An E-Interview with Rose Knows...

2002 Berlin Dance Competiton
1st Place - Pro Division

Ana Hovanessian and Orville Small
April, 2002

Rose Knows - What was the Song you used in the competition?

Rose Knows - Well just for the record, you picked "Aguanile" which is an awesome song that was also used by Young Ambition last year for their afro-cuban routine. What inspired you to pick that Song?

Orville - Speed, beat...you know things that anybody would like when they're at a club jamming.


Rose Knows - How did you two meet?

Orville - Ana and I met when she and her partner at that time was competing in Montreal......... evreything else is history.

Rose Knows - How often did you practice?

Ana - We practice as much as our bodies can take it when it comes down to the crunch. Apart from that, about 2-3 times a week.

Orville - We practice usually 3 to 4 times a week when we have something coming up. On dry periods, it's about 2 to 3 times.


Rose Knows - How did you decide what moves you wanted to use?

Ana - I would have to say that the music comes first. Sometimes the music tells you what kind of move you need in your routine. If you hear a loud punch, you know you have to hit the accent with an exaggerated move. i.e. dip, power move, or a powerful step.

Orville - I decide on what I feel in the music, sometimes that move has nothing to do
with salsa. The music just takes me. I don't follow any set pattern -- whatever it comunicates to me, that's what I put out.


Rose Knows - Why did you decide to compete?

Ana - We decided to compete because that's what we enjoy to do most. It forces us to be creative and to come up with new ideas. This also helps us to get more recognition in the salsa scene.

Orville - Hunger.........GGGGGrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! I love to battle (it's that Montrealer in me)


Rose Knows - Will you be competing again next year?

Ana - It's hard to say right now how we will feel next year. But something is certain, you haven't seen the last of Salsation!


Orville - Have no idea....if we're here in Toronto at that time, sure. Hopefully all the contestants this year will be worldwide by then.


Rose Knows - What advice would you offer to next year's competitors?

Ana - My advice to next year's competitors is to make your routine original and entertaining. Have fun with it. I don't think it really matters whether you come 1st or not. Just know that you did your best. I know this year the competition was tough. Everybody did excellent, but for next year it is only normal to raise the standards.

Orville - Advice?..... do not drink from the far side of the glass cause you'll spill it all over yourself........O.K. cover all elements that you are being judged on. Simply being a good dancer is not good enough. I practiced that in Montreal but had to apply it when I came to Toronto. Oh yeah, for the amateurs, be amateurs, you will have enough time to try and accomplish what your big brothers and sisters are doing. No imitation is far better than sloppy imitation, especially when it comes to power moves.......take heed.


Rose Knows - Do you think we should stick to three levels -- amateur, semi-pro and pro?

Ana - I really like the idea of only amateur and professional. It forces semi-professionals to do better. This way nobody can hide.


Orville - I think that you should stick to three levels if people are honest with what caliber they fall under. Alot of 'pros' use semi-pro as a security blanket or even worse just to win. It's like a heavy weight cheating weight to fight middle weights. When a semi-pro category is announced people try and hide their past like it was jail time.


Rose Knows - What did you think of the level of dancing this year compared to last year?

Ana - I believe that it consists of more complex moves and figures, more of a story line and definitely more entertaining. This is natural. Toronto will only get better and better.

Orville - I took a look at the last years competition and this year the couples are far more creative -- both amateur and pros. The level was also by far a notch up from last year.


Rose Knows - What would you do differently, if anything?

Ana - I'm not sure if I would personally do anything different. I felt that we didn't perform to the best of our abilities, but we practised alot and things like that happen, and I have no regrets. I will just have to do better next time.

Orville - Differently?.... get as close to perfect as possible. There is always something that you can change or fix.


Rose Knows - Did you train with any other instructors? OR Which dancers/instructors inspire you?

Ana - My only instructor and inspiration right now is Orville.

Orville - No inspirations really although I think that there are so many great dancers. I've taken a few privates here and there when I was in Montreal to learn some figures but that was about it.

There is a fine line between people looking at you as having an inspiration or being an imitation. I don't believe that T.O has its own unique style but we do have a few that are trying to come out with their own way which is definitely good to see. Now some may not care about this issue but it also depends on where you fit in. Some people are busy making the route while others use it as a guide, whether big or small, to their destination.


Rose Knows - Any other comments you'd like to make?

Ana - Check us out at www.salsation.ca

Orville - Comments.......Take care of the young dancers coming up. They are the future of all of this. Hommage to all the supporters in T.O, Mtl. and Ottawa as well as all across the world who have tapped into the website with positive things to say.