Dance Students and Instructors Shine at the Fred Astaire 61st New England Colonial Classic Championships

The 61st New England Colonial Classic Championships, held May 7-9, 2026 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, was an unforgettable celebration of elegance, talent, and passion for dance and our students and instructors made us incredibly proud every step of the way.

Representing our three Connecticut dance studios in Southbury, Old Saybrook, and Madison, our students delivered outstanding performances throughout the weekend in both International and American dance styles. Their grace, confidence, artistry, and professionalism lit up the ballroom floor and truly showcased the strength and spirit of our dance family.

From the first heat to the final awards presentation, our dancers demonstrated class, elegance, teamwork, and dedication. Their hard work and commitment were evident in every performance, and they represented our studios with excellence and distinction.

Our students’ dedication, discipline, and passion for dance were rewarded throughout the competition weekend with numerous outstanding placements, including many 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards across multiple categories and dance styles. Their commitment to excellence, countless hours of practice, and determination to perform at their highest level were clearly reflected in their remarkable results on the competition floor.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the weekend came from our 5-year-old student, Rose, who brought smiles and excitement to everyone by proudly cheering on our team with her handmade “We Rock!” poster. Her enthusiasm, love for dance, and support for her studio beautifully captured the spirit of our dance family throughout the competition.

The excitement continued during the elegant Gala Banquet Awards Ceremony, where our Madison student, Ellen Faller, received the prestigious Overall Top Student Award, a remarkable achievement that reflected her dedication, grace, hard work, and outstanding performances throughout the weekend. Ellen’s confidence, elegance, and passion for dance truly captured the attention of judges and audience members alike, making her recognition one of the most celebrated moments of the event.

Adding to the excitement of the evening, our Madison studio proudly earned the distinguished Top Competition Studio Award, highlighting the incredible talent, teamwork, and commitment shared by our entire dance family.

We are also honored to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of our talented instructors:

• Khrystyna Mendela received the Top Female Instructor Award
• Zlata Dzhaman earned 4th Place Top Female Instructor
• Brianna and Ivan Zahariev won 1st place ShowDance
• Khrystyna Mendela and Gleb Pilipaka (S.Windsor instructor) received 1st place Closed Rhythm
• Denys Fesenko and Khrystyna Mendela capture 1st place Open International Latin
• Denys Fesenko achieved an incredible series of honors, including:
• 1st Place Top Male Instructor Award
• Prestigious “Most Wanted” Award - 1st Place Overall Top Instructor

As part of this remarkable achievement, Denys Fesenko received an extraordinary prize from Toyota Stamford and the Fred Astaire New England Competition Organizers, a 3-year free lease of a new 2026 electric Toyota BZ XLE AWD.

The ballroom erupted with applause and excitement as students, instructors, families, and supporters from all three studio locations cheered him on with admiration and respect. It was a truly emotional and unforgettable moment for our entire dance community.

We are exceptionally proud of Denys and all he has accomplished during his three years with our studios. His dedication, passion, professionalism, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire everyone around him. Through hard work, determination, and genuine love for teaching and dancing, he has proven what can be achieved with heart and perseverance.

Most importantly, we want to express our deepest gratitude to every single student who danced with him throughout this competition. These achievements would not have been possible without your trust, dedication, teamwork, and love for dance. This award belongs to all of you as much as it belongs to him.

Beyond the competition itself, the weekend was filled with friendship, encouragement, celebration, and unforgettable memories shared together as one united team.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all of our students, instructors, families, and supporters for making the 2026 Colonial Classic Championships an extraordinary success.

Fred Astaire Dance Studios Southbury • Old Saybrook • Madison, Connecticut

Together, we rocked the floor!