Ballroom Dance Performances
We all love watching ballroom performances, right? And some of you, our students, are even thinking of performing? Hopefully. š
And you may be able to perform sooner than you think! Keep on reading to learn about the common dance performance myths and how performing can be a fun way to improve your dancing.
Common Myths About Ballroom Dance Performances
Myth # 1: You have to have years of training before you can perform a dance routine on stage or at a showcase.
Wrong!! Some people might think that you have to be at a pro (or close) level to be able to perform. And definitely, that’s a myth. So how long does it take before you can perform? The answer is – not long at all. You can start as early as Bronze 1! All you need is a minimum of 10-15 private lessons to learn a dance routine for a showcase. Of course, you should be practicing in between each class.
Myth # 2: You need to have a partner to perform.
No, you don’t! A lot of our solo students perform all the time with their dance instructors (pro-am dance partnership). It allows them to grow at a very high pace, so they love it.
Myth # 3: You must only choose the dance style you are naturally good at to perform.
This is such a myth! You can choose absolutely any dance. Yes, it can be one that you find the easiest for you. Or you could pick the most challenging one so that you can significantly improve in it in a short period of time. Your criteria of choice could also be a specific song that inspires you, maybe a movie, or another performance by a pro or your fellow student.
Why should you perform?
- Performing as part of a showcase gives you an opportunity to focus more in-depth on a specific dance style that inspires you. Moreover, you will go beyond the regular dance syllabus and learn a lot of fun steps and maybe even how to do dips and lifts! Please remember that you should still continue working on your general social dancing to ensure that you’re growing in other dance styles as well.
- It gives you a great goal and milestone to strive for! Which also makes your progress in dancing faster.
- Performing is quite an experience! The adrenalin; your friends, family, and other students cheering; the fun of it… These are just some of the cool things about performing. Check out this video to get an idea of the atmosphere at Access Ballroom’s events and showcases.
- You get to be whoever you want to be. Whether you wear a dress or shirt full of rhinestones or you dress up as your favorite movie character – you choose who you want to be. And who knows, you might learn a thing or two about yourself that you’ve never even imagined discovering!
Please note that all the performance videos below are posted in chronological order – latest to earliest! š
Samba Performance by John and Elsa
Dancers: John Wells andĀ Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Havana Night Social Dance Party 2023 at Access Ballroom
Song: Cuando Baje El Sol by Rauw Alejandro
Cha Cha Performance by Kim and Kiet
Dancers: Kim and Kiet
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Summer Vibes Social Dance Party 2023 at Access Ballroom
Song: Hey Daddy (Latin Magic) by Dancelife Studio Orchestra
Rumba Performance by Pat and Elsa
Dancers: Pat Perdue andĀ Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Valentine’s Social Dance Party 2023 at Access Ballroom
Song: Smooth Operator by Sade
Viennese Waltz Performance by Randa and Gil
Dancers: Randa Zakhour and Gil Bynoe
Event: Valentine’s Social Dance Party 2023 at Access Ballroom
Song: Tightrope by Michelle Williams (The Greatest Showman)
Tango Performance by Sam and Anna
Dancers: Sam Evans and Anna Heath
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Naughty or Nice Social Dance Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Song: Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack
Cha Cha Performance by Pat and Elsa
Dancers: Pat Perdue andĀ Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Naughty or Nice Social Dance Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Song: La Flaca by Santana
Rumba Performance by Access Ballroom ladies
Dancers: Helen, Neya, Evelyn, Lina, Elsa, Randa, Lauren, Angela, Victoria, and Kristen
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Halloween Social Dance Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Song: I Put a Spell on You by Annie Lennox
Samba Performance by Igor and Elsa
Dancers: Igor Borysov andĀ Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Igor Borysov andĀ Elsa Cicchini
Event: Havana Night Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Your teachers Igor and Elsa worked together on creating an exciting Samba routine in hopes of inspiring you to try out (or continue learning) this fun rhythm dance style. Weāre taking a quick trip from Havana to Brazil, so grab your feathers and shake what your mama gave you.
