DanceInfo

Nicole Cutler: World/Open British/SA Latin Champ Neville & Lenore Matjie: Undefeated SA RG Champ of Champs Claudia Leoni-Torres: Former-World/SA Latin Champs Grant Simpson and Hayley Hammond: SA Latin Champs Brian Schmidt & Meryl Williams: Former Pro SA Ballroom Champs

Claudia Leoni-Torres
(Former Latin American World Amateur Champion)
interview by Ryno van den Berg - 1997 (DanceInfo SA Reporter)

Ryno: At what age did you start dancing?

Claudia: At the age of 11 years

Ryno: Who were your partners in your competitive career?

Claudia: The first one was Barend Smuts, the second his brother Geelis Smuts and finally Bryan Watson.

Ryno: What was the highlight of your dancing career?

Claudia: Well actually Ryno, there were two very special highlights for me, the first was winning the Latin American World Amateur Championships in 1991 with Bryan, and the second, making the finals or the 1993 British Professional Latin American Championships in Blackpool

Ryno: So what do you think actually made you world champions?

Claudia: Hard work and absolute, total focus and dedication.

Ryno: What is the difference between being a professional and being an amateur? What changes took place, Claudia?

Claudia: Well Ryno, basically the competitions were very tough and there were many different aspects. For one, we now had to make a living from dancing. This put extra pressure on us because, in addition to teaching, we performed shows, and in between all this we had to practise our dancing as well as. We obviously wanted to be successful as professionals so we worked very hard. Being a professional, on the one hand, is financially more rewarding - getting paid for what you put in is nice Dance-wise I would say, we enjoyed competing as professionals as much as we did as amateurs.

Ryno: What made you and your world champion partner Bryan get on so well?

Claudia: We had known each other for a very long time and had enormous respect for each other. We were also good friends. and above all, we were after the same goal -TO BECOME CHAMPIONS

Ryno: Claudia, what was your approach towards practising? A lot of people seem to think it is just work, work, work. Did you also have those 'off' sessions where you and Bryan did not feel like practising?

Claudia: Bryan and I did so much during practises and sometimes we did have the odd night off, but what you must understand is, we enjoyed our dancing and we loved what we were doing. We never looked at our dancing as a duty. It was part of our job to practise.

Ryno: What kind of nervous reaction did you experience before a competition?

Claudia: Well, it mostly depended on the size of the comp. About two weeks before a big competition my nose would start running and it just wouldn't stop. It was very irritating to both of us because even while we were on the floor dancing in the competition my nose would still be running to the beat of the music.

Ryno: Why didn't you and Bryan go on to win the World Professional title?

Claudia: I got married. You see, Bryan always knew that I wanted to have a family, he respected that. So I found my soul mate and at that stage Bryan and I wanted to take a break anyway. It all ended on good terms.

Ryno: What would you say, makes one couple stand out on the floor to the rest?

Claudia: Probably the charisma! I would say Ryno. A couple who you can see have developed their own style. I think that's what makes them special.

Ryno: What was the most disappointing moment in your championship career?

Claudia: Nothing really, but result-wise, one year Bryan and I came 4th in the British Amateur Final, and shortly after that, in the same year, we danced in the International Championships and did not even make the semi-final. That was very disappointing.

Ryno: And your most embarrassing moment?

Claudia: Well (laughing), I fell once dancing the UK Championship - right in front of the adjudicators. We were also the only couple in that particular area, and all the spectators in the front row started laughing at me, so I laughed too.

Ryno: Who is your current favourite pro couple in the world and why?

Claudia: It is very difficult to say. The standard is extremely high, so it is hard to pick one couple. Every couple in the finals has something special to offer. I do like Allan Tornsberg and Carmen for their special charisma but then again, Bryan is in a class of his own but it's still hard to say.

Ryno: What do South African dancers lack, if anything?

Claudia: Probably the winner's perception - the will to really win. SA dancers do not take it seriously enough. It is as if absolute dedication and urgency to practise is lacking. There are exceptions. Some couples do train very hard. Another problem is the number of qualified teachers here compared with the rest of the world.

Ryno: Who were your trainers?

Claudia: Peter Maxwell, Lorraine, Nina Hunt.

