SKIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Dom wins world under-12 title
Dancing Donnie Burns had to put in some nifty footwork to guarantee that his young son would become a world champion just like him.
The ‘Hamilton Hoofer’ had to relocate his family 3500 miles across the US from a beach-side paradise home in California to the colder climes of New Jersey.
But the Stateside switch paid off after Domenico and his partner last month smashed competition from China, Japan and New Zealand to emerge as the world’s top under-12 dancing duo.
Donnie, 64, said: “Domenico andnd his previous partner, Dasha, were duee to perform in a show at the Blackpoolol Dance Festival in June. But Dasha had to pull out at the last minute.
“Domenico was devastated and the show had already been advertised and tickets sold.”
A hunt then began to f ind a replacement partner who matched Domenico’s talent and ambition.
They found her in Juliana Gekker, whoseose teachers were once students of Donnienie and his wife Heidi, 43.
Donnie, a former US Dancing With The Stars judge, said: “We were living near Laguna Beach, in California’s South Orange County. It is halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and surrounded by palm trees and beaches.
“We knew of a fabulous girl who had just split with her partner but she was based in New York, 3500 miles away.
“However, we made contact, sent videos and
Juliana learned from the videos of Domenico dancing in our studio with Heidi, Domenico’s mum. Ten days later they danced for the first time at rehearsals in Blackpool and it seems like history was made.
“Other senior professionals were coming up to them and giving rave reviews. They told Heidi and I to ‘make it happen’ – even though we raised the slight objection that the 3500-mile distance and complete life change was something of a challenge.”
The family flew from LA to New York six times to scope out prestige property which would put them close to Juliana.J
By necesnecessity, their $7million Laguna Beach home was swapped for a $ 4.5m4.5million ranch-style spread in 21 acacres in Colt’s Neck, New Jersey.
It comes with its own lake, swswimming pool and barn, which is ccurrently being converted to dadance studios for the three dandancing Burns.
ThThe fairytale came true at the UndeUnder-12s World Championships at AsseAssen, in the Netherlands, when the young pair received 80 first-place finishes from a ppossible 85.
Rivals hailed from Ukraine, Russia and England, and some had been sponsored by their governments.
But Domenico will have to go some to match his father’s 16 World Latin American titles.
Donnie said: “We’re over the moon. The switch from California has been worth it – even if we are experiencing our coldest weather in many years in New Jersey. Still, it’s not as cold as Hamilton.”
Senior onals professi up coming were at the to them show and giving rave reviews