Fred Astaire Dance Studios – New England “Freddy Ball” Gala Shines at Sheraton Springfield Monarch Hotel.

Springfield, MA – From February 26–28, dancers from across the region gathered at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel for the annual New England Freddy Ball Competition, a three-day showcase of talent, dedication, and championship-level ballroom dancing. The event culminated on Saturday evening, February 28, with the prestigious Freddy Ball Gala and the presentation of the 2025 New England Student and Professional Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars” of Ballroom Dancing for New England’s Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Competition Results (February 26–28)

Student Championships

Ellen Faller & Denys Fesenko delivered an outstanding performance throughout the weekend, earning:

• 1st place - Bronze International Latin Championship
• 2nd Place – Bronze International Ballroom Championship
• 1st Place – Bronze American Smooth Championship
• 1st Place – Bronze American Smooth Scholarship
• 1st Place – Open American Smooth Championship
• 1st Place – Open American Smooth Scholarship
• 1st Place – Bronze American Rhythm Championship
• 1st Place – Bronze American Rhythm Scholarship

Jack Faller & Khrystyna Mendela achieved:

• 3rd Place – Open American Smooth Championship
• 2nd Place – Bronze American Rhythm Championship
• 2nd Place – Open American Rhythm Championship

Pamela Christman & Christian Lange earned:

• 5th Place – Bronze American Smooth Championship

Professional Championships

In the Professional divisions, Madison instructors showcased exceptional artistry:

Khrystyna Mendela & Glib Pilipaka

• 1st Place – American Closed Bronze & Silver Rhythm Championship

Khrystyna Mendela & Denys Fesenko

• 1st Place – International Open Latin Championship

The glamorous awards gala honored excellence across numerous categories, including Top Student 2025, Top Instructors, Top Studios, and Top Executives. Among the standout nominees was Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Madison, which received multiple nominations and celebrated major victories.

Madison Students Take Top Honors

Fred Astaire Madison proudly celebrated two of the evening’s most prestigious student awards:

• Top Student Female 2025 was awarded to Ellen Faller, who continues to rise nationally and is also ranked among the Top 30 Amateur competitors in the Fred Astaire World Cup Series.
• Top Student Male 2025 was awarded to Jack Faller.

Both Ellen and Jack were recognized not only for their competitive success but for their dedication, growth, and passion for excellence. Their journey reflects the commitment they share with their instructors and their eagerness to continually elevate their artistry and performance.

“We are incredibly proud of Ellen and Jack,” said studio representatives. “They embody what it means to grow through dance — their discipline, heart, and determination inspire our entire studio.”

New England Professional Awards Announced

The evening also honored top dance professionals throughout the region:

• Top Newcomer Instructor Male: Denys Fesenko
• Top Newcomer Instructor Female: Khrystyna Mendela
• Top Advanced Instructor Male: Denys Fesenko (also ranked among the Top 40 Professionals in the Fred Astaire World Cup Series, with the World Cup Series Awards Banquet scheduled for April 11 in New York)

• Top Advanced Instructor Female: Khrystyna Mendela
• Top Competition Instructor Female: Zlata Dzhaman (Southbury)
• Top Competition Instructor Male: Nenad Pavlovic, instructor and co-owner of Fred Astaire Orange

Studio & Executive Honors Across New England

Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Madison, CT, which previously earned the 2025 Connecticut Top Studio award, also celebrated its owners Paulo Jorge and Christian Lange, who were named 2025 Connecticut Top Executives. The studio was nominated for both New England Top Studio and Top Executives honors.

The 2025 New England Top Studio award was presented to Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Hanover, while the New England Top Executives award went to Mariana Lacusta and Mihail Lacusta, proud owners of the Hanover Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

In a crowning moment for Madison, the studio was awarded the 2025 New England Most Improved Studio — a remarkable achievement considering the studio first opened its doors in September 2023.

A Celebration of Dedication and Community

In just over two years, Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Madison has demonstrated extraordinary growth and dedication to its students and local community. The Most Improved Studio recognition highlights the team’s commitment to excellence, personalized instruction, and fostering a welcoming dance environment for both newcomers and advanced dancers.

“We are beyond joyful for receiving so many awards,” studio leadership shared. “From the moment we opened in September 2023, we have poured our hearts into serving our students and our community. To see such unbelievable results so quickly is truly humbling.”

The studio extended heartfelt thanks to its students — both newcomer and advanced — as well as its dedicated instructors and supportive community members.

Special appreciation was also expressed to the competition organizers and New England Regional leadership, including Boris and Sasha Spitchka, Tony Dovolani and Lina Dovolani, Martin and Gina Goethche, Rogelio and Juliet Garcia, and Regional Dance Director (New England) Anastasia Abrashin, whose dedication made the prestigious event possible.

As the curtain closed on this year’s Freddy Ball Gala, one thing was clear: the future of ballroom dancing in New England is brighter than ever — and Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Madison is proudly dancing at the forefront.