30 years of IDO World Tap dance Championships
László Bóbis / Budapest - Hungary Dancer | Teacher | Choreographer | Studio Owner
Two things were a great opportunity for my professional life, they defined and shifted my career. (Actually, it’s thanks to these that I can talk about careers.) One is my participation and achievement at the Tap Dance World Championships, the other is that I had met Lindy Hop swing dance and the world of traditional Jazz dance, highlighting the role of Frankie Manning. 1991 - Tap Dance World Championship. The first international competition of my life took place in Hamburg. I had been learning to tap
dance for 3 years and thought I’d try out myself, for sure I’m going to learn a lot from it. I didn’t even think of half-hearted results just to see what was going on in the West. Back then, the opportunity to travel was a big deal at this part of the world. Then I won the competition!!! I became the world champion. It was inconceivable. I took the flow, TVs, Radios, newspapers, all the media wanted me to talk. Me from Hungary, CENTRAL EUROPE. It was incomprehensible that this was happening to me, neither my communication nor my soul was prepared for this. Sure, I was happy and bounced with joy, but I knew the next day that it involved responsibility, as well as a lot of challenges and struggles to meet that title. So, I fought hard. 1992 - I became 2nd in the big competition. My preparation was very difficult. I went out to the US to one of my teachers to do my best, but I had to realize that my technique isn’t good enough. There was a big crisis in me as I was the world champion that I wanted to defend or at least get to the finals. It was important to show that it was not a coincidence. What helped me through this crisis is my choreographic blood. The only way I can say is my blood because I never learned to choreograph, but I felt the music and felt the impact on the audience. 1993 - 3rd place. I struggled and practiced, I felt strength and dynamism. I started learning Lindy Hopp from Frankie Manning and many other amazing teachers that influenced my dance style. I began to see and feel the world of traditional Jazz. 1994 - I won the world championship again! I was already more confident as a performer, started to let the feeling of victory come to me. USA was second. They started to get to know my work and my name in Hungary. I was invited to teach at the University of Theater and Film Arts, my theater choreography career started. Since 1994, I have choreographed 60-70 pieces, in whole or in part, including Singing in the Rain, Producers, Kiss me Kate, Ball in the Savoy and lots of Hungarian musical pieces and operettas. I have been teaching since 1994, setting up my own dance studio, the Savoy Garden Dance Studio. I formed a dance group from my students and to this day I perform with them, dance, I am on stage. I work a lot in a tap dance duet and I really enjoy it. Being on stage is the most wonderful thing for me because I can give good and beautiful feelings to the audience. When I see that my work gives happiness that is harmony for me. This is what I received from the Tap Dance World Championships, among others, and established my profession, which I love. I love to teach, perform, choreograph and to this day it is written next to my name that László Bóbis is the world step dance champion. Thanks for organizing the competitions and for getting a lot of attention, energy and love from you personally Michael. P.S It is important to mention that my private life was a bit noisy, but I have 5 children around me and we live in nature happily with my wonderful wife. Translation from th e Hungarian text by László’s daughter Enikő Bóbis.
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