"Dancing as One"

"The Bishop Trophy"

Top Swing Trophies

Prestige abounds with these dance icons
 

US OPEN Division Champions receive beautiful lead-crystal trophies which would be the envy of any dancer's award showcase.  Entitled the "Opus" to represent a creative work of music and dance, this beautiful artpiece sparkles as light passes through its intricate prismatic design. Measuring 9 inches in height and topped with a faceted jewel that has the US OPEN "Dancers Logo" etched on it, this trophy signifies excellence in every respect.

Ron Martin, Chairman of the OPEN, states, "We hope the word "opus" becomes synonymous with the US OPEN Swing Dance Championships. We plan to use this trophy design for all 1st place winners for years to come."  

The "Opus" clearly exemplifies the tradition and prestige of the US OPEN and it will certainly provide a special added incentive for all dancers who compete in this year-ending Championship event.


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The USA Grand Nationals trophy is a hand-blown work of art. Conceived by event co-director, Jackie McGee, this elegant lead-crystal statuette features a dance couple in closed position with their bodies twined at the bottom as if dancing as a single unit.  The metaphor was certainly intended.  

Aptly named, "Dancing as One",  the trophy was the very first thing that Jackie decided on when she and Charlie Womble inaugurated the Grand Nationals in 1995. In fact, she and Charlie posed for the artist who crafted it.

Each trophy is individually shaped by an expert glassblower, so no two are alike. Each stands 17 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds. They are made by the prestigious Lillie Glass Company, the oldest family glass blowing company in the South.  Lillie has created similar masterpieces for the Olympics, Coca-Cola, Harvard University, Polaroid, Elton John, and Michael Jordan - to name a few.

As Jackie says, "Being a dancer, I wanted the trophy to be something that people would be proud to display formally.  I wanted it to show movement and I wanted the dancers to be focused on each other.  I also wanted to convey the fact that they could be doing any style of dancing."

"Dancing as One" symbolizes partnership and prestige - qualities that are clearly characteristic of the USA Grand Nationals.

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The Swingtime in the Rockies dance competition presents a very special annual award entitled "The Bishop Trophy".  It was created in memory of David Bishop, who was a driving force for Swing dancing in Denver and a member of the Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club.

Each of these beautiful trophies are individually hand-blown by a skilled glass blower from Piece Unique Glass Studio in Denver.  Each artpiece is unique - just as each dance is unique.  They stand 10 inches tall and are presented to the winners of the non-Professional Jack & Jill and Amateur Strictly Swing Divisions.

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