Staten Island Competitive Ballroom Dancing Team With Native Islander, Ukraine Members, Trains To Compete Locally

Staten Island-based dancers Rachel Rudshteyn and Mykhailo Roshchupkin are making waves in the competitive ballroom dance scene.

As they prepare for the upcoming USA Dance Nationals, the young duo is focused on achieving their dreams, combining passion, dedication, and hard work to rise to the top. In this article, Rachel shares the inspiring journey of their partnership and the relentless pursuit of excellence that drives them forward:

Mykhailo and I specialize in both Standard and Latin ballroom dance programs, bringing a unique blend of skills and passion to the dance floor. My journey began at the age of four, while Mykhailo started at five. Though our paths didn’t cross until April 2024, once we met, we quickly realized we were a perfect match.

We officially began dancing together in May, and at the time, Mykhailo was living in Florida, which presented its own set of challenges. Despite the distance, his commitment to our partnership remained steadfast. Over the summer months, he would make the trip to Staten Island, often staying at my house or at local hotels and B&Bs, sometimes for weekends, and on other occasions, for several weeks at a time. His determination to train and improve together despite the obstacles was nothing short of inspiring.

Despite the long-distance challenges, we managed to train rigorously, making the most of every opportunity. After visiting Staten Island multiple times in the months prior, Mykhailo and his family grew so fond of the area that they decided to move there permanently. This marked a new chapter in our partnership.

With him now living in the same city, we were able to train more consistently, and our connection—both as dancers and as teammates—grew even stronger. The ability to work side by side every day has allowed us to refine our technique and elevate our performances in ways that simply weren’t possible before.

Born and raised a proud Staten Islander, I have always felt a deep connection to this community. My journey in dance began at the age of four, when I first stepped into Basic Ballroom Dance Studio (our home studio) —a decision that would truly change my life for the better. At that time, I was a shy and awkward kid, unsure of where I fit in or what my talents might be. However, dance became a transformative outlet, and as I grew, so did my confidence.

Over the years, the studio not only helped me hone my skills but also gave me the courage to perform in front of audiences—something I never thought I’d be able to do. Today, performing for hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of people, feels natural. Dancing has become my true love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a place where I can nurture that passion.

Basic Ballroom Dance Studio is more than just a training ground; it’s my second home. It’s where I’ve grown, learned, and found a sense of belonging, and I will forever be grateful for the impact it’s had on my life. The studio’s welcoming environment and dedicated instructors have played a pivotal role in shaping who I am as a dancer and as an individual.

I am proud to say that I am a multiple-time U.S. National Finalist, as well as a multiple-time regional winner in several prestigious competitions. These accomplishments reflect my hard work and dedication to ballroom dance, and I am excited to continue pushing myself toward even greater success.

My partner, Mykhailo Roshchupkin’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and courage. Born and raised in Ukraine, his life was forever altered when war broke out, forcing him and his family to flee their homeland. After seeking refuge in Poland, the family spent time in Germany and Spain before finally settling in Florida. Throughout these turbulent relocations, Mykhailo remained steadfast in his dedication to ballroom dance, even as he was separated from his extended family.

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Before the war, Mykhailo was already an accomplished dancer. He was a multi-time national champion of Ukraine, a world champion at just 13 years old, and the vice champion of Europe in the solo boys’ category. These early achievements highlight his extraordinary talent and unwavering determination—qualities that continue to define his pursuit of excellence in dance today.

Rachel and Mykhailo. Image Credit – Rachel Rudshteyn

Here are some of Mykhailo’s accomplishments:

IDSA World Championship:

• I place, Junior-2, 10 dances program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2021

• I place, Youth-2, 10 dances program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2021

• I place, Juniors-1, Latin program, China, Beijing, 2019

• III place, Juniors-1, European program, China, Beijing, 2019

• Finalist (IV place), Juniors-2, Latin program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2021

• Finalist (IV place), Juniors-2, European program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2021

• Finalist (IV place), Juniors-2, European program, China, Beijing, 2019

• Finalist (V place), Juniors-2, Latin program, China, Beijing, 2019

IDSA World Cup:

• I place, Youth-1, 10 dances program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2023

• III place, Youth-1, Latin program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska 2023

• III place, Youth-1, European program, Poland, Białka Tatrzańska, 2023

IDSA European Championship:

• II place, Youth-1, Latin program, Solo, Georgia, Tbilisi, 2019

United States DSF National Championship:

• II place, Youth, European program, USA, Marlton (NJ), 2024

• III place, Youth, Latin program, USA, Marlton (NJ), 2024

Ukrainian UDSA National Championship:

• I place, Junior-1, 10 dances program, Ukraine, Kyiv, 2020

• II place, Junior -2, 10 dances program, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia, 2021

• Finalist (V place), Junior -2, European program, Ukraine, Lviv, 2022

• Finalist (VI place), Junior -2, Latin program, Ukraine, Kyiv, 2021

• Finalist (VI place), Juveniles -2, Latin program, Ukraine, Kharkiv, 2018

Spanish FEBD National Championship:

• Finalist (VII place), Youth, European program, Spain, Pontevedra, 2023

Our passion for dance is fueled by the incredible support we’ve received from the Staten Island community, especially through our training at Basic Ballroom Dance Studio, led by the esteemed owner and coach, Ilya Barmotin. Recently, we had the honor of earning second place in an Instagram challenge hosted by Staten Island Advance, which recognized the top dance studio on the island.

At the heart of our training is our main coach, Vladimir Karpov, one of the most decorated and respected names in the world of ballroom dance. His expertise and mentorship have been invaluable to us, helping us grow and refine our craft. Some of his most impressive achievements include being the World Champion in Latin American Freestyle, a two-time winner of the World Cup Amateur Latin, and the winner of the European Cup Amateur Latin.

Under his mentorship, we are striving to become national champions, with even bigger aspirations beyond that. The unwavering support of the Staten Island dance community, along with our second home at Basic Ballroom, has been instrumental in our progress.

Our daily routine is intense. As full-time students at Susan E. Wagner High School, we balance our academics with six days of rigorous training each week, which includes physical workouts, dance classes, and preparation for upcoming competitions. Most days, we head straight from school to the studio, where we train for up to six hours, and even longer on weekends. Our commitment to competing at the highest level takes us across the country, from the tri-state area to California, Chicago, and Atlanta, as we strive to make our mark in the competitive ballroom dance scene.

Our story embodies the power of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. Through every challenge, we’ve remained focused on our goals, and we hope our journey will inspire others, especially young athletes and artists in Staten Island, to chase their own aspirations, no matter the obstacles in their way.

Rachel and Mykhailo. Image Credit – Rachel Rudshteyn

Rachel and Mykhailo. Image Credit – Rachel Rudshteyn

Rachel and Mykhailo. Image Credit – Rachel Rudshteyn

Banner Image: Rachel and Mykhailo. Image Credit – Rachel Rudshteyn

Rachel Rudshteyn

Rachel Rudshteyn and Mykhailo Roshchupkin are highly accomplished competitive ballroom dancers specializing in both the Standard and Latin programs. Rachel, who was born and raised in Staten Island, began her dance training at the age of four and has since earned multiple U.S. National Finalist titles and regional championships. Mykhailo, originally from Ukraine, started dancing at five and quickly distinguished himself as a national champion, world champion at 13, and vice champion of Europe in the solo boys’ category. Since forming their partnership in 2024, Rachel and Mykhailo have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, refining their technique and artistry at the highest level. Now training full-time in Staten Island, they are preparing to compete at the USA Dance Nationals, driven by their shared pursuit of competitive success and a lasting impact on the world of ballroom dance.