Fort Wayne Dancesport

Chapter 2046, USA Dance, Inc.

Home of the First Special Olympics Ballroom Dance Competition in the USA

Welcome! Our mission is to improve the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States. Fort Wayne Dancesport is chapter #2046 of USA Dance, Inc. (formerly the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association). USA DANCE is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization serving as the National Governing Body for Dancesport in the USA - Member of the International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) and an Affiliate Member of United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

Special Olympics Competition is Big Success

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Category: Special Olympics
Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 01:00
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 393
2012_special_olympics_competition_flyer_200pxOur fifth-annual Special Olympics ballroom dance competition July 28, 2012 was a great success. I'm thrilled that our chapter organized the event in just six months, especially considering that about a year ago, we were not even sure our chapter would stay alive.

At this year's competition, 68 Special Olympians demonstrated their dance acumen. These athletes worked very diligently over the last year. They take this event very seriously and each one received a ribbon for his or her effort.

Without an army of volunteers, this year's competition could not have happened. Our extreme gratitude goes to those who stepped forward and gave their time and talents to bring this dance competition to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity. We are even more grateful that so many of our volunteers have already committed to being available in the future.

It is a privilege to serve this competition. Watching the excitement of the Special Olympics athletes is worth everything we can do to make this happen each year.

Thanks again to all competitors, volunteers and sponsors. See you next year!Our fifth-annual Special Olympics ballroom dance competition July 28 was a great success. I'm thrilled that our chapter organized the event in just six months, especially considering that about a year ago, we were not even sure our chapter would stay alive.

At this year's competition, 68 Special Olympians demonstrated their dance acumen. These athletes worked very diligently over the last year. They take this event very seriously and each one received a ribbon for his or her effort.

Without an army of volunteers, this year's competition could not have happened. Our extreme gratitude goes to those who stepped forward and gave their time and talents to bring this dance competition to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity. We are even more grateful that so many of our volunteers have already committed to being available in the future.

It is a privilege to serve this competition. Watching the excitement of the Special Olympics athletes is worth everything we can do to make this happen each year.

Thanks again to all competitors, volunteers and sponsors. See you next year!

Chapter Membership Grows

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 01:00
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 409
Our membership chair, Kyle Breedlove, reports that we currently have 103 adult members and 48 youth members. Kyle also reports that as of July, 50 new members have joined the chapter in 2012. At the same time last year, 15 new members had joined.

One becomes a member of our chapter by joining the USA Dance national organization. If you'd like to join or renew, visit the USA Dance website.

Board Members get Ideas at Regional Meeting

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 01:00
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 721
People at meeting with light bulbs over their headsLeaders of several USA Dance chapters in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana attended a meeting recently in Cleveland. Dan and Angie Keck represented our chapter at the meeting. They came back with several ideas to encourage our members. One example is to promote USA Dance by providing patches, pins, stickers, etc. USA Dance also reminded Dan and Angie that chapter board members must be elected every two years. The national organization requires us to have at least seven board members and no more than nine.

New Member Expresses Pleasure with Chapter Dances

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 01:00
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 383
We received a lovely message recently from new chapter member Ann VanDuyne. Here are some excerpts:

"We have been so pleased with all of the dances. The group lessons before the dance have been informational; the paper copy of the songs is a nice communication tool; the play lists have always been variety-filled. The themes are fun. We travel an hour to attend and every dance has been worth the miles and time.

"Most boards come under criticism at times and I just want to communicate that I think the board is doing a great job of promoting social ballroom dancing that common folks like my husband and I can do, improve at, and have fun. Believe it or not there are people that have no interest in showcasing or competition, just dancing and improving for the challenge."

Thanks for your comments Ann. We welcome all who attend our chapter dances to share their thoughts and ideas.

Where Does the Money Go?

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 10:23
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 412

Graphic of money changing handsI want to clear up some money matters that some have been confused about.

Your membership money goes to the USA Dance National organization. Our local chapter sends every penny of your dues to national headquarters. None of it returns to the local chapter.

Our chapter uses the admission fees you pay at our chapter dances to pay for rental of the IPFW ballroom, pre-dance lessons by professional instructors and expenses such rental of a storage unit, decorations, etc.

The money we've raised through donations and fundraising for the Special Olympics competition are kept separate and cannot be used for any other purpose.

New Board Member Needed

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 10:15
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 614
Cindy_MahoneyMahoney

Chapter board member Cindy Mahoney resigned at the June board meeting because she plans to move to another city. I thank her for six months of service to our chapter.

The board must now appoint someone to complete Cindy's term, which ends in December, 2013. Youth members are eligible. If you are willing to serve, please contact Audrey Hindle, 260-341-6370 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Dancers Reminded of Appropriate Attire

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Friday, 01 June 2012 01:00
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 364
At the May dance, I reminded those present about what attire is appropriate for our chapter dances. In short, dancers should come in dressy attire and should not wear jeans, sneakers or be barefoot.

Instructors, Studios Invited to June Showcase

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Friday, 06 April 2012 23:13
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 453
Last month, your chapter sent invitations to all the dance instructors and studios we know. We invited them all to attend our June 9 chapter dance at which we'll set aside time for demonstrations and showcases. This month, board member Russell Hernandez will call the instructors and studios to see who will participate. This will be a great opportunity for our chapter to show our appreciation for instructors and studios and the important role they play promoting the advancement of ballroom dancing in our community. We hope all studios and independent instructors will participate and we hope you'll be there to see what they showcase.

Planning Continues for Special Olympics Competition

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:28
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 485

soin_logoWe have a lot to do to get ready for our next Special Olympics ballroom dance competition, July 28 at the Grand Wayne Center. Our special events coordinator, Dan Keck needs a go-to person who has good computer skills and can put information together readily. We will need to do some fund raising to pay competition expenses. Dan has met with various people from Special Olympics and USA Dance. A few people who volunteered for previous competitions have indicated willingness to help again this year. I don't think we can have too many helpers. For more information or to volunteer, contact Dan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 260-338-0959. The chapter board devoted most of its last meeting to developing a strategy for the competition.

Membership Renewal Drive Continues

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Category: Chapter News
Published on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:27
Written by Audrey Hindle, President
Hits: 406

Our chapter membership chairman, Kyle Breedlove has been working with a new online member database and hopes to soon have statistics regarding chapter membership. In the meantime, I'd like to remind you that our chapter's status as a part of USA Dance requires us to have a certain number of USA Dance members (you become a member of our chapter by joining the national organization). If your membership has expired, please renew it soon! You can do that online or at the check-in table at any chapter dance.

More Articles...

  1. Chapter Board Elects Officers
  2. Chapter Board Holds Final Meeting of 2011
  3. Chapter Website now Supports Smartphones
  4. Remember to Renew your USA Dance Membership!
  5. December, 2011 Dance Photos Available
  6. Chapter Board Handles Administrative Matters
  7. More than 70 Attend November Dance
  8. Enjoy the Benefits of Membership
  9. Chapter Board Members Elected

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Upcoming Chapter Events

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Sat Jun 08 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM
Fort Wayne Dancesport Chapter Dance
Sat Jul 13 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM
Fort Wayne Dancesport Chapter Dance
Sat Aug 10 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM
Fort Wayne Dancesport Chapter Dance
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