Ryno: Who inspired you as a dancer?

Claudia: Lorraine - she was my sole inspiration.

Ryno: Who is your favourite actor?

Claudia: Richard Gere.

Ryno: And Actress?

Claudia: Julia Roberts.

Ryno: What is your favourite movie?

Claudia: Pretty Women.

Ryno: Favourite meal?

Claudia: Pasta.

Ryno: Drink?

Claudia: Liqueur.

Ryno: What are your hobbies?

Claudia: Reading and painting.

Ryno: Finally, Claudia. How would you describe the position of dancing in SA as compared with the rest of the world. Do we progress?

Claudia: Yes, we do progress. Talent-wise, we are very much on par with the rest of the world. Unfortunately experience-wise, we are still behind.

Claudia Leoni-Torres teaches with her husband Loui who also represented SA many times as an amateur dancer overseas. Their studio is called Ritmo Latino in Boksburg.

Grant Simpson and Hayley Hammond
SA Junior, Youth, Adult and 1998 "Rumba in the Jungle" Champions - Interviewed October 1998
by Elsa Lakic (DanceInfo SA reporter)

Elsa: Why did you start dancing, Hayley?
Hayley: Well, my mum is a dancing teacher and I started when I was very young.

Elsa: Did you start with ballet?
Hayley: I started with ballet, then I went on to high energy and then LA

Elsa: At what age did you start Latin?
Hayley: When I was 9. I danced with my brother for a year and then I teamed up with Grant, whom I've been dancing with ever since.

Elsa: Is that when you started dancing Latin, Grant?
Grant: Yeah, I actually started in the social class when I was about 12, and after about a year and a half there, Hayley's mum asked me to try out with Hayley...things just took off from there.

Elsa: Why did you want to dance? I just find that so few guys are interested.
Grant: What happened was; my sister was in matric at the time and herself and all her friends were going for dancing classes and looking for partners. I was in std 6 and thought: "What the hell, I might as well join them, and enjoyed every minute".

Elsa: You have been doing very well - what major competitions have you won and what are you aiming for now?
Hayley: Well, we've won the Junior, the Youth and the Adult South African championships and... Grant: every other major title in South Africa... Hayley: except for Rumba in the Jungle.

Elsa: And that is what you are going for now?
Hayley: That is what we are going for this year.

Elsa: Dave Campbell is your trainer?
Hayley & Grant: Yes

Elsa: Hayley, you also do Freestyle, who trains you for that?
Hayley: My mum is head of the studio, but I train with Nicola Anderuon.

Elsa: Which do you enjoy more?
Hayley: Latin is definitely my main form of dance and I hope to carry on dancing Latin for the rest of my life. Freestyle I enjoy immensely - it is a lot of fun and I find it relaxing.

Elsa: Really! I thought it looked pretty demanding.
Hayley: It is, but I do not take it as seriously as I do Latin dancing.

Elsa: You have been overseas to dance - where have you represented South Africa?
Grant: We have been over twice, we represented SA in the Youth Championships in Austria (1996)and Slovenia in 1997; which was a bit of a disappointment because Hayley fell in the first round and injured herself. Being knocked out in the first round was disappointing because we actually had a good chance of doing very well.

Elsa: You've healed properly?
Hayley: I am not 100 O/b, but I'm able to dance.

Elsa: So this year?
Grant: This year we went to the Youth British and are hoping to represent SA at die Amateur World's next year. We are also working toward competing in the UK Open in January next year, and then obviously the Youth British again, which will be our last year to do so.

Elsa: You are still at school, Hayley. What do you do Grant?
Grant: I'm at Varsity, 2nd year.

Elsa: You are doing well as a partnership now, which is great, but when you started out as a young male dancer, Grant, what did your friends think?
Grant: Well, for a long time I actually kept it a secret. I played soccer and cricket, did athletics and my friends did not really know about my dancing. One day we were on the front page of the Pretoria News, though and my friends were amazed. They support me immensely.

Elsa: Hayley, you really started dancing because your mum is a teacher, but what motivates you now and keeps you going - is it just for winning or for the enjoyment of dance?
Hayley: I dance because I really enjoy it. My mum has never had to force me...

