After Nearly a Year of Preparation, the Team Earned First-Place Finishes in Both Ballroom Formation and Latin Formation at the Historic Competition in Blackpool.
A few weeks ago, dancers from around the world — including teams from England, China and across Europe — took the floor at the British Championships, one of the most prestigious events in ballroom dance.
After nearly a year of preparation, BYU’s Ballroom Dance Company captured first-place honors in both the Ballroom Formation and Latin Formation categories.
The win adds another milestone to the university’s long tradition of international ballroom success. But for director and BYU Department of Dance chair Curt Holman, the achievement was about far more than trophies.
“The British Championships are always a leap of faith,” Holman said. “You spend months creating and refining, but you never really know how it will be received until the team steps onto the floor.”
This year’s competition carried added significance as the 2026 event marked the 100th anniversary of the British Championships in Blackpool, England. Elite teams from across the globe gathered to celebrate a century of ballroom tradition, including Beijing Dance Academy, BYU’s longtime rival and respected peer in the ballroom world.
For the students, competing in Blackpool represented the realization of a long-held dream.
“It really is such an honor to be able to go and compete in a venue and competition like Blackpool,” said student dancer Blake Fox. “It has been the heart of competitive ballroom dance since its inception. Winning any event at Blackpool is something that all ballroom dancers dream of.”
For BYU students, the road to Blackpool began long before the competition itself.
The creative process began last summer with music selection, choreography design and the development of innovative transitions and staging concepts.
Throughout the year, students spent countless hours refining technique and training with world-class coaches. Holman continually adjusted the production and choreography as the group worked to create a fresh performance while honoring the traditions of formation dancing.
Fox said the preparation demanded extraordinary commitment from every member of the team.
“We have spent two to three hours every day since last August, with several 11-hour days, preparing and choreographing the medleys in preparation for the event,” Fox said. “We took everything into account — the size of the floor, the brightness of the lights and where and how our formations would be viewed.”
Those hours of preparation culminated in a championship performance.
The Latin team energized a packed ballroom, drawing enthusiastic support from spectators and BYU study abroad students who happened to be attending the event. When the routine ended, the crowd responded with a standing ovation as the team secured the championship title, bringing months of preparation to a thrilling conclusion.
The Ballroom Formation event proved equally memorable.
Set to a sweeping musical score featuring works by Debussy, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, BYU’s performance immediately captured the audience’s attention. As the routine unfolded, the crowd inside the historic Empress Ballroom responded with sustained applause.
Holman said watching the students perform was one of the most memorable moments of his career.
“In my 30 years at BYU, I have never experienced a greater sense of anticipation, pride and joy than watching these students perform,” he said.
For Holman, the performances were a reflection of the legacy and reputation BYU’s ballroom program has established in Blackpool over the years.
“People in Blackpool know the BYU name and the tradition of excellence associated with this program,” Holman said. “This was a night these students will remember for the rest of their lives.”