Rafael Krause was 15 years old when he attended a dance class for the first time.
A friend asked him if he would like to accompany her as her dance partner, he says today.
It quickly became apparent that he enjoyed the dance lessons a lot more than she did: he trained almost every day, danced discofox, cha-cha-cha, waltzes, and started going to tournaments.
Today, at the age of 23, Rafael Krause has turned his hobby into a profession: He works as a teacher for couples dance in a dance school in Bergisch Gladbach.
Bookkeeping and event planning are also part of the job
For some people, such as his grandmother, "dance teacher" is not a real job, says Krause.
He then tells her that he is a commercial clerk at a dance school.
This is not entirely untrue: Krause's job is not just about teaching his students to dance.
He also helps with bookkeeping, answers customer inquiries, designs events and runs them, such as the dance school's proms.
In the corona pandemic, he also produces videos so that the students remember the dance steps even during shutdown.
His main goal, says Krause, is different: The people who come to his courses should have a good time.
He wants to "entertain" them, as he himself says.
Because Krause is convinced: "Very few people go to dance school to really learn to dance." Rather, it is more about having a good time with their partner, getting to know people, and forgetting everyday life.
How does he make his students feel comfortable with him and in the group?
What does he do when couples argue in his dance lessons?
And how difficult is it to find the right level of physical closeness?
We spoke to Rafael Krause about these and other questions.