An E-Interview with Rose Knows...

2001 Berlin Dance Competiton
1st Place - Pro Division

Stephanie Gurnon and Oren Shoshan
April, 2001

Video Photo Credits -- Rene Delgado and Michelle Tanchoco

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

Rose Knows - What inspired you to pick that Song?

Stephanie - I had wanted to use it for 2 years!

Oren - It has excellent accents that can be emphasized through choreography. Also I saw a wicked Johnny Vazquez number that used that song in L.A.

Rose Knows - How often did you practice?

Stephanie - We used the routine for a New Year's Show and had already practiced to it, so we already knew the music very very well. Then we only had 3 weeks to alter the choreography so it was jam-packed with moves. In competition, every beat has to be choreographed since you only have 2 minutes and 15 seconds to show your stuff. So we practiced our new version alot, 2-4 hours, 3 times a week."

Oren - 2-3 times a week over a couple of weeks (but we were only modifying a previous routine)

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

Stephanie - Oren had some difficult moves he had learned and wanted to apply. I refused to do dangerous lifts and it made it limiting for him. My philosophy is to always dance clean/simple/sharp and make it crystal clear -- no kuffufles, no missing each other's hands, etc. it looks better than trying to execute difficult moves and not look solid in your technique.

Oren - I just wanted to hit the accents in the music because they were so obvious that I couldn't stand the thought of dancing right through them.

Rose Knows - Why did you decide to compete?

Stephanie - Because it's very hard to come across a competent dance partner to compete with. It's not only about being on the same wavelength, it's about --
Do we look good together?
Can we work with each other?
Are we equal or is one domineering and close-minded?
Are we both passionate about dancing?
Will both of us give input for the choreography?
Are we both responsible for dividing the tasks -- costumes, music and renting studio space?
Are we both punctual?
Do we get along even when exhausted?

Oren and I balanced each other out, plus we're excellent friends, so we know how to handle each other.

Oren - I've actually dreamt of competing in the Berlin Competition since I first started dancing, but I wasn't in town for the last couple of years. Also I'm supporting a nasty cocaine habit so I needed the money (Oren's insanely quirky sense of humour)

Rose Knows - Will you be competing again next year?

Stephanie - I've been competing on and off for 11 years -- why stop now?

Oren - No.

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

Stephanie - Competing is very different from social dancing or performing -- it's another state of mind. You can't make a mistake, so that means it's a lot of hard work. The compeition will be in the forefront of your life, so make sure you can answer positively to all the ideas about why you want to compete.

Also, if you're competing for the first time, don't take it personally if you don't get first place or don't even place. The reason you do a competition is to do your personal best -- not to beat someone else.

Oren - Use your strengths. Choreograph carefully, i.e. display your musicality. Keep the tempo and the energy high.

Rose Knows - What did you think of having the 3 levels -- amateur, semi-pro and pro?

Stephanie - It makes the competition drag on longer which is good for the finalists. I think that it's also fair and logical -- this way less people get discouraged because of the stiff competition.

Oren - It's a good idea. With more dance companies emerging and more people voluteering to help with classes, that semi-pro category should fill up nicely in the future.

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

Stephanie - I think that the Amateurs were a lot stronger, same with the pros. Last year was weird because there were three out-of-towners in the pro division, so the styles were complete different. As a judge, it was very difficult to compare everyone.

Oren - I think the level of dancing in Toronto and in the competition has increased steadily since I first started watching it four years ago.

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

Stephanie - I love putting a theme in the dance so there's a storyline; and every time I compete, I will do that. All the things I want to do differently, I have to do in a performance, not a competition.

Oren - I'd pay off the judges to make my life easier.

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

Stephanie - No.

Oren - Nope. In terms of performances, as opposed to dance floor salsa, I prefer LA style so I have been inspired by the Vazquez brothers in LA. Also I like some of the funkiness that New York dancers like Ismael Otero and Frankie Martinez bring to the stage.

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

Stephanie - Dancing in a competition is not relative to how good a dancer you are. It means, did you dance without mistakes, the best that you could in 2 minutes. Anything can happen to any one of us and that doesn't mean that because I got first place and another couple didn't place, that they are less of a good dancer. I think that's very important to remember.

I would like the Announcer to tell the Public just how hard it is to compete so they are put in the Competitor's shoes and can appreciate their efforts. It's not just entertainment!

Also, this year was the best year to compete as most people knew each other and there were no hard feelings. In past years, I've seen so much drama and people making enemies because they take it so seriously. Some of us dance in the same group and are best friends too; and that hasn't changed because of the competition. I am very proud of everyone because that shows me that my friends handle themselves in a mature and confident manner.

Oren - I love you Rose.................