Dance, Dance, Dance!

Linda Pope creates

ballroom dance show

with Simon Fuller

For local dance aficionado Linda Pope it’s a dream come true. Her concept for a show about the highly competitive world of amateur ballroom dancing, known as ProAm, has been picked up by the network TLC. Her business partner is none other than Simon Fuller, creator and producer of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

Pope’s brainchild, Ballroom Blitz, debuts from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wed., Nov. 26, on TLC (CenturyLink – 251, Cox – 42, DirectTV – 280 and DISH – 183).

“‘Ballroom Blitz’ has glitz,

glamour and drama, and

we know people are just

going to love it.”

“The Nov. 26 premiere represents the culmination of a vast array ot talent from the amateur and professional dancers to the producers and our wonderful team at TLC,” Pope says. "The American public has proved they love ballroom dance shows like Dancing With the Stars. Ballroom Blitz has glitz, glamour and drama, and we know people are just going to love it.”

Several local residents star in the show, including Jan Montague, Carrie Schnept, Rose Dimov, Jim Garnick and Olivia Pena Anderson. Local professional dance instructors include Inna Berlizyeva, Yavor Genev, Igor Ustymovych and Decho Kravey, many of whom hold national dance titles.

Dance Dance Dance, Ltd., the company behind the creation of Ballroom Blitz, was created by Paradise Valley, Ariz., resident Linda Pope and Simon Fuller. 

(top) Linda Pope with dance instructor Decho Kravey

(right) Linda Pope, creator of Ballroom Blitz