Imagine a dreamer dancing The American high school system also
alone in the middle of an gave Robert the opportunity to develop in
empty dance floor. Slowly the performing arts by lending his musical
other people join him, try to talents to the theatre group’s musical
copy his movements. As the comedy productions.
floor fills up, and still more
and more dancers appear with Thinking about his future, his undeniable
different levels of prowess, he aptitude was as a teacher. At this time, his
still dances in the middle like favourite academic subject was French. To
the hub of a wheel. complete his studies he had to spend two
years in France and he arrived in Aix-en-
A transposition of this image will Provence in 1983.
give you the state of Country and
Line dance in France today. The To the brash young American Provincial
dancer in the centre is Robert France was very different from California
Wanstreet. Born in Utah USA, or Utah. The seemingly refined good
Robert, from an early age was manners and discreet intelligence of the
attracted by music. local bourgeoisie was a revelation. So
enchanted was he with life in ‘Old Europe’
Robert’s grandparents often that he decided to return once his degree
took him along to the was obtained. Little did he realize that his
local square dance. return to California would prove to be
The changing figures another crucial turning point, for it was
executed to the caller’s then that he discovered the new craze,
instructions, the swirl of Country Western dance!
the dancers enchanted
the young boy. True to his word, Robert returned to France
in 1987 and settled in Paris furthering his
The family moved from studies in French at the Sorbonne. There
ultra conservative Utah was just one thing missing – country
to Fresno California western dancing!
when Robert was 12
and a new phase of his life began. It It would be three years later that the
was the age of the hippies, peace and opportunity for Robert’s dream began to
love and California was the centre. He come true. Organising the end of year
discovered the piano at 15 and enrolled party at the language school where we
at the local music conservatory both taught, he pulled together a team
learning to play principally classical to demonstrate Line dance. Several of us
music. He was named Musician of begged him to teach us and thus, country
the Year three years later and played western Line dance started in France.
Schubert to a standing ovation
from 2000 people at his high Euro Disney opened his theme park near
school graduation Paris and among the attractions, was Billy
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