• January 15 th 2006 - New York, NY - The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team appear at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square for a private dinner reception.

• January 16 th 2006 - New York, NY - The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team perform for the New York Knicks and a crowd of spectators live at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

• January 28 th 2006 - Orlando, FL - Miss Dance of the United States (2005-2006 ~ Sammantha Foster) appears at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, for a photo shoot.

• January 28 th 2006 - Orlando, FL - The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team perform a twenty-minute show on the City Walk Stage, Universal Studios, Orlando, FL.

• January 29 th 2006 - Orlando, FL - The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team perform a twenty-minute show on the Galaxy Palace Theater in Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL.

• March 2006 - Springfield, MA - USTD Regional Competition Season begins.

• March 19 th 2006 - Brooklyn, NY- Miss Dance of the United States (2005-2006 ~ Sammantha Foster), and the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team appear and march in the Irish-American St. Patrick's Day Parade. Miss Dance of the United States rode atop a convertible along the parade route waving to the spectators as the Team marched closely behind.

• April 2006 - New York, NY - USTD President and CEO Sean Flanagan, partners with Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, and Dancer's Responding to AIDS and agrees to have the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team represent the charity as the "Official Charity of the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team.

• May 2006 - New York, NY - USTD President and CEO Sean Flanagan accepts sponsorship deal from Knicks City Dancers manager, Michelle Harris. As part of the deal designed to promote a new program entitled; "The Knicks City Dancer Experience," Harris agreed to donate a scholarship for the US Nationals in July. Later, Harris offered to have the Knicks City Dancer's perform at the event, and Flanagan agreed.

• June 2006 Miami, FL - A two-page article entitled "The United States Tournament of Dance and Miss Dance of the United States Make a Difference in Hurricane-Ravaged New Orleans" is published in Dancer Magazine (June issue pages 22-23). The article highlighted the USTD's charity work in New Orleans. The article also featured photos from the trip as well as photos of Mr. Dance and Junior Miss Dance of the United States at a benefit performance for troops just returning from and being deployed to Iraq.

• June 18 th 2006 - New York, NY - Miss Dance of the United States (2005-2006 ~ Sammantha Foster), and other US and International Titleholders holding positions on the US Dance Team appear on Military Island in Times Square for a promotional segment on the CBS Early Show. The segment was a lead in" for an event entitled; "Solstice in Times Square," due to be held there later that day. Team members offered demonstrations and appeared with Denise Hurlin Roberts during the interview which was a live broadcast.

• June 18 th 2006 - New York, NY- Miss Dance of the United States (2005-2006 ~ Sammantha Foster), and the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team perform at "Solstice in Times Square" a live benefit performance produced by the Times Square Alliance in conjunction with Broadway Cares and Dancer's Responding to AIDS. The event took place on an outdoor stage situated on Broadway at 43 rd Street. The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team performed "Dancing at the Crossroad's" while Miss Dance of the United States performed her award-winning routine, "Life." Thousands poured out for the highly publicized event. Miss Dance and the Team were among 28 professional dance companies to appear on the bill, including Broadway's "Hot Feet" and the cast of the "Color Purple." Dance Magazine offered this opinion in a recent issue of the publication, "With flips and precision Jazz moves, the US Acrobatic and Dance Team nearly stopped traffic." Miss Dance of the United States and the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team helped to raise over $6000.00 for the cause. The donation was presented to Dancer's Responding to AIDS just prior to the event.

• June 28 th 2006 - New York, NY - An article is published in Dance Teacher Magazine (June issue pages 30-31) focusing on USTD's involvement with Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts. The article entitled, "Moving Forward" features a photo of Miss Dance of the United States (2005 -2006 ~ Sammantha Foster) offering assistance to a young girl. The caption below the photo reads; "Miss Dance of the US Sammantha Foster helps a young dancer pick out tap shoes at a drive sponsored by the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund and the United States Tournament of Dance."

• July 9 th 2006 - Atlantic City, NJ - USTD kicks off the 2 nd Annual United States Acrobatic National Championship in Atlantic City, NJ. Acrobatic schools came together for the event in an effort to sharpen their skills and share their passion for the art of Acrobatics in Dance! Competitors and Teachers alike enjoyed the Judges Open Mic Sessions which followed each individual competitor's performance. All United States Acrobatic Titles were awarded at the event which also served as the official selection process for the Acrobatic division of the United States Dance Team.

