Amy Is Chasing History This Weekend at the Gateway DanceSport Championships

Published April 2, 2026 | Ballroom By Amy

This weekend, Amy is in St. Louis at the Gateway DanceSport Championships — one of the most prestigious ballroom competitions in the Midwest.

But this isn’t just any competition weekend. Amy is a two-time consecutive winner of the Dancers Cup Tour Top Teacher award — and she’s currently sitting in second place on the leaderboard, 605 points behind the leader, with events still to go.

And one of her own students? He’s sitting at #1 in the entire country — going for his third straight top student title.

This is the kind of weekend that reminds you what dance can become when you commit to it.

What Is the Dancers Cup Tour?

The Dancers Cup Tour is a nationally recognized ballroom competition series made up of some of the most respected Pro-Am events in the country. Teachers and students accumulate points across multiple competitions throughout the year — and the standings reflect sustained excellence, not just one good day on the floor.

To qualify for Tour Awards, dancers must compete in at least five DCT events. The season wraps at the Wisconsin State Dance Championships, where the final points are doubled — meaning the race is always close right until the end.

Amy has won the Top Teacher title two years in a row. That’s not luck. That’s a pattern of showing up, preparing her students, and delivering — competition after competition, all year long.

The Story Behind the Numbers

Leaderboards don’t tell the full story, but they tell enough.

When Amy’s student Jerry Bursh sits at #1 in the entire Dancers Cup Tour Pro-Am Gentlemen division, it means something simple and powerful: he showed up. He took the lessons seriously. He trusted the process. And his instructor prepared him to compete at the highest level — not just once, but across an entire season, year after year.

Jerry is now chasing his third consecutive Dancers Cup Tour title. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the teacher-student relationship is real, and the work between lessons actually translates onto the competition floor.

“When your student is leading the nation, it means you’re doing more than teaching steps — you’re building someone’s belief in themselves.”

What Competing at Gateway Looks Like

Competition weekends aren’t just about the dancing. They’re about the whole experience — the electric energy in the ballroom, the camaraderie between competitors, the themed décor (yes, that’s the Mad Hatter), the long hallways filled with rhinestones and nerves and laughter.

The Gateway DanceSport Championships takes place at the stunning Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, April 2–4, 2026. It brings together dancers from across the country — professionals, amateurs, and Pro-Am pairs — all sharing the same floor for a full weekend of competition and celebration.

For Amy, it’s one stop in a season-long pursuit of her third consecutive title. For her student Jerry, it’s another chance to extend his lead at the top of the national standings. For students back home in Minneapolis and St. Paul — it’s a reminder of what’s possible.

📸 From the Floor in St. Louis

A look inside Amy’s competition weekend at the Gateway DanceSport Championships.

Where Amy Stands — Full DCT Top Teacher Leaderboard

Here’s the current Dancers Cup Tour Top Teacher standings heading into the Gateway event:

Amy is qualified, she’s in the hunt, and there’s a full event still to go — including the double-points finale at Wisconsin State. The title is not decided yet.

What This Means If You’re Thinking About Lessons

Here’s the honest truth about taking lessons from someone who competes at this level:

You don’t need to care about leaderboards. You don’t need to ever compete. Most of Amy’s students never do. But when your instructor is out there, right now, putting her own preparation and reputation on the line at a national competition — it means she understands what it takes to improve. She knows how to build a student up from nothing, and she knows how to keep them growing.

Whether your goal is a wedding first dance, feeling comfortable at a social event, or just trying something new — that level of experience shows up in every single lesson.

Ballroom Dance Lessons in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Ballroom By Amy offers private ballroom and Latin dance lessons throughout the Twin Cities. Amy works with beginners, wedding couples, and experienced dancers who want to grow — and she brings the same care and attention to every single student, regardless of their goal or experience level.

If you’ve been curious about ballroom dance lessons in the Twin Cities — or if you’ve been putting off starting because it feels intimidating — reaching out to Amy is the easiest first step. There’s no pressure, no judgment, and no experience required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dancers Cup Tour?

The Dancers Cup Tour is a national ballroom competition series where teachers and students accumulate points across multiple recognized events throughout the year. Amy has won the Top Teacher award two consecutive years — meaning she’s consistently ranked among the best instructors competing nationwide.

Do I need experience to take lessons with Amy?

Not at all. Most of Amy’s students start with zero experience. She makes the first lesson feel completely manageable — no pressure, no judgment, and no expectation that you’ll already know anything. You just show up and she takes it from there.

What if I just need help with a wedding dance?

That’s one of Amy’s specialties. She works with couples all the time — even on tight timelines — to create a first dance that feels personal, confident, and memorable. Reach out and she’ll put together a plan that fits your schedule and your song.

Do I have to compete if I take lessons?

Absolutely not. Competition is completely optional. Many of Amy’s students take lessons purely for fun, fitness, connection, or social confidence — and they never step on a competition floor. The lessons are valuable either way.

How do I get started?

You have two easy options. You can email Amy directly at amy@ballroombyamy.com — she’s warm, easy to talk to, and there’s zero pressure. Or visit ballroombyamy.com and fill out the Request More Information form. Either way, Amy will follow up personally.

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