Dancer Maša Rožman entered the Young Dance Star competition organised each year by the AMEU Dance Academy and was named a young dance hope. Barbra Drnač spoke with Maša for the Parada plesa portal. Let’s get to know her!
Dear Maša, welcome to the Parada portal, and congratulations once again on the title of young dance hope at the AMEU Dance Academy’s Young Dance Star competition. Why did you enter, and what do such recognition and an award mean to you?
I entered because I was curious about what it actually was. My former dance teacher Kim Kern Kukovič told me about it. And together we decided that I wanted to take part. And I don’t regret it at all. The prize, or rather the recognition I received, means a great deal to me and gives me motivation to go on creating and expressing myself through dance.
How did you construct the piece — is there something you want to say with it?
The idea for the piece just came to me. I was talking with my mum at home about family, and it occurred to me: what if I described my birthplace in my dance, and the trade it is known for, the one my great-grandfather also worked in? The theme is mining. I also danced in front of one of the biggest mine shafts in Trbovlje, or rather in the Zasavje region — the Terezija shaft.
Is it important to take part in such competitions, and why?
It is important to take part in competitions like this, because you get other people’s opinions and comments on your dance work. And of course you are all the happier about taking part in competitions if you receive praise or an award for it.
How did dance come into your life? Give us a short biography with an emphasis on your dancing.
I have been dancing since kindergarten. I remember the dance hours we had in kindergarten, which I took part in. In my last year of kindergarten, just before starting primary school, I began dancing at the Trbovlje Music School, where my teacher was Kim Kern Kukovič. So officially I have been dancing for about ten or eleven years. Alongside dance I also played the guitar, and I was very successful at that too. In the end, though, my passion for dance won out. This year I performed a solo piece at Opus as well and received a gold award for my miniature. In March I also took the entrance exams for the arts gymnasium in Ljubljana, which I passed, but I preferred to continue in Celje at Gimnazija Celje, pre-school education. I chose that because I very much enjoy working with children. Of course I did not stop dancing: I continued my dance path at Plesni Forum Celje with Goga Stefanovič Erjavec.
Which dance style is closest to you, and why that one?
Closest to me is of course contemporary dance, which I have been dancing the longest. But I have also learned quite a few other styles — hip hop, ballet, jazz, modern dance. A bit of everything.
Is the idea to become a dance artist, or does dance remain a leisure activity?
Yes, something like that. Dance is of course the kind of activity for which you need a lot of will and energy. The hardest part is finding ideas that you like and that the audience will like too. For me dance is relaxation; when I dance I forget all the troubles I have.
Would you be willing to study at the Dance Academy?
I have already thought about further study. I know that if I continued at the Dance Academy I would have to put in a lot of effort and energy — which would not be difficult, because it is dance, and I don’t begrudge a single minute spent on it. I would gladly continue my dance career at the Dance Academy.
Where do you see your future? In dance or somewhere else?
I certainly see my future in dance. It is something I have been doing for more than ten years, and I could not simply stop.
As the end of the year is approaching, I’d ask you to look back on 2023. What will you remember it by, what would you most like to forget, and what do you wish for yourself, for dancers and for teachers in 2024?
I will remember it most of all for all the achievements I received this year. I would not want to forget anything, because every moment in life is good for something. In the new year I wish myself and all dancers a fine end to the year, and that we all set ourselves some dance goals for the year ahead. And of course as few injuries as possible. Thank you for the invitation and happy dancing holidays to all.
Thank you, and I wish you a wonderful December!
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