If you attract attention on the dance floor for all the wrong reasons, there is help at hand. ANNA PALUCH meets a Polish couple in Dublin who can put the groove into your moves
Edyta Wawak and Krzysztof Sordyl from southern Poland came to Ireland for work, just like so many of their compatriots. Edyta’s first appointment was a lucky one – she’s still with the same company, while Krzysztof is now a senior buyer with a German firm, a position that brings him much satisfaction. “The most important thing is to have purpose and aim for it, no matter what fate brings,” he says.
But this article is not about job prospects. It’s rather about a shared passion – that of dance – an interest that this Polish couple have enthusiastically pursued in Ireland. “I was seven when a cousin of mine invited me to a dance competition she was performing at,” recalls Edyta, who is from Czaniec. “It was 1987 and I fell in love with all those beautiful dresses immediately.”
Afterwards, she announced to her parents that she wanted to dance. She went through numerous courses and finally her instructor proposed that she join a professional dance club. For the next sixteen years, Edyta performed in various dance competitions, and for the last six she has been an instructor herself.
“The first club Edyta was dancing in was a social dance club in KÄ™ty,” says Krzysztof, who is from near Wadowice. “Then, while studying, she was performing in Kraków but at the same time she and her dance partner were travelling all over Poland to be trained by various instructors.” Among those tutors was Augustin Egurrola, popularly known from the TV shows Po Prostu TaÅ„cz (You Can Dance) and Taniec z Gwiazdami (the Polish version of Strictly Come Dancing).
Since coming to Ireland, Edyta and Krzysztof have participated in various shows throughout Dublin, such as Polish Day in Tallaght and the Polish charity event, Wielka Orkiestra ÅšwiÄ…tecznej Pomocy.
They have also turned their passion into something more longstanding. In May 2007, the couple established The Prestige Dance School: Krzysztof administers it and assists Edyta as a co-instructor. They’ve hired a sports hall in Scoil Caitríona on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin in which to conduct the lessons. “We still do have the impression that too few people know that there is a Polish dance studio in the very city centre,” admits Krzysztof. The people who do come usually have a specific motivation for doing so. Edyta comments: “Generally they are couples preparing for the wedding. Many single persons attend courses teaching hot Latin-American rhythms, though. What is very interesting is that we have more men than women there.” The courses, both group and individual, attract various nationalities.
Quite an interesting option is the ‘Not only for fiancées’ class. “It is directed to those who have some party or family wedding and would like to get some training before,” explains Krzysztof. “At this class we opt for the popular ‘2-on-1’, so that you could, for example, dance with your aunt or grandma, and for standards like waltzes and foxtrots.”
A special course preparing future newly-weds for their first dance is being planned for February. “The choreography will be very simple, but elegant and effective. We give two choices – Tuesday or weekend nights, so that each couple could choose the most suitable time for themselves,” he adds.
The practice will certainly come in handy for Edyta and Krysztof, who are set to tie the knot themselves this summer.
“We have our own wedding in June,” says Edyta, “So we understand the couples who want to prepare for this most important event in their life and wish their first dance to be something special and original.”
According to the couple, those who attend their school find dancing to be a cool way of spending free time – and a partner isn’t required. “Dance is magic and many individuals come here seeking some get-away from everyday Dublin reality,’ agrees Edyta.
A one-hour class costs €9.50, while a voucher for four one-hour classes can be purchased for €32. Email edyta.wawak@gmail.com for further details.
