dubious about the facilities we would have. I was pleasantly surprised upon arriving at the school gates and as I drove thru the grounds. It was a very well laid out, neat, tidy school with a more then decent enclosed hall. It's design was modern and ideal for stage productions with good lighting and excellent air conditioning. I must commend the organizer, who had a tough time confirming a venue earlier, for making an excellent choice.

For the first comp of the year, there was a surprisingly large number of entries - 160 ! The majority of the entries took part in the solo and beginner events. Interestingly, the organizers decided to adopt a new method of judging the juveniles that they had observed in comps in Hong Kong. With this method, the juveniles (within the same category) are divided into groups of 6 (not heats) and each group dances a final. The judges then place the finalist accordingly. This way, every child is guaranteed a certificate to take home with a 'finalist' placing. The purpose of this is to reinforce the children's enthusiasm and to make them feel that all that practicing was worth it. Its a novel idea to encourage younger children and though we all had to adjust to this system, it was well worth it as both the child and its parents were happy. I do think though, to make it a little more competitive, that the champions of each group should then compete against each other in order to have an overall champion crowned. I wonder if I could convince the next organizer to try this out.

Being the first comp of the year, it also brought to light several new partnerships as well as visual confirmation of breakups. The most obvious being that the latin amateur partnership of CCS & Emy Farrah has ended. Standard amateur couple Samuel Sum & Valarie Lim were also a no show at the comp despite being registered and one wonders about their status now as they had a roller coaster ride last year. Several other couples who had a good run last year moved up a rank in this comp - in the Standard, couples Harry Oon & Dionne Leong together with Shaun Chew & Raena Low moved into the Rising Star & Amateur Closed categories. The same two couples plus Yong Chun Leong & Kang Woan Yi and Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law moved up in the Latin divisions too. Also stepping up to the Latin Rising Star category were David & Samantha Lim, Alvin Hoh & Riena Aisya, Kelvin Mok & Louise Cheow and Siew Wei Lok & Joey Wong. I'm sure there were several other 'risers' but I was not able to pay that much attention to the couples I'm not already familiar with.

Several of the couples/dancers who struggled to settle into their new partnerships/choreography last year had made noticeable improvements. Veroy Ng & Lo Wengche (amateur latin) had had a tough time last year attempting to harness Veroy's raw strength as they adjusted to the new partnership, new choreography and the rather large difference in height. Wengche can certainly hold her own on the floor with great expression and good lines but with the physically larger and stronger Veroy as her partner, she was often overpowered and swamped. This year, they managed to find some neutral ground as Veroy attempted to put a leash on his strength and direct it more calmly. A much welcomed relief for the petite Wengche no doubt. I'll be watching the new partnership of Yong Chun Leong & Kang Woan Yi over the year. Chun Leong is the supreme performer with great audience interaction and expression and I hope Woan Yi will be able to match his larger then life persona. The partnership of Alvin Hoh & Riena Aisya became a little unbalanced this year with Riena markedly improving, leaving Alvin a little lagging. Lets hope this will balance out as the year progresses. 10 dance couple Shaun Chew & Raena Low showed some progress in 'thawing' out more and showing more expression during their dancing. They really need to work on this as they already have everything else working in their favour to make them SEA champions. I hope to see more animated facial expression thru the year. There was a surprise win from Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law in the Latin Rising Star as they had obviously used their earlier round in the Pre-Am as a warm up and really came out with their guns blazing for the Rising Star. Cindy is looking really comfortable on the floor now but Jian Jin need to soften his body language and facial expression a whole lot more in order to compete with the big boys later this year.

We had a total of 21 judges lead by Chief Adjudicator, Mr Chong Kim Yee. Our scrutineers for the event was Nixon Ong & Co. The judges were as follows : (they are listed according to their official tags)

A Chong Kim Yee - KL
B Walter Luk - Hong Kong
C Alonggod Nutsati - Thailand
D Nontachai Meksawad - Thailand
E Iwan Ichwan - Indonesia
F Denny A. Gurmawan - Indonesia
G John Lim - Selangor
H Josephine Seow - Selangor
I Lee Yip Seng - Selangor
J Sumiko Lim - Selangor
K Yeoh Gim Hua - Selangor
L Yukiko Hori - KL
M Jovy Wong - KL
N Judy Ong - KL
O Andy Wong - KL
P Yeap Yen Chin - Perak
Q Irene Au - Perak
R Wong Chooi Yee - Perak
S James Ooi - Penang
T Reena Leong - Ng. Sembilan
U Siow Boon Wah - Johor

Here are the results according to the order of events :

Std. Beginners Waltz - Jason Tan & Suzanne Thong, KL
Std. Beginners Tango - Leon Low & Melissa Lim, Selangor
Std. Novice - Pitchayen Ueamongkonkam & Nutthapanee Tangthoung, Thailand
Std. Beginners Foxtrot - Benjamin Ho & Chong Jia Wen, Selangor
Std. Beginners Quickstep - Benjamin Ho & Chong Jia Wen, Selangor
Std. Masters II - Colin Lim & Tan Suan Chu, Selangor
Std. Solo Open - Owen Lee, KL
Std. Pre Amateur - Adrian Tan & Gan Kar Mern, Selangor
Std. Masters I - Roberto Masanque & Joey Wong, Singapore
Std. Solo U 12 - Owen Lee, KL
Std. Junior U 16 - Shaun Chew & Reana Low, Selangor
Latin Beginnners Cha Cha - Justin Teh & Rachael Leong, Selangor
Latin Masters I - Lee Yew Tuck & Susan Ting, Ipoh
Latin Beginners Jive - Nang Yu Lee & Heah Jun Yu, Ipoh
Latin Beginners Rumba - Nang Yu Lee & Heah Jun Yu, Ipoh
Latin Beginners Samba - Justin Teh & Rachael Leong, Selangor
Latin Masters II - Ian Tan & Christine Eng, Penang
Latin Ladies - Pinky Chung & Gillian Huang, KL
Latin Beginners Paso Doble - Nang Yu Lee & Heah Jun Yu, Ipoh
Latin Beginners U 12 - Kenneth Kwan & Beatrice Loo, Ipoh
Latin Girls U 12 - Pinky Chung & Gillian Huang, KL
Latin Novice - Bryan Fong & Yong Mei Fong, KL
Latin Solo U 8 - Miyaki, KL
Latin Pre Amateur - Siew Wei Lok & Joey Wong
Latin Solo U 12 - Gillian Huang, KL
Latin Juvenile U 8 - Khoo Wai Yuan & Wong Jia Wei, Ipoh
Latin Junior U 16 - Siew Wei Lok & Joey Wong
Latin ADC Solo U 8 (Group 1) - Miyaki, KL
Latin ADC Solo U 8 (Group 2) - Miyumi, KL
Std. Rising Star - Adriel Tan & Aw Sim Li
Latin ADC U 6 - See Boo Yee, KL
Std. Juvenile U 12 - Muhammad Daniel & Zenny Chee, Selangor
Std. Amateur Closed - Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan, Selangor
Latin ADC Solo U 12 (Group 1) - Pinky Chung, KL
Latin ADC Solo U 12 (Group 2) - Melanie Khoo, KL
Latin ADC Solo U 12 (Group 3) - Gillian Huang, KL
Std. Amateur Open - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan, Selangor
Latin ADC Juvenile U 12 - Chin Hao Yen & Dorcas Isabelle Lian, KL
Latin Rising Star - Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law, Ipoh
Latin Juvenile U 12 - Eric Foong & Ice Kwan, Ipoh
Latin Amateur Closed - Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan, Selangor
Latin Solo Open - Lee Wei Tsing, KL
Latin Amateur Open - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan, Selangor

Congratulations to all our champions and well done to all competitors. The majority of you all started off the year with a bang in this comp. I trust the coming CNY celebrations won't make you too soft for the next comp coming up soon. Enjoy your break but get back on the training floor as soon as you can. I'm looking forward to some great dancing from our Malaysian couples as some great opportunities are coming up for several of them.

Remember, it is the mind that makes the body. As we progress into this new year of 2012, please focus on the dancing and not the politics. Dance because you want to, because you need to, because you love to. Do not use words of hurt & cruelty to destroy a dancers soul and dancers do not allow such hurt & cruelty to destroy your passion and purpose. Focus.

Note : the opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and are based on her own observations.

Happy Lunar New Year !

2012-01-25T10:06:00.000+08:00

I'd like to wish all my clients and all competitors, a very happy, prosperous, safe & joyous Gong Xi Fa Chai. May we all have great opportunities in the year of the dragon. And may we all be wise enough to recognize the opportunities and grasp them. Have a great time everyone !

2012 - COMPETITIONS & EVENTS (updated 28th Jan. 2012)

2012-01-03T11:39:00.010+08:00

7th January 2012, Saturday

EVENT : World Dance Academy (WDA) Anniversary Dinner & Dance
VENUE : Royal Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
ORGANIZER : John Lim (012-212.0326)

8th January 2012, Sunday

EVENT : 11th BDFI Kuala Lumpur Open Dance Championship 2012
VENUE : SJK (C) Naam Keong, Kuala Lumpur
ORGANIZER : Amy Dancesport Center (Mr Lee 016-302.6677 / Ms Amy 012-301.8668)

17-19th January 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : United Kingdom Open To the World Championships 2012
VENUE : Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England

19th February 2012, Sunday

EVENT : 1st Hong Kong BDFI Open Dance Championship
VENUE :
ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dance International (HKBDI)
LINK : https://www.facebook.com/hkbdi

26th February 2012, Sunday

EVENT : Asian Open Championships 2012, Japan Leg
VENUE : Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
ORGANIZER : Japan Dance Council (JDC)

28th February 2012, Tuesday

EVENT : Asian Open Championship 2012, Taiwan Leg
VENUE : Taipei Stadium
ORGANIZER : Sammy & Jane

3rd & 4th March 2012, Saturday & Sunday

EVENT : Asian Open Championship 2012, Malaysian Leg
VENUE : The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : A & C Dance Dynamix (Contact Hotline : 012-206 6093 / 012-339 8016 /
012-6886108
Email : acddsmy@yahoo.co.uk) www.alexncarmen-my.blogspot.com (for entry forms)

10th March 2012, Saturday

EVENT : Asian Open Championship 2012, Macau Leg
VENUE : Venetian Resort & Hotel, Macau

8th April 2012, Sunday

EVENT : 4th Star of Tomorrow Ballroom Dancing Championship
Endorsed by Singapore Ballroom Dance Teachers' Association (member of WDC, APDDSC &ADC)
VENUE : Orchid Country Club, Singapore
ORGANIZER : Allan Tan
LINK : https://www.facebook.com/events/283656435029161/

28th April 2012, Saturday

EVENT : 3rd Seremban Superstar Dancesport Championship 2012
VENUE : Restoran Min Kok Sdn Bhd, Seremban, No.7645, Lot 5990, Jalan Labu Lama, 70200 Seremban
ORGANIZER : Amy Dancesport Center
LINK : https://www.facebook.com/events/111788672276905/

24th May - 1st June 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : British Open to the World Dance Festival 2012
VENUE :Wintergardens, Blackpool, England

9th June 2012, Saturday

EVENT : 9th National Ballroom Dancing Championships 2012
VENUE : Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : United Dance Teachers Bhd & JDC Dancehouse (james_ooi28@hotmail.com)

16th June 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : m)))motion International Dance Masters Mannheim 2012
VENUE : Rosengarten, Mannheim , Germany

28th July 2012, Saturday

EVENT : Merlion International Dancesport Championships 2012
VENUE : Orchid Country Club, Grand Ballroom, Singapore
ORGANIZER : Dancesport de Allan (dancesport_allan@yahoo.com)

29th July 2012, Sunday

EVENT : Johor Stars of Tomorrow 2012 (International Ballroom Dancing Championship)
VENUE : Restoran Pekin Sutera Sdn Bhd
ORGANIZER : Dancer's Home Dancing Center (dancesport_allan@yahoo.com)

25th August 2012, Saturday

EVENT : 4th Malaysian Open Dance Fest 2012
VENUE : Manhattan Grand Ballroom, Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : Ms Lane Lee (012-655.3187)

26th August 2012, Sunday

EVENT : 10th Crystal Dancesport Championship 2012
VENUE : Mahattan Grand Ballroom, Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : World Dance Academy, Mr John Lim (012-212.0326) Ms Joanne Leong (012-217.1376)

4-8th September 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : United States Dance Championships 2012
VENUE : Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA

15th September 2012, Saturday

EVENT : 3rd Taiping Open Dance Championships 2012
VENUE : Persatuan Ong Si Thye Guan Tong, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : P H Lim Dance Studio (Mr Lim : 012-523.9366 / Ms Shirley : 012-231.9366)

9-11th October 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : The International Open to the World Championships 2012
VENUE : Brentwood & Royal Albert Hall, London, England

8-11th November 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : The Dutch Open Championships 2012
VENUE : De Bonte Wever, Assen, Holland

24th November 2012, Saturday

EVENT : 19th Penang International Ballroom Dancing Championship 2012
VENUE : Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang, Malaysia
ORGANIZER : Malaysian Dancers' Association (mdamy@streamyx.com / mda-my@hotmail.com)

7-9the December 2012 (from WDC website)

EVENT : Disney Cup Professional Ballroom & Latin
VENUE : Disneyland Paris Resort, Paris, France

2nd Taiping Open Dance Championships - 22nd October 2011

2011-11-17T23:14:00.002+08:00

Organizers, Lim Poh Hu & Shirley Hun, managed to pull together their second championship in as many years. A change of date enabled them to continue what was begun in 2010 and they had obviously learnt much from their first experience and didn't make any repeat mistakes. Hats off to these two lovely people. Its always so refreshing to know people who are never afraid to learn. Bravo Shirley & PH.

It was very much a Malaysian event with dancers coming from all corners of the country to compete in Standard, Latin American and Belly Dancing. If you're wondering why Belly Dancing was included, it is because Shirley also teaches this genre of dance. The event was held at the Persatuan Ong Si Thye Tong hall in Taiping, Perak, which was also used last year. The angle of the floor was moved which made a refreshing change for all.

The championship was endorsed and supported by PDMB, BDFI, IDO, MDA, Perak State Govt and the WDC-AAL. The guest of honor was YB Dato' Ho Cheng Wang and the championship advisor was Mr John Lim. The Chief Adjudicator was Mr Teh Swee Guan. His panel of adjudicators were - Benny Chan, Belman Salihovic, Joanne Leong, Y S Lee, Yukiko Hori, Merle Lau, Richard Hoh, Michael Yeap, Louis Low, Alice Hor, Irene Au, Koh Kin Ho, Tam Kong Choy, John Lee, Billeon Yong, Jocelyn Peh, Annie Ong, Emily Mah and David Ng. The Chief Invigilator keeping an eye on sylabus, rules & regulations was Mr John Lim. Scrutineering was performed by Mr Nixon Ong & Co.

The event ran fairly smoothly, without too much delay and we were all treated to the traditional afternoon rain storm that Taiping is famous for. The evening programme ran well too with everyone enjoying their dinner while being entertained by the best of dancer in the Amateur levels as they fought for placing in their various events.

Here is the list of CHAMPIONS :
(as presented)

Stand Junior Under 16 : Shaun Chew & Reana Low (Selangor)

Standard Amateur Rising Star : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Novice : Grace Heng (Kedah)

Standard Amateur Open : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Troupe : 2 Five Step Teszia Divas (Perak)

Latin Juvenile Under 9 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Junior Under 16 : Mok Wing Kit & Louise Cheow (Perak)

Latin Amateur Rising Star : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate : Shanny Tan (Perak)

Latin Amateur Open : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Standard Solo Under 12 : Grace Heng (Kedah)

Standard Solo Under 9 : Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Standard Senior Over 55 : George Tan & M H Hew (Kedah)

Standard Juvenile Under 12 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Standard Senior Over 40 : Ooi Hun Teong & Lim Choon Suan (Penang)

Standard Juvenile Under 9 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Solo Under 12 : Zoe Lim (Selangor)

Latin Solo Under 9 : Choi Keh Yin (Selangor)

Latin Senior Over 55 : Ian Tan & Christine Eng (Penang)

Latin Juvenile Under 12 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Senior Over 40 : Ian Tan & Christine Eng (Penang)

Latin Senior Beginners 40 : Lvy Soo & Yong Thean Loke (Penang)

Latin Novice : Mok Wing Kit & Louise Cheow (Perak)

Beginners Cha Cha : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Ladies : Adele Lim & Crystal Yip (Selangor)

Beginners Jive : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Solo Dance : Zoe Lim (Selangor)

Beginners Rumba : Lee Kah Hong & Jessie Loh (Perak)

Latin Pre Amateur : Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law (Perak)

Beginners Samba : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Ladies Synchronize : Lee Ying Jin & Chen Poh Hsiang (Penang)

Beginners Paso Doble : Gary Eng & Esther Khoo (Penang)

Latin Malaysia Amateur Closed : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate Crystal : Teoh Mei Ling (Perak)

Belly Dance Indv. Novice Crystal : Catherine Ng (Perak)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate Diamond : Ong Siew Eng (Perak)

Beginners Waltz : Alvin Hoh & Riena Aiysa (N.S)

Standard Novice : Alan Hoh & Evelyn Lim (Selangor)

Beginners Tango : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Senior Beginners 40 : Lawrence Tang & Ivy Kong (Selangor)

Beginners Viennese Waltz : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Solo Open : Susan Lee (Kedah)

Beginners Foxtrot : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Pre Amateur : Alan Hoh & Evelyn Lim (N.S)

Beginners Quickstep : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standar Senior Beginners 55 : Lawrence Tang & Ivy Kong (Selangor)

Standard Ladies : #149

Standard Malaysia Amateur Closed : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Congratulations to all the winner and a great effort from all the dancers.

