2008 Ballroom Couples:

Hanna Karttunen and Slavik Kryklyvyy

Ms. Karttunen is the reigning World Exhibition Champion. She returns for an encore performance in Vail, after leading the Ballroom's Best showcase in 2007. Ms. Karttunen was ranked number one in the world in Latin with her former dance partner, Paul Killick. A passionate dancer who is forever breaking the limits, she has danced Latin for over 20 years and has won the World Series Chamion Award; Japan Open; Dutch Open; U.S. Open; International Championships World Masters and was four times British Champion with Mr. Killick. In addition, she is in great demand as a private and guest teacher the world over.  

Eulia Baranovsky and Steven Dougherty

Eulia Baranovsky & Steven Dougherty have been dancing together for five years, competing in the American Style Ballroom Division. They each bring to the partnership prior national and regional championship titles, in both American Ballroom and International Standard styles. Together, they have become U.S. & World finalists and currently rank among the top 3 couples in the country.

Joanna Zacharewicz and Jose Decamps

Jose Decamps was born on the island of Dominica Republic and started dancing at age of 18. He studied in England with various world Latin champions. Shortly thereafter, he returned to New York and within one year, became U.S. Rising Star Champion, UK Finalist and British Rising Star Champion. The Mambo is one of his best dances, and he holds a collection of American and World titles. Joanna Zacharewicz started dancing at age of 8 in her native country, Poland. She studied International Latin and Standard and had the good fortune of being trained by some of the World’s masters. Joanna moved to the US to further advance her dancing career and started competing in American Rhythm style. Soon after, she won her first international title of the World Mambo Champion. Joanna and Jose began dancing together in 2007. From their debut, Joanna and Jose have been consistently placed first in all events, including the World Masters Championships. They became the new US Rhythm Champions and the US Mambo Champions. Feature on PBS’s “America’s Ballroom Challenge”

Iveta Lukosiute and Gherman Mustuc

The glamorous Iveta Lukosiute, one of the top professional 10-dancers in the world, and her partner Gherman Mustuc, bring their unique, award-winning style to the stage in Vail after astounding audiences in the 2007 Ballroom's Best showcase. This internationally renowned ballroom dance couple are the reigning United States Professional 10-Dance Champions, which features both Latin and Standard-style dancing. They also are the Professional 10-Dance Champions of North America and the United Kingdom. They are ranked second in the world. Mustuc and Lukosiute are also the World’s 4th-ranked Classical Showdance Champions after representing the U.S. in the world-wide event that took place in Holland. Their highly entertaining presentations have put them in demand for shows throughout the world.

Natalie Woolf and Criag Smith

Considered one of the top couples in the world, Natalie Woolf and Criag Smith have consistently won top honors at the most prestigious dance competitions in the world. In May, 2008, they secured 1st place in the British Professional Invitational Exhibition at the Blackpool Dance Festival. Later that month, they won 1st place in the World Professional Showcase Championship, at the World Freestyle Championships in Blackpool, their second time earning this top honor. Natalie was trained in classical ballet and Spanish dance, while Criag was trained in Latin American and freestyle dance. Craig is also a two time South African Latin Chamption, and a two time South African Rock 'n' Roll Champion.