Interview DWTS Pros Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten and Gleb Savchenko
I recently had the opportunity to visit Dancing With The Stars Pro Gleb Savchenko’s dance studio – Pro Dance LA in Los Angeles during my trip with Disney and ABC. More details on the small dance lesson I took coming soon. While at Pro Dance LA, I was able to interview DWTS Pros and Dancing with the Stars: Juniors mentors Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten and Gleb Savchenko.
Pro Dance LA
The inside of Pro Dance LA – dance studio owned by DWTS Pro Gleb Savchenko was beautiful. It was an honor to be able to visit this studio and I can only imagine how dancers feel to train here.
Gleb Savchenko owns and operates Pro Dance LA with his wife, Elena Samodanova.
Pro Dance LA on Facebook
@ProDanceLA on Twitter
@ProDanceLA on Instagram
Visit ProDanceLA.com
Interview DWTS Pros + DWTS: Juniors Mentors
Favorite Moment on DWTS
My favorite was this season, my first season as a pro.I think our favorite moments, we did an Argentine tango, that was like very much my style.It wasn’t traditional.It was to a different song, different type of vibe.So, that’s definitely like my style as a pro on the show.And so, I was really excited.That was one of my best.
~ Brandon Armstrong
My best moment was joining the show.You know, it was a dream of mine when I was younger.I was watching the show with my grandpa and it was so nice to think ‘oh, maybe one day I can be there’.And then one day I got here and it’s a dream come true.So, honestly, every moment on the show is my favorite moment as cliché as that sounds.
~ Alan Bersten
Is it more challenging mentoring adults or children?
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.
~ Alan Bersten
I do have to admit, I think it was more rewarding for me [on DWTS Juniors], 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 than it would be for myself to do well.So, I think for me, it was more rewarding.I think for most of us, you may agree, that you like to be able to sit back and watch your kids and when they finally execute it well – that is a million times more rewarding than yourself doing it right.
~ Brandon Armstrong
But it is more nerve-racking because you stand back to watch and you can’t do anything about it. Only hope you helped them enough.
~ Gleb Savchenko
When did you know that you wanted to be a professional dancer?
Well I grew up in Russia, Moscow, and the mentality of everyone, if your kid does something the parents go 100% in it.So, by the age of nine, I was traveling across Russia doing all these different competitions and when I was 14, I started winning them. Then I started really enjoying it.And then I said – that’s going to be my career.I’m going to be a dancer.And here I am.
~ Gleb Savchenko
What messages would you give to young dancers who are following their dreams?
I grew up in Moscow with no money in literally a one-bedroom apartment with my parents and now 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. Stand your ground and pour your soul and heart into what you do. Anything is possible.
~ Gleb Savchenko
I think if you’re passionate about it, no one can stop you.If someone is passionate about anything, no matter what, they’re going to be stubborn about it.And I think that’s actually one of the best qualities you can have, especially in a dancer because there’s a lot of no’s before you get a yes.
But be unique, especially all you kids out there, be unique.Don’t look at somebody else and say I want to be Gleb. Take all the things that you think are great about him and develop yourself but still be yourself.
~ Alan Bersten
Meeting DWTS Pros + DWTS: Juniors Mentors
It was such a pleasure to meet Gleb Savchenko, Alan Bersten and Brandon Armstrong. They were very friendly and shared many laughs. I can’t wait to share more about the dance lesson we had and how helpful they were.
Dancing With The Stars Juniors – Sunday, November 11th
Tune in this weekend for Dancing With The Stars: Juniors!
“Juniors Choice” – 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, NOV. 11 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.
Dancing With The Stars Semi-Finals
Tune in this Monday, November 12th at 8|7c on The ABC Television Network or streaming or on the app.
Dancing With The Stars Live Tour
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 showDancing with the Stars, ranging from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop. Choreographed and creative directed by Emmy© Award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore and Dancing with the Stars Executive Producer Ashley Edens-Shaffer, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the excitement, glamour and glitz they see in the ballroom every Monday night live in theatres in their hometowns.
See Dancing With The Stars Pros and Dancing with the Stars: Juniors mentors Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten and Gleb Savchenko in person live on the Dancing With The Stars Tour in a city near you. Get your tickets today. They are coming to Dallas, Texas on February 7, 2019 – I will be there!