The 50th Anniversary of La Classique du Québec

Anthony Hurley reports.

Words cannot describe how delighted I was to receive an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary of the famous La Classique du Québec in beautiful snowy Montreal.

This magnificent event was the brainchild of Meryem Pearson and, together with her organising partner Daniel Heroux, is still at the helm. The magnificent Hotel Bonaventure has been the home of the Classique since the early 1980’s, and that is when I became involved, first as an adjudicator then as Chairman. In those early years, Meryem was, and still is, an organiser extraordinaire. I could write so much about the early days, but my directive is to record the 50th anniversary.

The large panel of 30 adjudicators from Canada and America were destined for a very hard-working four days, commencing at 7am each day. This was necessary to cope with the large entries and the four disciplines, namely Ballroom, Latin American, American Smooth and American Rhythm.

This year the competition commenced on Thursday, 12th February, with Pro-Am events which enjoyed wonderful entries.

The evening was the anticipated Gala Dinner, and a large audience enjoyed the food, flowing wine and excellent cabarets. The first cabaret were “Menage a Trois.” They delighted us all with exciting and gravity-defying lifts. I understand this act is now travelling the world to appear at dancing events, well worth engaging. The attractive and very brave lady within the threesome is also a very generous sponsor. The second cabaret was a combination of Latin and Argentine Tango presented by Richie & Laura and Anton & Anna. Both couples received a wonderful ovation. I particularly enjoyed their dancing.

And so, we move onto day two. Still with Pro-Am, such were the large entries. A divided floor system was adopted with different grades on the floor at the same time, which must be very taxing for the adjudicators and impossible for me to make any valuable comments. I was, however, very happy and impressed with the standard of the professional teachers who maintained quality in their own dancing, which they transferred to their pupils. Congratulations on keeping up the technical and postural standards of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

The Juvenile and Junior competitors were also mostly well trained. I was impressed with the large entries. The future looks very encouraging for Canada to have so many young and enthusiastic children, and parents of course. I was amazed at how many Ukrainian, Russian and Oriental couples were competing in all grades from Juvenile through to Professionals. Thank God the parents love dancing too.

The Junior Under 14 winners were Filip Kwietniewski & Oleksandra Ochereto, who displayed good character of the Latin rhythms for this age group.

The Amateur Latin American

From a very good semi-final, the following six couples were recalled for the final:

Samba – CCC – Rumba – Paso – Jive

1st. Sandu Babira & Emmy Chladek – 1, 1, 1, 2, 2

2nd. Pavel Ivanov & Veronica Baranmova – 2, 2, 2, 1, 1

3rd. Danny Zhelasko & Ellie Akh Romenko – 3, 3, 3, 3, 4

4th. Sean Lama & Jewel Jin – 4, 4, 4, 5, 5

5th. Vasyl Bielichenko & Barbara Smodieva – 5, 5, 5, 4, 4

6th. Sebastian Lennox & Cassidy Grossi – 6, 6, 6, 6, 6

Open Amateur Ballroom

Unfortunately, the scrutineers did not give me the final analysis. However, I made a few personal notes.

1st. Nathan Zaytsev & Alisa Bankova

Flying the flag for the USA. They have represented very successfully and are rated in the top international championships. They display excellent qualities, so it is not surprising they won very comfortably. Their posture and musical movement is refreshing. Their Tango leg action helps to produce staccato action without being aggressive. These qualities will, I am sure, take them to the top of the Amateur world.

Mykyta Tsydinsky & Elizabeth Davidov

Nice style and with good posture. Try to understand rise and sway in Slow Foxtrot, as opposed to tilt. I am sure your coach will help.

Nathaniel Petrov & Katusha Petrova

Tango was too progressive and aggressive. Learn to use the floor and listen to the music. However, you surprised me in the Viennese Waltz with a nice flowing action and a well executed fleckerl.

Anton Kovalenko & Stephanie Bourov

Full of youthful energy, but try to understand the music should dictate your movement. Don’t push the music.

Something I am always telling couples: first, you identify the dance, maybe a Waltz or Tango, then listen to what the music is telling you. Remember the music came first, then the choreography, and even allowing for progress you should compliment the dance with suitable figures.

Professional Smooth Final (W, T, F, VW)

1st. Patrick Derry & Anastasia Trutneva – 1, 1, 1, 1

2nd. Volodymyr & Yanina Barabash – 2, 2, 2, 2

3rd. Oleksandr & Haylin Gooley – 3, 3, 3, 3

4th. Tyler Gordon & Kamilia Artemenko – 4, 4, 4, 4

This style is becoming popular now in many countries. I personally find it relaxing to watch. Generally, they portray elegance, flexibility and musicality. Perhaps this is because they are required to release and regain hold. I think these qualities should be more apparent (not the hold release, of course) in the Ballroom style, which in years gone by was an essential part of perfecting one’s performance. We must control the athleticism which is masking the traditions of competitive Ballroom dancing. This undoubtedly can be achieved with excellent coaching and personal discipline.