• July 11 th -16 th 2006 - Atlantic City, NJ - USTD celebrates it's 30 th anniversary with twenty-three dance schools, some traveling from as far away as Texas and Canada. The week-long event included; a Teacher's Reception Party, Junior and Senior Team Matches, Team Match After Party's, Junior and Senior Diamond Dance-Off's, US and International Title Divisions, Selections for the United States Dance Team, Junior and Senior Dance Team Banquets, Event Sponsor's Cocktail Party, Workshops, Exhibitions, a special appearance & Meet and Greet by Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry and much more. Lindsey Nicastro from Horizons Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY was crowned the new Miss Dance of the United States despite fierce competition. Other special appearances included; Captain Vincent Felix (representing the 800 th MP Brigade), Jamie Chiasson (Director of the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund - New Orleans, LA), Domenick Recchia (New York City Councilman 47 th District) Erin Brennan (Madison Square Garden/Radio City Entertainment Sponsor Representative) Marilyn Paolacci and Irwin Liss (M & I Dancewear co-owners and Sponsor Representatives) Michelle Harris (Manager Entertainment Marketing NY Knicks), "The Knicks City Dancers" and Guests of honor; Ashley Wainright (Empire Dance Center ~ Syracuse, NY) and finally USTD founder Verona Ellis (Former USTD Director). Thanks to all who helped to make this year's US Nationals a memorable event.

• August 3 rd 2006 - New York, NY - Miss Dance of the United States (2006-2007 ~ Lindsey Nicastro) appears at Madison Square Garden in New York City for a New York Liberty Game. While there, Lindsey was honored on center court during a time-out for having brought the Title of Miss Dance of the United States back to New York.

• August 3 rd 2006 - New York, NY - The newly selected United States Acrobatic and dance Team perform the Halftime Show for the New York Liberty Game live at Madison Square Garden. The audience of12, 000+ were flawed by the performance which was well received.

• September 2006 - New York, NY - An article is published in Dance Sprit Magazine (September issue - pages 96-98) entitled, "Gulf Coast Dance Scene." The article revisits the organizations that offered assistance to Gulf Coast Dance Studios. The article included three paragraphs on USTD's involvement as well as a photo of Miss Dance 2005-2006 during a visit to the area. The caption below the photo reads; "Sammantha Foster, Miss Dance of the United States, helping to distribute items at the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Benefit courtesy of the United States Tournament of Dance and Kid's Aid Fundraiser.

 

2005 Newsletter
2005 Newsletter | 2006 Newsletter | 2007 Newsletter (coming soon)

Colleagues, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have sent you this newsletter to keep you informed as to "USTD happenings" throughout the year. I believe that our season begins at the close of Nationals. The many events and experiences we take part in during the off-season allows many of your students the opportunity to make a difference in the dance community as well as the world around them. I am pleased to be able to share these experiences with you while offering key information pertaining to the competition. I will send additional updates in February, in the meantime, on behalf of myself and the entire USTD staff we wish you all a joyous and safe holiday season!!!!!

•  August 16 th 2005 - New York, NY - Miss Dance of the United States Sammantha Foster and USTD President and CEO Sean Flanagan are honored at Madison Square Garden in New York City for their support of the "Cheering for Children Foundation," and the "Ronald MacDonald House of New York." The event took place during a time-out at a New York Liberty Game.

•  August 16 th 2005 - New York, NY - The United States Acrobatic and Dance Team (chosen at USTD Nationals) make their debut performance in front of 14,000 spectators during halftime at the final New York Liberty home game, Madison Square Garden, New York City.

•  September 24 th 2005 - New York, NY - The USTD hosted an acrobatic workshop and audition. The workshop was held at New Dance Group Arts Center in Times Square, and also served as an audition for the New York Knicks Tumbling Team. Mr. Christopher Davis gave the workshop, while the audition segment was run by Michelle Harris, Managing Director of Entertainment Marketing for the New York Knicks. Four students were selected and hired for the Team, which will perform at several home games for the New York Knicks throughout the season. (Bryce Hoffman - Jersey Cape Dance and Gymnastics also Miss Acrobat of the United States, Marovani Gayle - Hope Specht School of Dance, Desirea Cerasi - Cape May County Performing Arts, and Hailey Cloud - New England Dance and Gymnastics were all chosen for the Team.) The four will be working alongside members of the infamous "Anti-Gravity Team"

•  September 29 th 2005 - Bellmore, NY - M&I Dancewear renews their sponsorship agreement with the USTD for the third consecutive year. M&I is responsible for donating custom-made jackets and pants to the entire United States Acrobatic and Dance Team as well as leotards, shoes and tights for the opening number at Nationals. In addition, M&I will provide the cash scholarships for the Judges Award for Excellence (Junior and Senior Divisions), and host a cocktail party for all studio directors and teachers at USTD Nationals.

