2003-05-16
What is your name, how old are you and where do you live?
My name is Anne Karin Røssbø, I'm 19 years old and live in Huglo, Norway.Why did you start to dance Irish dance?
I watched a documentary about Irish dancing on TV and I though it looked like fun, then I joined a course and that was me, I was hooked.
What kind of Irish dance do you dance: Set dance, Solo, Céilí?
I do all 3 kinds of dancing, but I focus on solo.
Do you dance any other type of dance?
I know "a bit of everything" when it comes to dancing, but I don't go to any other dance classes.
Where have you learnt to dance Irish dance?
I went to a course for a few months, but that was just a spring course, so all the after that I started teaching myself from videos and now I dance with The Ward School of Irish Dancing.
What do you do when you are not dancing?
Right now I' m an exchange student in Scotland, but when this year is over I'll go back to Norway and finish school there and then we'll see what happens. In my spare time I also play the baritone and play in the school band because I love music.
Do you only dance yourself or do you also teach?
I only dance myself.
What do you think about the Nordic feis and feisanna in general?
I think that the Nordic Feis is very great, because it is so much more than just a competititon. It is an oppertunety for all the Irish dancers to get together and exchange ideas and experiences. I think feisenna in general is good, because it gives you something to work towards, but the preassure can be quite hard sometimes, and not all the dancers you meet on feisennas are nice and friendly. I don't like all the sparkly dresses and make-up the girls are wearing, because it's about how good you are at dancing, not how good you look yourself.
You have placed well lataly? How come?
Mainly because I now dance for TCRG Margaret Carson and she has helped me improve my style.
What are your plans for the future?
I'd like to work with animals or do something where I can use my musical knowledge. And I know that Irish dancing will be a lifelong hobby.
Are you part of a dance group, if so could you tell us about it?
As I've said earlier, I now dance for the Ward School, which have dancers from age 5 to 60+. It's run by TCRG Margaret Carson who is a great teacher. Like any other teacher she wants you to do well at competitions, but she never puts any preassure on you. The school has only ever had one dancer in the World Championship and that was this year, so hopefully there will be more in the future. The school has classes for all age groups, placed all over the Edinburgh area and is very good presented to the public through performances. In Norway it's just me and my best friend that does Irish dancing where I live. But we do have contact with the Siamsa group from Bergen. My friend and I have both danced at the Nordic Feis and do performances at local arrangements.
Is your family a real "Irish dance" family?
No, I'm the only one in my family that does Irish dancing.
What is your goal with the dancing?
Mainly to do something that I enjoy, and the exercise is a great plus. I'd also like to teach other people this kind of dance and help it become more populare in Norway.
What is your favorite dance?
I quite like the slip jig and St. Patrick's Day and my favorite ceili dance is The walls of Limerick, but if I have to choose one I think it would have to be St. Patrick's Day.
In what way has the Irish dance changed your life?
When I was younger I used to think that dancing was just silly, but when I discovered Irish dancing ans saw how they had made all the dance shows I started to think that dancing isn't so stupid after all.
Do you have any advice or tips you would like to share?
If you're in a dance group and doing competitions and/or performances don't do it because everybody expects you to do it, but do it for yourself and for your own experience.
Do you have any other information you would like to share with us?
Just that www.irishdancing.com is a very good website when it comes to irish dancing.
What do you think is the best with the Nordic Society of Irish Dancers?
It gives people that dont' have the chance to dance for a TCRG a chance to get together and meet people in the same situation.
Interview made by Yvonne Rosenlund Swerke