The organizers are confident that they will be able to bring us another segment of the TODC series, they've already confirmed a date. So see you all again at the 3rd Taiping Open Dance Championship on the 15th September 2012 (Saturday) !

1st Singapore Open Dance Championship 2011 - 6th November 2011

2011-11-17T21:39:00.000+08:00

This is the first of the 'freedom to dance' events to be held in Singapore. The message from the Chairman of the organizing committee, Mr Tommy Chua, sums it up.

"The inaugural Singapore Open Dance Championship is Singapore's response to the new Freedom to Dance concept, born to provide fairness, integrity and human rights.

This competition is open to anyone who wish to compete in ballroom standard and, or Latin American dancing, irrespective of the dance affiliation.

While respecting all dance fraternities who nurture and promote ballroom dancing, we pledge to stay true to the principles of being neutral while promoting the love for ballroom dancing. Unleash our competitors' desire with the freedom to dance, in any competition, anywhere in the world.

So dancers, do not be afraid ! You have the freedom and rights to dance. With strength and power, together we can change it !

We thank you, my brave and distinguished competitiors from all over the world - you have made this event in Singapore posible !"

A very well written speech which obviously reflected the passion behind the desire & courage to organize this championship. The dancers in turn did not disappoint the organizers and came in impressive numbers from around the world to attend, compete & support the event. For a first time event, having over 200 entries is quite a feat. Tommy, who was advised by Mrs Josephine Tan, pulled together a fantastic event which ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all who were there.

At the helm of the championship on the day was Chief Adjudicator - Mr David Roberts from UK. I have worked with David for more then a decade now and he has always managed to keep everything, from the judges to the organizers to the scrutineers and the DJ's, marshalls and myself, under tight control, managing to split himself into many parts to be able to be 'on the ball' with everything. Nothing ever gets past him and it's such a relief to know he's there. This year David's panel of adjudicators comprised of - Anthony Hurley (England), Alan Shingler (England), Akihiro Hojo (Japan). Masami Suda (Japan), Polina Teplenko (Russia), Sergey Frantsen (Ukrain), Richard Morrissey (Australia), Ednah Asano (Philippines), Edgar Borromeo (Philippines), Shu Chuan Hsieh (Taiwan), Larry Chen (Taiwan), Erwan Phanjaya (Indonesia), Hadi Tjahjono (Indonesia), Kenji Po (Hong Kong), Brenda So (Hong Kong), Lee Man Ho (Korea), Lee Kwang Sik (Korea), Yanling (China), John Lim (Malaysia), Dharshan Wijesooriya (Sri Lanka), Sheng Zhi Chong (Singapore), Tan Why Pong (Singapore), Steven Han (Singapore), Peggy Gan (Singapore) and Andre De Silva (Singapore). The Chief Scrutineer for the event was Ms Agnes Ang.

The souvenir programme this year was a work of art in its own right. With a beautifully elegant cover, they filled it with some much needed information to help inform and educate those attending the event. There were beautiful action pictures and write ups on the two top world professional performers - Katusha Demidova & Arunas Bizokas and Melinda Torokgyorgy & Andrej Skufca. The articles gave great insight into the performers personal lives and their journeys to where they are now in the world competitive scene.

Another difference in the souvenir programme was the interesting way the competitors action photo's were laid out, another piece of art. To further make this a 'book' to take home and actually read, were the two very informative articles about dance. The first was 'Dance - today, yesterday' by Mary Clarke, editor of Dancing Times and 'A brief History of Dance' by David Roberts, president of the UKA. I hope every new/young dancer present at the championship managed to get a copy and take it home with them. These articles are a MUST READ for those who are truly passionate about dance as their art form.

There were many Malaysian couples that decided to attend this inaugural event. They were - Alfred Choo & Cecilia Yong, Vernon Choo & Elie Cheah, Veroy Ng & Loh Weng Che, Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law, Kelvin Choo & Villy Chai, Siew Wai Lok & Joey Wong, Siow Kai Yaw & Bong Poh Leng, Caitanya Thailan & Natalie Poon, Radhanath Thailan & Saibya Thailan, Mok Wing Kit & Louise Chew, Eric Foong & Ice Kwan, Natasha Poon and Amanda Chan.

The Malaysian couples were entered in almost all the various events. We had our top Amateur couples, Rising Star couples, Pre Amateur, Novice, Junior, Juvenile and even several of our girls in the solo events. The only thing missing was our ballroom standard couples. The couples that attended were all in the Latin American genre of competition. However, our couples did an amazing job of making their presence felt among the highly ranked international couples. Every couple/dancer proved themselves worthy of sharing the floor with the other great talents but a few really stood out. They were - Alfred Choo & Cecilia Yong (Amateur), Siew Wei Lok & Joey Wong (Junior/Pre Amateur), Mok Wing Kit & Louise Chew (Junior/Novice), Eric Foong & Ice Kwan (Juvenile), Siow Kai Yaw & Bong Poh Leng (Senior). All these couples managed to place high in the finals and definitely deserve a mention for their enthusiasm, determination & dedication. I was overjoyed for them.

Here is the list of CHAMPIONS :

Latin Professional Open : Przemek Lowicki & Martina Markova (Poland)

Standard Professional Open : Andrea & Sara Ghigiarelli (England)

Latin Amateur Open : Sarunas Greblikas & Viktorija Horeva (Latvia)

Standard Amateur Open : Steven Grinbergs & Rachelle Plaass (Australia)

Latin Professional Closed AP : Andrey Gorbunov & Dearlie Baculi Gerodias (Singapore)

Standard Professional Closed AP : Jim & Anita Chen (Taiwan)

Latin Amateur Closed AP : Arkady Bakenov & Rosa Filippello (Australia)

Standard Amateur Closed AP : Steven Grinbergs & Rachelle Plaass (Australia)

*****************************

Latin Events :

Amateur Rising Star : Mykyta Yakymchuk & Taisiya Sporysheva (Russia)

Pre Amateur : Siew Wei Lok & Joey Wong (Malaysia)

Novice A : Mok Wing Kit & Louise Chew (Malaysia)

Novice B : Jowe Kwek & Rebecca Sit (Singapore)

Junior Open : Ai Li Zha Ti & Wang Na Na (China)

Juvenile Open : Ai Li Zha Ti & Wang Na Na (China)

Junior Under 16 Solo : Germaine Gan Zi Min (Singapore)

Juvenile Under 12 Solo : Valerie Chen (Taiwan)

Senor Over 35 : Vincent Law & Sheryl Tan (Singapore)

Senior Over 45 : Vincent Law & Sheryl Tan (Singapore)

Pro Am 5 Dance : Evseev Evgeny & Vicki Wong (Hong Kong)

Pro Am 3 Dance : Evseev Evgeny & Vicki Wong (Hong Kong)

Pro Am 2 Dance : Arthur Eroles & Myrna Tan (Philippines)

Pro Am 1 Dance : Sam Fong & Susan De Silva (Singapore)

Teacher Student 2 Dance : Armando Ocampo & Millie Khoo (Singapore)

Teacher Student 1 Dance : Armando Ocompo & Millie Khoo (Singapore)

************************

Standard Events :

Amateur Rising Star : Joel & Sara Smith (Australia)

Pre Amateur : Mark Perez & Maureen Tan (Singapore)

Novice A : Nicholas Yue & Valerie Seah-Yue (Singapore)

Novice B : Kelvin Poh & Tan Ailing (Singapore)

Senor Over 35 : Michael & Rebecca Barlow (Australia)

Senior Over 45 : Lai Kim Sang & Wu Sin Hung (Hong Kong)

Grand Senior Over 60 : Vincent Thoo & Chris Chia (Singapore)

Pro Am 3 Dance : Jason Beaman & Tilly Wong (Australia)

Pro Am 1 Dance : Jason Beaman & Tilly Wong (Australia)

Teacher Student 4 Dance : Lu Tai Lin & Dora Ip (Hong Kong)

Teacher Student 2 Dance : Robert Pavlik & Theresa Ang (Singapore)

Teacher Student 1 Dance : Ramu Ramos & Margaretha Schrijver (Philippines)

***********************************

Congratulations to all the champions and well done to all the competitors.

I'm sure I speak for all dancers when I say, I hope and pray that the 'Freedom to Dance' series of championships will grow around the world so that dancers everywhere can compete without fear of reprimands and expulsions and just be allowed to do what they love among their peers.

The beautiful pictures you see here were taken by one of Dancesports most renown photographers - Mr Rob Ronda. Please do visit his website robronda.com to view the many other pictures that he captured. Feel free to enquire directly with him if you wish to purchase any copies.

Competitions & Events 2011 - Updated 11th Nov. 2011

2011-11-17T19:03:00.002+08:00

4th November 2011, Friday

EVENT : Taipan D'Danceworld & Henry Dance School Anniversary Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Ms Josephine Seow (012-278 1263)

VENUE : Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur

6th November 2011.

EVENT : 1st Singapore Open Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : Josephine Tan (singaporeopen@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Suntec City Convention Center, 1 Raffles Boulevard Suntec City, Singaopre

NOTES :

- Total Price monies US22100 for Professional & Amateur events in Standard & Latin. please refer to entry form for more details.

- Standard & Latin show by Guest Artistes:

1) Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA)

2011 World, British Open, UK Open Professional Ballroom Champions

2) Andrej Skufca & Melinda (Slovenia)-

2011 World, British Open, UK Open Professiona Latin Finalist

- Lectures to be held on 7th Nov. 2011, Monday

Latin Lecture by Andrej skufca & Melinda (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Ballroom lecture by Anthony Hurley (4:30pm-6pm)

Venue : LeDanz at Suntec

13th November 2011, Sunday

EVENT : The 2nd Thailand International Ballroom Dancing Championships 2011

ORGANIZER : Thailand Association of Teachers of Dancing (TATD)

VENUE : Dusit Thani Hotel , Napalai Grand Ballroom Bangkok

NOTES :

- Accommodation : at The Dusit Thani hotel only just 150 USD/night and The Ambassador hotel only just 80

USD/night if you contact directly to us.

- Ticket Price: We have a Big band, Big dance floor with elegance place, ticket sitdown dinner 150 USD, 100 USD,

and 80 USD. Really special price for competitors 80 USD only.

19th November 2011, Saturday

EVENT : Official launch of Dancers' National Association (DNA) & Mini competition

ORGANIZER : DNA - Ms Josephine Seow, President (+6012.278.1263) & Ms Carmen Cheung, V.President (+6012.206.6093)

VENUE : Bangunan Peladang, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

26th November 2011, Saturday

EVENT : 18th Penang International Open Ballroom Dancing Championships 2011 & 2nd Penang ADC-AL Open Championship.

ORGANISER : Malaysian Dancers Association (mdamy@streamyx.com)

VENUE : Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia

4th December 2011, Sunday [UPDATED]

EVENT : Queen Cup Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011

ORGANIZER : Yulia Phanjaya (dance_indo@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Nelayan Seafood Restaurant, Jakarta, Indonesia

10th December 2011, Saturday [UPDATED]

EVENT : 11th Sabah Open 2011 Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Imperial Ballroom Dancing School (ibdsymmc@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

18th December 2011, Sunday [UPDATED]

EVENT : Dance For Good Health, Peace & Joy 2011 (Line Dance get together & exchange)

ORGANIZER : Bunga Raya

VENUE : Wisma Tiong-Hua Johor Bahru, 8 Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau,Johor Bahru, Malaysia

2011-11-17T18:59:00.002+08:00

Dance workshop in December people. See if you can make it.

2011-11-17T18:58:00.000+08:00

Those of you attending the official launch of the new Dancers' National Alliance (DNA) or participating in the competition at the same event, please take note of the change of venue. It is now at Bangunan Peladang, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Event Programmme

9:30am - Official Launching of DNA
9:40am - Dance Fashion Show
10:00am - Competitor Registration
10:30am - Buffet Brunch
11:00am - Start of Competition
3:00pm - End of Competition

4:00 to 6:30pm - Dance Workshop

2011-11-17T18:56:00.005+08:00

4th November 2011

Leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning for the 1ST SINGAPORE OPEN DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS (SODC) organized by Josephine Tan of John & Josephine Dance Creative. Event is on Sunday, 6th November at the SUNTEC Convention Center ballroom. Competition starts at 8:30am so get an early night on Sat everyone so we can be bright and alert on Sunday. Those of you travelling down on Sat, like me, be safe.

2011-11-17T18:56:00.002+08:00

4th November 2011

Working the annual graduation of HENRY SCHOOL OF DANCING & TAIPAN D'DANCEWORLD tonight at the Royal Lake Club. Event starts at 7pm with many performances by students who recently sat for their exams. Should be fun!

2011-11-17T18:55:00.000+08:00

A Poetic Rhapsody' presented by Han Fong Dance Troupe
Date：26/11/2011
Time：3pm & 8pm
Venue：Panggung Bandaraya DBKL
Tickets by donation : RM30
Contact：Miss Tan：0122631299 / Miss Yikke：0123998467

2011-11-17T09:26:00.001+08:00

Another new organizer coming into the field. Starting small but I'm sure it'll run well

Give them some support !

2011-11-17T09:23:00.003+08:00

21st October 2011

Getting ready to travel north for the 2nd Taiping Open Dance Championships 2011 organized by Ms Shirley Hun & Mr Lim Poh Hu. For those of you who are competing, please take note that registration & practice commences at 11am on 22nd Oct., Saturday. Competition commences at 12 noon with the Latin events. All the best everyone and those of you who are driving up, like me, be safe.

3rd MODF 2011 Official DVD for sale !

2011-11-17T09:22:00.000+08:00

Competitors & spectators of the 3rd MODF 2011 !!! Please note that DVD's are available of of the said championship which was held in August at Berjaya Times Square Hotel. These professional DVD's are now being offered in CATEGORIES (belly dance, hip hop, new jazz, line dance, latin, standard) for those who would like to purchase a copy. They also have copies of the full day events live if you should wish to have a set. Fell free to contact them for more details.

Event: 3rd Malaysian Open Dance Festival 2011 Venue: Berjaya Times Square Date: 27th Aug 2011 Support & Production Team: Emerald Event & I See Media & Arts Production Website:www.iseemediaarts.com Email: info@iseemediaarts.com For DVD Orders, please visit our Store @ http://store.iseemediaarts.com/ Thanks!

Length: ‎0:45

2nd Bellare International Championship, Singapore

2011-11-17T09:17:00.000+08:00

Here's the link to some photo's of the event :

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150328714530965&set=a.10150270159875965.344941.31856890964&type=1&theater

2nd Dance For Fund Dinner Concert - 23rd Sept. 2011, Friday.

2011-09-25T01:02:00.001+08:00

The 2nd Dance For Fund (in aid of PERKOBP) organized by Wynette Keng & her amazing ladies was a HUGE success. There was just over 60 tables at the Taman Rahsna Restaurant, in Klang, last night to support the cause with entertainment provided by Malaysia's Golden Voice of Elvis - Mr HT Long. There was a fair amount of line dancing too but Mr Long was the highlight of the evening. He sang 2 sets and enthralled the crowd, especially the special people we were there to raise funds for.

If you have never seen people with learning disabilities have a good time, you should have been there!!! All they needed was a single beat and they would stand up and start to boogie =D When it came time for the actual dancing, they surged to the floor and bopped the night away putting many a dancer to shame with their enthusiasm and energy. Some needed a little encouragement to get to the floor but once they got there, they didn't leave till the music stopped. WOW !!! Music truly does speak to the soul.

