9-Year-Old Twins Repping Cranford Dance Studio Win National Award

CRANFORD, NJ – A pair of nine-year-old twins representing a Cranford dance center recently took home the national title in the PT1 division at the United States National Amateur Dancesport Championships at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

It’s been a long time coming for twins Nicholas and Sophia Kartashov, both turning 10 next month, who have been learning ballroom dancing since they were four years old.

In fact, Nicholas and Sophia have already traveled across the globe to compete in dance competitions. Last year, the brother and sister represented the U.S. at the World Amateur Dancesport Championship in the Netherlands, ultimately taking home the second place trophy.

“As dance teachers, it’s natural to want to teach your children,” said father Danila Kartashov, who co-owns the Arthur Murray Dance Center of Cranford with his wife Nuria. “Our kids really enjoy it. It was so exciting.”

But participating in global competitions and being a nine-year-old comes with its challenges, the family says.

The Basking Ridge family’s day begins at 4 a.m., when the twins prepare for figure skating classes at Montclair State University before school. After classes, they practice ballroom dance at the Arthur Murray Center in Cranford, all the while doing their homework from the car.

Intense practice runs in the family, says Danila, who started ballroom dancing at the age of six in Russia; Nuria was 5 years old when she began learning ballet in Spain.

“Dance has done so many things for all of us,” Danila said. “As kids we learn confidence and self awareness, balance, posture and we make friends, we interact and get involved in a physical activity without even realizing it.”

“This is healthy exercise that we need now more than ever,” Danila added. “We’re so proud that our kids realize how important this is.”