By CHLOE NAGEL
REPRESENTING his country and watching his students fulfil their dreams; they’re the highlights of a dancing career that has taken Ken Pederson all around the world.
The principal of Marshere Dance Studio in Pakenham has danced for his country, winning the Asia-Pacific championship along the way, but it was his love of martial arts that first attracted the then six-year-old to the dance floor.
“I was doing a karate course at the time, and when the karate kids would clear out the dancers would come in,” Pederson said.
“I just stayed around a few times and kind of fell into the dancing group.”
That young six-year-old wouldn’t have realised it at the time, but the change from potentially breaking boards to dancing on them, would have an impact on his life that still burns strong today.
His focus now is all about imparting his knowledge and watching his students improve, and ultimately achieve their goals in a sport that requires total dedication.
“I think dancing is an individual sport where the dancer is never totally happy with what they do,” Pederson said.
“I think you need to be really hard on yourself to be a good dancer. I tried to be one of the better dancers in Queensland, then Melbourne, and then went overseas and trained, you just keep on striving.”
He certainly set the bar high, achieving his goal of representing Australia in international competition.
“I did quite a few world championships and they were great,” he said.
“The Australian flag is flying, it’s a bit like being at the Olympics and that was very exciting. My partner and I won the Asia Pacific Championships in Korea against couples from America, Russia, Australia and all around the Asia Pacific so that was pretty cool to win.”
Ken has also danced in the USA, Austria, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and France, starting a wonderful journey that sees him passing on his knowledge to others.
“I just love seeing my students improve and achieve their goals,” he said.
“I had one of my couples finish eighth at the British and win an Australian title. I still get goose bumps from watching people work hard and achieve what they set out to achieve”.
