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Laureen Baldovi began her professional career on the competitive couples dance circuit in both country dance and WCS, with multiple UCWDC and US Open Champion wins. She has represented swing and country to the public in theatre, music videos, television and film, and remains active in the swing community as a teacher, competitor and judge.
Crowned Queen of the New Orleans Country Dance Mardi Gras, 1998
Winner of 1997 TNN Country Dance Invitational
Principal dancer in NYC production of Swing! and appeared with Swing! dance troupe on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Theatre productions: Kids Night on Broadway, Urban Cowboy (Workshop Production), Swango…The Fusion, Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, Swango: The Musical, Street Swing
Performed in music videos for Scooter Lee, Roger Brown’s Swing City, Bellamy Brothers’ Shine Them Buckles
Performed at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games (Atlanta, GA), on TNN’s The Crook & Chase Show, 1997 Orange Bowl Half-time Show (Miami, FL)
Dancer in movies Dance with Me and Love N’ Dancing
Featured in dance magazines: Western Express, 5-6-7-8, In the Swing, West Coast Swing America
World Swing Dance Council Hall of Fame
California Swing Dance Hall of Fame Inductee for Nova Star, Rising Star, Shining Star
Feather Award for Best Classic Swing Dance Couple, Top Country Dance Showcase Couple
Three-time Winner of UCWDC’s Star Awards Ball
WAG (Westie Award Gala) Winner for Favorite Past Time Routine from 1983-2000 for Fever
Fun Fact:
“In the Broadway show Swing!, Laureen and Jason Colacino had “dance off” to see who could spin more times”
Laureen Baldovi first learned WCS and two step with her sister’s friends in 1989. She competed in WCSDC competitions before partnering with Robert Royston in 1992. From 1995-1998, they won 4 consecutive UCWDC Masters (professional) titles and 4 titles at the US Open Swing Dance Championships, an unprecedented achievement. Until they announced their retirement as a competitive partnership in 1999, they competed, coached, choreographed, and danced Pro/Ams on both the country and swing circuits in the US and Europe.
Laureen was honored to dance in the Broadway show Swing! from 1999-2001. Representing their country roots, Robert and Laureen performed an East Coast Swing routine in cowboy hat and western boots.
Returning to the Swing competition circuit, Laureen started a new partnership with Ronnie DeBenedetta. They won Showcase at the US Open in 2003 and continued to place in the top 5 in many competitions. Laureen also returned to the UCWDC circuit in Pro/Am and was 2013 UCWDC Showtime Division Champion. Laureen was Co-Event Director of Coastal Country from 1999-2003.
Laureen continues to teach all forms of swing and country western, hustle and some Latin. She competes, coaches, teaches and judges nationally. An active member of the swing dance community, she shares her love of the dance and educating the “next generation.”