Throughout the night we had tables set up to exhibit the handiwork of our special friends, featuring beautiful works of art, homemade soap and CNY cards. Mr Ch'ng (the acting president of PERKOBP) gave Wynette a beautiful framed painting by one of our special friends too. Mr HT Long, who provided his entertaining self free for the evening, had a table to display his 18 albums and had a meet & greet session with his fans. They even had a table where you could go and have your antioxidant levels scanned and be advised on what to do for your health.

The biggest highlight of the evening was of course the handover of funds raised. The official figure was RM 120,050.00 which was an AMAZING amount of money to have been raised from this type of event. It was not all though, as donations continued to come in throughout the night. The beautiful people of Klang really come thru for an cause that was worthy of their contributions and time.

The night finished off with the grand lucky draw with the grandest prize being a 32" Panasonic LCD TV being won.

2011-09-25T00:57:00.001+08:00

23rd September 2011, Friday

Heading down to Klang tonight for the 2nd Dance For Fund Line Dance Charity Dinner & Dance. The first one was very successful and managed to raise a good amount of money for the home for special children. We've got a bigger crowd this year and they're looking to raise enough to start building a bigger home for these great children. The event is organized by Ms Wynette Keng.

COMPETITIONS & EVENTS 2011 (Updated 19th Sept. 2011)

2011-09-19T17:05:00.003+08:00

23rd September 2011, Friday (6pm-midnight)

EVENT : 2nd Dance 4 Fund Charity Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Ms Wynette Keng (+6012 218 9113)

VENUE : Hai Thien Lou Restaurant, Klang

HIGHLIGHT : Elvis impersonator and loads of general dancing together with performances.

25th September 2011.

EVENT : Hong Kong Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

3rd October 2011.

EVENT : WDCAAL Korean Asian Open Championships & 11th Seoul Cup, WDCAAL International Superstar Dancing Championship.

ORGANIZER : Lee Man Ho (elcompany@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Seoul, Korea

5-6th October 2011.

EVENT : WDCAAL Chian Asian Open Dance Championship & China Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Tianjin, China

8th October 2011, Saturday (3-6pm)

EVENT : Tribal Bellydance Festival Malaysia 2011

ORGANIZER : +60133004780 }Aiza, +60169742278 } Zoe

VENUE : Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail (Concorde Hotel)

HIGHLIGHT : More than 100 performers are expected to gather & interact with public throughout the festival.

14th October 2011, Friday (7pm-midnight) [UPDATED]

EVENT : A & C Dance Dynamic Anniversary Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Alex & Carmen (012-2066 093, Carmen)

VENUE : Golden Dragon Boat Banquet Hall, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

15th October 2011, Saturday (11am-1pm) [UPDATED]

EVENT : A & C Dance Dynamic Showcase

ORGANIZER : Alex & Carmen (012-2066 093, Carmen)

VENUE : Golden Dragon Boat Banquet Hall, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

17th October 2011.

EVENT : Match Cup Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Match Dancing Studio (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Regal Riverside Hotel, Hong Kong

22nd October 2011, Saturday [Postponed from 12/6/11] [UPDATED]

EVENT : 2nd BDFI Taiping Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZERS : Lim Poh Hu & John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Taiping, Perak, Malaysia

EVENTS : Latin & Ballroom, Belly Dance. Including new event - Syncronized Latin

26th October 2011, Wednesday

EVENT : WDCAAL Singapore Asian Open Dance Championship & 24th Singapore International Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Sunny Low & Aleena Tan (dancing@signet.com.sg)

VENUE : Suntec City, Singapore

29th October 2011.

EVENT : World Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : Geoffrey Chun

VENUE : Seoul, Korea

30th October 2011.

EVENT : 22nd HKBDC Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

4th November 2011, Friday [NEW]

EVENT : Taipan D'Danceworld Anniversary Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Ms Josephine Seow (012-278 1263)

VENUE : Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur

6th November 2011.

EVENT : 1st Singapore Open Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : Josephine Tan

VENUE : Suntec City Convention Center, 1 Raffles Boulevard Suntec City, Singaopre

NOTES :

- Total Price monies US22100 for Professional & Amateur events in Standard &
Latin. please refer to entry form for more details.

- Standard & Latin show by Guest Artistes:

1) Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA)

2011 World, British Open, UK Open Professional Ballroom Champions

2) Andrej Skufca & Melinda (Slovenia)

2011 World, British Open, UK Open Professiona Latin Finalist

- 7 Nov Latin Lecture by Andrej skufca & Melinda (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Ballroom lecture by Anthony Hurley (4:30pm-6pm)

13th November 2011, Sunday

EVENT : The 2nd Thailand International Ballroom Dancing Championships 2011

ORGANIZER : Thailand Association of Teachers of Dancing (TATD)

VENUE : Dusit Thani Hotel , Napalai Grand Ballroom Bangkok

NOTES :

- Accommodation : at The Dusit Thani hotel only just 150 USD/night and The Ambassador hotel only just 80

USD/night if you contact directly to us.

- Ticket Price: We have a Big band, Big dance floor with elegance place, ticket sitdown dinner 150 USD, 100 USD,

and 80 USD. Really special price for competitors 80 USD only.

26th November 2011, Saturday

EVENT : 18th Penang International Open Ballroom Dancing Championships 2011 & 2nd Penang ADC-AL Open Championship.

ORGANISER : Malaysian Dancers Association (mdamy@streamyx.com)

VENUE : Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia

4th December 2011, Sunday [UPDATED]

EVENT : Queen Cup Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011

ORGANIZER : Yulia Phanjaya (dance_indo@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Nelayan Seafood Restaurant, Jakarta, Indonesia

10th December 2011, Saturday [UPDATED]

EVENT : 11th Sabah Open 2011 Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Imperial Ballroom Dancing School (ibdsymmc@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

18th December 2011, Sunday [UPDATED]

EVENT : Dance For Good Health, Peace & Joy 2011

ORGANIZER : Bunga Raya

VENUE : Wisma Tiong-Hua Johor Bahru, 8 Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau,Johor Bahru, Malaysia

From the desk of Ms.B :

2011-09-12T17:13:00.003+08:00

The 'Competition & Events' list has been updated. Please update your calenders.

To view photographs of past competitions, please head to https://www.facebook.com/bronyabishorek and click on the appropriate album.

2011-08-12T00:09:00.003+08:00

August 12th, 2011

Packing up and heading off to Singapore for the 2ND BELLARE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 organized by Melvyn & Nancy Low. It'll be held in the ballroom of the Orchard Hotel and will commence at 9am, 13th August 2011. The evening programme starts at 6pm and will run till midnight. All the best to the Malaysian couples who are competing. Travel safe and see you there.

MDSB Malaysian National Dancesport Championships 2011

2011-08-10T19:42:00.001+08:00

It has been a very long time since the MDSB (Malaysian Dance Sport Berhad) organized an event like this and it was good to see them starting up again. The MDSB is now being led by Mr George Lim who was appointed the President and many plans have been put forward and are now slowly being put into action. This year's National were held at the beautiful Thean Hou Temple hall which was a little small but everyone coped well.

Earlier this year, the MDSB did run a small medallist competition at the RLC which got the ball rolling. This time round they decided to take it higher and run a half day championship with events ranging from Juvenille Solo all the way up to the Malaysian Amateur Closed. They wisely kept it small by limitting the championship to a national, closed event to ease the working committee back into the stresses of dealing with championships and to encourage the new dancers to participate. This year, the organizing committee was made up of :

Mr George Lim - MDSB President

Mrs Janet Lim - MDSB Sport Director & Treasurer

Mr Chong Kim Yee - Organizing Chairman

Mr Eric Tan Sze Meng

Ms Jovy Wong

Ms Schlaine Wong

Mr Apache Yong

Mr Y S Lee

I must admit I was pleasantly surprised at how almost every member of the organizing committee were on hand to actualy work and do their bit to keep things on the ball. Mr Chong was running around, trying his best to make sure the programme was running as close to schedule as possible while greeting all the supporters and guests. Eric was keeping track of the medals and ensuring the judges were all comfortable. Jovy was (as she has been many times in the past) our scriptwriter for all the certificates. Schlaine managed the preparation of the programme and paperwork and YS was on hand to deal with everything else and the music.

We had a panel of suitably qualified judges with two foreign judges on board. I was delighted to find that our chief adjudicator was a lovely British rose. I don't believe we have ever had a female chief adjudicator in the entire 25 years that I have been involved in Dancesport in Asia !! She was firm, clear and concise and the judges took their cue from her and everyone was very attentive during the events with no 'missing' judges to report.

Panel of Adjudicators :

Ms Yvonne Taylor-Hill - Chief Adjudicator (United Kingdom)

Mr Chong Kim Yee

Ms Irene Au

Ms Amy Lee

Ms Tricia Cheong

Ms Joanne Leong

Ms Chin Gim Choo

Ms Judy Ong

Ms May Chean

Ms Yukiko Hori

Mr Michael Yong

Ms Reena Leong

Ms Therese Tan

Mr Ooi Hock Seng

Mr Michael Yeap

Mr Eric Tan Sze Meng

Mr Siow Boon Wah

Ms Grace Chan

Mr Loke Tze Hao

Ms Victoria Cheng (China)

Ms Wong Chooi Yee

Scrutineering Team : Nixon Ong

For the first time in a long time too, there were no issues with breaking of the rules & stipulated syllabus in the beginners events !!! This made it very pleasant for the me as I was not required to call anybody up on it and everything ran smoothly. There were many new faces on the floor this time as the members of this association had not brought their students out 'into the open' before. It was good to see so many juvenille and junior dancers making their debut.

We were not disappointed with our top Novice, Pre Amateur, Rising Star & Amateur couples. All of them giving us polished performances which showed good floor skills, technique & choreography. The audience was thrilled at the individual introduction of each of our Amateur couples as they came out to performe briefly before their event started.

List of Champions :

Std. Solo Under 8 - #214 Miyaki Teng

Std. Solo Under 12 - #229 Owen Lee Zheng Wen

Std. Solo Open - #201 Susan Lee

Std. Beg. Adult - #6 Louis Looi & Belle Tan

Std. Beg. Senior Over 45 - #48 Ben Han & Shirly Lian

Latin Beg. Junior Under 16 - #53 Kelvin Low & Melanie Khoo

Latin Beg. Adult - #26 Bryan Fong & Yong Mei Fong

Latin Ladies - #5 Adele Lim & Evelyn Lim

Latin Novice 1 - #41 Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law

Latin Novice 2 - #41 Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law

Latin Solo Under 8 - #214 Miyaki Teng

Latin Solo Under 12 - #227 Wong Jia Wei

Latin Solo Open - #233 Amelia Henderson

Latin Beg. Juvenile Under 8 - #61 Nicholas Wong & Lee Shin Yee

Latin Beg. Juvenile Under 12 - #53 Kelvin Low & Melanie Khoo

Latin Beg. Ladies - #32 Lee Pei Ni & Lee Jia Huey

Std. Novice 1 - #45 Tham Sai Chong & Goh Li Kee

Std. Beg Juvenile Under 8 - #52 Ng Zhen Ni & Miyumi Teng

Std. Beg. Juvenile Under 12 - #50 Owen Lee & Miyaki Teng

Std. Novice 2 - #58 Christopher Low & Catrina Low

Std. Pre Amateur - #7 Harry Oon & Dionne Leong

Std. Senior Over 45 - #12 Colin Lim & Tan Suan Chu

Std. Malaysian Amateur Closed - #66 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Latin Juvenile Under 12 - #23 Owen Lee & Chloe Lam

Latin Junior Under 16 - #7 Harry Oon & Dionne Leong

Latin Amateur Rising Star - #36 Shaun Low & Pearly Low

Latin Pre Amateur - #41 Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law

Latin Malaysian Amateur Closed - #33 Alfred Choo & Cecilia Yong

****************************************************************************

Congratulations to all the champions and great job to ALL the competitors. Everyone did their very best and everyone tried. How much more could one ask for? If you want to aim for a higher position in the next championship, you just have to set your goals higher and you'll soon achieve it.

The champions highlighted in bold in the Malaysian Amateur events are also the first winners of the challenge throphy for each of their genres. The throphy for the standard division is sponsored by Mr George Lim and the one for the latin division is sponsored by Mrs Janet Lim. Couples are only allowed to retain the throphy if they managed to win in 3 consecutive challenge throphy events. So guys, you only need to win 2 more times to take it home ;D

There was no mention of the next event under the MDSB but we are all hoping for another to follow next year or soner. It has been a long time since a National level championship has been held in KL and honestly its was about time. With all our big open international championships going on, the new dancer is often too afraid to join as they feel terribly intimidated by all the big names. Well done MDSB !! Bring on the next event.

2011 COMPETITIONS & EVENTS

2011-08-10T17:15:00.001+08:00

Updated 12th September 2011

1st January 2011

EVENT : 10th World Dance Academy Fund Raising Anniversary Dinner & Dance.

VENUE : Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur.

CHARITY : Renal Dialysis Center

2nd January 2011

EVENT : President Cup Ballroom Dancing Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council.

VENUE : Hong Kong Tuen Mun

9th January 2011

EVENT : 1st BDFI Malaysian Open Dancesport Championship & 10th YS Dancesport Open Championship

ORGANIZER : Mr Y S Lee (Amy Lee - 012-3018668)

VENUE : Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

23rd January 2011

EVENT : Golden Bauhinia Cup Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council.

VENUE : Hong Kong Stadium

20th February 2011

EVENT : ADC Asian Open Dance Tour - Tokyo International Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Japan Dance Council.

VENUE : Tokyo, Japan

28th February 2011

EVENT : Open Professional Ballroom Dance Championship Asian Tour Taipei Open.

ORGANIZER : Sammy & Jane Liu & Taiwan Int. Sport Dance Development Association (dance@tisdda.org)

VENUE : Taipei Arena, Taipei, Taiwan

3rd March 2011

EVENT : ADC Asian Open Dance Tour - Indonesia International Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Soenarko Josodihardjo

VENUE : Jakarta, Indonesia

5th March 2011

EVENT : ADC Asian Open Dance Tour - Macau International Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Macau International Professional Ballroom Dancers Association.

VENUE : The Venetian, Macau.

6th March 2011

EVENT : Hong Kong Super Star Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council.

VENUE : Hong Kong

19th March 2011

EVENT : 3rd Stars of Tomorrow Dance C’ships 2011

ORGANIZER : AnA DanzL'tin (dancesport_allan@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Singapore Futsing Association

21st March 2011

EVENT : Alice Cup Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Alice Ip Dance School.

VENUE : Hong Kong

26th March 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Thailand Asian Open Dance Championship (Royal Siam Dance Championships).

ORGANIZER : Uapan (uapan@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Bangkok,Thailand

28th March 2011

EVENT : Thailand Pattaya International Dance Championships 2011.

ORGANISER : Uapan

VENUE : Pattaya, Thailand

5th April 2011

EVENT : China Shandong International Dance Championships.

ORGANISER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Shandong, China

16-17th April 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Hong Kong Asian Open Championship, 4th Donnie Burns Cup Open Dance Championships & WDC World Amateur Ten Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Walter Wat (wat@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong

23rd April 2011

EVENT : 3rd BDFI Perak International Open Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Louis Low & John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Red Cresent Hall, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

** NOTE : This event has been cancelled.

23rd April 2011

EVENT : 1st BDFI Johor International Open Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Seow Boon Wah & John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Muar, Johor

30th April 2011

EVENT : Johor International Dance Championships 2011.

ORGANIZERS : Sammy Soo & Aleena Tan (crystal.kau@hotmail.com, dancing@singnet.com.sg)

VENUE : Pekin Restaurant, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

ENDORSED BY : WDC Amateur League & BDFI

CLOSING DATE : 25th March 2011

30th April 2011

EVENT : 4th Safiel Dancesport Championship 2011

ORGANIZER : Safiel Dance Sport Studio (mobile - 0812 901 8436)

VENUE : Nelayan Seafood Restaurant, Jakarta, Indonesia

CLOSING DATE : 20th March 2011

NOTE : There are some unusual, interesting events in this championship. Please look at the photo album on this page to view the entry form

8th May 2011

EVENT : Piney Cup Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Piney Dance School (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

15th May 2011

EVENT : MDSB Beginners Competiton (latin & ballroom - juvenile, junior & senior)

ORGANIZER : Malaysian DanceSport Berhad

VENUE : Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

15th May 2011

EVENT : Hong Kong Master Open Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

21st May 2011

EVENT : MTLDA Line Dance Championship (individual - under 45 years & over 45 years)

ORGANIZER : Melaka Tengah Line Dance Association

VENUE : To be confirmed

28th May 2011

EVENT : 1st Malaysia Charming Mom 2011

ORGANIZER : Wendy Loh

VENUE : Klang (to be confirmed)

12th June 2011 [UPDATED]

EVENT : 8th National Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011 & ADC Amateur League Championship

ORGANIZER : United Dance Teachers Berhad, H & A Dance World & ADC Amateur League

VENUE : Grand Ballroom, Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia

12th June 2011.

