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

Morning Coffee Ep. 1 — Elena Grinenko now on YouTube A new little series I wanted to do for a while. Just sitting down o...
09/28/2026

Morning Coffee Ep. 1 — Elena Grinenko now on YouTube

A new little series I wanted to do for a while. Just sitting down over morning coffee and talking — about dance, life, career, happiness, and whatever else comes up.

For the first one, Elena and I ended up talking about success, being sixth in the world and still being unhappy, and eventually finding the freedom to dance the way you actually want to dance.

Full conversation is now on YouTube.

Morning Coffee with Elena Grinenko.

09/28/2026

Becoming More Yourself | Elena Grinenko — Morning Coffee Ep. 01
How do you learn from others without becoming them? How do you find your own voice in a world of constant comparison — and build a career that is not only successful, but happy?
For the first episode of Morning Coffee, Elena Grinenko joins me in the garden to talk about exactly that. Through stories from her own career, we talk about teachers, competition, partnerships, success, changing direction, and eventually learning to recognize what is truly yours.
A conversation about listening, learning, and, with time, becoming more yourself.
Morning Coffee by Ballroom Backstage
Presented by Texas Challenge

09/26/2026

Lloyd Perry & Anna Sloukova join Babette Brown and Liliia Bieliei after winning the Open to the World Amateur Latin Championship at USDC 2026.

Coming from England, they talk about the experience of competing in the United States, dealing with jet lag, their competition-day routine, and why Anna likes to start getting ready hours in advance while Lloyd prefers to get up, grab a coffee and get moving.
They also spend a lot of time training in the U.S. — enough that the question comes up: could America eventually become home? For now they love the UK, but with their teachers here and Florida calling, their answer is: never say never.
Next comes the International, but Lloyd explains why he tries not to chase a particular result. When he focuses too much on placement, he feels he dances at his worst. The goal instead is to take that pressure away, dance his best — and let the result follow.
An excerpt from the USDC 2026 live broadcast, powered by Dance Production House and captured on Blazar anamorphic lenses.

09/26/2026

Alexander & Veronika Voskalchuk join Heather Smith and Liliia Bieliei at USDC 2026 with some very special news — they’re expecting a baby.
The two-time Showdance Champions and U.S. Ballroom Champions talk about their journey toward becoming parents and why this new chapter feels like another kind of victory for them.
They also look back at their history at USDC, including the first time they won the National Showdance Championship, and share why this competition continues to hold such a special place in their lives.
Now watching from the other side of the floor, they’re excited to see some of the world’s best couples perform at the Saturday Night Gala — including friends they once competed alongside — and to see more international dancers experience the energy of the American audience.
Congratulations to Alexander and Veronika on the biggest new adventure yet.
An excerpt from the USDC 2026 live broadcast, powered by Dance Production House and captured on Blazar anamorphic lenses.

Morning Coffee — Episode 01 ☕️ 🎬Elena Grinenko Elena Grinenko Release date: September 28, 2027Presented by Texas Challen...
09/25/2026

Morning Coffee — Episode 01 ☕️ 🎬
Elena Grinenko Elena Grinenko

Release date: September 28, 2027

Presented by Texas Challenge

Most mornings, I start my day in the garden. A glass of water, a cup of coffee, some time outside. Morning Coffee grew naturally from that ritual — inviting people I admire to join me for a conversation.

This morning - Elena Grinenko. We talk about life — and staying true to yourself through all of it.

Morning Coffee by Ballroom Backstage. 🎤 Dmitry Nikolaev

09/23/2026

Gene & Elena Bersten join Babette Brown and Liliia Bieliei at USDC 2026 after another successful night on the competition floor.
They talk about why nothing is ever guaranteed — no matter how many times you’ve made the final. Every round, every dance and every moment still has to be fought for. This year, though, their focus was less on the result and more on simply dancing for each other, enjoying the space, and feeling every moment together.
Their strategy? Stay consistent, take it one round at a time, and don’t get ahead of yourself.
And their USDC wasn’t over yet. With all three of their daughters also competing — two dancing with Gene and one with her own partner — this championship is very much a family affair.
As Babette puts it at the end: the impossible is absolutely possible.
An excerpt from the USDC 2026 live broadcast, powered by Dance Production House and captured on Blazar anamorphic lenses.

09/21/2026

USDC 2026 Parley Ford and Natalie Jolley winning US National Professional Rising Stars American Smooth Championships

09/21/2026

Bruno Collins & LuAnn Pulliam join us backstage at USDC 2026 after receiving the John Monte Memorial Award — an especially meaningful honor for two people who knew John personally and were taken under his wing early in their careers.
They reflect on more than four decades in the dance industry, the people they’ve met along the way, and the sacrifices their three children made while growing up alongside their parents’ careers. From beginning as young dancers to building a life and supporting their families through something they loved, their story is deeply connected to this industry.
Their advice to the next generation is simple: embrace the good times and the difficult ones. The losses often teach you more than the wins, and you don’t have to step over others to succeed — the more you help others, the higher you rise.
Today, their focus is on continuing to grow the industry, developing dancers, providing scholarships, and giving back to the community that gave them so much.
And after an emotional evening? Bourbon for Bruno. Maybe green tea for LuAnn.
An excerpt from the USDC 2026 live broadcast, powered by Dance Production House and captured on Blazar anamorphic lenses.

09/21/2026

Shane & Shannon Jensen join Heather Smith and Liliia Bieliei backstage at USDC 2026 after winning their incredible 11th U.S. National Cabaret title.
They talk about the unique challenge of Cabaret — creating something new year after year, constantly finding new lifts, transitions and ways to surprise the audience. Shane gives us a funny glimpse into their creative process: sometimes Shannon is already six feet in the air while he’s still figuring out exactly what he’s trying to create.
Behind those seemingly effortless lifts is complete trust, a partnership built over many years, and a 17-year marriage. And when asked which is harder — marriage or a dance partnership? Their answer comes pretty quickly: the dance partnership.
Congratulations to Shane and Shannon on an extraordinary 11th national title.
An excerpt from the USDC 2026 live broadcast, powered by Dance Production House and captured on Blazar anamorphic lenses.

09/20/2026

Inspired by Darren Hammond at USDC 2026.
No excuses! Full interview on YouTube & FB.

Interview by Babette Brown & Dmitry Nikolaev
Live broadcast at USDC POWERED BY Craig Smith

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