Photos by Dance Production House

• Nightclub Nightclub
• Nightclub Nightclub
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Six incredible days showcasing the very best the DanceSport world has to offer. From top-tier atmosphere, dancers, and judges to premier dance products and services — all in one place. Emerald Ball proudly hosts standout events like Monday Night Fever Nightclub Events, the Leading Followers Network, the World Smooth Summit, the Emerald Ball Cabaret Invitational, and the Ballroom Spirit Latin Youth Tour. Every age, every level, every style — Emerald Ball has it all.

• The Judges The Judges
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With over 55 judges, 4,320 square feet of competitive dance floor, and two dedicated practice spaces, every detail is meticulously curated for your enjoyment — right down to the signature cocktails, like the Matcha Cha-Cha Martini and the Rumba Rita.

Couples travel from across the U.S. and around the globe for this event — and that speaks volumes. When organizers Wayne and Donna Eng pour their hearts into creating an unforgettable experience, you feel it from the moment you step into the lobby. Giant Emerald Ball displays, custom-wrapped elevators, and photo opportunities with professional lighting and backdrops set the stage. Competitor amenities include fresh towels, morning coffee, massage therapists, and pristine practice spaces — a dream environment for any dance athlete.

• Pro-Am Scenes Pro-Am Scenes
• Pro-Am Scenes Pro-Am Scenes
• Pro-Am Scenes Pro-Am Scenes
• Pro-Am Scenes Pro-Am Scenes
• Pro-Am Scenes Pro-Am Scenes
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Inside the ballroom: dazzling crystal chandeliers, vibrant LED screens, crystal-monogrammed tablecloths, and the best music professionals in the industry.

Emerald Ball also shines a light on the next generation of dancers with not one, but two dedicated Kids Days — a solo ballroom for young dancers on Saturday, followed by a full day for youth on Sunday, from Teddy Bear to Under-21 divisions.

• Celia Chou w/ Erminio Stefano - Saturday Night Celia Chou w/ Erminio Stefano - Saturday Night
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Did I mention the daily dance camps? Open to both professionals and amateurs, these workshops are led by some of the best coaches in the world.

The vendor experience spans an entire second floor — offering the latest in costume design, footwear, practice wear, makeup, and accessories. It’s an event every serious dancer should mark on their calendar.

Interestingly enough, back in 2001 — only my second time competing as a professional — I nearly quit at this very competition. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be returning for a 24th year… let alone as an adjudicator multiple times.

Emerald Ball holds a special place in my heart. From winning the Open Pro Rhythm title in 2007 to privately sharing the news of my pregnancy in 2011 with close friends — it’s filled with cherished memories. It’s also where I chose not to give up. To keep fighting, dreaming, and believing that every ounce of effort, sweat, and sacrifice would be worth it.
Within its 36-year legacy, we’ve also mourned the loss of beloved community members — Brian Puttock, a cherished Chairman of Judges, and Mark Brock, an iconic MC. Their spirits live on in every beat of music and every round danced.

This is also where I had the joy of congratulating Wayne and Donna on becoming grandparents for the first time. Emerald Ball isn’t just a competition — it’s a celebration of life. Of growth, change, and resilience. A place where passion and perseverance shine among those who have dedicated their lives to the art and discipline of DanceSport in America.

Emerald Ball is a jewel of an event — sparkling with spirit, community, and love for our dancers. With quarter-finals in all Open Professional events and deep rounds in Pro-Am single and multi-dance categories, it offers unmatched opportunities for every competitor.

As always, my favorite moments were the Friday and Saturday evening sessions — a packed ballroom standing, clapping, and cheering their hearts out for every professional final. That kind of support from fellow dancers, competitors, and colleagues is worth more than any placement.

A heartfelt congratulations to all winners in the Open Professional and Rising Star Championships. And to every student — junior, youth, amateur, or pro — who chose not to quit but instead left feeling inspired, exhausted, and eager to work even harder: my love goes out to you, and to the Emerald Ball.

If 2026 will be your first Emerald Ball, know you’ll be welcomed with open arms. If it will be your 37th, thank you for never giving up.

See you at Emerald Ball 2026 — April 29 to May 4 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport.
Endless gratitude to Wayne and Donna Eng and the entire Emerald Ball team for nearly four decades of unmatched dedication, vision, and heart. Your contribution to our community will never be forgotten.
Until next time, I’ll see you on the dance floor — where your heart and your feet collide, and magic meets music.

