Mini Match 2025 Recap: A Day of Dance, Learning, and Celebration

Mar 4

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Our 2025 Mini Match Competitors & Judges! From left to right: Kimberley Mitchell, Tom O'Neill, Wendell Hill, Caroline O'Neill, Yvette Hill, Brad Banks, Lora Lee Stewart, Noelle Banks, Reece Manterola, Bill Welsh, Holly Welsh, Dawn McCreary, Josh Crenshaw, Ashley Fowler, Nicole Chittick, Justin Williams, Chuck Chittick, Donna Addison, Kyra Platt, Jeff McDaniel, Parker Thompson, Roxane McDaniel, David Thomas Moore

On February 15, we hosted our annual Mini Match, a day filled with dance, friendly competition, and expert instruction. This event gave our students the opportunity to showcase their progress, challenge themselves in smooth and rhythm styles, and learn from two esteemed judges. From workshops to performances, awards, and shared meals, it was a day that truly embodied the joy of ballroom dance.

Click here for our 2025 Mini Match Photo Album! (please tag yourself in your pictures!)… thank you to Carmela Merced for capturing the day!

And click here for Album #2!

Workshops with World-Class Judges

We were honored to have David Thomas Moore and Kimberley Mitchell as our judges for the event. Not only did they bring their expertise to the competitor's feedback forms, but they also led two incredible workshops:

⭐️ David Thomas Moore focused on frame & arm styling, helping dancers refine their upper-body movement and expression.

⭐️ Kimberley Mitchell taught a Rhythm technique workshop, emphasizing precision in footwork and body movement.

These workshops provided invaluable insights that our students could immediately apply to their dancing, making them a key highlight of the day.

A Day of Competition and Performances

The competition kicked off with Smooth dances, where competitors displayed elegance, control, and grace. The energy shifted into high gear as we transitioned into Rhythm, with dancers bringing their best footwork, styling, and technique.

Alongside the competition rounds, our students also performed showcases, demonstrating creativity, storytelling, and personal progress. These performances were a joy to watch and a testament to the dedication of our students and instructors.

Celebrating Our Top Competitors

We are incredibly proud of all our dancers who stepped onto the floor and gave their best. Special congratulations to our top award winners:

🏆 Top Newcomer: Brad & Noelle Banks

🏆 Top Couple (Tie): Bill & Holly Welsh and Chuck & Nicole Chittick

🏆 Top Proficiency Scorer: Justin Williams

🏆 Top Overall: Ashley Fowler

🏆 Top Teacher: Josh Crenshaw

Each of these dancers showed incredible talent, dedication, and growth, and we couldn’t be more proud of their achievements!

Good Food, Great Company

No event is complete without delicious food and time to celebrate together! We enjoyed a refreshing lunch from Jason’s Deli, keeping everyone energized throughout the day. In the evening, we gathered for a dinner from Carrabba’s, where we reminisced about the day’s highlights, celebrated our winners, and enjoyed the sense of community that makes our studio so special.

Thank You!

A huge thank you to our judges, competitors, instructors, and everyone who supported this event. Your passion, dedication, and enthusiasm make our dance community so vibrant, and we are grateful to have such an amazing group of dancers.

We can’t wait to see you all on the dance floor again soon— until then, keep dancing!

Click here for our 2025 Mini Match Photo Album! (please tag yourself in your pictures!)