Boy, 11, dances his way to TV sets nationwide Ballroom dancer has won numerous contests, scholarships BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Austin Joson OLD BRIDGE - Austin Joson has danced his way into the heart of the nation, and he's hoping to make it to the top of the world. After starting to dance only two years ago, the 11-year-old sensation has earned himself the title of USA Dance Sport Pre-teen National Champion in the categories of both Latin and Standard dance. The township youngster has won about 15 competitions and 10 scholarships, and has traveled as far as England to compete. "My big goal in my dancing is to be the world champion," said Austin, who specializes in ballroom dancing. Last year, Austin competed in the world championships at the Blackpool Festival in England, and he is hoping to make the USA team to compete there again in April. "He's winning against kids who have been dancing since they were little kids," said Shayna Joson, Austin's mother. "It is kind of amazing." He is also prevailing over children who are as much as three years older than he is, according to Shayna. Austin will soon add a television appearance to his extensive list of accomplishments when he appears on "America's Ballroom Challenge" on PBS. In between the adult competitions, the show will include segments of outstanding dance performances. The show will air for five consecutive weeks, with Austin's tango exhibition appearing Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. Eleven-year-old Austin Joson, of Old Bridge, dances with a partner during the Ohio Star Ball competition last November. Austin, a student at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Old Bridge, can be seen dancing on the PBS program "America's Ballroom Challenge" on Feb. 7. "Of course I was nervous, because it was a first time for me," Austin said of the TV appearance. Austin said he was first inspired by his parents, who took an interest in dancing socially. He watched them take lessons and decided to give it a try. "My parents are basically the reason why I'm dancing, and they're the reason why I have good achievements, because they're very supportive," Austin said. Now, on a typical week, Austin practices three or four days, usually putting in about 10 hours total. "It's my hobby that really takes up most of my life," Austin said. "It's challenging, but it's doable." Amid all of the practicing and competing, Austin manages to make time for tennis, his other passion. He also plays on the basketball team at St. Thomas the Apostle School, Route 18, where he attends sixth grade. With such a hectic schedule, Austin has to work hard to stay on top of his school work. "He manages it really well," Shayna said. "He's a very mature kid, he's very focused for his age, and he loves what he's doing." Not only is Austin loving every minute of his dancing, it is also helping to build a future for the well-spoken phenomenon. "I just put [the scholarship money] in my academic fund, my fund for college," Austin said. Though a future in dance would certainly be feasible for Austin, he has other plans. He would like to become a professional tennis player, then retire and become a lawyer. Dancing, he said, is more of a hobby than a career choice for him. Along with his father, Marc, Austin travels to Brooklyn, N.Y., twice a week to work with his partner, Lisa Lakovitsky. While it is a trek, it beats going all the way to Utah, like he used to. Austin's first partner found him at a competition, where her parents approached the Josons and asked if Austin would partner up with their daughter, Taylor Ann Barton. The two took turns traveling across the country to perfect their art, and won numerous competitions together. After competing in Utah, Austin's formidable talent skyrocketed him straight from the bronze level to the ranks of the champions. "He started taking lessons, then we knew right away," Shayna said. "He's the kind of kid that [if] you put a tennis racquet in his hand, he's a good tennis player. You put a golf club in his hand, he's a good golfer. This is his first love."