Paris born Clara Bajado is the talented dancer who appears in the advert for 'Try Life In Another Language' here She has made a career out of combining her dance and language skills so we thought we'd speak to her about how she got started. Read our amazing interview below:
T4: Hello Clara! How did you get into dancing then?
Clara: Hello! Bonjour T4! I've always been into dancing. My dad was a former professional ballroom dancer who specialised in Latin dances. He taught me my first steps and took me to modern jazz dance classes for almost 6 years until I discovered the street dance culture I love now.
T4: Cool, we're very 'street' too, by the way. So what have been your best experiences so far?
Clara: There have been so many experiences! I have choreographed artists, won and lost competitions, done live shows. Bad or good they're all indispensable because they made me who I am today.
T4: What are the most difficult or easiest moves to learn?
Clara: As a passion, dance is not so difficult to learn. Of course techniques sometimes don't come so easily but with a bit of motivation, self-confidence and commitment, everyone can reach the 'top' of their art! As long as you realise that there's no real 'top' - just experiences that feed your motivation and your passion
T4: How has being able to speak more than one language helped your career?
Clara: Oh it has definitely, 'definitivement' helped. I don't think that I could have done projects in other countries if I only spoke one language! And even if dance is a language understood by everyone you still need a bit more when you meet people. I'm lucky as my Mum used to speak to me in Philippino / French / English - sometimes in the same sentence - but for some, TV is their only way of learning a new language.
T4: Or you could study a new language at school?
Clara: Yes, do a course and one that's entertaining – you've got to be entertained at the same time, it's the best way to learn!
T4: We couldn't agree more. So what new styles of dance are entertaining you at the moment?
Clara: Styles of dance don't really change you know; there are just different forms of them. Street Dance has Old Skool and New Skool forms but it's still all hip hop. 'House dance' is new here in the U.K but came from 1980s New York right after disco fever. So nothing is really new, it just follows music's evolution...
T4: And finally, what advice would you give to people getting started in dance?
Clara: Welcome to the world of freedom and 'no rules,' so express yourself!
Read more reasons to study languages here