It was almost a dream. Except that it wasn’t.
I found myself waltzing underneath the chandelier, listening to one of the most magical pieces of music I’ve ever heard, from the angelic voice of Andrea Bocelli. Oh, and there were some of the handsome Dancing With The Stars pros there too, like Gleb Savchenko, Brandon Armstrong, and Alan Bersten. But I’m getting ahead of myself, reliving the moments.
Let me start from the beginning.
(Disney and ABC have invited me to California on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for our coverage of events. As always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links in post.)
DWTS Pro Gleb Savchenko, My Dance Lesson, and The Nutcracker and The Four Realms
I was exhausted. I was on my third and last media trip, having flown in just that morning after taking a red-eye flight from Kauai.
In addition to exhaustion, I felt like a mess. Dark circles under my eyes. Hair naturally curly (I mean, frizzy), pulled back into a ponytail.
I wasn’t my usual self. But let me tell you, that didn’t matter. I had the time of my life.
Why? I had the opportunity to interview Gleb Savchenko, Brandon Armstrong, and Alan Bersten (read about that here –> Dancing With The Stars – Meeting the Pros). Following that interview I might have just danced with these DWTS pros! Oh, yes! I was thrilled.
I was in LA for the premiere of Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, but this event was an ABC event for Dancing With The Stars. Little did I know those two worlds were about to collide.
I was about to hear the most beautiful song, one that was featured on the The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and sung by Andrea Bocelli & Matteo Bocelli. I’ve listened to Bocelli for decades and now it seems his talented son is following in his footsteps.
Both men happened to perform the original song, Fall On Me, on Dancing With The Stars last October.
Incredible. Watch the entire thing…you also see my dance instructor, DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko, waltzing with his partner.
Watch…
I got goosebumps the first time I heard the song while I was standing inside PRO DANCE LA, where our lesson was to begin.
Located in LA, this dance studio is owned & operated by Gleb Savchenko and his wife Elena Samodanova.
What an experience.
Our group of bloggers split into three groups.
Gleb Savchenko was my instructor.
We had the time of our lives learning and practicing the dance.
Wouldn’t you know that we had to perform in front of the other groups at the end of our lesson! WHAT??!!
Of course, Gleb said our group was the best! XOXO
NOTE: Pro Dance LA offers both child and adult lessons, and while there are many instructors, private lessons are available. Just a quick glance at the calendar and I noticed that Gleb was teaching one of the children’s classes. So if you are a mega fan and are heading to southern California, why not book a class? Talk about fun!

I have to admit that I was floored when it was announced that each of us were going to be gifted two tickets to Dancing with the Stars: LIVE – A Night to Remember! Yes, the tour!!!
The tour is already on the road.
Who will you see? The likes of Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Val Chmerkovskiy, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Sasha Farber, Alan Bersten, Jenna Johnson, Brandon Armstrong and more!
Tickets on Sale Now – grab tickets here!
Take a look…
This week The Nutcracker and The Four Realms will be available. If you didn’t see it before the holidays, now is your chance to learn all about this unexpected adventure.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms arrives home instantly with never-before-seen extras and deleted scenes on Digital and Movies Anywhere, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD Jan. 29, 2019. Pre-order Now!
Stay tuned for Tuesday as I’ll actually be hosting a Blu-Ray giveaway! So be sure to come back.
PARENTS: Be sure to read my no-spoiler review to get your questions answered: Is The Nutcracker and The Four Realms Scary? Read about my conversation in the dinner line with Morgan Freeman here in my The Nutcracker and The Four Realms red carpet premiere post.
Get Social:
- Dancing with the Stars: Juniors – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at abc.go.com.
- Dancing with the Stars – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and abc.go.com.
- Pro Dance LA – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and learn more about what they have to offer here.
- THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS – on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
what an amazing experience!
What a great experience. You are so lucky to have done all of that. Great memory makers.
It would be SO MUCH FUN to book a dance lesson with Gleb Savchenko himself! Thanks for sharing about your experience. Looks like a blast!
Yes – I love that anyone can check out the schedule and sign up for lessons!