Ann Goggins Hunter...Detroit's Ann-swer to What A Steppin Diva Is! Back
Oct 10, 2012
By Tracey Bivens
The year is 2005 and Ann Goggins Hunter is on stage at the WLSC with fellow Detroiter Kirk "K-Mix” Peterson. They, along with other Detroiters, are competing and representing Detroit in the WLSC quite heavily. No couple placed from Detroit that year. There were conspiracy theories and reasons as to why Detroiters didn’t win…and well…the honest truth was that as a city…we still had a lot of growing to do in the dance. However, one young lady stayed true to her art form over the years and never succumbed to the pressure to change her "style.” Many people from Chicago prodded almost everyone from Michigan to do, to conform to their idea of what the dance should look like, that is. Ann Goggins Hunter was the exception. This year Ann placed in the Trios category with James Pacely and Kammal Smith and won first place with Richard Cochran in the Out of Towners category. Ann has always stayed true to her city by competing with Detroiters, staying true to HER dance and she staying true to herself.
Tracey: Ann…this interview is long overdue, I must admit. I imagine because in the last six years you’ve had your hand in some of everything…being in several dance organizations outside of steppin, being a mommy, working and going to school for your degree. How have you been able to prioritize everything?
Ann: Well, at first it was hard because I was used to being single with no children for so long. It took a while, but I had to think about what was most important to me and what would put me on the correct path in order to achieve my goals. With me, it was not something that I was able to do over night. I had to bump my head and fall a few times before I understood that I had to restructure my life.
Tracey: Men have stated that they want to dance with you because you make them look good and you help them to "win” contests? What do you think they see in you when you dance?
Ann: Honestly, I have been told by some that they like dancing with me because if they mislead a move I make it look purposeful. Most people would never know. As far as anyone stating that I help them win contests, I have never heard that statement. In general, I think people see in me my love for just dancing.
Tracey: In steppin, a lot of women tend to look very stoic and serious when they dance. It supposedly helps them with the "look” that they are trying to convey. Yet, you are known as the dancer who always has a smile on her face no matter who she’s dancing with. Isn’t it hard to keep that smile on your face when you might have to "clean up a dance” when there are a lot of miscues and wrong combinations given?
Ann: The first part of the answer to your question is… I love to dance. The second part is that I try to remember where I came from. I was not born knowing how to do the dances that I am versed in. People danced with me and helped me through my mistakes and corrected them. If I was blessed with patient people, why would I not be patient with those who I may be able to help? My being able to, as you say, "Clean up a dance” helps to keep my lessons going. I learn from everyone – new comers as well as veterans.
Tracey: Ann, you were and still are a role model for many female steppers in Detroit as well as other states. Looking back, who inspired your dance and who would you say you are inspiring these days?
Ann: Wow, truthfully everyone who has helped and still helps me, those who give me beautiful compliments, those who watch me in pleasure or dislike and those who dance with me all inspire my dance. To pin point more direct inspirations, where I first started dancing, formally my Diamond Shaft now my Nu Jazz Swingers family, my Yesterdays and Paradise family, Sophisticated Ladies & Gents, World Class Dance Productions, Premier Dance Productions, World of Dance, Centerstage, Friends United and Dre of Dre n Company. I have a little of all of these wonderful dancers within my style from whatever little time that they have spent with me. One person specifically to whom I owe learning how to step is my sensei Damion Mitchell who put in work to teach me this dance.
As far as me inspiring others, I hope they learn from me just to love to dance and have fun with it. Do not care what others may think of you as long as you are happy with what you do on the dance floor. Do not be afraid of making mistakes because mistakes have the potential to become new moves and/or combinations.
Tracey: In 2010, you won in the Walkers’ category with Drew Alexander and you’ve competed in other categories. Which category is your favorite and why?
Ann: I really do not have a favorite category. I take pleasure in feeling and watching the uniqueness of each. If one looks deep, each style of step as well as other dances tells their own story, as do those who perform the dance.
Tracey: As I stated before, a lot of men and women felt that they had to slow down because many old school Chicagoans told them to do. I can honestly say that you never bowed down to that pressure. Why not?
Ann: While I love and appreciate the compliments that I receive and take the criticism in stride, I dance for me. Dancing is my stress release, my therapy. I do not worry about what someone thinks of the way that I dance. I have fun with my dance no matter what and I love looking like myself. I neither felt nor feel any pressure.
Tracey: If you had to pass the torch right now to someone in the steppin world and work with them to get them competition ready…who would it be and why?
Ann: I really can’t answer that question because I am still waiting to receive the torch myself. I still have a lot to learn and I will never stop learning. Also, I do not know that I could train anyone for a competition because I never studied what is competition proper. I can however help to bring out their personal style. Once again, I just dance and have fun.
Tracey: Here’s the million dollar question. The year is 2013. Your phone is ringing off the hook with men asking you to compete from Detroit and cities outside of Michigan. Are you entertaining the idea NOW based on the accolades you’ve received from male steppers like Andre’ Blackwell and Dave Maxx?
Ann: If you are asking me am I going to compete next year, I am not sure. There are a ton of ladies for one to choose to ask. If I were to compete next year, Richard Cochran, James Pacely and Kammal Smith would have to say they have chosen another partner other than me before I would dance with anyone else, being that one can only do so many categories.
One thing I do have to say is that I appreciate any and all compliments and/or praise that I may get from any male or female dancer; but speaking on these two gentlemen I am grateful. I never even knew that Mr. Dave Maxx knew that I existed…let alone know my name. It was truly a surprise to hear the wonderful things said about me by him in his class. I am honored. Thank You! Mr. Andre Blackwell, he is very special to me. Being the caliber of stepper that he is and also being from Chicago, the home of steppin, from the time we met which was I do believe over 6 years ago up until today, he has never criticized or tried to change the way that I step. I believe that he saw the type of dancer that I am and knew that I was not worried about others. He saw that I love to dance and have fun and that is what he makes sure we do whenever we dance together. Love Ya Dre, Thank You!
Tracey: What advice do you give the woman who is trying to balance all of the things that you do in life i.e. motherhood, school, teaching dance classes, etc.…yet she feels torn?
Ann: The best advice that I could give, being that I am not an expert, is to take care of herself first, because if she is not taken care of… she cannot take care of anyone or anything else. My life has God first, my family, work, then school with dancing sprinkled all through it.
Outside of the interview, I would like to thank everyone who came to Chicago as well as those who stayed home for their support and I what to thank all three of my partners for choosing me to be a part of their team. I also would like to thank past and present judges, whether I won or lost, whether I competed or not… you all have a very hard job to do. Thank You All!!
There you have it. Ann sees no evil, hears no evil and speaks no evil. She is definitely a top shelf lady, as well as a top shelf dancer and now the world knows what Detroiters have known all along. Ann Goggins Hunter is a star that continues to shoot across the sky. Any more questions? I think you already have the Ann-swer.
