Ballroom BackStage

Ballroom BackStage Featuring entertaining insights and exclusive interviews with ballroom dance professionals.

08/28/2026

Israel Borges & Samantha Borges join us backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 for a conversation that goes far beyond the competition floor.
After an injury forced Israel to sit out the evening, we talk about staying healthy during a demanding competition season and preparing for Nationals. Israel also shares his unusual journey from self-taught street dancing into ballroom — and how freestyle, musicality and improvisation still influence the way he performs American Rhythm today.
We also get to know Israel and Samantha beyond dancing: moved to Colorado, building their own dance studio in Denver, getting married the same week they opened it, and even choosing to invest their wedding money into the studio.
A fun conversation about dancing, partnership, taking chances, and building a life together.

08/27/2026

Ihor Horobchenko & Alina Lisova join us backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 after an exciting run of Rising Star victories.
Dancing practically at home state, Ihor and Alina talk about what makes Florida State special, the support of their students and dance family, and their current preparation as they head toward USDC.
We also get into the real work behind their dancing — why Paso Doble became a major focus, their search for musicality and authentic character, upcoming competitions, and the training camp they’re creating with live music.
What stands out most is their hunger. They’re a young married couple building their professional careers together, competing, teaching, organizing, and still genuinely excited about the process.
Filmed backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026.
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08/21/2026

From professional ballet to ballroom dancing, Sanda Lungu, owner of SouL Dance Studio, joins us backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 to share a little of her unexpected journey into the ballroom world.
Sanda talks about leaving a demanding career in ballet, discovering ballroom almost by chance, starting in American Rhythm, moving into International Latin, and now looking toward a new chapter in her competitive career — including exploring American Smooth and Cabaret.
We also talk about teaching, competing with her Pro-Am students, life in Florida, and the search for the right professional partner for what comes next.
🎥 Ballroom Backstage brings you conversations with the dancers, teachers, adjudicators, organizers, and personalities shaping the world of dancesport.
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08/12/2026

Thank you for stopping by 😂 Ron Garber Klaudia Petriti Ron Garber & Klaudia Petriti interview at Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026

08/12/2026

Fresh from winning Open Professional International Latin at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026, Ron Garber & Klaudia Petriti join us backstage to talk about what life looks like as they prepare for USDC and compete nearly every weekend throughout the summer.
We get into how they structure their training, why strength and conditioning has become such an important part of their preparation, and the specific exercises that help them recreate the physical demands of a competition round.
Ron and Klaudia also reflect on the transition from Amateur to Professional — from the increased physical expectations and experience that comes with competing as professionals to the mutual respect and awareness they feel among couples on the professional floor.
🎥 Ballroom Backstage brings you conversations with the dancers, teachers, adjudicators, organizers, and personalities shaping the world of dancesport.
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08/12/2026

Shane & Shannon Jensen at FLORIDA STATE
Shannon Jensen Shane Jensen

08/12/2026

Former five-time United States Professional American Rhythm finalist Ilya Reyzin joins us backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 to reflect on his competitive career and how his understanding of American Rhythm has continued to evolve long after he stopped competing.
We talk about the camaraderie among top competitors, why watching your own couples compete can be more stressful than being on the floor yourself, and how coaches often end up teaching the lessons they struggled with most during their own careers.
Ilya also shares his experience transitioning from Amateur Latin to Professional American Rhythm — and why truly understanding and appreciating a style can take much longer than simply learning how to dance it.
🎥 Ballroom Backstage brings you conversations with the dancers, teachers, adjudicators, organizers, and personalities shaping the world of dancesport.
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08/12/2026

Five-time Fred Astaire World Champion Mykhailo Azarov joins us backstage at the Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 for a conversation about life after a remarkable competitive career and everything that comes next.
We talk about building and running successful dance studios in South Florida, the commitment behind growing a million-dollar-plus studio operation, stepping back from daily teaching, and taking care of the body after years of high-level competitive dancing. Mykhailo also shares a little about life as a father of two, balancing family and business, and coming to Florida State to support friends and the ballroom community.

From World Champion to entrepreneur, studio owner, husband and father — a conversation about continuing to grow beyond the competitive floor.

🎥 Ballroom Backstage brings you conversations with the dancers, teachers, adjudicators, organizers, and personalities shaping the world of dancesport.

08/11/2026

Great interview with Ilya Reyzin at Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026

📸 Vol. 2 from Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026 📷 by Dmitry Nikolaev
08/11/2026

📸 Vol. 2 from Florida State Dancesport Championships 2026

📷 by Dmitry Nikolaev

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