Dear All,

The purpose of this letter is to request that the NDCA consider immediate and appropriate consequences to ultimately protect the ballroom dance community from Mr Brian Baker.

In the wake of Ohio Star Ball’s announcement regarding the COVID test requirement, professional dancer and NDCA member, Brian Baker, made a Facebook post claiming that he had a template to create falsified negative COVID test certificates and anyone attending Ohio Star Ball who needed one could contact him to obtain one. (Refer to Image 1) This is a criminal action (Refer to link)

Mr. Baker proceeded to edit the post to indicate it was a joke, subsequently deleting after it was brought to his attention that it had caused serious concern. (Refer to Image 2) He responded on both his own personal page and on the Pro-Am International Facebook page by aggressively attacking various members of our Dancesport community who had posted concerns regarding his statement. His wife, Lauren, also a dancer, joined in (Refer to Images 3-10) Consequently, as a result of Mr. Baker’s remarks, many competitors and vendors have pulled out of attending Ohio Star Ball as well as considering opting out of Grand Nationals in Florida due to his presence.

Mr. Baker has repeatedly caused conflict in our industry (Examples, Image 11,12). His actions and comments now, not only threaten individuals on a personal level, but compromise events and the industry by instilling mistrust and fear in the competitors with respect to the competition’s ability to enforce safety during the pandemic. Furthermore, our concern is that since this idea is out there, it may encourage others to commit similar fraud.

We would like you to acknowledge receipt and consideration of this letter, the appendix of supporting evidence and our request that the NDCA take immediate and appropriate action to protect the ballroom community from the aggressions of Mr. Baker.

Sincerely,

The Dancesport Community