- March 28, 2024
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The Symphony Guild of Daytona Beach's event drew more than 500 people and raised funds for a student music program.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
The Coquina Ballroom at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort pulsated with hot salsas, sensuous tangos and flowing waltzes Monday night, when Daytona’s Dancing with the Stars drew more than 500 spectators.
Presented by the Symphony Guild of Daytona Beach, the event raised more than $50,000 for its Youth Experiencing Symphony program that introduces school children to classical music. Targeting Title 1 schools (where 40% of students are at or below the national poverty level), the program reaches 3,000 Volusia County children each concert season.
It was a lively atmosphere as the crowd cheered and yelled encouragement to the local volunteers who became stars for the night, performing dances they had been practicing for weeks with professional teachers.
Carol Anderson-McLean, of the Symphony Guild, said that in addition to the $75 per person admission fee, money was also raised every time a vote was cast for a dancer online, for $10 per vote.
She said they only expected about 150 people when they first planned the event.
“Everybody is so excited,” she said. “We didn’t know it would be such a success.”
John Martino, of Ormond Beach, who acted in “The Godfather” and many other films and commercials, said he couldn’t believe he was going to dance in front of 500 people.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “The turnout is amazing. I got most of the steps down. It’s a great charity so I’ll do whatever I can.”
John’s wife, Lori, said she was proud of him because, at age 71, he was the oldest contestant.
“I tell him he’s now a triple threat,” she said. “He started his career as a singer, then became an actor and now he’s a dancer. I’ve been trying for 30 years to get him to take dance lessons. Now maybe we can go dancing.”
The lead judge, Carol Lively Platig, who has competed in pro-am dances for 25 years, said the event was a first-class competition.
“When you can get this many people for a first-time event, that’s really outstanding,” she said.
The other two judges were Debbie Kruck, former Ms. Fitness and owner of Debbie Kruck Fitness and Pilates Studio in Ormond Beach, and Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.
“I have no idea how to dance: That makes me the perfect judge,” Chitwood said with a smile. “I give them credit for having the courage to get up in front of this many people.”
He said the most important thing was raising money to encourage youth to take an interest in music.
“If we can change one life through what we’re doing tonight, that’s why I’m here,” he said. “If we can raise money and have some fun in the process, that’s great.”
Christie Mucciolo, who grew up in Ormond Beach and now lives in Flagler Beach, won the Mirror Ball Trophy for best woman dancer. Before the event, she said it was the best experience of her life and she now considers herself a dancer.
"I have two children in the school system myself, so it really touches my heart," she said.
The men's Mirror Ball Trophy winner was Justin Anselmo, an account executive at Brown and Brown Inc.
The third trophy winner was Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell, marketing director at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, for raising the most money.
“I told myself to just enjoy it,” she said. “I went out and had fun. “It was a challenge. It’s a lot harder than people think.”
The Symphony Guild is the fundraising arm of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society. The event was sponsored by MG Luxury Rentals.