"The fact that dance receives too little funds is nothing new, since it’s very difficult to succeed as an artist, even abroad, let alone at home," notes the vice-champion in show dance.

Matej Voušek, a first-year student at the faculty of pharmacy, has won 2nd place at the show dance world championship with his dancing partner Tina Turk in the couple’s category, which is a great success of Slovenian dancers at international competitions.

In an interview for MMC, Voušek explains that his dancing partner Tina and he competed in this category for the first time this year, which is why they hadn’t been fully aware of what they were getting into and hadn’t had great expectations. "We’re more than satisfied with the result, since the competition was fierce and the time for practice – as always due to study obligations, especially my own – scarce. The success has given us new momentum and motivation for the current season, as we’re going to participate in this category again," argues Voušek, adding that the pair is thankful for the support of their parents, dancing colleagues, friends as well as their trainer and choreographer Mitja Popovski.

As member of a dance group the dancer had already won the title of a world champion in the categories of ‘jazz’ and ‘modern’ at the 2011 world championship. Voušek explains that he competes in various categories; he dances as a member of bigger dance groups as well as pairs, small groups (up to seven people) and solo.

Dance practice is relaxing
The difference is evident in the way training sessions look like, says Voušek: "Tina and I are very good friends and the sessions are very relaxing and fun. Also, this enables us to pick the time and day for the sessions ourselves and figure out by ourselves which parts of the programme need more practice. At group training sessions it’s definitely livelier, since there are more people in the hall, but it’s also a bit more tiring. We often need to dance the same parts of a programme multiple times, since the group has to be completely in sync."

How did it all start?
Even as a small child Matej liked to dance around the apartment, but since he had already had many extracurricular activities, there was never enough time for dancing sessions. "In 2006 I finally visited doors open days at Kazina and got to know all kinds of dance styles. Jazz became my favourite genre, since it’s a combination of rhythm, agility, strength, power and coordination. I was initiated into competitive dance by my trainer and choreographer Mirjam Podobnik, who called my mother after the first training session and told her of my dance talent; she’s certainly one of the people who earn the most credit for my progress in dancing," believes Voušek. Dance supremacy of the Voušek family doesn’t end here, since this year Ms Podobnik has also become the mentor of Matej’s younger brother Peter, who is just starting his dance career.

Pharmacy studies have met his expectations
Matej devotes a lot of his time to his studies now, but he uses his leisure time for dancing sessions and competitions. Pharmacy studies have fulfilled his expectations so far. "I just finished the first semester. I have to say I’m very satisfied, and if I had to enrol again, I would certainly make the same decision. The main reason I opted for this course is that I’ve always been interested in chemistry and natural sciences." In his opinion pharmacy is a study programme that combines these sciences and is thus very diverse. He adds that what made his decision to enrol into a fairly difficult study course easier was his mother, who also went to this faculty.

"Things from abroad aren’t necessarily better than those at home"
He also touches upon the situation in the field of dance in Slovenia in general – Slovenia is a very successful country in this area, since Slovenians are at the top in practically all categories in most of the disciplines, argues Voušek. Despite this the stories of most clubs and dances are marked by money: "The fact that dance receives too little funds is nothing new, since it’s very difficult to succeed as an artist, even abroad, let alone at home." He believes that "performances and dancers from abroad are being advertised much more nowadays, since this serves as a much greater attraction for the public." "Perhaps we sometimes forget that things from abroad aren’t necessarily better than those at home. However, they’re certainly easier to advertise and sell," adds Voušek.

Voušek is convinced that Slovenia "could be much more open to changes and should start encouraging people to be different and innovative". "But it’s a fact that we have a very small market, which is why it’s difficult to succeed in most areas here, and one is better rewarded and appreciated for the same successes abroad," notes Voušek.