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About Us
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Established nearly a decade ago, Caribbean Dancesport Classic is the concept of highly-acclaimed DanceSport entrepreneurs, Danny Villavicencio & Gary McDonald.
By organizing and promoting a series of events this partnership brings a fresh, new approach to the International DanceSport industry's competition circuit.
"Caribbean Dance Sport Classic" highlights Pro-Am dance competitions, along with a series of Professional Showcases of DanceSport. The "Caribbean Dance Sport Classic" generates both prestige and offers one of the highest cash awards in the industry.
Here is a Brief Bio about the organizers:
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Danny Villavicencio
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Personal - I was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1967 shortly after my family moved us to the United States when I was six months of age.
Dance - I began my Professional Dance career in 1990. Together, with my former wife and dance partner we won many titles across the United States. We competed at over 100 events and won several dance titles, too many to list. However, some of our most significant titles and accomplishments would be the following.
• 1997 & 1998 United States Top American Rhythm Couple of the year
• 1997 - 2001 United States Open American Rhythm Grand Finalists
• 1998 – 2000 IDSF World Mambo Championship Grand Finalists
• 1996 - 2002 Arthur Murray International American Rhythm Grand Finalist
Television - I have been featured on several television productions such as
• El Show de Susana Gimenez “Hola Susana”
• ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’
• PBS’ ‘Championship Ballroom Dancing’
• Telemundo ‘Sabado Gigante’
• Fox Television ‘Let’s Dance’
I retired from competing professionally in 2002. Since then I have dedicated myself to furthering my knowledge of our dance sport industry. I currently teach and coach on a full time basis. I am an adjudicator with the NDCA (National Dance Counsel of America), WD&DSC (World Dance & Dance Sport Counsel) and Arthur Murray International. I am also a Dance Board member for Arthur Murray International, an honor that was bestowed upon me in 2006.
Entrepreneur - In addition to sharing my knowledge of our industry with students I also consider myself a Dance Sport entrepreneur. I am the organizer of the Caribbean Dancesport Classic, one of the fastest growing dance competitions in the world. This past November we celebrated our 10th anniversary. Where we had over 400 participants, doing approximately 7000 entries. As I already mentioned I am a Franchisee of Arthur Murray International. The company was founded in 1912 and is the foremost leader in our industry. We have approximately 250 dance studio locations on five continents. I have owned and operated my current studio, only since 2004 and we have already grown to over 200 full-time students.
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Gary McDonald
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Gary started dancing at a very early age of 7 years old. He is the co-owner of the Rogers DanceSport Center in Fairfield, New Jersey, where he spends most of his time when he is not on the road. He is also the co-organizer of the Manhattan DanceSport Championships, to be held every July 4th weekend at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel in New York.
Gary has represented the United States at over 20 World Championships, both as an Amateur and Professional. He has hosted and performed at dance competitions televised on NBC, ESPN, A&E and PBS. He's been joined by such celebrities as Debbie Allen and Suzanne Sommers. His many DanceSport achievements include:
9 times United States Professional Latin Finalists 1991-1999
1992 United States Open Rising Star Latin Champions
1992 United States National Rising Star Standard Champions
3 times United States Standard Finalists 1995 1998 2000
Runner up British Open Rising Stars Latin Competition 1994
8 times Undefeated United States 10 dance Champions 1993-2000
1997 United States Professional Latin Champions
1997 World Professional 10 dance Champions (becoming the first ever couple from North America to ever win a world title)
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Dance Network