Else: She did train you at first, though; then Dave Campbell?
Hayley: Yes, and I still dance of my own free will; obviously winning plays a part, but I keep on because I enjoy it so much.

Elsa: Dancing is hard work and especially when you have school and studies, time is limited.
Hayley: Yes, but it is definitely worth it. Grant: And we know what we are aiming for and obviously we want to become the best at what we are doing.

Elsa: So what are you aiming for at The Rumba?
Grant: At Rumba in the 3ungle there will be a lot of International competition, so we will perform as well as we can.

Elsa: But you have competed internationally, and this is home ground.
Hayley: We would like to make the final. Grant: You always try to improve on your previous results and things can only get better. In the long term we wish to be world champions.

Elsa: So how much time do you spend working on this ambition?
Grant: We practise seven days a week, at least 2 hours a day, apart from lessons and competitions.

Elsa: Where do you go after Rumba?
Hayley: The next major competition will be the SA Championships, where we hope to do really well and then our main aim will be the Youth British next year.

EIsa: Do you mind telling me a little about the dancing community and the people you compete against. So much has been said about the bitchiness amongst competitors. Do you find this and how do you handle it as youngsters in a competitive field?
Hayley: I think there is more bitchiness amongst the parents - really.
Grant, Yes, the competitors get along very well. Things may be said behind your back, but you brush it off as irrelevant. You have to learn not to let it affect you - if you let it, it will affect your dancing. We keep to ourselves before a comp, stay with people we know who are friends - focus on what we are meant to do that evening and refuse to let other people interfere. Hayley: We don't go out there to beat our fellow- competitors, we go out there to dance the best that we can.

Else: You obviously must have a bit of the winner's instinct or you would not be doing so well - but you say you enjoy it thoroughly. Do you have time for any kind of a social life?
Hayley: I hear people saying they feel sorry for us having no social life, I feel that through dancing I have more of a social life than anybody else.
Grant: Dancing has given us so many opportunities: we go to Cape Town and Durban often and we've travelled overseas several times.

Elsa: Do you train with anybody when you go overseas?
Grant: Yes, mainly Graham Oswick And recently Pam McGill.

Else: Do you find a significant difference between trainers here and overseas?
Grant: Everyone has something to offer you. Obviously over there they may have fresher ideas, being where everything is happening and helps you approach the strong competitive side, but I think SA trainers have just as much to offer as any of them. Ultimately, the trainer cannot make you, it is what you are prepared to do for yourself - you can lead a horse to water but not make him drink!

Elsa: So you dent feel you need to go over there to improve?
Grant: We do aim to go over since learning from the top countries like England, Russia, Germany and Slovenia will also improve the standard in our own country.

Elsa: Hayley, what role does your mum play in your dancing career?
Hayley: She was British finalist and World finalist: so I look up to her and want to achieve the things she has achieved. She has inspired me. She supports me totally.

Elsa: You do not come from a dancing background, Grant?
Grant: No, but my parents have supported me emotionally and financially all the way.

Elsa: It is actually a bonus for parents when their children choose a new direction - it opens up a whole new world for them.
Grant: My parents share my achievements with me, because they have helped me get there by motivating me all the way.

Elsa: What has the highlight been thus far in your career?
Grant: I think winning die S A Championships last year. Obviously we didn't expect it as it was our first year in the adult section. What made it even more of a highlight was that Hayley's brother won the Youth section on the same day.

Elsa: I don't need to ask about the most disappointing!!
Grant: Yes, especially since we heard via the grapevine that we had been mentioned in discussions between professionals who thought we were up-and-coming and had a good chance of being in the finals.

Elsa: You've handled the disappointment and are back in the running.
Grant: Yes, that was the most testing point in our partnership, coming back and getting back on the floor because we'd lost a lot of confidence.

Elsa: That is what I want to ask: Do you ever get tired of it7 Do you ever think "No, I don't want to practice today, I don't want to do this anymore, I'm tired?"
Grant: I think that is the main thing about a partnership - you cannot let the other one down.
Hayley: You don't practise when you're sick - not because you don't feel like it.
Grant: It is a routine like getting up, brushing your teeth.

Elsa: Having a dancer for a mother I understand that Hayley grew up with dedication, but how do you manage this with your studies, Grant?
Grant: My whole life revolves around it, I: fit my studies in around dancing, not the other way around.

