Our Mission

Ballroom partner dance consist of four Smooth Dances and five Rhythm Dances. When you first attend this event you will be presented with a Journey chart. The first level that you will enter is Junior Bronze. If you perform the dance to a standard level you will be awarded the evaluators score sheet with comments on your performance and a sticker that you place on the Journey Chart.

Country Western partner dance consist of four Smooth Dances and four Rhythm Dances. As with the Ballroom program you will first enter the Junior Bronze level. After completion the second level you will enter is Intermediate Bronze. If you perform the dance to a standard level you will be awarded the evaluators score sheet with comments on your performance and a sticker that you place on the Journey Chart.

The Club Dances category consist of two styles of dance. Latin dance for dancers that enjoy Salsa clubs and Social Dance for dancers that attend Wedding, New Years Eve parties or Fundraisers. As with the styles about the third level you will enter is Full Bronze. If you perform the dance to a standard level you will be awarded the evaluators score sheet with comments on your performance and a sticker that you place on the Journey Chart.

The journey to receiving the Bronze Trophy is filled with experiences that are difficult to quantify in words. Partner dance is beautiful journey of self discovery, learning to be more empathic with the person you are partnering. The mind body connection increases the opportunity  for more self awareness. The hours in the dance studio with your teacher are priceless learning opportunities. The social dance interaction with the dance community meeting the people that will become your new friends is the Journey to the Bronze Trophy. We can't wait to meet you as we all gather for the next Gold Star Achievement Ball. 

Bio

Barb has been teaching couples dance and line dancing all over Colorado for 40 years. What started as helping a few friends learn to dance in the kitchen has turned into teaching at the longest running country nightclub in Colorado Springs. She has been a judge and has been a guest teacher at many different events.

Dawna has been involved in the Colorado Springs ballroom dance community (e.g., supporting events, taking occasional classes) for about six years, but it has only been more recently that she began to dance and to compete. Learning to follow is what inspired Dawna to try ballroom dancing, and she's found poignant life lessons offered through the experience. She has served as Principal since the inception of the Gold Star Achievement Ball, and being able to offer dancers a warm smile and encouragement as they line up to take the floor brings her joy.

Janell's tasked with supporting the evaluators. She supplies each evaluator with the proper evaluation form needed for the student dancing. She makes sure that the flow is smooth and no one gets behind.

Jenny's tasked with supporting the evaluators. She receives each evaluators finished evaluation form. She confirms the form was completed correctly and make a copy. The original form is given to the student durning the awards ceremony.

Cody's tasked with supporting the head scrutineer. He receives the finalized evaluation form and supplies the students packet with the appropriate sticker.

Bio

Edward T. Larkin was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Ed has spent most of his professional career working with global businesses as a business/finance executive. Ed’s career took him to several major cities throughout the United States and in 2009 he settled in Denver. Since then, he has been ballroom dancing as a Pro-Am competitor. 

Besides being an Emcee’s at various types of events, Ed is also a voice actor and an aspiring stage actor.

John brings over 2 decades of partner dancing experience, including Country, Ballroom, Swing, Latin, and Club partner styles to the Colorado Springs community. For over 10 years he has taught and inspired others to shine on the dance floor, whether it be socially, competitively, or artistically for a local dance performance or showcase.

John is also a DJ for various dance events for local studio dance parties, social clubs, showcases, and competitions. He prides himself on playing inspiring music to get everyone out and moving on the dance floor. 

It's been such a pleasure working with so many talented teachers here in Colorado Springs. We all have helped to make this a positive and friendly event that encourages amateur dancers to progress through the levels. I feel privileged to be the guide of this event and helping it grow. Thank you for your support.  

I have been serving Colorado Springs for over 30 years, teaching all styles of partnership dance. In 1995 I earned my first National Dance Championship at the Fred Astaire Nationals. After, placing as a semifinalist or finalist at numerous competitions nationally. In 2007 I earned my second National Dance Championship at Dance Vision Nationals. I have earned many top teacher awards and Dance Colorado has been recognize as top studio at many local and national competitions. I was the organizer or the Pikes Peak Dancesport Festival 2003-2005 and now The Gold Star Achievement Ball. I am so grateful to have found this career as it has helped me grow in ways I would have never experienced.