MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The semi-finals of the annual Mossel Bay's Got Talent (MBGT) showcase take place tomorrow night, 25 May at the Bravo Lounge.
The spotlight this week falls on the last member of the adjudicator's panel, Romeo Wagner, also a previous MBGT winner.
What makes Wagner's achievements and the respect he has gained as a dancer and choreographer remarkable, is the fact that he is self taught.
His journey as a dancer started in 2005 with a hip hop dance movie, You Got Served. Everything about it inspired him to start dancing.
After watching the movie and also many other videos, he decided to take to the stage. Due to a lack of practice, he didn't pull it off. Fortunately, an older dancer approached him and started to guide him.
After regaining his confidence and lots of practice, he was ready to step back on to stage. Once he heard the crowed cheering for him and felt the energy, he immediately knew that dancing was his destiny. "Dancing has taught me a lot of self respect, discipline, life coordination. I strongly believe that you should always be passionate in what you are doing and try to make the best of what you have.
"Some of us are born talented. Others have to work hard for it."
Five questions
The Mossel Bay Advertiser hooked up with this much talked about dancer before the semi-finals.
• How does your experience influence you as a judge?
Being a former winner has been phenomenal for my career, not only in dancing but being able to be recognised as a judge for MBGT.
Honestly, receiving constructive criticism is a tough pill to swallow. Yet it has only brought out the best in me. What I've gained through this competition is that sometimes you don't see the potential in yourself, but someone else does. Taking experienced advice can help you to be greater than yourself.
• What inspires your choreography as a dancer?
Without music there would be no rhytmn, no emotion and no passion.
There is nothing more inspirational than music itself, the tranquility it brings to the soul is divine. Bringing life to music through dancing is the ultimate expression for how you feel and what you feel.
• What excites you about being involved in MBGT?
There is nothing more worthwhile than to see all these young people displaying their inner talent and passions. This competition is a huge platform for them. Most of them have not had a stage experience before, so being able to advise and encourage them to do well is very fulfilling.
• What is your opinion of the talent, especially dance talent in Mossel Bay and surrounds?
This year will probably be the toughest for all dancers in their category as they are well prepared. Among the youngsters in Mossel Bay I would actually like to see more involvement. I also feel there is a lack of the older generation to guide and mould them. As educators and custodians we must take the lead.
• Highlights - things you are particularly proud of?
Through my dancing career I have competed in a lot of competitions. I have also attended multiple festivals, showcases, modelling shows and so on. What I am most proud of is that I've taught myself the skill of dancing.
It proves that being persistent is the key to unlocking your true potential. All this would not be possible without God. I am exceptionally thankful for the talent He has blessed me with.
Persistence
Romeo concludes with a word of advice to those waiting in the wings: to be more than yourself, take a leap of faith and get out of your comfort zone.
"Most people have the tendency to say when they see someone on stage: 'Yeah I can do better,' but it takes a lot of courage and self esteem to expose yourself to that environment."
To him, all the participants in MBGT are already winners. "For those who want to compete, believe in yourself, strive for positivity, trust the process and be persistent. Remember that failure does not define you as a person."
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