EVENT : Hong Kong Teacher Cup Open Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

12th June 2011. [Postponed to 22nd Oct. 2011. Refer to schedule below for updates]

EVENT : 2nd BDFI Taiping Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZERS : Lim Poh Hu & John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Taiping, Perak, Malaysia

18th June 2011 [UPDATED]

EVENT : 2nd Surabaya International Dancesport Championships.

ORGANIZER : Heru Sutantio (surabayadancesport@yahoo.com)

VENUE : SIBEC (ITC Surabaya), JL. Gembong 20-30, Surabaya, Indonesia

CLOSING DATE : 22nd May 2011

19th June 2011

EVENT : 12th Stardust Dancesport Grand Prix.

ORGANIZER : Louis Ng (louiscat@singnet.com.sg)

VENUE : Orchid Country Club, Singapore

24th-26TH June 2011

EVENT : 27th Italian Open Dance Championship

ORGANIZER : Unsure (Contact Jerry Abrate here in Facebook)

VENUE : Bellaria Rimini, Italy

25th June 2011

EVENT : 1st Klang Open Line Dance Championship (Individual & Team)

ORGANIZER : Wynette Keng (012-2189113) & Melvin Tan (016-2200262)

VENUE : Hai Thien Lou Restaurant, Jalan Limau Besar, Klang

FACEBOOK : Klang Linedance (see entry forms & dance list here)

26th June 2011 [UPDATED]

EVENT : 2nd Serembam Superstar Dancesport Championship 2011 (Open to Asian Countries)

ORGANIZER : Y S Dancesport Centre (amy8668@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Restaurant Min Kok Sdn Bhd, Jalan Labu Lama, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

CLOSING DATE : 1st June 2011

26th June 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Indonesia Asia Open Championships & Lombok International Amateur Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Marcel De Rijk (marcelderijk@danceworldwide.com)

VENUE : Lombok, Indonesia

3rd July 2011

EVENT : 1st Sri Lanka International Rhythm World Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZERS : Siromi Perera (shiromi-p@sltnet.lk) & Aleena Tan (dancing@singnet.com.sg)

VENUE : Colombo, Sri Lanka

ENDORSED BY : World Dance Council Asian Amateur League (WDC AAL), Ballroom Dancers' Federation International (BDFI)

CLOSING DATE : 31st May 2011

10th July 2011

EVENT : Friendship Cup Open Dance Championships.

ORGANIZER : Philip Wu Dance School (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Panda Hotel, Hong Kong

15-17th July 2011.

EVENT : 9th Shenzhen China Open Dancesport International Festival & Championship

ORGANIZER : Gaylong Dance Company

VENUE : Shenzhen Stadium

16-17th July 2011

EVENT : China Sanya Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Sanya, China

25th July 2011

EVENT : China Guizhou Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Guizhou, China

30th July 2011

EVENT : Global Cup International Dance Championships 2011

ORGANIZER : Steven Han School of Dancing

VENUE : Orchid Country Club

31st July 2011

EVENT : Hong Kong & China Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

5-7th August 2011

EVENT : Shandong Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Shandong, China

6th August 2011

EVENT : MDSB Closed Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : Malaysian DancesSport Berhad (Mrs Janet Lim & Mr Chong Kim Yee)

VENUE : Tien Hau Temple

6th August 2011

EVENT : Merlion International Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Allan Tan (dancesport_allan@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Merlion, Singapore

7th August 2011

EVENT : Johor 'Star of Tomorrow' International Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011.

ORGANISER : Lee Boon Teong (+6019-787 9292)

VENUE : Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

7th August 2011

EVENT : Asia Pacific Dance Xplosion 2011 (APDX 2011)

ORGANIZER : Joyclub Dance Academy (Allen Koh - email: danzfever@ymail.com mobile: +65 9229-0026)

VENUE : Grand Ballroom, Shangri La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

CLOSING DATE : 1st July 2011

12-14th August 2011

EVENT : China Dalian Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Dalian, China

13th August 2010

EVENT : 2nd Bellare International Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Melvyn & Nancy Low (melvynlow@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Orchard Hotel, Singapore

14th August 2010

EVENT : United Cup Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Jimmy Wong Dance School (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

15th August 2011

EVENT : Chian Shanxi Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Shanxi, China

27th August 2011

EVENT : 3rd Malaysian Open Dance Fest.

ORGANIZERS : Emily Mah, Lane Lee & Teressa Liew.

VENUE : Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

28th August 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Malaysian Asian Open Championship, 9th Crystal Dancesport Championship 2011 & WDC-AL World Ten Dance Ranking Event 2011.

ORGANIZER : John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

23rd September 2011, Friday (6pm-midnight)

EVENT : 2nd Dance 4 Fund Charity Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Ms Wynette Keng (+6012 218 9113)

VENUE : Hai Thien Lou Restaurant, Klang

HIGHLIGHT : Elvis impersonator and loads of general dancing together with performances.

25th September 2011

EVENT : Hong Kong Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

3rd October 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Korean Asian Open Championships & 11th Seoul Cup, WDCAAL International Superstar Dancing Championship.

ORGANIZER : Lee Man Ho (elcompany@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Seoul, Korea

5-6th October 2011

EVENT : WDCAAL Chian Asian Open Dance Championship & China Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Mu Jian (isdachina@hotmail.com)

VENUE : Tianjin, China

8th October 2011, Saturday (3-6pm)

EVENT : Tribal Bellydance Festival Malaysia 2011

ORGANIZER : +60133004780 }Aiza, +60169742278 } Zoe

VENUE : Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail (Concorde Hotel)

HIGHLIGHT : More than 100 performers are expected to gather & interact with public throughout the festival.

8th October 2011, Saturday (5-11pm)
EVENT : Evonne Ng's Arabian Nights LD Annual Dinner & Dance
ORGANIZER : Ms Evonne Ng
VENUE : TTDI Community Hall, Kuala Lumpur

14th October 2011, Friday (7pm-midnight)

EVENT : A & C Dance Dynamic Anniversary Dinner & Dance

ORGANIZER : Alex & Carmen (012-2066 093, Carmen)

VENUE : Golden Dragon Boat Banquet Hall, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

15th October 2011, Saturday (11am-1pm)

EVENT : A & C Dance Dynamic Showcase

ORGANIZER : Alex & Carmen (012-2066 093, Carmen)

VENUE : Golden Dragon Boat Banquet Hall, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

17th October 2011, Monday

EVENT : Match Cup Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Match Dancing Studio (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Regal Riverside Hotel, Hong Kong

22nd October 2011, Saturday [Postponed from 12/6/11]

EVENT : 2nd BDFI Taiping Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZERS : Lim Poh Hu & John Lim (johnstar@tm.net.my)

VENUE : Taiping, Perak, Malaysia

26th October 2011, Wednesday [UPDATED]

EVENT : WDCAAL Singapore Asian Open Dance Championship & 24th Singapore International Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Sunny Low & Aleena Tan (dancing@signet.com.sg)

VENUE : Suntec City, Singapore

29th October 2011, Saturday

EVENT : World Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : Geoffrey Chun

VENUE : Seoul, Korea

30th October 2011, Sunday

EVENT : 22nd HKBDC Open Dance Championship.

ORGANIZER : Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Council (hkbdc@dance.com.hk)

VENUE : Hong Kong

4th November 2011, Friday
EVENT : Taipan D'Danceworld Anniversary Dinner & Dance
ORGANIZER : Josephine Seow, Principle (012-278 1263)
VENUE : Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur

6th November 2011, Sunday

EVENT : 1st Singapore Open Dancesport Championship

ORGANIZER : John & Josephine Dance Creative

VENUE : Suntec City Convention Center

19th November 2011, Saturday
EVENT : Official Launch
ORGANIZER : D.N.A
VENUE : Golden Dragon Boat, Banquet Hall, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

26th November 2011, Saturday

EVENT : 18th Penang International Open Ballroom Dancing Championships 2011 & 2nd Penang ADC-AL Open Championship.

ORGANISER : Malaysian Dancers Association (mdamy@streamyx.com)

VENUE : Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia

4th December 2011, Sunday

EVENT : Queens Cup 2011

ORGANIZER : Erwan Phanjaya

VENUE : Jakarta, Indonesia

10th December 2011, Saturday

EVENT : 11th Sabah Open 2011 Dancesport Championship.

ORGANIZER : Imperial Ballroom Dancing School (ibdsymmc@yahoo.com)

VENUE : Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

18th December 2011, Sunday
EVENT : Dance For Peace
ORGANIZER : Bunga Raya aka Dr Lim & sisters
VENUE : Johor Bahru

2011 WDC World Cup 9th Shenzhen China Open Championships

2011-08-03T01:32:00.002+08:00

July 23rd, 2011

Back from the 2011 WDC World Cup 9th Shenzhen China Open Championships that ran from the 15th-17th July 2011.

I was delighted to see several Malaysian couples taking part in this now prestigious championship - Loke Tze Hao & Chan Jia Ni, Yong Chun Wai & Yeap Yen Chin, Derek Yap & Joey Chan, Lok Siew Wai & Joey Wong, Dexter Lau & Petrina Ch'ng and our very own Japanese couple that resides here in Malaysia - Osamu & Junko Sakai. Billy Yong & Carmen Choo were also listed in the programme but did not compete this year as I understand they are not quite ready to put their new skills & routine to the test yet on this very competitive floor.

On the final day, the announcement was made that the 2012 championship will run for 4 days !!!! This is largely to allow the organizers to split the heats into smaller groups which will in turn give the couples more space to dance in and a better view for the judges. This will make this already very competitive championship even tougher as the judges wont miss anything! 10th Shenzhen is going to be the Blackpool of Asia !!

Here are some of the pictures that I managed to have taken :

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150255263990965&set=a.10150255263865965.340307.31856890964&type=1&theater

2011-08-03T01:30:00.002+08:00

July 13th, 2011

Preparing to head off soon for the 9th Shenzhen International Dancesport Championship 2011 which will be held in China from the 15th-17th July 2011. Yes, you read right, its a 3 day championship !! An amazing number of dancers will come together to compete in a full house stadium for 3 days until only the top 6 couples of each event will be crowned. Good luck to all our Malaysian dancers who will be competing.

2011-08-03T01:29:00.002+08:00

July 12th, 2011

I MC-ed the Creative Dancesport Academy's charity D&D in Ipoh on the 9th July 2011. It was incredibly successful with 65 tables sold and stellar performances by the Academy's principles & students as well as guest performances by the talented World Dance Academy students. Congratulations to Lorraine & Louis Low for a successful event ! They managed to raise enough funds to contribute to 5 different charities-BRAVO !

2011-08-03T01:28:00.000+08:00

June 25th, 2011

This weekend is the 2nd Seremban BDFI Dancesport Championship in Ng. Sembilan organized by Y.S Lee & Amy Lee. The event starts at 11 am and will have a dinner session for the final. Aside from the usual Latin & Ballroom events, this championship will feature a rather extensive section for the Solo dancers with events for various age groups. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces there. Hope I don't get 'ticked off' by members of the audience for not dressing up enough for the dinner session like I was a few years back ;D

2011-08-03T01:23:00.000+08:00

June 22nd, 2011

I will be attending Bryan Ang's LD bash in Seremban on Saturday night and working the 2ND SEREMBAN SUPERSTAR DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 on Sunday, 26th June which will be held at the Min Kok Restaurant on Jalan Labu Lama. The day events start at 11am. This event is endorsed by BDFI, MDSB & MUDA and recognized by OCM.

2011-08-03T01:21:00.002+08:00

June 17th, 2011

Heading to Surabaya, Indonesia this weekend to work at the 2nd SURABAYA INTERNATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP 2011. It will be held on the 18th June 2011, Saturday. Not very sure what time it starts yet, programme not in hand. Hope to see some Malaysian couples there.

2011-08-03T01:19:00.000+08:00

June 10th, 2011

Heading up north this weekend to work at the 8th NATIONAL BALLROOM DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 & ADC AMATEUR LEAGUE 2010. It will be held in the grand ballroom of the Bayview Beach Resort, Tanjung Bunga, Penang on the 12th June 2011. The day events start at 12 noon - 4 pm and the evening starts at 6:30-11pm. Hope to see you there.

Here's the link to the pictures :

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150255246550965&set=a.10150255243770965.340299.31856890964&type=1&theater

2011-08-03T01:17:00.000+08:00

May 15th, 2011

Heading off to the Royal Lake Club soon for the 4th MDSB Fund Raising Beginners Competition (IDSF) and Dinner & Dance. Competition starts at 5pm and dinner at 7pm. Come on over if you've got a couple of hours to spare. Don't forget to come say Hi to me ;D

2011-08-02T18:59:00.005+08:00

April 28th, 2011

This weekend (30th April 2011, Saturday) is the JOHOR INTERNATIONAL DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 organized by Sammy Soo & Aleena Tan. The venue of the competition is Pekin Restaurant, Taman Sutera Utama, Skudai, Johor. Hope to see my friends there :) All the best.

2011-08-02T18:59:00.002+08:00

April 22nd, 2011

This weekend (23rd April 2011, Saturday) is the 3rd MUAR RISING STAR DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP. Organizer, Seow Boon Wah, is also running the 1st Johor BDFI International Dancesport Championship. The venue of the competition is SKT Banquet Hall, Off Jln Sg. Abong. Competition starts at 2pm with the Standard division. Rehersals & registration is an hour before. Hope to see you there !

2011-08-02T18:56:00.003+08:00

April 9th, 2011

Its AMY DANCESPORT CENTER's 1st Anniversary ! The dinner & dance celebration will be held at the Royal Lake Club, Banquet Hall on the 10th April 2011. It starts at 7pm and will feature a lovely dinner with performances by the students and lots of social dancing time. Look forward to seeing you all there.

Here's the link to some photo's of the event :

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150162797775965&set=a.10150162787755965.304386.31856890964&type=1&theater

2011-08-02T18:55:00.000+08:00

February 25th, 2011

Gearing up for the marathon week ahead on the ADC Open Dance Tour - Taipei, Taiwan (28th Feb), Jakarta, Indonesia (3rd March) & Macau (5th March). Come and watch some amazing dancing if you're in these countries.

COMPETITIONS & EVENTS 2011

2011-08-02T18:53:00.000+08:00

This is the link to the regularly updated list of competitions & events for 2011 :

https://www.facebook.com/notes/bronya-bishorek/competitions-events-2011/180884051952748

2011 ADC Open Dancesport Asian Tour - Tokyo, Japan

2011-08-02T18:47:00.000+08:00

Here's the link to the photo's of the above mentioned event :

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150099254825965&set=a.10150099251940965.291329.31856890964&type=1&theater

2011 WDC World Super Series - Asian Open Professional Dance Championships (ADC Open Dance Tour - Tokyo, Japan)

2011-02-25T17:27:00.001+08:00

This was my 3rd year at the ADC Open Dance Tour and I was still impressed by the efficiency of the Japanese in everything that they do. I arrived on a beautiful sunny Saturday with temperatures of 2 degrees - perfect for someone coming from a hot hot country. Unfortunately, the Prince Hotel did not have my room ready yet but I had the good fortune to arrive at the same time as Wantanee from Thailand and we both met Aleena Tan from Singapore in the hotel lobby so we had lunch together to while away the time till the rooms were ready.

The welcome dinner on Saturday night served an excellent 4 course European meal and most of us polished off our plates. I was delighted to see many of the judges that I had worked with before during the first two tours and we all greeted each other warmly. Two fellow Malaysians were also present at the dinner - Dato Dr Henry Ooi and Alex Lim, so I felt quite at home. After the meal, we were given quick briefings by the organizer - Mr Isao Nakagawa, and the chief adjudicator - Mr Robin Short. The tour schedule for 2012 was also announced and Mr Geoffrey Chun of Korea also announced his plans for a championship later this year.

The day of the competition dawned bright & sunny, which was a good thing as many of the judges were a little jet lagged and I'm sure the sun made things feel a lot more cheerful. The first batch of judges pushed off from the hotel at 7:45am to prepare for the competition which started at 8:30am. The schedule was really tight and the working committee kept everyone on their toes to keep to the time table. Thought there were only a total of 6 events it took a total of 12 hours to complete the competition. The event with the most entries was the Asian Open Professional Latin with 117 entries! Here are the details.

PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS

Mr Robin Short - UK (Chief Adjudicator)

Dato Dr Henry Ooi - Malaysia

Mr William Bae - Korea

Mr Geoffrey Chun - Korea

Mr Hannes Emrich - UK

Ms Hazel Fletcher - UK

Ms Yumi Futatsumori - Japan

Mr Massimo Giorgianni - Italy

Mr Marcus HIlton, MBE - UK

Mr Lei Chi Hong - Macau

Mr Anthony Hurley - UK

Mr Soernarko Josodihardjo - Indonesia

Ms Wanthanee Kanchana - Thailand

Mr John Kimmins - USA
Mr Kenny Kwan - Macau

Mr David Lee - Taiwan

Mr Alan Li - Macau

Mr Alex Lim - Malaysia

Mr Sammy Liu - Taiwan

Mr Ariel Llanillo - Philippines

Mr Satoru Morikawa - Japan

Ms Hiromi Nagai - Japan

Ms Hazel Newberry, MBE - UK

Mr Ferenc Polai - Austria

Mr Steve Powell - UK

Mr Paul Richardson - UK

Mr Svein Rotvold - Norway

Mr Espen Salberg - Norway

Mr Kenji Seto - Japan

Mr Michael Stylianos - UK

Mr Yoshimitsu Suzuki - Japan
Mr Takuhide Takeda - Japan

Ms Allena Tan - Singapore

Mr Manfred Wang - China

Mr Kenny Welsh - UK

Mr Dharshan Wijesooriya - Sri Lanka

Mr Ji Xiaoming - China

THE CHAMPIONS

Asian Open Professional Std - #99 Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova - USA

Asian Open Professional Latin - #123 Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko - USA

Amateur Open Std - #13 Andrea Ghigiarelli & Sara Andracchio - England

Amateur Open Latin - #30 Jurij & Jagoda Batagelj - Slovenia

Asian Closed Std - #59 Alex & Melody Hou - Taiwan

Asian Closed Latin - #3 Ning Lu & Ding Fang Zhang - China

********************************************************************************************

Congratulations to all the champions!!

The next leg of the tour will be in Taipei, Taiwan on the 28th February 2011. See you all there.

10th BDFI Malaysian Open Dancesport Championships 2011 - 9th January 2011

2011-01-14T02:55:00.000+08:00

First off let me clarify the title of this championship which caused me quite a bit of confusion as BDFI (Ballroom Dancers Federation International) has only just arrived in Malaysia in 2010 and I was baffled at how 9 events could have possibly been run between then and now. This is actually the 10th Malaysian Open Dancesport Championships run by organizers Y. S Lee & Amy Lee and it is the first time that they have been sanctioned by BDFI. So by right, this event was ALSO the 1st KL BDFI Open Dancesport Championship. BDFI held its first Malaysian championship in Taiping last year and it looks like we'll be having many more this year around Malaysia. Look out for the 2nd Taiping BDFI and the 1st Ipoh BDFI coming this year.

The event was held at the Olympic Council of Malaysia Sports Complex here in KL. This was the first competition of the year in Malaysia for Dancesport and it was a very comfortable event. Its been quite a while since we've been able to start the day at a civilized 9am for registration, 10am for rehearsals and 11am for the championship. Competitions in KL, over the past year, have been getting so massive that it had become necessary for many organizers to have to start the day off at 6am and only manage to finish at 1am the next day. So this was indeed pleasant. Registration ran smoothly with several last minute entries and withdrawals, which is the norm. The dance floor was packed during rehearsals so it was necessary to break it up into groups, specially for the juvenile dancers, for safety purposes.

The competition itself started slightly behind time but we managed to catch up and run according to schedule fairly easily after that with Mr Jimmy Heng handling the marshaling in his own efficient manner. The judges had the usual little bit of confusion with the score sheets in the beginning but we sorted it all out quickly and Ms Susan (from Nixon Ong's scrutineering team) was soon churning out results at top speed. There was a surprise but very welcomed entry into the competition as one of Malaysia's top Amateur couple returned to the general competitive circuit. New partnerships were seen and several dancers were also seen in between partners, thus is looks like its going to be an interesting year for us here in Malaysia for Dancesport competition.

Here are the details -

PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS :

A. Mr John Lim (Chief Adjudicator) - Selangor

B. Ms Brenda So - Hong Kong

C. Ms Hui Wei Lee - Hong Kong

D. Mr Erwan Phanjaya - Indonesia

E. Mr Alonggod Nutsati - Thailand

F. Mr Sammy Soo - Singapore

G. Mr Chong Kim Yee - KL

H. Mr Joe Chew - KL

I. Ms Jovy Wong - KL

J. Ms Judy Ong - KL

K. Ms Josephine Seow - Selangor

L. Mr Michael Yong - Selangor

M. Ms Lim Soo Yien - Selangor

N. Ms Yeap Yen Chin - Perak

O. Ms Irene Au - Perak

P. Mr Siow Boon Wah - Johor

Q. Ms Reena Leong - Ng. Sembilan

R. Ms May Chean - Ng. Sembilan

A comfortable total of 75 events were run with event ranging from the new trend of Solo Juvenile to Ladies Latin and the organizers own ADC (Amy Dancesport Center) events.

LIST OF CHAMPIONS

Std. Masters 1 : #103 - Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Std. Novice : #80 - Adriel Tan & Aw Sim Li (KL)

Std. Beg. Foxtrot : #77 - Billy Seah & Madeline Ashlee Lok (KL)

Std. Beg. Waltz : #89 - Adrian Tan & Amelia Henderson (KL)

Std. Junior Under 16 : #26 - Shaun Chew & Raena Low (Selangor)

Std. Beg. Tango : #77 - Billy Seah & Madeline Ashlee Lok (KL) AND

#104 - Loy Kok Loong & Lee Poh Leng (Pahang)

Std. Beg. Waltz Under 12 : #2 - James Ng & Miyaki Teng (KL)

Std. Beg. Quickstep : #24 - Alan Ho & Evelyn Lim (Selangor)

Std. Malaysia Amateur Closed : #18 - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Std. Beg. Quickstep Under 12 : #129 - Kelvin Low Kah Weng & Alicia Poh (KL)

Latin Ladies Open : #35 - Apple Gam & Veryne Lim (KL)

Latin Beg. Cha Cha : #76 - Ian Yap Yew An & Gan Kar Mern (KL)

Latin Beg. Samba : #135 - Foong Hau Ming & Ice Kwan (Perak)

Latin Masters 2 : #55 - Bryan Tan & Nancy Liow (Johor)

Latin Beg. Rumba : #135 - Foong Hau Ming & Ice Kwan (Perak)

Latin Beg. Jive : #33 - Joshua Ng & Fish Chia (KL)

Latin Novice : #124 - Gary Ng & Tomiko Foo (KL)

Latin Malaysia Amateur Closed : #99 - Alfred Choo & Cecilia Yong (KL)

Latin Solo Open : #205 - Lim Zhe Qi (KL)

Latin Solo Under 8 Cha Cha : #231 - Lee Ching Tung (Hong Kong)

Latin Solo Under 8 Jive : #231 - Lee Ching Tung (Hong Kong)

Latin Girls Under 12 : #11 - Lim Zhe Qi & Shermin Won (KL)

Latin Beg. Under 12 Cha Cha : #2 - James Ng & Miyaki Teng (KL)

Latin Beg. Under 12 Jive : #2 - James Ng & Miyaki Teng (KL)

Latin Masters 1 : #17 - Zhou Lin & Cheng Yee Kwan (China)

Latin Junior Under 16 : #27 - Harry Oon & Dionne Leong (Selangor)

Latin 'ADC' Solo Under 8 : #244

Latin Juvenile Under 8 : #109 - Nicholas Wong Kai Li & Lee Shin Yee (KL)

Std. Masters 1 : #103 - Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Latin Solo Under 12 Cha Cha : #204 - Shermin Won (KL)

Std. Pre-Amateur : #22 - Samuel Sum & Valerie Lim (Selangor)

Latin Solo Under 12 Jive : #204 - Shermin Won (KL)

Std. Rising Star : #22 - Samuel Sum & Valerie Lim (Selangor)

Latin 'ADC' Under 12 : #2 - James Ng & Miyaki Teng (KL)

Latin 'ADC' Under 12 Solo : #203 - Angeline Ong (KL)

Latin Juvenile Under 12 : #135 - Foong Hau Ming & Ice Kwan (Perak)

Latin Pre-Amateur : #124 - Gary Ng & Tamiko Foo (KL)

Latin Rising Star : #8 - Chan Chian Sing & Emy Farrah Elena (KL)

Std. Amateur Open : #18 - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Latin Amateur Open : #99 - Alfred Choo & Cecilia Yong (KL)

*************************************************************

Congratulations everyone! It was an exciting event, specially in the Novice, Pre-Amateur, Rising Star & Amateur events. It looks like a challenging year ahead for those in the circuit. Can't wait to see how everyone progresses thru the year. Train hard, communicate and stay dedicated. Good luck !!!!!

17th Penang International Open Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011 - 27th Nov. 2010 (Saturday)

2011-01-03T23:16:00.002+08:00

The 17th chapter of this now very well known championship had an overwhelming number of entries this year, the largest number in its history - 352 couples in total !! And together with the huge entry was its largest panel of adjudicators. This successful event is organized by the Malaysian Dancers Association (MDA) which is headed by Dato Dr Henry Ooi, the President of MDA together with the Penang State Government Tourism Board. This year the championship also included the 1st Penang ADC Amateur League Open Championship as part of its events. Its main sponsors were Penang State Government, SP Setia Bhd Group, Pensonic, Da Ma Cai, Astro & The Hour Glass.

The day had to start at 7am in order for us to complete all the events and the prize presentation of the day events had to be held in the foyer of the ballroom to allow the competition to continue inside the hall. Therefore I do not have the full list of champions for this championships so you'll have to be satisfied with the little that I do have.

Panel of Adjudicators

1. Mr Isao Nakagawa (Chief Adjudicator) - Japan

2. Mr Karl Breuer

3. Mr Michael Stylianos

4. Ms Kym Smith

5. Mr Akihiro Yokomichi

6. Ms Hidemi Yamamoto

7. Mr Ji Xiao Ming

8. Mr Manfred Wang

9. Ms Angel Long

10. Mr Soenarko Josodiharjo

11. Mr David Lee

12. Mr Geoffrey Chun

13. Mr Kenny Kwan

14. Ms Wanthanee Kanchana

15. Mr Ariel Llanillo

16. Ms Jane Liu

17. Mr Steven Tan

18. Mr Lawrence Chan

19. Mr Kenji Po

20. Sun Wei Ying

21. Zhang Xiang Guo

22. Mr Teng Hui

23. Mr Dharshan Vijesooriya

24. Mr Johnny Sucipto

25. Mr Edgar Borromeo

26. Yong-Ran Lee

27. Mr Jerry Abrate

28. Mr Teh Swee Guan

29. Mr William Lor

30. Datin Goh Suat Guat

31. Mr Anthony Keung

32. Mr Alex Lim

33. Mr Benny Chan

34. Ms Grace Chan

35. Mr John Lim

36. Mr Lee Boon Teong

37. Mr Tam Kong Choy

38. Mr James Ooi

39. Ms Josephine Seow

40. Ms Alice Hor

41. Ms Kelly Goh

42. Mr Michael Yeap

43. Mr Raymond Tee

44. Ms Irine Au

45. Ms Louis Low

46. Mr Chan Gim Choo

47. Mr John Lee

48. Mr Ooi Hock Seng

49. Ms Annie Oo

50. Mr Billion Yong

51. Mr Bong Yoon Chun

52. Mr Thomas Tan

Scrutineer : Mr Nixon Ong & team

LIST OF CHAMPIONS

Latin Professional Open : #6 Zhao Liang & Guo Xue (China)

Std. Professional Open : #30 Aleksander Zhiratkov & Irina Novozhil Ovapopovic (Russia)

Latin Asia Amateur : #266 Wu Hao & Qin Yi (China)

Std. Asia Amateur : #163 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Malaysia)

Latin Pro. Asia Rising Star : #352 Liu Xiao & Wei Wei (China)

Std. Pro. Asia Rising Star : #316 Zhang Hao & Song Xiao Rong (China)

Latin Pro-Am C : #141 Loke Sze Hao & Yoko Takahashi (Malaysia)

Latin Pro-Am B : #141 Loke Sze Hao & Yoko Takahashi (Malaysia)

Std. Pro-Am C : #18 Chan Hung Ming & Liang Xia Xiang

Std. Pro-Am B : #336 Stanizlav Zelyanin & Lilian Wong (Singapore)

Latin Open Amateur : #4 Ma Jia Jun & Xu Qian (China)

**********************************************************************************

Congratulations to all our Champions ! I'm afraid that's all the results I have from this championship. If you need more information, feel free to contact the organizers - Malaysian Dancers Association at mdamy@streamyx.com

1st BDFI Taiping Open Dance Championship 2010 - 19th Sept. 2010 (Sunday)

2011-01-03T22:17:00.002+08:00

It was the first time joint organizers - Mr Lim Poh Hu & Ms Shirley Hun, put together a championship. They are working partners and have managed many successful social events in and around Taiping. However, this year, with the guidance or Mr John Lim, they decided to take that brave step forward and do something bigger. There were the expected pitfalls and hiccups but I take my hat of to Shirley, who managed to keep things together and moving forward no matter what. As it was their first time, the pair did not want to hold different competitions at different times for the various genres of dance that they teach at their studios, hence the reason the championship is labeled 'dance' to cover the different dance forms that competed.

Panel of Adjudicators

1. Mr Teh Swee Guan - Chief Adjudicator (Penang)
2. Mr Steven Han (Singapore)
3. Ms Reena Leong (Ng. Sembilan)
4. Ms Wanthanee Meksawad (Thailand)
5. Mr Belman Salihovic (Australia)
6. Mr Michael Yeap (Perak)
7. Mr Louis Low (Perak)
8. Ms Teresa Liu (Kuala Lumpur)
9. Mr James Ooi (Penang)
10. Mr Koh Kin Ho (Penang)
11. Mr Billeon Yong (Penang)
12. Mr Tam Kong Choy (Penang)
13. Ms Irene Au (Perak)
14. Ms Alice Hor (Perak)
15. Ms Kelly Goh (Penang)
16. Ms Emily Mah (Selangor)
17. Ms Nancy Bahkshy (Kuala Lumpur)
18. Ms Sahra Karami (Kuala Lumpur)
19. Ms Annie Ong (Penang)
20. Ms Jocelyn Peh (Penang)

Scrutineers : Mr Nixon Ong & team

THE CHAMPIONS

Beginners Cha Cha - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Beginners Jive - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Beginners Rumba - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Beginners Samba - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Beginners Paso Doble - #23 Elvin Chan & Kok Xiang Yao

Beginners Waltz - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Beginners Quickstep - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Beginners Tango - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Beginners Foxtrot - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Beginners Viennese Waltz - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Latin Jr. Under 16 Open - #6 Harry Oon & Dionne Leong

Latin Jv. Under 12 Open - #24 Foong How Ming & Ice Kwan

Latin Grand Sr. Over 60 - #70 Ooi Teik Long & Khor Siew Ling AND
#136 Ong Seng Guan & Kam Peek Han

Latin Solo Under 16 Open - #66 Jacky Yap

Latin Jv. Under 8 Open - #25 Kenneth Kwan & Beatrice Loo

Taiping Closed Latin Jv. Under 12 - #85 Jennifer Teh & Sandy Ooi

Taiping Closed Latin - #80 Ooi Ching Yi & Beh Ying Ying

Kids Belly Dance - #116 Grace Heng

Standard Grand Sr. Over 60 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh

Standard Jr. Under 16 OPen - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Standard Sr. Over 40 Beginners - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee

Standard Novice - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low

Standard Sr. Over 55 Beginners - #126 Samson Chuah & Khoo Sow Kheng

Standard Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Standard SEA Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Standard Sr. Over 40 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh

Hip Hop Team Open - #43 Floor Digital (Perak)

Standard Rising Star - #2 Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan

Standard Sr. Over 55 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh

Standard Pre Amateur - #4 Samuel Sum & Valerie Lim

Belly Dance Beginners Open - #171 Camilyn Bong Suk Na

Belly Dance Intermediate Open - #115 Carolyn Cheah

Belly Dance Intermediate Crystal - #99 Sanny Yong

Latin Novice - #127 Lim Tee Hong & Madeline Teh Ye Sen

Latin Sr. Over 55 - #13 Ian Tan & Christine Eng

Latin Rising Star Under 21 - #2 Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan

Latin Ladies Open - #80 Ooi Ching Yi & Beh Ying Ying

Latin Sr. Over 40 - #13 Ian Tan & Christine Eng

Latin SEA Amateur Open - #18 Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyarhida Teerasartsilip

Latin Pre Amateur - #127 Lim Tee Hong & Madeline Teh Ye Sen

Latin Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

*********************************************************************************
Congratulations to all the winners. You all worked really hard and deserved your titles. Check out the event box on the right for the date of the next BDFI Taiping Event.

