1992 Espen Salberg Profile and Interviews at The German Open - Mannheim Rose Garden

Reporter - Sabine Kohne, Christa Haas, Markus Sonyi
Interviews and snippets from Espen's lecture and show at The German Open
Espen Show Highlights - • 1992 Espen Salberg Sho...
More information about Espen taken from (nbl.snl.no/Esp...)
Married couple Kirsten and Espen Salberg were the first Norwegian competitive dancers to assert themselves internationally when they became world champions in Latin American dances for amateurs in 1976. They were also at the top as professionals for several years (world champions 1982 and 1983).
In London, the married couple led a rather miserable existence. Espen received a work permit and was able to make a living as a hairdresser. He had taken the journeyman's test the same year and had been awarded a gold medal. But Kirsten, who was trained as a dental assistant, did not have an easy time getting a work permit. The savings they had acquired through dance performances did not go far. But with support from home, they were taught by well-known teachers such as Walter Laird, Doris Lavelle, June McMurdo, the South African Latin coach Lorraine Reynolds and the top German coach Rudolf Trautz.
Now Espen and Kirsten Salberg began to consider becoming professional dancers. Then they could earn money from their sport. The transition took place shortly after they had won the traditional Open British Championship in Blackpool at the end of May 1976. They traveled home to Oslo to start for themselves and debuted as professionals in the 1976 WC in Nuremberg. The result was fifth place.
Based in Oslo, Espen and Kirsten Salberg managed to build up a reputation that made them in demand all over the world. They were good technical dancers, and Espen was a skilled choreographer and had acquired several languages. He put together programs both for his own use and for other dancers.
In order to reach the top and only concentrate on Latin American dances, Espen and Kirsten stopped competing in the standard dances after sixth place in the EC in Bremen 1977. In Latin American dances they were on their way to the top, third in the EC and fifth in the WC 1977, second place in the European Championship and third place in the World Cup 1978. But to bet on a professional competitive career it was still an advantage to live in ballroom dancing's homeland of Great Britain, and they soon moved back to London.
In 1981, Espen and Kirsten won their first victory in the professional class during the Blackpool Festival, and the same autumn they won gold during the European Championships in Helsinki. The following year, to the great chagrin of the British, they almost made a clean sweep and won the professional world championship in Tokyo. But at the European Championships in Berlin the following week, Nina Hunt headed a panel of judges who disliked Laird's style. "Fortunately" Kirsten had been injured during a show, they had to retire, and the victory went to the British couple Stopfords. The 1983 WC was a prestigious match, but Espen and Kirsten got their second professional WC victory ahead of three pairs from the Nina Hunt school.
During the 1983 Blackpool Festival, Espen and Kirsten announced their retirement from active competitive dancing. In the time that followed, the Salbergs, in collaboration with Alan and Hazel Fletcher, prepared a dance show called Latin Fantasy I. It premiered in October 1985. The performers themselves had choreographed an almost hour-long show, where they were also responsible for costumes, hairstyles, make-up, props and backdrops as well as all selection of music.
In 1986, the Salbergs moved back to Oslo again and opened a dance school in a large, bright and airy room at Teglverksgata 7. Five years later, they became partners in Det Norske Dansecenter at Pilestredet 75 together with Tor M. and Mette Fløysvik. Espen taught here until 1993, when he moved to Rome, while Kirsten continued for another year and a half.
Espen Salberg is still in great demand as an educator and trainer by both the elite among amateurs and professionals. He also organizes so-called "retirement shows" when professional, highly ranked competition dancers end their active careers. Together with Kirsten, he has prepared several teaching videos, and he is a favorite speaker at dance teacher congresses and judging seminars. In 2002, he published a handbook for trainers and educators in Japan.
In 1980, Espen and Kirsten Salberg received the "Carl Alan Award" - dance's Oscar - for their results in Latin American dance. Later, they were honored with honorary membership in the Norwegian Dance Teachers' Association for their efforts for Norwegian dance sport. From 1993, an annual international dance competition under the name "Espen Cup" is organized in Taiwan's capital Taipei.
Complete credit for the above to - nbl.snl.no/Esp...
Video courtesy of Messrs Hans Galke and Bryan Watson @ / soulm8s6

[@barryrandall1139]

Great connection work Fantastic Espen 😎👍

[@shapiro9640]

Espen is a really great dancer.

[@dianameshkova5566]

Тhe Great Salberg....!!!

[@DB-zj3bf]

Oompa Loompa.