Our Vahine of the month is the radiant Vaitiare MERVIN. Well known in the dance business, both here in Tahiti and New Caledonia, « banker » during the day and « Dance Teacher » after work, this breezy, passionate and energic vahine has it all !
1/ Can you introduce yourself?
Vaitiare Mervin, 30 years old. I’m the eldest of four children in a reconstituted family. My dad was born in Tahiti but originally from the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia and my Mum was born in Noumea but originally from Tahiti. I’m Tahitian born and raised in New Caledonia and I’m truly proud of the two cultures that was instilled in me.
2/ How did you become Dance Teacher?
I was always around the dance world since my birth… My parents were dancers whom often participated and won awards during Hula and Valse competitions. They continued to dance even when my Mom was pregnant with me. They actually met each other in a Tahitian Nightclub In Caledonia well known in the 1980’.
Younger, my Mom enrolled me in different type of dance classes: Tahitian dance, ballet dance…Etc At 24, I join a Ragga Dancehall School, in which the Dance Teacher was Desty (Dancehall Queen Australia 2007). A year later, I decided to create a Street Dance Group and a year later, I open my own Dance School (the biggest Street Danse School in New Caledonia with more than 70 students).
In 2013, I decided to leave New Caledonia to move in Tahiti, where I open a school in the “Conservatoire”. A year later, I set up a Tahitian Rock courses, and it’s a success with an average of 50 students enroll each month.
Due to high demand in New Caledonia, I came for the first time give a Tahitian Rock classes on March 2016 and again it’s a huge success with almost 50 students enroll.
3 / Are you still a dancer or only Dance Teacher ?
Dancer and Dance teacher at the same time.
I’m actually Dance Teacher in the « Conservatoire » (Street Dance and Tahitian Rock) and also dancer during the Heiva I Tahiti, Hura Tapairu and other events.
4 / What are the « Pros » and « Cons » of this profession ?
Pros : Lots of meetings, seeing people having fun and improving their dancing skills is just amazing !
Cons : Always be in good condition physically (note it’s a quality too haha), to be always up-to-date of the fashionable choreography and the new hits !
5 / How is a typical day of Vaitiare Mervin ?
I wake up early in the morning and sleep late at night. I wake up at 5.45 a.m then I go to work (Hey yay, I’m not only a dancer I also work in a bank), after work I go to the « Conservatoire » to provide dance classes and I’m finally home at 7.30 p.m, where I relax myself, thinking about my goals and update my Facebook page.
6 / What are your goals for the future ?
Huge goals like open a big school dance in Tahiti, in which you will be able to enroll in different types of dance classes like : Tahitian Rock, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Capoeira…Etc and also run regulary Tahitian Rock classes in New Caledonia.
7 / You have a little message to give to our Vahine ?
Love yourself and feel comfortable in your skin. Try to be the best version of yourself, it lift your mood and it keeps one’s chin up !
Vaitiare MERVIN “From New Caledonia to Tahiti”