World Dance Academy Anniversary - 1st January 2011

2011-01-02T21:30:00.000+08:00

Just attended the 10th World Dance Academy Anniversary Dinner & Dance held at the Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur. It was also a fundraiser for the Renal Dialysis Center. They also hosted 25 children from the Cempaka Charity Home. It was a nice comfortable sized crowd with some members from John Lim's Lions Club chapter as well as many family & friends of the many students of the Academy. The students all put on great performance in both the Ballroom & Latin genres in couples and in groups. There was a good showing by the adult students who presented a Paso Doble routine and there were 5 guest couples who performed too who came from Ipoh & KL. Several lucky draws were presented and the results of last years NATD & ISTD examinations were announced. Great job everyone.

1st January 2011

2011-01-02T21:28:00.001+08:00

Happy happy New Year everyone. Let's all aim to have a safe, healthy, prosperous year ahead!

1st Bellare International Championship 2010

2010-10-28T00:25:00.000+08:00

The 1st Bellare was organized by the lovely Melvyn & Nancy Low under their studioMelvyn Low Dance Studio and was held at the Orchard Hotel, Singapore. It wasendorsed by SBDTA and supported by WDC. It has been a long time coming and I couldn't have been happier for this lovely pair to finally see their dream of hosting their own championship come through. Being the warm couple that they always have been many of the friends they have made over the their years of dancing all came together to help them bring this event to a successful conclusion. They did have their challenges, but they overcame them with the grace that has carried them through all their challenges to date. I am so pleased for them. During the formalities of the evening section of the competition, Melvyn gave a touching tribute to his beautiful wife, Nancy, for being his partner in life and for being the grounding force being the championship. This was followed by a public kiss, which is really something coming from a Chinaman, ha ha ha. Nancy very prettily blushed by his side.

Anyway, enough of my opinions (I have many). If I don't stop now I never will :D

The competition was run on a tight schedule under the firm but calming hand of Chief Adjudicator - Mr Jerry Abrate from Italy. It is the first time I have worked with Mr Abrate and I was pleasantly surprised at the control he maintained over the event. It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to have worked with him. Our Chief Scrutineer was Ms Agnes Ang from Singapore, who again showed her professionalism and amazed me with her efficiency and dedication to her work. She never left me wanting any information, always making sure I had all the details I needed to keep the day running smoothly. I wish I had her with me in every single event. The Music Master of the event was Mr Kason Kee - the only sound system magician I know that has such a good command of this genre of music. As usual he too provided me with amazing professionalism and never let a moment of silence spoil the day and handled the general dancing sections of the evening with his reputed flair. The competitor marshalls, who I never did get to meet personally :( , did an incredible job keeping the competitors together and arranged in their events which again just added to the smooth running of the event. I know there were many of you and I must say your system works like a charm. Here are the details :

Panel of Adjudicators :

Mr Jerry Abrate (Chief Adjudicator) - Italy
Ms Caterina Arzenton - Italy
Mr Espen Salberg - Norway
Mr Roman Stepanov - Russia
Ms Polina Teplenko - Russia
Ms Ekaterina Barulina - Russia
Mr Dirk Bastert - Germany
Mr Akihiro Yokomichi - Japan
Mr Geoffrey Chun - Korea
Mr David Lee - Taiwan
Mr Jacky Zhao Qi - China
Mr Lawrence Chan - Hong Kong
Ms Lana Lo - Hong Kong
Mr Soenarko Josodiarjdjo - Indonesia
Mr Johnny Sucipto - Indonesia
Mr Amon Chatphaisal - Thailand
Mr Uapan Snidvongs - Thailand
Mr John Lim - Malaysia
Mr William Lor - Malaysia
Mr Sunny Low - Singapore
Ms Aleena Tan - Singapore
Mr Louis Ng - Singapore
Mr Sam Fong - Singapore
Mr Allan Tan - Singapore
Mr Henry Tan - Singapore
Mr Tan Why Pong - Singapore
Ms Josephine Tan - Singapore
Mr Steven Han - Singapore
Mr Sammy Soo - Singapore

Champions for Standard :

Beginners W - #130 John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners T - #130 John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners Q - #130 John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners F - #130 John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners VW - #130 John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Senior Beginners - #34 Alfred & Helen Wee (Singapore)

Novice - #11 Jovyn Low & Sonia Yeo (Singapore)

Pre Amateur - #23 Terrence Low & Shanelle Gooi (Singapore)

Senior Over 55 - #166 Andrew & Rita Yow (Indonesia)

Senior Over 45 - #177 Tay Chan Kok & Karen Tay (Singapore)

Pro-Am W - #165 Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am T - #165 Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am F - #165 Stefancskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am Q - #165 Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am VW - #165 Stefanskiy Yuri & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am 3 Dance - #165 Stefanskiy Yuri & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Teacher-Student F - #167 Roberto Masanque & Cecilia Chow (Singapore)

Teacher-Student W - #108 Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student VW - #108 Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student Q - #97 Xie Zheng Wang & Catherine Yung (Hong Kong)

Teacher-Student T - #108 Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student 2 Dance - #108 Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Amateur Rising Star - #178 Max Antipin & Bibianah Choo (Singapore)

Pro-Am 4 Dances - #191 Fabrizio Cravero & Doreen Lim (Singapore)

Amateur Open - #84 Gaetano Iavarone & Emanuela Napolitano (Italy)

Professional Open - #164 Warren & Kristi Boyce (United Kingdom)

Champions for Latin :

Beginners CC - #151 Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners R - #151 Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners S - #151 Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners J - #151 Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Senior Over 55 - #102 Steven & Triena Ong (Singapore)

Senior Over 45 - #47 Pine Ong & Apple Ang (Singapore)

Novice - #153 Kelvin Ong & Nicol Lor (Malaysia)

Pre-Amateur - #118 Kavin R & Lena Chien (Singapore)

Teacher-Student CC - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student R - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student J - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student PD - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student S - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student 2 Dance - #195 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Pro-Am CC - #62 Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Pro-Am S - #117 Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Pro-Am R - #62 Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Pro-Am PD - #106 Dmitry Syzrantsev & Anna Gorskaya (Russia)

Pro-Am J - #117 Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Pro-Am 3 Dance - #62 Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Junior Under 16 - #56 Puttipong Kongsakul & Wisaporn Thirasawaddee (Thailand)

Juvenile Under 12 - #69 Lucas Neo & Shannen Tan (Singapore)

Amateur Rising Star - #56 Puttipong Kongsakul & Wisaporn Thirasawaddee (Thailand)

Pro-Am 4 Dance - #117 Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Amateur Open - #84 Gaetano Iavarone & Emanuela Napolitano (Italy)

Professional Open - #53 Denys Demovskyy & Worapa Jariyathammarat (Thailand)

Special thanks must go out to all the students of SMU Bellare who assisted in the event in every aspect. Without all your invaluable help, life would have been far more difficult for all of us in the front line.

2nd Malaysian Open Dance Festival (MODF) 2010 - 28th August 2010

2010-10-28T00:23:00.000+08:00

What a great event !!!!!!!!!!!! The 1st MODF was held at the humble TTDI Community Hall, this year they've already managed to upgrade themselves to the main hall in the OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia) building and NEXT YEAR the 3rd MODF 2011 will be upgrading even higher to the ballroom at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel on the 27th August 2010. This event is climbing the ladder at supper speed and they well deserve to. Kudos to organizers Teresa Liu, Emily Mah & Lane Lee.

We had a great panel of adjudicators this year lead by chief adjudicator Mr Stuart Saunders, IDO Director Asia Pacific. Mr Saunders proved to be a firm, no fuss, no frills, down to earth fun chap who ran the event like a chief adjudicator should. He walked our lovely organizers - Teresa Liu, Emily Mah & Lane Lee - thru the corridors of rules & regulations stipulated by the IDO (who was the sanctioning body) with a gentle guiding hand, offering advise when needed and when asked to but never being intrusive. He offered constructive advise and made sure all the judges knew what they were doing with clear instructions and on hand support. We need more Chief Adjudicator like this, yes. The panel of adjudicators consisted of - Bryan Ang, Eileen Hoe (Singapore), Nancy Loo, Morina Mohamad, Ann Tan, Lily Chin, Wendy Loh, Kenny Teh (Perak), Leong Mei Ling, Jocelyn Peh (Penang), Ganesh K (Kelantan), Jessie Foo, Mac Chong, Annie Ong (Kedah), Alvin Lee (Johor), Zahra Karami (Iran), Hassan Ghasemalipor (Iran) & Farideh Ashrafghanjouie (Iran).

The organizing committee which consisted of - John Lim (President, IDO Malaysia), Emily Mah (Organizing Chairperson), Lane Lee (Secretary), Teresa Liu (Treasurer), Wong Soo Mooi (Asst. Sec.), Nancy Balkshy (Function Supervisor), Nixon Ong (Chief Scrutineer), Jimmy Heng (Chief Marshall), H L Chow (Marshall), Lilian Szetho, Kay Leong, Susan Tee, Janet Yap, Daphne Chu, Josephine Ong & Alivia Kok were all on hand to do their part in the event.

I was delighted to see everyone playing their parts to the best of their abilities with everyone assigned to task and seeing them thru with minimal supervision required. Every corner of the event had been planned and taken care of which only left one wildcard which is present in every competition - the competitors. I was suitably impressed with the runners too who tended to their task and made things appear at a mere suggestion from me e.g. "judges are allowed to sit during the judging of the team events" and taa daaaaaaa - 5 chairs appear as if by magic. Well done everyone and THANK YOU, its not everyday that i get to work with such a team.

As the name of the event signifies, this competition is an OPEN Dance Fest and we had several different disciplines of dance on display competing in their own categories, namely - Belly Dancing, Line Dancing, Hip Hop, Street Jazz & Persian Aero Dance. It had fewer categories then it did last year (the poco poco & jazz events were missing) and the dominant discipline was Belly Dancing followed by Line Dance, Hip Hop, Street Jazz & finally a brand new event called Persian Aero Dance. I am hoping that some traditional categories will be considered next year, together with some of the current favourites i.e. salsa, bachatta, swing etc. The actual dancing was full of stunning moves, heart pumping rhythms, breath taking stunts and for the first time - live music for the Belly Dance Indv. Advance category. The music for this category was only introduced to the participants an hour before their first round and then they had to prepare their choreography on the spot. Phew........talk about exciting! Anyway, if you wished you had been there to see all of this - you should have been! Make a date to be there next year :) Meanwhile, here are the champions of the various events.

PERSIAN AERO DANCE OPEN - #68 Mohammadreza Mohammadi (Iran)

STREET JAZZ SOLO OPEN - #25 Joan Thor (Malaysia)

STREET JAZZ SOLO UNDER 15 - #228 Chua Yen Ling (Malaysia)

STREET JAZZ TEAM OPEN - #277 Zen Production (Malaysia)

HIP HOP SOLO UNDER 10 - #110 Shoko Kokaji (Japan)

HIP HOP TEAM JUNIOR - #39 The Krazee Krew (Malaysia)

HIP HOP UNDER 15 - #42 Maggie Foo Mei Qi (Malaysia)

HIP HOP SOLO OPEN - #17 Vron Yeoh (Malaysia)

HIP HOP TEAM OPEN - #271

LINE DANCE INDV. RUGRATS - #256 Glenda Peng Xinyi (Singapore)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER CRYSTAL - #191 Ng Siew Theng (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER DIAMOND - #51 Molly Yeoh (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE OPEN - #132 Ee Kok Siong (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER OPEN - #125 Samantha Leow Li May (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE CRYSTAL - #1 Albert Lim Fung Wai

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE DIAMOND - #163 Kathy Tan (Malaysia) & #261 Edna Tan (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. PRIMARY - #144 Ng Ying Ying (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE OPEN - #2 Mary Leou Phooi Kuan (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE TEAM JUNIOR - #138 The Chipmunks (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE TEAM OPEN - #118 G Force (Malaysia) - Defending Champions

LINE DANCE INDV. ADVANCE OPEN - #137 Lim Sae Min (Malaysia) - Defending Champion

BELLY DANCE INDV. JUNIOR UNDER 12 - #245 Michelle Teo Jia Wen (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE TROUPE OPEN - #206 Luna Waves (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE DIAMOND - #103 Chin Siew Kim (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE DIAMOND - #73 May Sew (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE OPEN - #248 Siew Yee Li (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE CRYSTAL - #3 Ang Mee Mee (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE CRYSTAL - #250 Cara Tan (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE OPEN - #8 Alex Ma Rong Han (Malaysia) - YES! Its a man........woo hoo !!!!!!!!!!

BELLY DANCE INDV. ADVANCE - #71 Mandana Bakhshy (Iran)

Congratulations to all the winners and for everyone for being brave enough to take part. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again next year as you move on to your next level of competition and to see the defending open champions return to defend their titles. Remember, the 3rd MODF 2011 will be at Berjaya Times Square Hotel on the 27th August 2011. Look out for news on it.

Bronya Bishorek

2nd MODF 2010 Master of Ceremonies

ADC Amateur League Open Dance Championship 2010 - 9th May 2010

2010-10-28T00:21:00.000+08:00

Finally ! The amateur's have a league of their own. This type of event had been spoken of for a very long time, with many people in the industry voicing their wish that this would happen. Then suddenly, we have not one but TWO such events happening in the same year here in KL. The one scheduled for June was actually mooted first but then 3 of the industries younger leaders decided to pool their resources and organizational skills together and managed to put the ADC Amateur League together first. The organizers of this event are - Ms Josephine Seow (Taipan D'Danceworld), Mr William Lor (W&L Danceworld) & Ms Carmen Chuang (A&C Dance Dynamic).

The common question on everyone's lips when we first heard of this championship was - "Who's organizing this?" Upon hearing the answer, the next question was - "Sure or not? You must be kidding?" Why such questions you ask? Let me tell you - two of them are highly successful organizers of championships and events in their own rights, having put together many competitions of their own in the past. The other, is a newcomer to the arena of competitions but who has many great plans for the industry and its dancers. Could these 3 strongly opinionated, strong willed, independent people work together?? When i questioned each one of these friends of mine, i got similar answers - "Why not?", "If we dont try, we wont know, right?" and "What have we got to loose?". Brave words from people from such different backgrounds, methods and ideology.

Everyone was sceptical, including yours truely. I was mentally preparing myself to take sides should a disagreement break out on the days leading to the event, but my loyalties were totally divided. I had known William the longest and have always aknowledged him as my latin 'si fu', but I had watched Carmen grow from a new dancer to an accomplished owner of a studio and then i had also forged an easy open relationship with Josephine in the short number of years I had known her. Who's side would I take if a clash of these strong wills should happen???

I should have known better and trusted these young leaders. They all worked together professionally, right to the end, despite people (including spouses) telling them it wouldn't work. Why? Because they all shared in ONE belief - that a change for the better COULD be achieved and transparency in competition could be attained. BRAVO !

The competition started with all of us arriving before 7am at the Shah Alam National Sport Stadium (formerly known as the Panasonic Sports Center). It certainly was not the first time we have held a championship in a stadium but it certainly was the first time we had done it in an un-air cond stadium. With the number of bodies warming up on the floor it was no surprise that the working committee was sweating as freely as the dancers on the floor. Unfortunately, there was also a swimming event going on right next to the indoor arena with a really loud sound system which prevented us from opening the doors on two sides of the stadium. Ventilation was not the best feature of the arena BUT at least we had a decent floor which didn't give us much problems. Luckily, the competitors had air cond changing rooms so as soon as I requested the floor to be cleared for the start of the event, they all went off to their rooms to cool off and change.

The competiton, as do most, had a shaky start as the marshalls did their best to gather the beginners into their groups. And the beginners, as do most, didn't seem to understand that competitions run to a schedule for a reason and that you had to show up on time as indicated in the programme and as announced by the emcee (many, many times). However, once everyone got their footing, the day started to really move along with only the occasional hiccup here and there. Steven headed the marshalls with Stanley as his right hand man. Both did a great job, given the circumstances. Thanks guys.

This championship had many of the industries 'first' which were all targetted towards transparency and fairness to the competitors. The first was that for the first time, ever, the beginner events not only had the regulation number of adjudicators but also had 4 independent invigilators who were stationed around the floor purely to monitor the beginners syllabus. This was to ensure that the adjudicators could be left to just judge the dancing without having to worry about if couples were adhering to the syllabus and to make it completely fair to the beginners who should only be competing against other beginners.

The second 'first' was that both competitors in the Ladies Adult and Ladies Under 12 events were made to wear 'ladies costumes'. This was a little strange and something that I did not agree with. Internationally, competitors in ladies events (or same sex events) are required to dress according to the same rules of mixed gender events i.e. one dresses as a lady and the other dresses as a man. I feel this also helps define which of the competitors is the lead dancer and therefore is also clearer to the judges. Having them both dress in ladies costumes made the event look more like a 'duo' event such as those held in Line Dancing competitions and therefore confused the spectators as well as some of the judges. I for one, am sincerely hoping that this will not be repeated in the next event.

