Jozsef Parragh

June 15, 2007 by Faye Consuela

When one thinks of a dance teacher, typically what is thought is a person teaching people dance patterns, technique, styling, connectivity, timing, and musicality.  However, this article will tell you of a dance teacher who operates in such high quality, he far exceeds the norm.

Jozsef Parragh is not your typical dance teacher, and he is excited to call Chicago “home.”  Not only is Jozsef a 13-time 10 Dance Champion of Hungary, he is an amazingly, incredible person.  His lessons will not only improve your dancing, but your life as well.  Here is the interview.

Q:  Hi!  How are you?

A:  “I’m happy.”

Q:  You have an accent.  What is your native city?  Country?

A:  “Budapest, Hungary”

Q:  How was it growing up in Hungary?

A:  “When you have parents that give you lots of love, friends who care, and teachers to show you the way, growing up is easy.”

Q:  Was that your case?

A:  “Yes”

Q:  Do you have any siblings?

A:  “I have a younger sister.”

Q:  What is 10 Dance?

A:  “International Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Quick Step, Viennese Waltz (Standard);  Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, and Samba (Latin)”

Q:  When did you begin dancing?  Competing?

A:  “I was 18 when I started dancing and 19 when I started competing.”

Q:  Your dance partner was Hungarian also?

A:  “Yes”

Q:  Why did you decide to move to the U. S.?  Cincinnati?  Chicago?

A:  “I came to the U.S. when my dance coach, who was a U.S. World Champion, told me it would be better if I moved because it would be easier for him to travel.  I started writing letters to studios for someone to sponsor me, and a Cincinnati studio responded.  I am moving to Chicago because I study philosophy, and Chicago is the closest place to Cincinnati for me to study with my teacher.”

Q:  You said you were going to teach the philosophy of dance.  What exactly is that?

A:  “Understanding ourselves through dance, knowing that dance is not just technique and patterns, but it is about relationships.  The first relationship is between me and myself.  The second relationship is between me and my partner, and the third relationship is between me and everybody else.  This causes growth in the person, so I teach people not to become a better dancer, but to become a better person through dancing.  Anybody can go to a studio to become a better dancer, but the quality is in improving in life as an individual.”

Q:  You have such a passion for teaching in and outside the studio.  What drives you to teach?  How many hours per week?

A:  “I get happy when I see others growing and getting better everyday.  Knowledge can be used in one of two ways – keep it to yourself or share it with others.  I choose to share my passion.  I teach about 50 hours per week.”

Q:  You have said the views of people doing Latin v. Standard are different.  Why so?

A:  “Latin dancing focuses more on emotions, feelings, sensuality, and sexuality.  Standard dancing deals with a deeper level, involving the soul and the mind.  Latin dancers change partners a lot because they like how others look when dancing.  Standard dancers tend to stay together in partnership much longer, so it teaches you to have longevity in relationships.”

Q:  Did you notice that in yourself?

A:  “Yes”

Q:  How does this affect your relationships with your family, friends, students, etc.?

A:  “My relationships are much better.”

Q:  Are you married?

A:  “Yes, I’m married to Celene.”

Q:  Well, how old are you?  Is this your first?

A:  “I am 42.  This is my second marriage.”

Q:  No!  Based on your outlook in life, how did your first marriage split, or was it before you begin to view things in life differently?

A:  “My marriage split when I moved to the U.S.  My path and my ex-wife’s path were no longer going in the same direction.  At the time, I wanted to pursue dance in the U.S., and she did not.  However, there is no hatred or animosity.  We are very good friends.

Q:  You are so transparent.  Are you bothered to put your business on “front-street?”

A:  “No, I have nothing to hide.”

Q:  Is there anything else you want to say?

A:  “Good luck”

Q:  To those that have taken your lessons?

A:  “Thank you for taking my classes, and I hope you find out how to solve your problems.”

Q:  To those who will become your students?

A:  “If you are looking for something deeper and usable knowledge, my door is always open.”

Well, thank you very much for your time.

   “Thank you.”

There you have it people – a great instructor and dance champion who is down-to-earth, and simply an awesome individual.  If you are not pattern driven, but are interested in becoming a better person through dancing, Jozsef is the teacher for you.

October 20, 2007 by Zlatko Trifunovski

Jozsef, it's good to be a part of your teaching.  You are unlike other teachers; you are so down-to-earth and so approachable.

"There are different kinds of teachers.  There are people who are only in it for the money.  There are teachers who make the money, but want their students to grow.  Then, there are teachers who want their students to grow and continue with them on their path.  These type of relationships last for a long time."

Q:  When did you start teaching, competing, etc?

A:  “I started dancing at 18 and began competing one year after.  I wanted to be a top dancer, so I worked to get there by practicing 4 to 5 hours per day.  I competed in Latin first with my Amateur partner, and we were the first in Hungary to go outside to study dance in Germany.  When we returned, Professionals called us and asked us to teach them.  This is when I first start teaching dance.  After then, 5 Amatuer couples wanted me to teach them Paso Doble.  So, I taught all of them a routine I knew.  It wasn't until they all competed against each other that I recognized they were all doing the same routine.  I thought to myself "WOW!"  I apologized to all of them, and then I started to learn more about choreography.  I was the Latin National Champion of Hungary.  Then, someone told me I should do Standard, and I became 10-Dance Champion of Hungary and then Standard National Champion of Hungary.”