The 8 Rising Stars of Ballroom You Need to Know About
It’s almost 2019 and the ballroom dance scene is positively booming! From prestigious world championships to TV shows, kids are at the core of all this hip-shaking action—and we’re so here for it. These eight up-and-comers in particular are shaping the field. They’re the next generation of superstars to make the leap from technically exquisite ballroom-ites to bona fide celebrities.
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Stephanie & Ezra Sosa
Siblings Stephanie and Ezra Sosa are on the road to becoming the next Derek and Julianne Hough. And like the Hollywood A-listers did before them, this brother and sister pair train at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, UT.
“We’d love to be the next Derek and Julianne,” says 19-year-old Stephanie. “But more specifically, the Latin-American version!” The children of immigrants born in Mexico and Argentina, the Sosa siblings (including their oldest brother Tristen, who teaches ballroom at Bunker Dance Center in Las Vegas) have the root of Latin dance built into their DNA. “Whenever we compete, people always tell us that our movement quality is so entertaining and that our dancing feels really authentic,” 18-year-old Ezra says. “That’s because dance is such a huge part of our culture. We just naturally have good rhythm and hip action.”
That feeling especially comes in handy for Stephanie when she’s competing her specialties: rumba, paso, jive, samba, or cha-cha. “She’s a very natural dancer,” says teacher Sasha Altukhov. “She feels the rhythm of the music very well. She’s confident and she’s sassy. You simply can’t miss her on the floor.” He’s not exaggerating. Stephanie’s a two-time U.S. National Amateur Pre-Champ Champion and, just this past summer, her fiery footwork and fierce attitude helped her stand out in the Top 20 on Season 15 of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Ezra’s known for his control, power, and speed—and especially for cha-cha. He’s a U.S. National Youth Pre-Champ Champion and recently competed with The Pulse on “World of Dance” Season 2, placing 5th overall for all junior team acts. And while tall dancers typically find their footing in the standard ballroom world, Ezra’s lanky 6-foot frame is more unusual in Latin dance. “Tall dancers are often slow and lyrical,” says Altukhov. “But Ezra is an exception. He stands out on the floor with control and precision.” Altukhov attributes this to Ezra’s decision to cross-train in other styles. Stephanie does, too, and the two regularly score top titles at national comps, including The Dance Awards and Radix Dance Convention.
As far as their professional futures go, they hope to soon land spots as pros on “Dancing with the Stars.” But beyond that, Stephanie says, “I see us working together, doing shows, and creating our own kind of empire.” Watch out, world: They just might.
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{“product_info”: {“caption”: “Buy Now”, “product_price”: 0, “product_vendor”: false, “linkout_url”: false, “product_compare_at_price”: 0}, “headline”: “Daniel Novikov”, “credit”: “”, “description”: “u003cpu003eOn June 12, 2018, Daniel Novikov and his partner Mishella Vishnevskiy became the first American couple to ever win the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival in the Latin Under 12 division. “I wasn’t prepared to win,” Novikov says. “The moment I heard the words ‘from the United States,’ I started jumping up and down. Then I remembered that I was at a competition and I needed to behave like a gentleman. I straightened my hands and walked like a winner.”u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eEver the professional, Novikov trains under the direction of his parents at their studio Edelweiss Premier Ballroom in San Dimas, CA. His mother, Alla Novikov, is his primary coach and occasional dance partner (the two competed as partners on Season 11 of “America’s Got Talent”). “When Daniel goes on the floor he always has the right attitude,” she says. “He’s disciplined and hardworking. He was born to be a champion.” u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eIt’s hard to deny his propensity to succeed. He’s a 12-time U.S. National Champion, three-time World Ballroom Champion, and just this past summer he wowed the public with his larger-than-life performance on “World of Dance.” Famed ballroom teacher Shirley Ballas has taken particular notice of his technique and musicality, and says he performs at a level far beyond his age. But if anything, he’s simply a charming performer and, at times, a complete hoot to watch. (We see those winks to the audience, Daniel!) What are his peers saying? Kamri Peterson often competes against him, and jokes that she’ll never be able to beat him. In her words: “He’s like magic.”u003c/pu003e”, “caption”: “u003cpu003eDaniel Novikov (right) and his partner Mishella Vishnevskiy get the crowd fired up on “World of Dance” (courtesy NBC/”World of Dance”)u003c/pu003e”}
{“product_info”: {“caption”: “Buy Now”, “product_price”: 0, “product_vendor”: false, “linkout_url”: false, “product_compare_at_price”: 0}, “headline”: “Kamri Peterson”, “credit”: “”, “description”: “u003cpu003eKamri Peterson was in the middle of a jazz class at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio last May when her mom pulled her aside to show her a message confirming her place on “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.” “I started screaming and hugging my mom so tight,” 10-year-old Peterson says. Fast-forward a year, and she and her partner, spelling champion Akash Vukoti, placed in the Top 6, and the ever-fabulous Witney Carson (her mentor on the show) has called Peterson her “Mini-Me.” We can see why: They’re both spunky movers whose storytelling capacity helps them connect with audiences. (They happen to look alike, too!)u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eWatching Peterson dance, it’s no surprise she was cast on “DWTS: Juniors”u2014she’s absolutely adorable. But more than that, her movement is compelling, impassioned, and technically superb. It’s why Peterson and her partner Marcelo Fitzgerald rack up the titles: They’re Under 10 Latin Vice Champions and two-time U.S. Under 12 Latin Finalists. They’ve also represented the U.S. at the World Amateur DanceSport Championships in Paris. In every step, Peterson’s love for ballroom is clear. “When we’re on the floor I look at my partner and I can just tell that he’s super-excited, which makes me excited,” Peterson says. “I love to dance for the audience. It’s just so much fun!”u003c/pu003e”, “caption”: “u003cpu003ePhoto by Misty Mathews, courtesy Kamri Petersonu003c/pu003e”}
{“product_info”: {“caption”: “Buy Now”, “product_price”: 0, “product_vendor”: false, “linkout_url”: false, “product_compare_at_price”: 0}, “headline”: “Ruby Castro”, “credit”: “”, “description”: “u003cpu003eFifteen-year-old Ruby Castro and her partner Jonas Terleckas stunned fans across the country with their performances on “World of Dance” last summer. Their chemistry was electric, and their footwork was flawless. Having danced together since they were 8, Terleckas and Castro’s connection played a major role in racking up high scores and charming the celebrity judges. “Our greatest strength as a couple is our bond,” says Castro. “We’ve worked together for so long, and we know each other so well, our dancing is totally connected.”u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eLast summer wasn’t the first time Castro has stolen hearts. In fact, she’s been a respected fixture on the ballroom dance and contemporary convention scenes alike. Castro placed 4th at Blackpool Dance Festival, competed on Season 8 of “America’s Got Talent,” was a Top 10 finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 13, and was a U.S. Junior Latin Ballroom Champion. Oh, and she has nearly 68,000 Instagram followers. u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eCastro credits her diverse training to her parents, Manny and Lory Castro, the owners of Dance Town in Miami, FL. As veritable ballroom stars themselves, they’ve put Ruby on the road to success. “Ballroom is so exciting,” she says. “I love that everyone is on the floor at the same time, and that there are a million different things happening. But in the moment, all that fades away and it’s just you and your partner thinking fast and working together.”u003c/pu003e”, “caption”: “u003cpu003eRuby Castro (left) has been performing with partner Jonas Terleckas for more than seven years. (courtesy NBC/”World of Dance”)u003c/pu003e”}
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A version of this story appeared in the January 2019 issue of
Dance Spirit with the title “The Rising Stars of Ballroom.”