“The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before a miracle happens.”
— Chinese Proverb

With love,
Carolina Orlovsky
World Mambo Champion
3-time US & World American Rhythm Silver Medalist
World American Rhythm Show Dance Champion
9-time United States American Rhythm Finalist
U.S. Theatre Arts Finalist
U.S. & Open to the World Cabaret Finalist
DanceVision Instructor – 16+ Instructional Videos
Co-Author of Chloe Cha Cha’s in London
2007 Emerald Ball Rhythm Champion

 

Selected Results

• Open Pro Ballroom Open Pro Ballroom
• Valeriu Ursache & Liana Bahktiarova Valeriu Ursache & Liana Bahktiarova
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Open Pro Ballroom

1. Valeriu Ursache & Liana Bakhtiarova 1,1,1,1,1

2. Maksym Savytskyi & Polina Riabovil 2,2,3,2,2

3. Danylo Dobrovolskyi & Anastasiia Malovana 3,3,2,3,3

4. Radu Sterban & Xenia Cletova 4,4,4,5,4

5. Angelo Gaetano & Clarissa Morelli 5,5,5,4,5

6. Igor Mikushov & Valeriia Mikushov 6,6,6,6,6

• Francesco Arietta & Jessa Briones Francesco Arietta & Jessa Briones
• Open Pro Rhythm Open Pro Rhythm
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Open Pro Rhythm

1. Francesco Arietta & Jessa Briones 1,1,1,1,1

2. Ivan Kudashev & Ksenia Sokolova 2,2,2,2,2

3. Gene Bersten & Elena Bersten 3,3,3,4,4

4. Kevin Ubillus & Milagros Lareto 4,5,4,3,3

5. Ryan Lockhart & Danelle Lockhart 5,4,6,5,5

6. Ilie Bardahan & Oxana Kashkina 6,6,5,6,6

• Open Pro Smooth Open Pro Smooth
• Roman Malkhasyan & Galina Detkina Roman Malkhasyan & Galina Detkina
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Open Pro Smooth

1. Roman Malkhasyan & Galina Detkina 1,1,1,1

2. Travis & Jaimee Tuft 2,2,2,2

3. Yegor Novikov & Tatiana Novikova 3,3,3,3

4. Leonid Burlo & Mariia Usan 4,4,4,4

5. Volodymyr Barabash & Yulia Rudenco 5,5,5,5

6. Ivan Sovetov & Valeria Mkrtchian 6,6,6,6

• Andrie Kazlouski & Nino Dzedneladze Andrie Kazlouski & Nino Dzedneladze
• Open Pro Latin Open Pro Latin
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Open Pro Latin

1. Andrei Kazlouski & Nino Dzneladze 1,1,1,1,1

2. Tal Livshitz & Ilana Keselman 2,2,2,2,2

3. Manuel Favilla & Natalia Maidiuk 3,3,3,3,4

4. Nikolai Tarasov & Sarah Nolan 4,4,4,4,3

5. Andriy Besyedin & Amanda Besyedin 5,5,5,5,5

6. Max Firestein & Nicole Mtchedlidze 6,6,6,6,6

• Open Pro Cabaret Open Pro Cabaret
• Shane & Shannon Jensen Shane & Shannon Jensen
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Open Pro Cabaret

1. Shane & Shannon Jensen

2. Zachary Pohl & Ariel Freilich

3. Marco Dal Pezzo & Miriam Marie

4. Aki Nakaaki & Jun Nakaaki

• Andrei Cutashevskii & Anna Vasina Andrei Cutashevskii & Anna Vasina
• Open Amateur Ballroom Open Amateur Ballroom
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Open Amateur Ballroom

1. Andrei Cutashevskii & Anna Vasina 1,1,2,2,1

2. Bohdan Aleksieiev & Michelle Yiu 2,2,1,1,2

3. Nathan Zaytsev & Alisa Bankova 3,3,3,3,3

4. Danylo Afonin & Stanislava Klishch 6,4,4,4,4

5. Bohdan Dovhalov & Sofya Yudina 4,5,6,6,5

6. Vladislav Ogurtsov & Courtney Veyrasset 5,6,5,5,6

7. Matthew Holyoak & Olivia Cowan 7,7,7,7,7

• Open Amateur Latin Open Amateur Latin
• Bumchin Tegshjargal & Michelle Klets Bumchin Tegshjargal & Michelle Klets
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Open Amateur Latin

1. Bumchin Tegshjargal & Michelle Klets 1,1,1,1,1

2. Dave Firestein & Kennedy Eaton 2,2,2,2,2

3. Oleg Zugan & Michelle Itkin 3,3,3,3,3

4. Yaroslav Brovarskyi & Naomi Veronica Spektor 4,4,5,4,6

5. Maksym Rodionov & Sophia Marriott 6,5,4,5,4

6. Oskar Krimus & Shayna McDonald 5,6,6,6,5