Larinda McRaven is a North American Smooth Champion, 6-time United States Open Professional Smooth Finalist, and World Open Finalist with her partner, the late Stephen Hevenor. Together, they won over 200 titles from 1995 - 2005, and have been the only American Smooth couple to ever be have been sponsored by Chrisanne of London, starting in 1999 until their retirement in 2005.  In addition to her Professional career, her students have excelled in the Pro-Am and Amateur divisions, with many earning national and international titles.

Larinda is now an NDCA National Adjudicator, Music Director, Organizer, and Invigilator.  She holds top teaching credentials in all styles from US Terpsichore Association (A+B+C+D+E+I+). She is the Midwest Vice President of the Professional Dancers Federation and serves on the Ballroom Committee of the National Dance Council of America.

She purchased the St. Louis Star Ball in 2020 and has transformed it into it's next life as the Gateway Dancesport Championships.

​