The third 'first', and the most welcomed I feel, was the Visual Marking which was used in not only the Amateur level but also for the first time, ever, in the Pre Amateur level too. This is where judges have to individually display their chosen results for each couple after EVERY dance. It is a time consuming process but an important one in allowing EVERYONE to see that the results are not tampered with in the journey from the judges hands to the runners hands, to the scrutineers hands and finally to the emcee's hands. Many couples expressed their delighted surprise in this method of marking which made them feel more in control of their performance and not feel that some couples were being favoured over others. However, in one case there was a judge (who shall remain nameless) that appeared to favour one couple of the floor more then the others by giving them 1's when other judges gave them no more then 5's & 6's. But then, that's the purpose of visual marking - for all to see that it really is the judges decision.

Here are the details :-

Event organizers : Josephine Seow, William Lor, Carmen Chuang

Adjudicators : Mihoko Hattori (Japan), Lawrence Chan (Hong Kong), Wantanee Kenchana (Thailand), Seonarko Josodihardjo (Indonesia), Dharshan Wijaya (Sri Lanka), Melvin Low (Singapore), T'eh Swee Guan, Frances Teoh, Benny Chan, Billeon Yong, Janice Chew, John Lim, Khor Kin Ho, Lee Boon Tiong, Ooi Hock Sang, Raymond Tee, Tam Kok Choy, Thomas Tan, Yap Yen Chin & Y S Lee.

Independent Invigilators : Wantanee Kenchana (Thailand), Melvin Low (Singapore), Lee Yoke Seong & Eric Tan.

Independent Observer : Ngooi Chui Ing

RESULTS :-

Beginners Waltz - #8 Adrian Tan Ser Thong & Gan Kar Mern (Malaysia)

Beginners Tango - #92 Lee ban Keong & Lily Koh (Malaysia)

Beginners Quickstep - #109 Norman Tiong & Ang Li Lean (Malaysia)

Beginners Foxtrot - #109 Norman Tiong & Ang Li Lean (Malaysia)

Beginners Cha Cha - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Rumba - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Samba - #27 Bryan Foo & Sylvia Teng (Malaysia)

Beginners Paso Doble - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Jive - #27 Bryan Foo & Sylvia Teng (Malaysia)

Ladies Adult - #55 Esther Ho & Rachel Chew (Malaysia)

Ladies Under 12 - #128 Tammie Lim & Zoe Lim (Malaysia)

Novice Modern - #86 Kenny Li & Connie Fung (Hong Kong)

Novice Latin - #83 Kelvin Ong Chun Hoong & Nicol Lor (Malaysia)

Senior Over 40 Modern - #19 Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Senior Over 40 Latin - #33 Cheah Kwen Choy & Si Geok Tin (Malaysia)

Juvenile Under 12 Latin - #20 Andy Law & Felicia Mok (Malaysia)

Junior Under 16 Modern - #59 Godfrey Ch'ng & Petrina Ch'ng (Malaysia)

Junior Under 16 Latin - #157 Siew Wai Lok & Joey Wong (Malaysia)

Senior Over 50 Modern - #19 Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Pre-Amateur Modern - #86 Kenny Li & Connie Fung (Hong Kong)

Pre-Amateur Latin - #108 Nicholas Tan & Sylvia Lee (Malaysia)

Amateur Open Modern - #77 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Malaysia)

Amateur Open Latin - #25 Billy Yong Chun Haou & Carmen Choo Kar Mun (Malaysia)

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all the competitors. Everyone did their best but if you felt your best wasn't good enough then you know you can always do better the next time.

Check out the photo's posted here, taken by Ms Hoo Sze Yen, Editor - The Dance Directory and check out the website while you're at it www.thedancedirectory.com.myfor postings of past and future events in the region. The event was also covered by Just Dance!, Malaysia first dance magazine, so look out for mention of this event in the coming issue.

2010 VIETNAM ABLE CUP OPEN DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP, QUI NHON, VIETNAM (28-30th April 2010)

2010-10-28T00:10:00.000+08:00

After staying overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, the Japanese contingent and I caught the only flight into Qui Nhon which departs at 7:10am *yawn*. The airport in Qui Nhon is very reminicent to the airport in Ipoh back in the 1960's (see photos). We then had a 45 min bus ride to the official hotel which is situated right across from the public beach. After managing to catch a nap to recover from our very early start, the working committe had a briefing to discuss the next 3 days.

Day 1 (28th) would be a 'teaser' for the public to help educate them on Dancesport and also to welcome our foreign competitors and adjudicators (see videos) It included several traditional performances by our hosts which were rather interesting. Day 2 (29th) was an evening of workshops (Alex Lim - Standard and Mr & Mrs Ota - Latin) and Dancesport demonstrations by 20 couples from both the local and international contingents. Very entertaining and educational for everyone. We had a lovely dinner after that at a beautiful private restaurant. Day 3 (30th) was the actual day of the competition. After a rough start where the international working team discovered how unprepared the local working committee was, we put in emergency plans and got everything moving and educated our local team on the methods and protocols of an international championship with 'on the job' training. It ended well and not too far off from our scheduled time. We wrapped up with a farewell dinner at the official hotel with all the competitors and adjudicators. Here are the details of the competition.

Panel of Adjudicators :

Dato Dr Henry Ooi - Chief Adjudicator (Malaysia)
Mihoko Hattori (Japan)
Wanthanee Kanchana (Thailand)
Alex Lim (Malaysia)
Hironori Ota (Japan)
Kenji Po (Hong Kong)
Takuhide Takeda (Japan)
Juliana Foo (Hong Kong)
Mikiya Higuchi (Japan).

Results - Standard Events :

Grade D (Beginners W,T) - Zhang Lei & Penn Chan (Hong Kong)
Grade C (Juvenile W,T,Q) - Nguyen Tuan Dat & Phan Nguyen Quynh Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Senor 35 W,T,Q) - Yang Li & Cheung Ah Mui (Hong Kong)
Grade C (Junior W,T,Q) - Nguyen Tuan Dat & Phan Nguyen Quynh Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade B (Open W,T,F,Q) - Jeerasak Watanarom & Chonlada Thaneeroj (Thailand)
Grade A (Open W,T,V,F,Q) - Yuta & Kumiko Nakagawa (Japan)

Results - Latin Events :

Grade D (Beginners C,R) - Pham Bao Long & Nguyen Hoai Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Juvenile C,R,J) - Vu Hoang Anh Minh & Le Hoang Ha Ly (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Senior 35 C,R,J) - Vi Manh Cuong & Vu Minh Hang (Hai Phong)
Grade C (Junior C,R,J) - Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyathida Teerasartsilp (Thailand)
Grade B (Open C,S,R,J) - Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyathida Teerasartsilp (Thailand)
Grade A (Open C,S,R,P,J) - Hirotsugu Sanada & Aiko Nakano (Japan)

The couples from Vietnam showed great promise to break into the international Dancesport scene and I look forward to seeing them out and about very soon.

7th Crystal Dancesport Championships 2009 - 30th August 2009

2009-09-04T18:34:00.002+08:00

The 7th edition of this championship received an overwhelming response with a total of 306 couples signing up to compete in this now well known event. Championship organizer, Mr John Lim, was of course delighted as well as mildly worried as to how to fit in so many events and competitiors into one day.

But manage it we did. While John concentrated on the panel of adjudicators, he engaged me to dealt with the arrangement of the programme, Johnston Lim dealt with the music and Joanne Leong (bless her) dealt with everything and anything in between. In keeping with John's norm, the event was held at the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Hotel Grand Ballroom which continued to give us their usual high standard of service.

Registration of the competitors started at 7 am with Joanne Leong keeping a close eye on things while the competitor marshalls - Jimmy, Chow & Kodie - got things rolling outside gathering couples into their events. Inside the hall, myself and Ghandi (the music master) got the finer details all sorted out together with Nixon Ong, the scrutineer.

There were over 30 judges divided into 6 panels for the days events. The judges were : Don McRobert (Chief Adjudicator), Marcel De Rijk, Akihiro Yokomichi, Aleena Tan, Steven Han, Teng Hui, Steven Tan, Michael Wang, Lawrence Chan, Kenji Po, Ronnie Liu, Soenarko Josodiharjo, Yulia Phanjaya, Wanthanee Kenchana, Uapan Snidvongs, Kamon Tepcheepornsilp, Dharshan Wijesooriya, Juliana Foo, Nancy Low, Alvyn Low, Alice Teo, Louis Ng, Tan Why Pong, Teh Swee Guan, William Lor, Benny Chan, Anthony Keong, Hani Tiahjono, Heru Sutanto, M. Ichwan, Felix Lau, Tay Eng Khiam, James Ooi, Chew Cheng Lai, Tam Kong Chow, Belman Salihovic, Kelly Goh, Billeon Yong, John Lee, Amy Lee, Jessie Foo, Raymond Tee, Siow Boon Wah, Lee Boon Teong, Alvin Lee, Teresa Liu, Lee Yip Seng, Josephine Seow, Andy Wong, Somphon, Michael Yeap, Alice Hor, Louis Low, May Chean, Ooi Hock Seng, Eileen Hoe, Tan Hung Soo.

After a judges briefing, the competition started at 8:30am. Almost immediately however, we encountered some trouble as the judges were still trying to come to grips with which panel each of them belonged to. Perhaps due to the unusually early start of the competition, the judges were not quite up to scratch with the paperwork for the first hour of the competition which caused the scrutineer some headaches and delays.

However, as they day progressed things got decidedly better and we really started to swing along. The competitor marshalls did a really fantastic job and had the heats moving along and kept the pace going. At one point we were almost 2 hours behind time but with the steady progress of the marshalls and the judges settling in we managed to get back on track a little more then half way through the day.

During the day, in order to keep the competitive events running, the prize giving ceremony for the finals of the earlier events was conducted in the foyer of the grand ballroom and the cheers of the supporters could be heard in the ballroom. I do not have the results all the almost 50 events that was held but I shall post what I do have.

STANDARD EVENTS :

WDA 5 Dance Closed - #10 Jimmy Yap & Sylvia Yeoh (Malaysia)

Amateur Open - #158 Wang Chun Yen & Chiang Hsin (Taiwan)

Professional Open - #296 Alexander & Irina (Hong Kong)

LATIN EVENTS :

Malaysia Amateur Closed, OCM Selection - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Malaysia)

SEA Amateur Closed - #158 Wang Chun Yen & Chiang Hsin (Taiwan)

Amateur Open - #171 Dorin Frecautnu & Rosalina Doneva (Moldova)

Professional Open - #163 Liu Xiau Ang & Qu Yuan Fei (China)

All the champions performed fantastically with consistent routines. As expected each one was a delight to watch dancing with precision, energy and speed. The body language was as clear as if it was written on a page and several times, the audience lapsed into total silence as they were mesmerized by the stories being told by the couples.

Based on the incredible number of entries this year, the organizer has already voiced the posibility that next year the event may run as a Festival which will include the various championships over the course of 3 days. It was exciting news and we hope this will materialize.

Congratulations to all the winners and much thanks to the working team for a job well done.

Malaysian Open Dance Fest 2009 - 29th August 09

2009-09-04T00:53:00.008+08:00

Line Dance Team

Modern Jazz Team

Crystal & Diamond Line Dance Team Champions

Poco Poco Team

Line Dance Individual, Diamond

Despite having a power failure during the first quarter of the function, the competition turned out to be quite a success. We had some great dancers on the floor in the diciplines of Poco Poco, Line Dancing, Modern Jazz, Hip Hop and Belly Dancing. Each discipline was devided into categories for individual & teams, skill levels & ages.

The organizers - Teressa Liu, Emily Mah and Lane Lee, were first timers at this and there were the inevitable teething problems. However, by working together with a very supportive frame of helpers, almost all problems were overcome.

Once the electricity came back on and we discovered that the air conditioning units had failed to return, everyone just gritted their teeth and carried on with it. Here's some information/details you might like to know.

Panel of Adjudicators :Teresa Liu - Chief Adjudicator, Bryan Ang, Siew Yew Peng, Daniel Leong, Helen Fan, Nancy Loo, Alvin Lee, Jessie Foo, Jocelyn Peh, Ganesh K, Annie Ong, Morina Mohamad, Ann Tan, Lily Chin, Wendy Loh, Mac Chong, Karen Castillo.

Results of the competition :

Line Dance Indv. Junior - #48 Jovitta Law Min Hui

Line Dance Indv. Newcomer - #124 Menaka Hewawasam (Sri Lanka)

Line Dance Indv. Open - #20 Lim Sae Min

Line Dance Indv. Crystal - #22 Soong Weei Wah

Line Dance Indv. Diamond - #159 Pat Sung

Line Dance Team Junior - #49 Star Angels

Line Dance Team Open - #50 G Force

Line Dance Team Crystal - #106 Danz Ace

Line Dance Team Senior - #106 Danz Ace

Line Dance Showcase - #5 Jurairat Choomchor (Thailand)

Poco Poco Team Open - #44 Cendana Mas

Modern Jazz Indv. Open - #95 Simone Phong

Modern Jazz Team Open - #74 Royal 307

Belly Dance Indv. Newcomer - #2 Stella Lee

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate - #34 Teoh Khai Shin

Belly Dance Troupe Open - #31 Dance 99

Hip Hop Indv. Kids (Under 8) - #37 Darren Ong

Hip Hop Indv. Junior (Under 16) - #58 Maggie Foo

Hip Hop Indv. Beginners (Adults) - #124 Menaka Hewawasam (Sri Lanka)

Hip Hop Indv. Open - #56 Chriz Chiam

Hip Hop Team Junior - #162 2 5 Step Viva Champ

Hip Hop Team Open - #73 Flight 307

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to everyone who took part. It takes a lot of courage to enter a competition and everyone who does, is a winner in their own book. If you didn't achieve your goal this time, just aim for the next. Now with this event being sanctioned by the IDO (International Dance Organization), next years event promises to be bigger and better so start getting ready now. I forsee the date for next year's event will very likely be 28th August 2010. See you all then.

A Thousand Apologies!

2009-09-04T00:15:00.002+08:00

I am so sorry I haven't been able to keep you all up to date with the exciting happenings on the competition scene lately.

Trying to balance work & children while training & coaching is not for the faint hearted.

Anyway, take note of the changes and updates in the Events list, Class list and Dance list.

Will update you on all the others as and when i can manage.

NATD Medallist Competition 2009 - 5th July 2009

2009-07-14T02:09:00.002+08:00

The NATD medallist competition has returned to our shores!

It's been quite a while since this competition has been held here and it was good to have it brought back by organizer Henry Chan after a long absence. Though it was a small event held at the Kiwanis Hall in Petaling Jaya, it certainly brought with it a lot of competitive spirit and good cheer.

The critieria of entry to the competition was that all participants had to be members of the NATD association and had taken part in its medal exams. The competition intself was broken down to the various levels medal levels i.e. Bronze, Silver, Gold, which had to be danced according to syallabus only and the Gold Cross level which was open to couples that had taken part in open competitions and were allowed their own choreography.

The panel of adjudicators were of course members of the NATD teachers board and was headed by senior examinar Mr Niel Dewar from UK. The judges were - Mr Henry Chan, Mr Benny Chan, Ms Josephine Seow, Mr Thomas Tan, Mr John Lim, Ms Frances Teoh, Ms Alice Loh, Ms Tramaine Tan, Ms Joanne Leong and Ms Julyann Khoo.

The events covered Latin, Standard Freestyle and single dances (Viennese Waltz, Paso Doble & Rock 'n' Roll).