Viennese Waltz/Foxtrot/East Coast Swing Performance by Sam and Anna
Dancers: Sam Evans and Anna Heath
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Havana Night Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
After dancing for nearly 8 years, Sam and Anna decided that one dance style wasn’t enough for their wedding dances so they combined Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing. They chose their songs based on the dance styles they loved but honoured their favourite film and, of course, their favourite activity with ‘dance with me tonight’!Ā
Sam and Anna started working on this in 2020 but sadly had some interruptions due to covid before finishing the choreography in September 2021 just in time for Anna to break her ankle and spend 3 months out of dance! They finally had their delayed wedding in April this year back in the UK and are excited to perform their wedding dance for you here!
Hustle Performance by Chloe and Gil
Dancers: Chloe Yu and Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Havana Night Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Chloe started dancing Latin styles around 10 years ago. She came here one year ago to continue training, but her love for disco music inspired her to take on the hustle. With this performance, she hopes to inspire others to try styles that arenāt as common. Get ready to throw back to the 70s with some disco!
Bachata Performance by Justin and Elsa
Dancers: Justin Kono and Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Havana Night Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Justin has been dancing with us for 1 year and he says he is his own harshest critic. He still considers himself āmidā as he calls it, but with the support of his teacher and co-star Elsa, sheās taught him to conquer his insecurities, believe in himself, and become a better person. He knows every step isnāt perfect, but he is having fun and living his best life. And you canāt teach that! From foxtrot, to tango, now on this sizzling Havana night, Justin is searching on a different level for his inner Latin heat. Get ready to burn it down and embrace the drip with Elsa Ciccini and Justin Konoās sensual Bachata!
Tango Performance by Justin and Elsa
Song: Asi Se Baila El Tango by Bailongo! & Vero Verdier
Dancers: Justin Kono and his teacher Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Summer Vibes Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Two months ago Justin and his teacher Elsa did a fun Foxtrot performance to one of his favorite movie soundtracks, proving to himself just how far he can push forward and achieve things he never imagined he could. Taking dance lessons at Access Ballroom was a huge step for Justin and a way of taking control of his life, and now he is honestly a changed person. He walks with more confidence and isn’t afraid to show who he is to the world. Now we’re showing off Justin’s sexy and mysterious side with a Tango inspired by the movie ‘Take the lead‘. Guys, hide your ladies š
Waltz and Tango by Jose and Julia
Songs: ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys and ‘Amor Que Se Baila’ by Otros Aires
Dancers: Jose and Julia
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Summer Vibes Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Jose and Julia have been practicing very hard for their first dance which is a fusion of Waltz and Tango and took the opportunity to perform for the Access Ballroom students and guests. It is a good idea to practice performing your wedding dance beforehand to get all the jitter out!
Foxtrot Performance by Justin and Elsa
Song: What I’ve Been Looking For (from “High School Musical”)
Dancers: Justin Kono and his teacher Elsa Cicchini
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Hollywood Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Just under a year ago, Justin was close to 300 pounds during the pandemic. When things started opening up again, he decided he wanted to lose weight and keep active.
He started working out, eating healthier and joined Access Ballroom for fun on the days he wasn’t at the gym.
He walked in and met Elsa, who he says is one of the most talented people he knows and looks to as an inspiration in his life. Without her, he says he would have been Frozen. She managed to teach him the basics of all types of dances like the Tango, Salsa and Bachata. He works a lot and sometimes he forgets but for the most part he says he has it. The Foxtrot is the dance that he has caught onto the most.
Growing up, Justin has been a big fan of everything Disney and musicals. So Elsa has put together a routine from one of Justin’s favourite Disney movies High School Musical. Now Justin is living a healthy and active life and trying to inspire other people to Let it Go and live their High School Musical dreams. He says that if he can do it, you can do it too.
Salsa Performance by Nicolette and Gil
Song: Time of My Life (from “Dirty Dancing”)
Dancers: Nicolette Petheriotis and her teacher Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Hollywood Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Nicolette is 10 years old. She’s been dancing with us here at Access Ballroom since she was a little girl. She is performing to one of her favourite songs from one of her favourite movies with her teacher Gil Bynoe.