Elsa: Anything you'd like to say to other dancers - encourage the youngsters?
Grant: If you know what you want to do, set your mind to it and go for it! But make sure you know what you are striving for and don't let anyone get In your way.

 
RYNO: Brian, you have been selected as the new Vice-Chairman of the RDTA for 1998. Please explain briefly what this position entails.
BRIAN: Well, most importantly, should the Chairman (Cathy Gibbons) be absent, the Vice-Chairman will step into the chair. The Chairman has to give as much input as possible regarding political matters, competitions, publicity, financial matters, etc. I am also the PRO for the RDTA and my main task for this year is to raise and promote sponsorship for the RDTA. the Vice-Chairman has a very responsible job and that is one of my strong points. I must add that I am also on the Regional Council for the Professional Body.

RYNO: How often does the RDTA meet and what subjects are normally discussed?
BRIAN: Every 6 weeks. We discuss all sorts of matters, such as correspondence, finance, sponsorship, forthcoming competitions etc.

RYNO: Many dancers (and here I refer to a dancer's meeting held about one-and-a-half years ago in Jhb) and supporters feel that competitions are too stiff and need a bit of a face-lift. (Fun atmosphere) Do you agree, and if so, what do you intend to do about it?
BRIAN: Well, Ryno, I do not really agree with that. The RDTA in particular is trying to do things more informally. My opinion is that things are not 'stiff' enough - there is no discipline. This year the RDTA is going to attract a non-dancing audience. We are going to be a bit different in advertising and also the promotion. We are going to bring in 'line dancing'. For the first time ever, a Bulgarian couple will be doing the Ballroom demonstration at the Autumn Championships in March. The Team match is also coming in this year. Nevertheless, I feel there should be more discipline regarding dancers being on time for sections etc. A comp must be well-run.

RYNO: How does the RDTA see the SADTA ? Would you say they are in opposition, or just another organisation doing it's own thing ?
BRIAN: Just another organisation doing their own thing. One thing you must be clear on, Ryno, there is a healthy relationship between the RDTA and the SADTA. We are definitely not competing against each other - as a matter of fact, I am a full member of the SADTA and Adelaide Rosenberg is President of the SADTA.

RYNO: The running of a competition is very important and the English are extremely strict and stick to their traditional way. The Dutch on the other hand have more of a fun atmosphere, and comps in Japan look way different again. Do you think SA should create a style of their own?
BRIAN: Yes, I do. I must say I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Rumba in the Jungle, Sun City last year. It was impeccable - very, very impressive. We must remember that we are dealing with a very young generation at the moment. we have to cater for the younger dancer, especially at festivals. People must feel at home at comps- they must feel that they can go there, meet friends and have fun. The RDTA welcomes any suggestions from competitors.

RYNO: For how long have you been a member of the RDTA and why did you join them?
BRIAN: Well....., it is actually going back to the Jack Calder days. I would say the late 70's. We joined both the SADTA and the RDTA at that time because we felt it was important. But the RDTA did a lot for Meryl and myself - they gave us moral and financial support, local and international support.

RYNO: What is your personal input going to be?
BRIAN: For starters, I'm going to give my fellow committee members tremendous assistance. I am also going to tr3L and attract and motivate inactive members in the RDTA to become involved. Sponsorship will be one of my important issues.

RYNO: Describe the team that is going to work with you.
BRIAN: Impeccable! Excellent! You just cannot get better. Especially Shirley and Harvey Jacobs. I must mention that we have a very close and excellent relationship with TADA. We have always enjoyed working with them and it is still going from strength to strength.

RYNO: So Brian, 1998 is going to be the year.
BRIAN: Definitely!! As you say.

RYNO: But Brian, besides your role as Vice-Chairman, you and Meryl run your studio DANCELOT, and to top it all, you are involved in interior decorating. How do you manage all that?
BRIAN: Interior Design and decorating is done purely by word of mouth and introductions in the mornings. It is actually more of a hobby. You see, being my own boss, I have the time to serve the community in different ways.

RYNO: What will happen to Brian Schmidt's personal life this year?
BRIAN: Ha, ha, ha, wishful thinking!! Who knows?