How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
NYU CAS senior Ted Volynets has a passion for dancing, which has led him to Hollywood and landed him a spot on national television. He is taking a semester off to showcase his talents on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" as a member of the Dance Troupe, the house dancers, with six other dancers from across the world — including his sister, Nicole. Despite his busy schedule, Volynets spoke with WSN about his love of dancing, the atmosphere on the show and finishing his career at NYU.
Images
Q: What inspired you to pursue dancing?
A: I started dancing because my sister did it and I was tired of watching. It was just another childhood hobby at the age of 11. I fell into it. At my first competition, Nicole saw ["Dancing With the Stars'"] Maksim Chmerkovskiy compete and win the adult Latin category and told my mom she wanted to learn from him. After not being able to find him for a few months, a close family friend tells us that Maks' school, Rising Stars Dance Academy, is in Jersey. From our home on Long Island, we started driving once a week, then twice. Before I knew it, every Monday night, Wednesday night, Friday night and Saturday morning was spent practicing. It was more than a hobby, more than a lifestyle — it became my life.
Q: How did you come across the opportunity on "Dancing With The Stars?"
A: Maks ended up a professional on "Dancing With the Stars." The Saturday before spring break ... my sister texted me while I was out saying that I had an interview with DWTS in the morning. I guess they liked me.
Q: What are some of your initial thoughts on working on the show? What is the daily schedule like?
A: The environment is incredible, and I completely attribute that to the production crew. The show is in its 12th season for a reason. Every Wednesday, we get new music that we have to choreograph a number to. We have another practice and get our first wardrobe fittings on Thursdays. By Friday we are expected to have shot our wides for our director. We camera block on Sunday, and perform on either Monday or Tuesday or both. The "live" days are the roughest — between early call times, rehearsal, makeup and dress rehearsals. Every week someone else tells me, "Welcome to show biz."
Q: What are some of your plans after the show? What do you hope to take away from the experience?
A: I finish with the show at the end of May, and plan on taking classes at NYU over the summer while teaching at Dance With Me SoHo. I have 16 credits left. It would be silly not to. If the show calls me back for next season, then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. While I'm young and nothing hurts, this is the only thing I want to spend my time doing.
You can catch Volynets on "Dancing With the Stars" Mondays at 8 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 9 p.m