Here are the list of Champions :

Ballroom Medallist Level :

1. Adult Bronze 1 - Kenneth Tan & Venessa Low
2. Adult Bronze 3 - Dexter Lau & Petrina Chng
3. Adult Silver - Dexter Lau & Petrina Chng
4. Adult Over 35 - Ronniw Yeow & Andrea Au

Ballroom Competitor level :

1. Junior Bronze & Silver - Christopher & Catrina Low
2. Gold & Above - Adrian Khor & Hee Poh Yee
3. Adult Bronze 1 - Ho Wai Jiat & Aw Sim Li
4. Adult Bronze 2 - Stanley Lim & Maybelle Ngor
5. Adult Silver - Kenneth Tan & Crystal Loh
6. Adult Gold - Kenneth Tan & Coco Tan
7. Adult Gold Cross & Above - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan
8. Single Dance (Viennese Waltz) - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Freestyle :

1. Solo Bronze - Tie between Chew Biyi Jill & Chng May Qing
2. Solo Gold - Gan Kar Mern
3. Duo Juvenile - Khor Yen Min & Priyanka Kimberley
4. Duo Gold - Hedy Tong & Fennie Chin

Latin Medallist Level :

1. Adult Bronze 1 - Staeron low & Candy Chin
2. Junior Bronze & Silver - Gabriel Liew & Crystal Wong
3. Adult Silver - Adrian Tan & Chai Shing Yin
4. Junior Gold & Above - Jeremy Chor & Foo Wen Yen
5. Adult Bronze 3 - Ian Yap & Claire Yap
6. Rainbow - Catrina Low
7. Ladies Event Silver - Esther Foo & Ong Kai Sin
8. Juvenile - Lim Kian Thong & Ng Ho Yee
9. Adult Gold - Wilson Tan & Presley Won
10. Adult Gold Cross & Above - Chew Kai Peng & Yong Yen Tyng
11. Adult Over 35 - Steven Tan & Christine Wong

Latin Competitor Level :

1. Junior Bronze & Silver - Edmund Ngor & Evelyn Lim
2. Junior Gold & Above - Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan
3. Adult Bronze 1 - Bernard Lim & Raena Low
4. Adult Bronze 2 - Bernard Lim & Raena Low
5. Adult Bronze 3 - Bernard Lim & Raena Low
6. Adult Silver - Kenneth Tan & Venessa Low
7. Adult Gold - Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan
8. Adult Gold Cross & Above - Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan
9. Single Dance (Rock n Roll) - Adrian Tan & Chai Shing Yin
10. Single Dance (Paso Doble) - Kit Wei Luen & Ashley Ahn Si I

The star of the competition this year, in my opinion, was Bernard Lim. This talented young man took part in 10 different events with two different partners. His abilities shined brightest in the Latin events as you can see from the results above but what made him stand out from the rest was not only his amazing stamina but his ability to produce consistant quality in each of his events. His best partnership was with Natalie Tan, a very talented 11 year old, and together they will go very far if they are allowed to nuture their talents. This is a couple to keep your eyes on in future competitions.

25th April 2009 - Melacca Line Dance Workshop by Bronya

2009-05-22T02:56:00.007+08:00

Tammy presenting me with my beautiful flowers. Thank you girls!

This is the way to make a POINT!

Helen Fan, the organizer

Making sure that all important HIP action was achieved.

Really getting down to the business of 'feeling' a move.

Demonstrating how to use the 'power' of the hips & core to create a fluid motion.

Some found it all rather much to absorb in 3 hours but they sure did try their best.

Walking thru the routine while some were still trying to figure out which foot to start on :)

The attendees listening attentively to some pointers before the start of the workshop

Realizing the stage was just too high, i decided to 'assume the position' so that they didn't have to crane their necks to look at me.

I had been approched by Helen Fan last year to come down to Melacca to conduct a Line Dance workshop focusing on technique and styling. It took us both a good 6 months to finally come up with a date that worked for both of us but finally we managed it.

I drove down with my girls, Sze and I Vee, and we got there a good hour before the workshop in order to check in and run through our technical requirements. We were then lead to the venue by Helen and arrived on Malaysian time (a good 20 minutes behind schedule). Luckily everyone was ready to go and we launched into the workshop straight away.

After a brief introduction by Helen, I got up on stage and did my routine check on whether everyone was wearing the right footwear and clothes and ensuring everyone was medically sound before we started. Then i discovered the stage was way too high and i decided to join eveyone on the floor. We covered 3 dances with 3 different styles in the workshop. I used my own 'Let's Get Loud 08' for the Cuban and 'Kiss Goodbye' for the Smooth (step sheets availble on guruofdance.com & kickit.com) and borrowed Scott Blevins' 'Feed the Feetish' for the Funky.

Everyone tried their very best to execute all the moves with me and I was very impressed by their enthusiasm to get it right. Even during the breaks they approached me to clarify finer points of certain moves. Their desire to learn could be tasted. I was very encouraged and proceeded to give them everything I had to satisfy them.

However, it had to end after more then 3 hours of exhausting work, everyone wanted some time to head home and pretty up for the dinner and jamming session that was to follow during the night. That allowed my partner, Sze, and I to run thru our own routines which were were planning to demonstrate during the dinner.

For the demonstration, I planned it in 3 parts to reflect what we had covered in the workshop. We opened with our Funky sequense and the crowd was excitingly responsive. Sadly i had a costume malfunction near the end of that section (i lost my hat) but we still finished off well. The second part of the demonstration was the Smooth which I performed on my own. The crowd was very eager to react to my actions which was great as the smooth is very expressive and filled with emotion. We finished off the demonstration with a cuban section during which we also showed off our new jive and cha cha partner routines. I Vee managed to capture all this on video and handle our music at the same time. Good on you girl.

After falling into bed for a much needed rejuevinating sleep, i was up early the next day to conduct a couple of private lessons with these insatiable dancers. Its such a joy to teach people who really really want to learn for the pure passion of dancing. I finished off my visit to Melacca by being taken out for an authentic Baba lunch by some of my new friends - Kathy, Tammy, Susan and a few others.

Thank you EVERYONE and especially Helen Fan, for making my visit to Melacca such an enjoyable one. I can't wait to come back down again and share more with you.

22nd March 2009 - YS Dancesport Center Anniversary Dinner & Dance

2009-05-22T02:25:00.002+08:00

It was the 20th anniversary of the YS Dancesport Center and the event was held in the Banquet Hall of the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur. The hall was filled with dancers from all walks of life, from the very young to the young, to the trying to get there and the i'm getting there, to the i've been there and to the young of heart. Its amazing what 20 years can amase in one room. I, having been there are the conception of YS Dancesport Center, suddenly felt very 'senior' as I was forced to look back over my own years in this field. Lucky for me, the picture wasn't too bad at all.

The hosts for the night were of course Mr Y S Lee, the principle, and his petite wife Amy Lee accompanied by their children and family members. YS, notorious for his shyness of public speaking, left the opening speach to Amy who bravely opened in English before reverting to Chinese which allowed her to give a heatfelt speech to thank everyone who's supported them over the last 20 years. After that, some of the audience winked at me and suggested i get them to dance, something that has not been witnessed by any of us! YS and Amy are well know for their training and coaching skills (they are responsbile for several of our best Amateur couples) but are equally well known for their reluctance to dance publicly. After much encouragement, YS wagged his finger at me but proceeded to take his wife onto the floor and dance a basic rumba to the cheers of all in the hall. It didn't last long though and they quickly scurried off the floor to the safety of their VIP table.

Aside from the fantastic dinner which was planned by one of his long term students, Mrs Janet Lim, there was an award presentation to 3 students who had been with them from the start - Mrs Janet Lim, Mr Jimmy Heng and another who's name escapes me at the moment. Together they gathered around the anniversary cake with the many performing couples for a photo opportunity.

The highligh of the evening was of course the many dance performances presented by their students from as young as 4 all the way up to their more 'mature' students. Most were done in formation style so that they would all feel more confident. However, their top competitive students e.g. Michael & Janet (Malaysia's top Amateur couple) performed solo.

It was also an opportunity for the center to announce its next two events which will be the 1st Malacca Dancesport Championship on the 14th June 2009 and the 1st Taiping Dancesport Championship on the 20th September 2009.

The night wrapped up with lots of social dancing and much congratulating to YS and Amy. Here's to another 20!

Updates - April 2009

2009-04-21T01:12:00.002+08:00

Terribly sorry for the very long silence. Work just piled up while I was travelling during March. I still owe you all a post on the remaining 2 ADC Tour event as well as the 3rd Hong Kong Dancesport Festival event. I will get to that, never fear.

Meanwhile, I have updated the Events list and the Class list on the side bar. Several new class slots have become available with the merging of a few senior classes. So have a look as see if there's anything suitable for you and give me a buzz if you have questions. Also many new events have been added on to the events list. See if there's anything you'd like to attend and contact the organizers for more details on ticket pricing or entry forms.

I've also added on a couple of dances to my 'favourite line dance' list. I attended a jamming session on the 18th April held by the FunStomppers at the TTDI Community Hall where my good friend Mei Ling presented one of her latest dances which I took quite a shine to even though I did make a minor change to the step sheet, with her permission, of course. Once I learn how to link you to the step sheets you'll be able to download them straight from here, but for now you'll have to search for it yourself with the information i've provided in the side bar. I've also just completed a new waltz done to the beautiful song "If I Were a Painting by Kenny Rodgers" which I have named 'Painting'. I should have that up on my website soon for you to download. I'm also planning to twist Sze's arm to set up a You Tube channel for me so you can finally view some of my demo video's which i've been promising many of you for oh so long.

Well, that about all I can give you for now. I hope to get time soon to update you all. Take care, keep dancing and remember - age is just a number.

ROUND 1 !!!!!

2009-03-23T23:19:00.006+08:00

I'm exhausted! And that was just the start of the season, but boy was it an exciting time, watching the world's top couples slug it out on the dance floor - exhilirating!!!! I've never been one to get excited about the modern discipline of Dancesport but this year the levels were sky high and both the latin and modern professional open levels became battling grounds for both the competitors and the fans. I cant even begin to describe the energy in the venues during those events. I can only tell you how much I wished I was on that floor too, feeding off the vibes and enjoying myself.

Sadly I didn't get to photograph any of the top couples as I was always compeering during the higher levels but I do have some of the closed & open Amateur level couples which I can share with you.

In case you didn't read thru my earlier post, the ADC tour went thru the following countries : Tokyo, Japan; Gentings, Malaysia; Seoul, Korea and Macau, China.

2009 World Super Series

Asian Open Professional Dance Championship, Tokyo, Japan

The thing that struck me most about the Japan event was the incredible efficiency shown by every member of the working committee. There was someone specific to take care of every little detail and every single person performed their task to the very best of their ability. Before you could even finish thinking about something, someone would have carried it out for you. It was heavenly working with such ease. Every little detail had been thought out before hand and noted for the next team to improve on even more - amazing.

The other thing was the sheer number of couples that took part in only 6 events that were organized here. Each event had a minimum of 150 couples competing for a place in the finals. So that would mean approximately 900 couples in the whole championship!! It's no wonder we took the whole day (8:30am-10pm) to complete it. Even in the Professional level, dancers had to battle through 5 rounds to get into the finals. My extreme respect for the champions.

This is the stadium in Tokyo, Japan. They had transformed it into a very classy looking venue with this beautiful backdrop and the couples were introduced as they entered thru the parted curtains.

This was one of the preliminary rounds for the Amateur Open Latin. The judges in the picture are Marcus Hilton & Allan Fletcher from UK.

I cant figure out how to get this picture the right way but if you tilt your head you'll see some of the beautiful Amateur Open Modern couples.

This is the near full capacity crowd at the stadium. The support of the audience was amazing in Tokyo.

Around the arena, in the public excess corridors that circles the entire stadium, there were hundreds of stalls selling all sorts of dance wear and accessories. Here you can see some of the ready to wear Modern costumes complete with stones, feathers, frills and fluff. Starting prices for many were about 300,000 yen for the Modern and about half of that for the Latin.

Champions :

Professional Open Latin - Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis (Poland)

Professional Open Modern -

Amateur Open Latin - Stefano Moriondo & Melene Osteergand (Denmark)

Amateur Open Modern - Salvatore Todaro & Violeta Yaneva (Bulgaria)

The Malaysian International Dance Championship 2009

2nd Leg - Asian Open Dance Tour 2009, Genting Highlands, Malaysia

The Malaysian leg of this tour was held up in the city of entertainment, Genting Highlands. Its not the first dance championship to be held up here but it definately was the the biggest. It was held in the Arena of Stars and a beautiful dance floor was created there by sponsor Eko-wood who did a spectacular job.

Sadly, not all the top couples came to the Malaysian leg as the 3rd leg of the tour was planned a little too close to this date and several did not want to risk the 24 hour travelling time between Gentings and Seoul (not to mention the 6 hour delay many of us had in Taiwan, sigh). Nevertheless, it was an incredibly good turn out and the audience that had braved the drive up in less then perfect conditions (it was very foggy) were in for a fantastic treat.

Ariel De Silva & Cosmas Hoo from Singapore dancing in the Junior Latin event. They came in 2nd in this event.

One of the Senior Modern events which drew couples from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong etc. Both the Senior events were won by Indonesian contestants Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo.

There were many more events in the Malaysian championship compared to Tokyo. Some of the more interesting ones was the Mother/Son, Father/Daughter event which made it's first appearence here and had so many entries we had to have a semi final! Very encouraging. Got to get my big boy to dance with me before my body gives up on me :)

Champions :

Professional Open Latin - Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko (USA)

Professional Open Modern - Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA)

Amateur Open Latin - Mykhailo Samoshchenko & Yulia Shorokhova (Russia)

Amateur Open Modern - Gaetano Lavarone & Emanuela Napolitano (Italy)

There was a second day to the Malaysian event but I was not in attendence as I had to dash off to the next leg in Seoul, Korea. Events on the second day included the beginner events of the Dancesport disciplines, Line Dancing, Hip Hop and Belly Dancing. I'm sure you could get more details on those events from the organizers website/blog : ancdancechampionship.blogspot.com

I'll continue with the updates on the 3rd & 4th leg another day.

Asian Competitive Season - OPEN!!!!

2009-02-20T01:07:00.003+08:00

It's the official start of the Asian competitive season now that the Chinese New Year is over. Lots of incredibly talented dancers from around the world will now be flocking to Asia to claim the titles and prizes (very often cash). Even more so now since most airlines are not charging fuel surcharges. Great news for competitive dancers who are always cash strapped.

I've been offered the great opportunity to participate in some of the biggest and most prestigious competitions in the region this year as Master of Ceremonies & Compere. Check out my side bar on the competition schedule.

My first stop this year will be in Tokyo, Japan this weekend for the first leg of the Asian Open Dance Championship which carries a purse of US$100,000 for winners in the Amateur and Professional levels. This is the biggest purse that's ever been offered in the Asian dance circle. The Japanese Dance Council (JDC) first mooted this last year in order to raise the awareness of our talented dancers and to educate the public on how dancers participating, specifically in Dancesport events, are equal to professional athletes around the world. We train as hard, spend as much on training (time & money) and are as dedicated as any other sports person but seem to be the least appreciated or acknowledge for our efforts. Well, the JDC is out make this perception change. Last year 7 countries took part in the Asian Tour with each country raising a purse of US$100,000 each, some managing to raise a little more then that too and adding it to the prize money to the winners.

This year, the JDC has decided to divide the tour into 2 seasons in order to pace the dancers that follow the tour from country to country. In this first season four countries will take part in the tour - Japan, Malaysia, Korea and Macau. I've received the honor of accompanying the tour to each of the stops as the English speaking MC/compere. I'm terribly excited and I look forward to bringing back lots of news to you all.

New Fitness Classes ! Bringing rhythm to life, fitness to the soul.

2009-02-15T02:31:00.003+08:00

Ah.............i've finally figured out how to post the flyer here. Thanks Sze :*

Hope you all can read about the new fitness classes i've created and am introducing this year. If this image is not clear enough, go visit my website and you'll see a really clear one there posted by Sze.

Happy reading. I hope it'll help you achieve your idea of fitness thru my passion of dance.

New Look, New List

2009-02-15T02:05:00.002+08:00

Hey, hey...........i've changed my look. What do you think?

I've decided to divert away from my norm of dark (black) and mysterious. Frankly i think they just gave people weird ideas about me and how 'dark' i must be :) Anyway, green is another firm favourite of mine so i'm giving this a go.

Check out my two new list i've added to the side too. Lots of people ask what i'm doing in classes week to week so i've decided to let everyone know. If you want to pop in to learn just that one dance, come right on over. Just remember to buzz me first to make sure class is on schedule.

Since i've been getting into line dancing in the last year i've actually found quite a few step sheets that i actually 'approve' of. The choreography matches the song well and the flow of steps are smooth and suitable to the style. They also allow 'free souled' dancers, such as myself, lots of room for expression. So i've decided to add a list of my favourite dances to help dispell the notion that i dislike line dances. I DO like them, i just dont always enjoy the way line dancers dance them. Step sheets are there merely to guide you thru the dance people, add some of YOU to it when you dance it lah.

Another list I'll be adding soon will be the Competition List which will feature competitons in and around the region that i'm either participating in as compere or competitor OR am just aware of. This is to help keep you informed so that you can either attend them as a spectator or take part in them. I'll also throw in the occasional social event that comes along that is open to the public. Stay tuned.

Sze Yen, my webmistress, is constantly making improvements on my website, all of which are worth checking out. Sometimes i'm not even aware of how cool its become till someone tells me :) So check it out if you've got time at www.guruofdance.com and check out the flyer for my new fitness classes which commence in March.

Enjoy.