Where’s my Dancing with the Stars fans?! While covering Disney’s Nutcracker in LA a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to stop by Gleb Savchenko’s dance studio for an exclusive interview and dance lesson! Check out the Q&A with Gleb, Brandon Armstrong and Alan Bersten below!
I was invited as media to cover this event. All opinions are my own.
Exclusive Interview with Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong and Gleb Savchenko
DWTS Pros and DWTS Juniors Mentors
I’m not sure if the guys knew what they were in for when they invited 25 blogging ladies to Gleb’s Pro Dance LA studio, but we happily packed the place for a chance to meet the DWTS mentors and chat about their dance skills, and much more!
After the guys gave us a quick intro about their different dance styles- Gleb Savchenko and Alan are ballroom dancers, and Brandon prefers all-styles including hip-hop and contemporary. We asked them a few questions about being professional dancers and mentors for the DWTS show.
Q: Is it more challenging mentoring adults or children?
“Good question,” Alan remarked. Adding, “I think it was an experience that really enlightened all of us. When we’re on the show with adults there’s a lot of pressure because we’re in it. We’re in it with them. We’re going on this journey with them. With the kids, we’re able to kind of stand back and let the kids go on a journey and really help as much as we can without actually being in it.”
Brandon adds, “I do have to admit, I think it was more rewarding for me, maybe this is just me but this is my first season on the adult show. But I think it was more rewarding for me to watch my kids do well then it would be for myself to do well.”
Photo credit: ABC TV
Q: When did you guys know that you wanted to be a professional dancer?
Gleb shared, “by the age of nine, I was traveling across Russia doing all these different competitions and when I was 14, I started winning them. I started really enjoying it. And then I was like, that’s going to be my career. I’m going to be a dancer. And here I am.”
Q: Do you have a go-to person, place or experience to get fresh ideas for new inspiration for dances?
Alan mentioned this is only his third season being on the show, but he draws inspiration from the songs themselves and his dance partner. Gleb also mentioned Youtube.
Q: What messages would each of you give to young dancers who are following their dance dreams?
Gleb said, “Never give up. Just push forward….anything is possible.” Alan added, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Gleb went on to tell us that he had no money growing up in Moscow and he and his parents lived in a one bedroom apartment, sharing, “I do the most amazing show in the whole world, where everyone’s watching. So, just dream and work really hard. Never give up. Don’t let anybody push you down. You know, stand your ground and just, just pour your soul and heart into what you do.”
Photo credit: ABC TV
Let’s Dance!
After our Q&A the trio invited us to learn a Nutcracker-inspired dance – which I’ll be sharing with you in a future post! But I have to say, these three guys are incredible at what they do. They made each and every one of us feel confident, and really took their time teaching us. I can’t wait to share the video and images!
A big thank you to my group’s dance mentor Brandon who kept us pumped up from beginning to end! And Gleb Savchenko for opening his studio up to us.
“Dancing with the Stars” airs Mondays at 8|7c on The ABC Television Network or streaming or on the app! This Monday, don’t miss the Semi-Finals on Dancing with the Stars! Each couple will perform two new dances.
Also find “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” on Sundays at 8|7c. The seven remaining celebrity kids have each been tasked with choosing the song they will dance to as “Juniors Choice” night comes to Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Sunday, November 11.
Dancing with the Star: Live Tour Information
TV’s biggest dance show returns on tour this winter with “Dancing with the Stars: Live! – A Night to Remember” Kicking off December 15th in Columbia, SC, the show will feature fan-favorite professional and troupe dancers in a brand-new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, ranging from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop. Tickets are now on sale!
Photo Credits: Coralie Seright (www.lovebugsandpostcards.com)
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