Throughout the weekend programme of events, many interesting competitions were embracing all styles and age groups to be contested over and above the main competitions, including Pro-Am Open Scholarships in Ballroom and Latin, and World DanceSport Series. Both these categories have excellent grounding for future competitors.

Professional Show Dance

Unfortunately, due to withdrawals only two couples presented their performance to the ever-enthusiastic audience.

1st. Mykyta Bakhchevan & Artsvik Arutiunian

2nd. Alexander Sasha Kostic & Jojo Espinosa

Interesting choreography from these two couples. Their individualism and qualities were so appreciated by the knowledgeable audience.

Open Professional Rhythm (Latin American Style)

Contested over CCC, Rumba, Swing, Bolero and Mambo:

• Vlad Astafiev & Aleksandra Koziowska

• Tyler Gordon & Kamila Artemenko

• Oleksandr Kravchenko & Haylin Gooley

• Hai Tran & Jocelyn Jacques

• Reitano Holly & Emily Kitamura

I had to mention these five couples who contested the final as they were so refreshing in their individual styles. Unfortunately, I do not have the placings. It was fascinating to watch with the various rhythms that create this style. I found the music so refreshing to listen to, especially the Bolero and Mambo.

Saturday, the Ballroom was completely sold out and the atmosphere both in the ballroom and the surrounds was electric, with competitors, coaches and parents issuing last-minute instructions to their participants in the different styles of the major competitions.

Saturday was also going to witness a retirement of one of Canada’s top professional couples, plus the presentation of top students, teachers and top studio awards.

A special award was made to Nicole Jolicour, who was a popular and successful senior competitor back in the eighties and has always been an active supporter of the Classique, apart from raising two dancing daughters, one who became World Ten Dance Champion. I must mention I gave her and her husband many lessons, a personal friend and supporter to Meryem. She received a wonderful and deserved reception for her services to La Classique.

As an early supporter, adjudicator and Chairman back in the early eighties, I had the honour this evening of delivering a personal tribute both to Meryem Pearson and her famous La Classique du Québec’s 50th anniversary, which was somewhat emotional for me at times.

Unbeknown to me, I was presented with a Lifetime Award, a beautiful inscribed cut glass award, which also included services in those early days to La Classique, presented by Meryem and her co-organiser Daniel Heroux.

The Open Professional Ballroom Final

1st. Nikita Druzhynin & Virginie Primeau-Poirier – 1, 1, 1, 1, 1

This was the first opportunity for me to see this popular couple in action. I was immediately impressed with their characterisation and quality. Their experience on the international competition scene made them comfortable winners.

2nd. Vladyslav Komelkov & Alexandra Sevastyanova – 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Attractive posture and good musicality.

3rd. Alieksandr Lavrov & Vilhelmina Lavrov – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

I enjoyed their dancing as they appeared to combine tradition with excellent movement.

4th. Nikita Korsakov & Liuba Astashina – 4, 4, 4, 5, 5

Another couple with a pleasing Ballroom look. Be careful not to push the music in the VW.

5th. Stanislav Lisovolenko & Tetiana Khorosheva – 6, 5, 5, 4, 4

Please investigate the Tango and its music to improve this dance. Presently, it is too progressive.

6th. Brenton Michell & Darci Ross – 5, 6, 6, 6, 5

Sixth place, but they have good floor personality and with steady improvement will not always have them in the lower end of a final.

Overall comment: it has been very refreshing to observe how the Canadian competitors from Pro-Am through to this Professional Final have nicely presented toplines and natural positioning from the ladies, which is setting a fine example for the young dancers to emulate.

At this stage of my report, I must apologise for not mentioning the excellent Professional Latin American competition or the talented Junior Ballroom and Latin finals, as I was not able to obtain the final marking sheets from the scrutineers, and after enquiries to retrieve them they have not been forthcoming to date.

Sunday daytime is quite unique, mostly dedicated to Juveniles and Juniors. The restricted syllabi is relaxed and, within reason, these children can dance their own style and feelings.

The 60 Juvenile couples were named Teddy Bears and in the final presentation every boy and girl were presented with a cuddly teddy bear.

The 60 Juniors who took part in this relaxed and enjoyable afternoon were also presented with a surprise gift. They were all delighted to receive the wonderful in-flight carry-on wheelies.

After the Professional Finals in the evening, the 50th anniversary of the 2026 La Classique du Québec was drawing to a close, but not before a farewell party was hosted by Meryem and Daniel. A food buffet and wine were much appreciated while the super Latin band played fantastic rhythms. Although I left at 2am, the eager Latinos, I am told, danced till dawn.

In closing my report, I must again personally thank both Meryem and Daniel for their hospitality and kindness, giving me the opportunity of reliving emotional memories of La Classique du Québec.