Profile:
Age:
Damien:
34
years of age
How
long have you been dancing?
Damien:
I
have been dancing for over 28 years with various partners.
What
Dance Studio Are You Associated With?
Damien:
I
train and am associated with Orchard’s
Dance Studio.
How
did you become interested in dancing?
Damien:
My
parents decided that their children needed a hobby and took us all along to a
social class one day. My brothers
and sisters didn’t continue dancing but I had "talent” for it so I
just continued dancing. Within 6
months of starting social dancing I was encouraged to start competing, so a
try-out with a partner was
arranged and the rest like the say is history.
Career
highlights:
Damien:
Individually there has been many with various partners but highlights would have to include competing in major competitions both here in Australia and overseas.
What
are your main goals that you wish to achieve?
Damien:
My goal, like many dancers, is to be the very best dancer that I am able to be while still enjoying my dancing.
I have seen so many people give their dancing away because they simply forgot the reason they started in the first place --- enjoyment. As soon as I no longer enjoy my dancing then that will be the day I hang up my shoes.
I wish to compete both inter-state and overseas and to eventually win a Ten Dance Championship Event.
At
present I am only concentrating on Latin Events but will eventually stray back
into the Modern (Standard) and New Vogue side of competition.
Who,
if anyone, do you wish to emulate on the dance floor?
Damien:
There
are many dancers I admire and enjoy watching compete.
As far as emulating, I would like to bring out the best in my own
dancing, creating my own dancing identity rather than emulating other
dancers.
What
is your favourite style of dancing?
Damien:
My
favourite style of dance is Latin American, but I also enjoy the grace and
elegance of Modern (Standard).
What
is the best thing about dancing?
Damien:
The
appreciation and enjoyment that I get out of competing.
I also enjoy the performance factor and entertaining the spectators that come to watch the competitions.
What
is the worst thing about dancing?
Damien:
The
long hours of training, perfecting routines.
Current
Coach(es):
Damien:
My
main coach is Steven
Galdona from Queensland (Dancezone).
He is a brilliant coach as well as a talented dancer and I feel honoured that
he has invested so much of his time and patience in helping me to achieve my goals.
I
regard him as a
friend and mentor. He
pushes me to achieve what he knows I am capable of and for that I thank
him.
Some
of the titles that Steven has held:
5
times Undefeated Qld New Vogue, Ballroom and Latin
American Champion.
Australasian
Amateur Champion in all 3 styles.
Professional
Rising Star Australian Latin Champion
Victorian
Amateur Ballroom Champion
Runner-up
Super Stars World Cup Latin championship
Australian
Professional Representative to the World 10 Dance Championship.
I
have also worked with Paul
Green,when he comes to Queensland. Paul
is an excellent dancer and technician and each time I work with him I feel that he enhances
my performance and dancing ability.
Paul is a renowned International & National Champion and has
competed successfully for many years
both here and overseas.
When
Paul is in Queensland he also conducts workshops that I greatly enjoy.
For further information on Paul’s ballroom dancing workshops in
Queensland please contact
Steven
Galdona (steven@ballroomdancing.com.au).
I
have also worked with
Joanne
Orchard
(Orchard’s
Dance Studio).
Joanne is a former Professional Australasian Champion and a South
Pacific runner-up and is a regular adjudicator at most Queensland
competitions. I consider her a
friend and I appreciate her support and guidance in regards to my dancing.
Who
sponsors you?
Damien:
I am proud to be sponsored by Ballroom Dancing Australia (BDA) and I would like to thank BDA for their continual support.
This
is a list of people I would like to thank for their continuing support
in our quest to be the best dancer that I can be:
Ø My family.
Without them I know that none of what I have done and what I will do, would have been possible.
They have been there for me through the good times and the bad. My family have been my pre-eminent fans and my worst critics. They have been there for my greatest triumphs and my greatest failures.
Through all this I knew that they were there for me. They have given up so much, for me to become what I am, and I will never be able to tell or show them how much I appreciate everything they do.
my
Biggest Supporters
(Mum
& Dad)
They Come To Most of my Competitions
Most Of MY family
Ø
Steven
Galdona.
my coach, my friend and my mentor. Without
him, I would not be the dancer I am today and the dancer I will be.
He has continually made me strive to get to the next level with my
dancing.
Ø
Joanne
Orchard,
Orchard’s
Dancing
academy,
her guidance, humour and good counsel has been greatly appreciated.
Ø
The
dancers
at
Orchard’s
Dancing
academy.
There are too many people to list but I appreciate each and every one
of them for their support when I compete.
Ø
Ballroom
Dancing Australia
(BDA) (http://www.ballroomdancing.com.au/)
for their continuing sponsorship.
Ø Paul Green for his time and patience when he teaches, explaining not just how but the why when it comes to ballroom dancing. I always get a kick out of his lessons when he coaches as he is always positive and supportive.
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