Steve sizzles on the dancefloor
'I would like to see more dance instructors dancing with passion and taking effort to learn the proper way of doing it and not just for the sake of earning money'
Steve Taleon.
With 17 years of experience in dance, it's no wonder that Steve Taleon is one of the city's sought-after dance instructors. Not only that, he is the son of the famous Pat Taleon and Eufemia Taleon who are very famous in this field for decades.
At age 33, Steve is following the footsteps of his parents by sizzling on the dance floor.
Get to know him better.
Kathy M. Villalon (Kathy): When and how did you get into ballroom dancing?
Steve Taleon (Steve): My father, Pat Taleon who is also a dancer together with my mother, Eufemia Taleon taught me ballroom dancing. I used to be a hiphop dancer and they told me that I should learn ballroom dancing because it is more classy and formal.
Kathy: What was the first dance you learned?
Steve: Tango since my father is known as the tango king during his time.
Kathy: What's your favorite dance. Why?
Steve: I love the rumba, because it is very romantic and it suits me and my wife, Kathy.
Steve and Kathy Taleon.
Kathy: What's your favorite dancestep. Why?
Steve: The basic steps of the rumba and all the Latin dances because a lot of people think that the basic is the most easy to learn but actually it is the most difficult if you do it properly. Once you master it, you can dance any figure with ease and grace.
Kathy: How often do you dance and where?
Steve: I dance at least four to five times a week. Aside from my wife, one of my favorite partners is Ms. Dulce Gavino, who is a very versatile dancer. We dance regularly twice a week, and the rest of the days, I dance with my other clients.
Kathy: How did you and Kathy meet and how is your relationship as dance partners like?
Steve: I met Kathy in 1996 in Marina. I was a member of the Junior Circulo Alegre and when her mom joined, she came along and I was attracted to her instantly. I became her dance partner and friend until we fell in love and got married. As dance partners, we get along fine but sometimes we would argue and disagree with some things but in the end we would just settle it and keep on dancing since we are both very passionate about what we do. And even though Kathy works as an Emergency Room nurse in Western Visayas Medical Center, she still tries to find time to dance with me and help me out with my choreography and students.
Steve Taleon and Lilia Goco..
Kathy: Any major competitions and prizes you have joined and won?
Steve: There's the 1997 Dinagyang Ballroom dancing champion, Danz cafe national dancesport champion, Primero Tango Valentino National Argentine Tango Competition First Placer, Eazy Dancing Local Competition Champion and First LGUlympics finalist, all of which I have my wife as my partner. I have also been a grand slam awardee for winning the best dancing pair and most daring costume in the Thursday Club costume ball for five years with my partner Ms. Gavino.
Kathy:
What keeps you occupied apart from getting into ballroom dancing?
Steve: During my free time, I love to listen to music, watch TV and have coffee with my friends. I also take orders for music arrangement and design costumes. I also choreograph shows and train aspiring dancers. Aside from that, I stay active as a dance master in the Dancesport Federation of Western Visayas.
Kathy: What would you like to see in the Iloilo ballroom dancing scene in the future?
Steve: I would like to see more dance instructors dancing with passion and taking effort to learn the proper way of doing it and not just for the sake of earning money. If the dance instructors develop that kind of passion, then I'm sure more people would enjoy dancing since they have good teachers.