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Interview with Ballroom Dance Champion:
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Boriana and Delyan first began dancing together as amateurs back in 1995. Originally from Europe, they now reside in the US, in New York.
We met with Boriana at the Paragon Dance Studio, Tempe AZ, after completing several coaching sessions with her. She was choreographing new Open Gold Latin routines for me (Cindy Brinkmeyer), and one of her gifts as a coach and choreographer is that she will get a sense of you. She doesn't spin out a grouping of steps, but rather creates a dance for you that not only meets NDCA requirements, but is an embodiment of your personal style as a dancer. Even though she had been teaching and dancing thru out the day, she was still radiant and full of energy. Boriana is now not only a teacher and inspiring coach but an adjudicator for competitions as well. 
When you were competing did you incorporate any other forms of training such as weight training, pilates etc?
The type of training I used is called Gyrotonics. It’s circular movements done with machines. It has some similarities to Pilates and is used by ballet dancers. It lengthens the muscles like Pilates. I originally started with Gyrotonics to help with a back injury and I have been doing it for 9 years now. I have continued with it even now, as it is also good for ballroom dancers. Who was your competitive dance partner and what style did you compete in? My husband Delyan Terziev; and we competed in Latin. |
Interview Questions
Conducted By: Margo Badman and Cindy Brinkmeyer Did you always know you wanted to be a Professional Ballroom Dancer?
No, I didn’t. When I was a young girl, I had thought I wanted to take ballet class and become a ballerina. But after I attended my first ballroom class I fell in love with Latin dancing. At what age did you begin your dance training? It was at the age of 6 when I attended my first Ballroom Latin class. When did you first come to the US? And did you come for dance reasons? Yes, it was Oct.5th, 1999. I remember the exact date as it is the date of a Holiday that we celebrated back in my hometown. Have you had training in any other styles of dance? No When you were competing what was a typical days schedule like for you? Practicing in the morning, with teaching in the afternoon and evening. Competing on the weekends with lots of traveling! How many hours a day did you train when you were competing? Three hours a day, seven days a week. |
Some Advice from Boriana
What would you consider the three most important things for the beginner competitor to focus on?
Posture, Patience and Trust your Teacher
Are these things any different for intermediate or advanced dancers?
Yes, Learn to count and
Practice, Practice, Practice!
What are the first things you look for when judging a competition?
The couple, no matter their level, whether they are a Professional couple, Amateur couple or a Pro-Am couple having togetherness and fluidity.
What do you feel is a good ratio of practice to lesson time?
Two to One. Two hours of practice to one hour of lesson time.
What are some things that you would recommend a dancer focus on while practicing alone?
The fundamentals. Even the silver and gold level dancers need to go back and practice their bronze.
Do you have any pet peeves or things that you view negatively when you are judging at a competition?
A bad costume. The first thing you see as a judge is a well groomed person. Their make-up, hair and costume and choice of color are all important. Even someone with great dancing; it can be hard to watch them if the costume is bad.
A lot of people like to wear black dresses, do you feel that black is ok?
Black can be ok, it depends on the dress. You need to remember to add the extra accents such as jewlery, hair pieces, good make-up etc..
Posture, Patience and Trust your Teacher
Are these things any different for intermediate or advanced dancers?
Yes, Learn to count and
Practice, Practice, Practice!
What are the first things you look for when judging a competition?
The couple, no matter their level, whether they are a Professional couple, Amateur couple or a Pro-Am couple having togetherness and fluidity.
What do you feel is a good ratio of practice to lesson time?
Two to One. Two hours of practice to one hour of lesson time.
What are some things that you would recommend a dancer focus on while practicing alone?
The fundamentals. Even the silver and gold level dancers need to go back and practice their bronze.
Do you have any pet peeves or things that you view negatively when you are judging at a competition?
A bad costume. The first thing you see as a judge is a well groomed person. Their make-up, hair and costume and choice of color are all important. Even someone with great dancing; it can be hard to watch them if the costume is bad.
A lot of people like to wear black dresses, do you feel that black is ok?
Black can be ok, it depends on the dress. You need to remember to add the extra accents such as jewlery, hair pieces, good make-up etc..
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We know that you and Delyan recently acquired a competition. What is the name of the competition coming up this January in NYC?
Its the Golden Star, just outside of Jersey City. The dates are January 30th thru Feb. 1st. There is going to be a Gala on Sunday with Top Pro’s dancing. We haven’t yet decided on a charity, but we are hoping it will be dance related. We have been considering the charity for Wheelchair Dancing. What have you enjoyed doing the most during your dance career? Competing, teaching, coaching or judging? Learning is my number one. Learning and experimenting. Competing is exciting but nerve wracking. Now I am concentrating on and loving teaching. What does the future look like for you? What do you see coming up? My goal thru teaching is to create dancers who are self confident and will go above and beyond what I have taught them. My advice to Professionals would be to stay as long as possible with your partner. Would you be open to follow up questions from our readers? Can we contact you in the future for more advice? Yes, Definitely! |
If you enjoyed this interview with Boriana and would like to ask your own questions....
Please use our Contact Form or Email Ask Boriana and send us your questions.
We will email you your answers as well as post follow up questions and answers here and on our blog!
Please use our Contact Form or Email Ask Boriana and send us your questions.
We will email you your answers as well as post follow up questions and answers here and on our blog!
