Ballroom dancing has witnessed a significant resurgence in the United States over the past two decades. Television shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance have played pivotal roles in reigniting public interest, turning ballroom dance into mainstream entertainment.
This renewed enthusiasm is reflected in the growing number of dance studios nationwide and increased enrollment in ballroom classes. According to the USA Dance organization, there has been a steady rise in membership and participation in ballroom dance events, with some regional competitions reporting attendance increases of up to 20% in recent years.
Clearly, ballroom dancing in the U.S. has hit a cultural tipping point and into this renaissance shuffles Artem Syzydkov, an unexpected figure poised not just to ride the wave but to transform it into a powerful current.
At first glance, he defies the typical image of an American ballroom visionary—a robotics engineer by training, Syzydkov brings a systematic, almost algorithmic perspective to the fluid world of dance. Despite excelling in robotics, he made the bold decision to pivot entirely, embracing dance as his life’s calling.
“Studying robotics engineering allows me to see the body and dance as interconnected systems,” Syzydkov explains. “By understanding the mechanics of steps and movements, and how they connect, I can share this knowledge with other dancers.”
This fusion of science and art has yielded remarkable results. In the past year alone, his students have secured victories at prestigious competitions like the World Over 50 Latin, USDC Senior, International Grand Ball, and California Star Ball. Syzydkov extends his systematic mindset to coaching dancers worldwide, and his consistent success attests to the efficacy of his approach.
Hailing from Saint Petersburg, Syzydkov is less a conventional dance instructor and more a kinetic philosopher. He’s dissatisfied with merely teaching steps and routines; he aims to revolutionize the very methodology of dance education in the U.S. His engineering background isn’t just a footnote—it’s the cornerstone of his philosophy. By applying an engineering framework to train dance champions and address health issues through movement, he bridges the gap between the technical and the visceral.
Syzydkov plans to launch a network of dance studios across the country, but this isn’t about franchising cookie-cutter classes. His approach is the culmination of years spent distilling wisdom from dance luminaries like Donnie Burns MBE, Slavik Kryklyvyy, Gaynor Fairweather MBE, Evgeniy Smagin, and Polina Kazachenko, and integrating it with principles from sports science and psychology. The result? A system that doesn’t just teach you how to move but fundamentally transforms how you think about movement.
One might wonder why America needs another dance instructor, even one with such lofty ambitions. But Syzydkov isn’t merely filling a niche; he’s addressing systemic issues he sees in the U.S. dance landscape. He notes a lack of high-quality education that hampers American dancers on the international stage.
Despite a burgeoning interest in ballroom dance, there’s a chasm between enthusiasm and excellence. Syzydkov’s method aims to bridge that gap, offering dancers a pathway not just to compete but to win.
Indeed, for Syzydkov ballroom dancing is his vehicle for challenging Americans to change a disturbing national trend toward physical inactivity and rampant obesity. Syzydkov sees dance not just as art or sport but as a therapeutic tool—a way to combat the physical and mental malaise in the U.S. stemming from too much sitting and too little moving. His system is adaptable, designed to enhance mobility and coordination for people of all ages, from competitive athletes to retirees seeking to reclaim their vitality.
To this end, Syzydkov has embraced a holistic approach. He’s assembled a team of instructors who aren’t just dancers but scholars of the body and mind, sharing his vision for promoting health and fitness.
To be sure, Syzydkov knows he has chosen a huge ambition but he remains confident of his vision of getting America healthier using ballroom dancing.
“My greatest source of inspiration has always been my dance partner,” he confides. For him, ballroom dancing is a dialogue—a physical conversation that transcends words. It’s this depth of emotion and interaction he hopes to instill in his students and in the larger community.
So Artem Syzydkov’s is aiming for a seismic shift. He’s not just adding another chapter to the resurgence story; he’s attempting to rewrite the narrative entirely. By addressing both competitive shortcomings and societal health issues through the medium of dance, he’s positioning himself as a catalyst for transformative change.
And if his past accomplishments are any indicator, he has more than just a fighting chance to make his mark.
