Katy
Also known as Katerina, Kačka, Třešeň …. no matter what name you know her by, you’ve probably met her before. If not live, then virtually.
As well as having been through just about every technique she’s been taught, from Balboa to Lindy to tap, she’s also currently looking after the production of the whole studio.
How did you come to swing?
I “inherited” it from my dad. :))) Unfortunately, I didn’t get divorced until I was 28 because my parents were divorced since I was 2 and my dad never pushed me to dance. Well, thanks to a combination of several factors, I finally made it to my first Lindy Hop lesson at 28. And I was immediately absorbed! Then it went quickly. First foreign festivals, Herrang, I started performing with ZZ group (this meant adding tap, acrobatics, jazz and choreography training to Lindy Hop – I had to eat grape sugar to survive the training). Soon I started “helpering” in teaching and I think after 2 years I was teaching as a regular lecturer. I mean, I started late, but as they say, better late than later!
Your favourite dance figure?
Anything I don’t know and I’ll unfollow it! That makes me doubly happy that it worked!
Who do you like to teach and why?
Definitely beginners! I like the so-called. the “blank sheet of paper” where progress is most quickly seen. I love teaching people not only to dance, but it’s important to me to guide them through that beginning, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or even stressful. Because I know whoever stuck with it learned it well. So I also focus on the social and psychological component of learning, so that these people feel comfortable with it and overcome the initial phase.
Your dance inspiration?
Pamela Gaizutyte.
“Dance for me is the absolute “here and now”. When I dance, my head is present and doesn’t run away.”