Bachata Performance by Kristen and Gil
Song: Roxanne – Bachata cover by Massimo Scalici (originally from “Moulin Rouge”)
Dancers: Kristen Sherry and her teacher Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Hollywood Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Ever since she was little, Kristen has always enjoyed dancing and been passionate about it. She started off with classical dances like ballet, lyrical and jazz for about 12 years. Then in university, she fell in love with the Latin social dance scene.
At Access Ballroom, sheās been taking dance lessons for almost a year now. For Kristen, dancing is a form stress relief and also her happy place.
For this performance, she chose the Bachata because sheās always felt most confident in this style. The song is going to be Roxanne from Moulin Rouge, as Kristen loves musicals and is a big romantic sap for the plot of ever-lasting love.
Rumba/Tango/Cha Cha Performance by Chris and Brigitta
Song: She’s My Kind Of Rain by Tim McGraw; Santa Maria by Gotan Project; My Love by Justin Timberlake
Dancers: Chris Raguseo and Brigitta Navodarszky
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe and Valeria Bynoe
Event: Hollywood Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Brigitta always wanted to learn how to dance. And when she saw Access Ballroomās booth at Canadaās Bridal Show in 2019, she signed up Chris and herself for lessons so they could learn a dance routine for their upcoming wedding.
It’s almost been 3 years of dancing now, they both love it and enjoy learning a bunch of different styles which they reflected in their wedding dance. You are in for a treat ā let me tell you! It will be a fusion of the Rumba, Tango, and Cha Cha.
This dance was supposed to be performed at their wedding reception in June of 2020 but due to the state of the world, many things got postponed. The good thing is that Chris and Brigitta had more time to practice and will finally be performing this choreo at their reception in June of this year. But first, they wanted to perform for you ā the Access Ballroom family. Enjoy the video of Chris and Brigitta, choreography by Gil and Valeria.
Rumba Performance by Helen and Gil
Song: Goldeneye by Tina Turner (inspired by James Bond movie)
Dancers: Helen Mrakovcich and her teacher Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Hollywood Party 2022 at Access Ballroom
Helen has been dancing for a year and a half. Sheās always loved dancing but it never occurred to her that she could dance, never mind take dance lessons! Now that sheās taking lessons at Access Ballroom, she cannot imagine her life without dance, she loves it so much!
For her very first performance, Helen chose the Rumba. She admitted that it is such a beautiful dance that really calls out to her. There is this tension in the Rumba: on the one hand – it feels strong and powerful, but on the other hand ā graceful and sensual. As Helen describes, it is passionate and it is reserved.
And in many ways, Helen can relate to that and feels that the Rumba is the best expression of her. The song is the soundtrack from Bond, James Bond.
Cha Cha Performance by Access Ballroom Students
Song: Boys by Lizzo
Dancers: Chloe Yu, Nina Logvin, Elsa Cicchini, Angela Dieseach, Evelyn Saungikar, Helen Mrakovcich
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini
Event: Christmas Party 2021 at Access Ballroom
Rumba Performance by Nina and Gil
Song: Besame Mucho by Cesaria Evora
Dancers: Nina Logvin and her teacher Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Christmas Party 2021 at Access Ballroom
Bachata Performance by David and Melissa
Song: La Carretera by Prince Royce
Dancers: David Monroy and Melissa DiGrazia
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Christmas Party 2021 at Access Ballroom
Cha Cha Performance by Nicolette and Gil
Song: Roses – Imanbek Remix
Dancers: Nicolette Petheriotis and her teacher Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Gil Bynoe
Event: Christmas Party 2021 at Access Ballroom
Rumba Performance by Teachers Gil and Elsa
Song: After Dark by Tito & Tarantula
Dancers: Elsa Cicchini and Gil Bynoe
Choreo by: Elsa Cicchini and Gil Bynoe
Event: Christmas Party 2021 at Access Ballroom