•  October 23 rd 2005 - Brooklyn, NY - The USTD, Miss Dance of the United States (Sammantha Foster) and Mr. Dance of the United States (Anthony Raimondi) participated in a benefit entitled "Kid's Aid" in support of the Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts. The event was hosted by Reflections in Dance, Horizons Dance Center, Danceworks Dance Center, and New York City Councilman, Domenick Recchia. The benefit raised over $13,000.00 for the "Save the Children Hurricane Relief Fund." The USTD used the event as a distribution point to collect dance-related items for devastated dance schools in the New Orleans area. Both Miss Dance of the US and Mr. Dance of the US spoke at the event expressing their thanks for the donated items. Items collected were donated to the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund in Harvey, LA.

•  October 24 th - November 2 nd 2005 - Long Island, NY - The USTD continued it's efforts for the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund by collecting donated items from dance schools and other dance organizations involved with the USTD.

•  November 8 th 2005 - Harvey, Louisiana - The USTD and the West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund co-host a benefit to distribute the collected items to those in need. The event took place at the Le Maisson Creole Catering Hall in Harvey, LA. USTD President and CEO, Sean Flanagan and Joe Senisi, a USTD volunteer, personally drove the truckload of items to New Orleans. Sammantha Foster (Miss Dance of the United States) and her father Thomas Foster, were flown in from Providence, RI, to assist with the distribution process. The response was overwhelming; studio directors, teachers, parents and children came and went throughout the day. While there, the USTD established an "Adopt-a-studio Program," distributed shoes, tights, leotards, dancewear, t-shirts, outerwear and other items, spoke individually with every attendee, and registered children for a "Pen Pal Program." Flanagan and Sammantha were interviewed and photographed by the West Bank Picayune.

•  November 9 th 2005 - Metairie, LA - Sean Flanagan (President and CEO USTD), Sammantha Foster (Miss Dance of the United States), and Jamie Chiasson (West Bank Dance Studios Relief Fund Director) were invited as guests to appear on a television show entitled A Greater New Orleans, "The Road to Recovery." The segment aired live in the New Orleans area. Following the appearance, the team toured some of the hardest-hit areas and visited some of the dance schools most heavily affected by the storm. An article pertaining to the trip will be published in the February edition of Dancer Magazine. The USTD and Dancer Magazine are hopeful that publishing the story will help expose the many challenges the dance community is facing in that part of the country. Owen Goldman (Dancer Magazine) has donated 500 posters to be sold as fundraisers, as well as free subscriptions to Dancer Magazine.

•  November 11 th 2005 - New York, NY - The USTD hosts the second acrobatic workshop at New Dance Group Arts Center, in Times Square. The workshop was given by Chuck Kelley.

•  November 14 th 2005 - Providence, RI - Sammantha Foster (Miss Dance of the United States) matches up members from the United States Acrobatic and Dance Team with children registered for the "Pen Pal Program" while in New Orleans.

•  November 22 nd 2005 - Bellmore, NY - Radio City Entertainment and Madison Square Garden renew their sponsorship agreement with the USTD for the second consecutive year. Madison Square Garden will be donating a performance opportunity to the "Most Entertaining Group" (Junior Division) at the Junior Diamond Dance-Off (USTD Nationals). As part of the opportunity, MSG will be donating 120 tickets and 120 food vouchers to the group along with the performance at A New York Liberty Game. The organization will also be donating commemorative gifts to Miss Dance and Mr. Dance of the United States 2006.

•  December 3 rd 2005 - New York, NY - The USTD hosts a "Street Jazz" workshop at New Dance Group Arts Center in Times Square. Ms. Caitlin Gray, Resident Choreographer for the United States Dance Team, gave the workshop.

•  December 3 rd 2005 - Long Island, NY - Anthony Raimondi (Mr. Dance of the United States) and Nicole Dlug (Junior Miss Dance of the United States) appear at the 800 th MP Brigade Welcome Home/Christmas Party in Hicksville, NY. While there, the two performed for the troops and expressed words of encouragement and support on behalf of the dance community. They also assisted Santa in distributing gifts to the children of the soldiers who had recently returned from Iraq.

•  December 4 th 2005 - New York, NY - The USTD and Madison Square Garden, kick off the third annual Knicks Dance Days Program. The Carmel High School Dance Team, from Carmel, NY (under the direction of Tasha Cucinelli) was the first group this year to perform on center court.

•  December 4 th 2005 - Syracuse, NY - The USTD participates in a benefit for Susan Alvarez Hughes in Syracuse, NY. Susan, a USTD supporter, is the owner of the Salt City Moving Company Dance Studio in Manlius, NY. She is currently battling Lymphoma. The USTD has donated $500.00 in entry fees good for USTD competitions to be raffled off for the cause.