Tell us about your rehearsal process, I know you rehearse for long hours!
The rehearsal process is very active and saturated for us. We rehearse for six hours every day. We train twice a day, the first test starts at 7.30 and the second at 20.30. We try to be as present in our thoughts as possible, we want to show a high quality of dance and interesting performances. It is very difficult to do this during the week, so let’s try not to waste time. Jānis is a very positive person, with crazy energy, but he knows how to focus on what he is doing. He has a great character trait: until he learns what’s scheduled for the day, he won’t leave the ballroom. Therefore, all our attempts are very productive. He always has many questions, Jānis needs to know why it must be exactly like this and not otherwise. If he’s not comfortable with something, he always says, then there are two options: convince him otherwise, it’s difficult, but sometimes I can, or look for an alternative.
It’s been a while since you last met Jānis, how is your relationship developing?
Jānis and I found a common language on the first try when we met. Since I’m Ukrainian and Jānis doesn’t speak Russian very well, he experienced that there would be a language barrier. Fortunately, Latvian is not that bad for me. During this time we have managed to become friends, we spend a lot of time together. Time will tell if the friendship continues after the show, we both have very busy schedules but I have a feeling we will remain friends.
I know you use makeup before rehearsal, which often makes you get up at five in the morning to get everything done!
A girl should always look good, first of all, for her own good. The feeling of beauty adds self-confidence to a person, improves mood. There’s no denying that those around you like it too. However, it is more enjoyable to dance with a well-groomed partner. There is no need to put “kilograms” of cosmetics, just a light daily make-up that highlights the beauty given by nature. The most important thing for me is good and high quality mascara. I believe that the eyes can say much more than words.
Are cosmetics what makes a woman feminine?
What makes a woman feminine is the inner state, the inner feeling. Cosmetics and style, it complements femininity, but it is not the foundation itself. You must feel like a woman inside. It is essential to feel harmony, peace and tranquility.
In addition to the show, do you teach to dance? Is this your main job?
All my life, since childhood, I have not seen myself in any other profession than that of a dance teacher. As a child, I sat around me with dolls and taught them to dance. In high school, when I had to choose a profession, I considered the professions of a doctor or an engineer, but I quickly realized that there is no need to delude myself when I entered the university of pedagogy. I have been working as a dance teacher for 17 years and I have not regretted it for a single day. Seeing every day how the students are getting better and better, how their eyes “burn” is a great happiness for me. The students’ desire to improve gives me an incentive to improve myself and seek new training methods.
Do you still dance professionally or are you already “retired”?
I ended my active career as a dancer a year ago, but I haven’t come to terms with it yet. The project gives me another chance to get back on the dance floor.
Teaching dances, six hours of rehearsal with Jānis, how do you protect yourself from artistic “burnout”?
Students charge me with energy and the desire to develop further without giving up. Their “burning” eyes also create a “fire” in me, which can be seen every week during the live show. The main thing is that what we do brings us joy, so we cannot fail!
Tell us about your journey into the world of dance!
I started dancing at the age of four, my mother took me to dance, although at first she wanted me to learn music, but the teacher said that “the bear climbed on my ears”. There was still a nightclub near the house, so I started dancing. At first no one thought that dance would become my life.
