First-Time Triumph: Ned Gulley Shines at Patriot Dance Festival 2025
The magic of ballroom dancing isn’t just about the steps — it’s about the stories.
At MI Fiesta Dance, we are proud to celebrate one of our newest stars, Ned Gulley, who competed for the very first time at the Patriot Dance Festival 2025, held at the beautiful Marriott Boston Hotel in Burlington, MA.
Only one year after beginning his ballroom journey, Ned embraced the excitement of his first Pro Am dance competition — and what a journey it has been!
How It All Began: A Referral, a Friendship, and a New Passion
Ned’s introduction to ballroom dancing came thanks to a friend: Lauren Paul, a passionate amateur ballroom dancer who has danced for six years with professional instructor Imre at MI Fiesta Dance.
Lauren and Ned share more than just friendship — they also sing together in the same music group. Inspired by Lauren’s joy and dedication to dancing, Ned decided to give ballroom a try.
He partnered with Mariam Izmaylove at our studio, and the rest is history.
Ned quickly fell in love with ballroom dancing, sharing:
“I think dance is the perfect form of exercise because you have to use your brain, you have to use your body, and you get to meet beautiful people.”
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Preparing for Patriot Dance Festival 2025
After a year of hard work and dedication, Ned had mastered three dances in the American Rhythm category:
- Cha cha cha
- American rumba
- Swing
Excited and a little nervous, he decided to enter the Patriot Dance Festival 2025 — one of New England’s one day ballroom dance competitions.
In preparation for his big day:
- Ned picked out professional ballroom outfits with help from Mariasha Couture.
- He signed up for 4 rounds of single dances and 2 rounds of multi-dances, totaling 18 dances.
(Don’t worry — with each dance lasting about one minute, it added up to around 18 minutes of actual dance time!)
When asked how he felt before stepping onto the floor, Ned said:
“Hopeful, nervous, but I know the competition is a good thing — it will motivate me to work harder and learn better. But I’m crossing my fingers I don’t fall flat on my face!”
Competition Day Highlights
Ned’s first dance began promptly at 2:00 PM, where he performed his Cha Cha, Rumba, and Swing one after another.
His energy, big smile, and hard work shone through every step!
Between rounds, we shared laughter, encouragement, and fun — exactly what a first and actully every competition should feel like.
And the results? Absolutely fantastic:
- Ned placed first in almost all of his single dance rounds — a huge achievement for a first-time competitor!
At 4:00 PM, the multi-dance events started.
In the Pro/Am Rhythm Closed Bronze Scholarship, where the judges score multiple dances combined, Ned placed an impressive 4th place.
Congratulations, Ned! Your MI Fiesta Dance family is so proud of you!
A Day to Remember
The entire experience at Patriots Dance Festival 2025 was unforgettable.
From beautiful performances to flawless organization, the day was full of energy, excitement, and community spirit.
A big thank you to Randy Deats and the Patriots Dance Festival team for hosting such a wonderful event.
(For full details about the event and future competitions, check out their official website: patriotdancefestival.com)
We can’t wait to see where Ned’s dance journey goes next. With his passion, dedication, and joyful spirit, the sky’s the limit! See you on the Yankee Calssic DanceSport Ballroom Dacne Competition in June.
Ready to Begin Your Own Ballroom Journey?
Inspired by Ned’s story?
Take the first step onto the dance floor with MI Fiesta Dance.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to compete in your first ballroom dance competition, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule your first Pro Am dance lesson!
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Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to experience the joy of ballroom dancing. Sign up for a free introductory lesson today and take the first step towards mastering the dance floor!
