2026 Ft. Lauderdale Classic

June 12–15, 2026 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What an incredible weekend of dancing, learning, adventure, and celebration! Celebrity Ballroom Dance Studios traveled to sunny South Florida for the 2026 Ft. Lauderdale Classic, where we enjoyed unforgettable experiences both on and off the dance floor.

This year's group included Josh Crenshaw, Milly Elkin-Crenshaw, and students Bill and Holly Welsh, who represented our studio with outstanding performances throughout the weekend.

A Fun-Filled Start

Our trip began with a relaxing afternoon at Hollywood Beach, where we strolled along the famous Broadwalk, soaked up the Florida sunshine, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Margaritaville. It was the perfect way to kick off a weekend filled with fun and friendship.

That evening, we headed into the Florida Everglades for an exciting swamp tour. We cruised through the marshes, spotted numerous alligators and native wildlife, and experienced one of Florida's most unique natural attractions. It was an unforgettable adventure before the competition festivities began.

Learning from the Best

Saturday was dedicated to improving our dancing through a full day of workshops led by some of the ballroom world's most respected coaches.

We had the privilege of learning from:

• Marzena Stachura

• JT Thomas

• Ilya Reyzin

• Peter Perzhu

Each coach brought incredible insight, technique, and inspiration, giving everyone valuable tools to take back to the dance floor.

Havana Nights VIP Celebration

Saturday evening brought one of the highlights of the weekend—the Havana Nights VIP Dinner. The room was filled with great food, music, and plenty of dancing. Everyone joined in for some lively Rueda Salsa, making for a fun and energetic evening. The entertainment was spectacular, featuring professional performances by Ron Garber and Klaudia Petriti, who wowed the audience with two breathtaking dances that showcased incredible artistry, precision, and musicality.

Competition Day

Sunday was competition day!

The morning began with American Smooth, followed by American Rhythm in the afternoon. Bill and Holly Welsh danced beautifully throughout the day, demonstrating months of hard work, dedication, and preparation.

Their efforts paid off in a big way. Bill captured one of his Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Scholarships, and together Bill and Holly earned outstanding placements in their multi-dance events. By the end of the competition, they had been named:

• Top Bronze Male

• Top Bronze Female

• Top Amateur Couple

To make the weekend even more special, Josh Crenshaw was honored as the event's Top Teacher, recognizing his commitment to his students and their exceptional performances throughout the competition.

The evening concluded with the awards ceremony, followed by another spectacular three-dance performance from Ron Garber and Klaudia Petriti, providing the perfect finale to an amazing weekend.

Heading Home Inspired

On Monday morning, we packed our bags and flew home with wonderful memories, new friendships, valuable coaching, and incredible competitive success.

Weekends like the Ft. Lauderdale Classic remind us that ballroom dancing is about so much more than competition. It's about traveling together, learning from world-class professionals, celebrating each other's achievements, and creating lifelong memories with an amazing dance family.

Congratulations again to Bill and Holly Welsh on their incredible accomplishments and to Josh Crenshaw for earning Top Teacher honors. We couldn't be more proud of our Celebrity Ballroom family, and we can't wait to see where our next adventure takes us!

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