Balllroom Dance in Indonesia

Ballroom dance is also popular in Indonesia. There are many competition that already being held. Indonesian people also have a website called DANSAMANIA (http://www.dansamania.net/)

You can check this website for more news about Ballroom Dance in Indonesia. But unfortunately, this site is not in English language but in Indonesia language.

Indonesia also have a University which contain Dancesports as their matery. Like University Indonesia. Many people graduate from this Faculty of Dancesports become a great Ballroom dancer. Like Raisa Djuanda. Now let's check Raisa think about Dancing

Most people associate ballroom dancing with weddings or black-tie events, but did you know that it’s also a hard-core competitive sport? Raisa Djuanda, a 25-year-old medical student, has spent almost half her life learning to perfect the steps, keeping a strict daily regimen of physical workouts.

Although she’s tried her hand at other dance styles like hip-hop and ballet, Raisa eventually found her passion on the ballroom dance floor. Now, after traveling around Asia to compete in events, she can proudly call herself a national athlete of one of the world’s most elegant sports.

Raisa, you seem like a very hip young woman. Why did you choose ballroom dancing?

[Laughs] Over the years I’ve been involved in other types of dance competitions, including modern hip-hop, salsa and ballet, but there’s something special about ballroom dancing. The routines are definitely different, and you dance exclusively in male-female pairs, dressed in evening gowns, high heels and tuxedos. It makes ballroom dancing much more elegant than other types of dance. It’s also about the emotional chemistry with your partner, which is just like being in a play. When you dance, you have to put things aside and become a different person.

Speaking of pairings, have you ever dated one of your dance partners?

Since I’ve taken up ballroom dancing seriously, I’ve danced with five different partners. But no, I’m professional [laughs]. Actually, though, ballroom dancing is a lot like being in a relationship; you have to maintain your emotions, and you often end up doing moves you’re not comfortable with for the sake of the team’s performance. There are sacrifices that need to be made [laughs].

How long have you been dancing, and in how many competitions have you been in ?

I started ballroom dancing about 12 years ago, when I was 13 years old. My parents were interested in ballroom dancing as well, even though they didn’t really compete like I do now.

I’ve taken part in numerous competitions abroad, organized by the WDC [World Dance Council], including tournaments in Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. I also competed in PON [the National Games] and the last SEA Games [Southeast Asian Games] in Thailand, which were two of my most memorable experiences. This November I’ll be competing in Malaysia.

Where does Indonesia stand in the Asian arena of competitive ballroom dancing?

Well, we’re dancing head-to-head with dancers from Singapore and Malaysia, but we still have a long way to go before we can compete with those from Thailand and the Philippines.

How do dancers train for major competitions like the SEA Games and PON?

Several months prior to a big competition, dancers train intensively, often abandoning other daily activities, such as their jobs, to focus on dancing. I actually left college for a year to do my training.

Every morning we work out, with running and weight exercises, and then we practice our dance routines until evening. We focus on flexibility, which is crucial to become a solid dancer. We also have to eat a diet high in carbohydrates to maintain our energy levels for the competition.

That sounds intense. What if you also have a day job?

The IODI [Indonesia Dance Sport Association] gives athletes an income and covers their expenses. During the year of training before a major event, dancers make between Rp 5 million and Rp 10 million [$560 and $1,120] a month. If you win a medal in either the PON or the SEA Games, you also get a bonus worth hundreds of millions.

For smaller, private tournaments, however, dancers provide for themselves and rely only on the prize money. Unfortunately, we often spend more than we make because the accessories are so expensive, and because serious contenders may also pay for a private trainer. That’s why dancers usually have other jobs, like giving dance lessons. Professional dancers in other countries can dance full time because they have sponsors.

Other than providing more financial help, is there anything you wish the government would do to support Indonesian dancers?

Indonesian dancers only get several months of intensive training, compared to dancers in other countries. And the committees in Thailand and the Philippines give dancers more exposure and publicity. They also invite foreign trainers, sometimes from Europe, to train their dancers, which really boosts the quality of their ballroom dancing. It would be great if Indonesian dancers had similar opportunities.

Manny Indonesian Dancer are also participate in International Competition. Sometimes they win, sometimes not. But the grafic of Ballroom dancer in Indonesia never coming down.

That's all about Ballroom Dane in Indonesia. I hope you become someone who love dancing.^^