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Artist profile - Neryl Fanchette: “If you believe in yourself and put your trust in God everything is possible” |14 December 2017


 

Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of art.

In our column this week, readers will learn more about the talented dancer Neryl Fanchette.

Recently she won the ‘Best positive youth image’ award, by being a role model for all the youths.

Currently studying at the Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA) and a student at the School of Dance, Neryl has represented our country in various international dance competitions, as well as locally.

 

 

Q: When did you start your career as a dancer?

A:  I joined the school of dance at the age of five.

 

Q: How can you describe your adventure as a dance student?

A: I have been able to participate in various cultural and dance performances on various levels -- district, national and international. I’ve had the opportunity to promote the traditional dance of Seychelles through a number of dance workshops which I had the chance to take part in. These workshops are held every two years in countries like Sweden, Singapore and South Africa just to name a few. I got the chance to participate in the Dusseldorf carnival last year and this year I was chosen to be one of the competitors in a dance competition which was held in Cheonan, South Korea. I have also performed in a number of national events like the opening of the Festival Kreol, Arts awards, Biennale des Arts, just to name a few and I have been participating in Moman Kreativite since secondary.

 

Q:  What’s your motto or the advice you live by?

A:  The motto which I choose to live by is ‘if you believe in yourself and put your trust in God everything is possible. Go for it, no matter how it ends, and look at it as an experience’.

 

Q: How do you overcome negative comments among the society?                                                                                                    

A:  I’m a dancer at the school of dance and we get criticised a lot. People don’t realise the gruelling work we have to go through before going up on stage to perform. We practice for hours Monday to Friday just to be able to perform a three-minute piece, and in that three minutes we have to try our best to impress a whole crowd. Luckily we have been taught how to take negative comments made by the society as constructive criticisms. We do not get discouraged when we hear these negative comments but instead we thank them for helping us to become stronger and mend our mistakes.

 

Q:  Who inspired you to go into dancing?

A: My mother was a dancer so I would say that she is my biggest inspiration.             

 

Q: Do you watch dance movies?

A: Definitely! I think I have watched most of them.

 

Q: Besides dancing, what other hidden talents do you have?

A:  I took part in drama when I was in secondary and I got the chance to land the role of main actress in a Christmas film made by SBC last year ‘Vwayaz silans’. I also enjoy writing short stories.

 

Q: What have you accomplished so far?

A: I have won best overall student at the school of dance and the best in my category; won first prize in a dance battle held in South Korea this year; came out first for short story writing in ‘Sesel enspir mwan’ competition for my category this year and I just got my AAT Diploma level 3 in Accounting.

 

Q: What has been the best moment in your dance journey so far?

A: I would say winning the competition in South Korea because not only did I make my parents and team proud, butI made my whole country proud. We went there with a team of fewer than 15 people to compete against countries like Brazil, South Korea and Israel. We came back with three prizes; besides me winning the battle, Seychelles was the only international country to win a prize in the duet competition.

Q: What is your message for young people out there wishing to follow a  dance career?

A: I believe that there are many youths out there wanting to join the dance industry but they are either too scared to join or they are unable to for personal reasons. I see dance groups practicing all around the country for example at the old playground and in districts. I want to congratulate them for their devotion and hard work because dancing is not easy and still they have been able to put up their own little groups. Joining the dance industry is all about balancing your time perfectly and making sacrifices.

 

Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a dancer? 

A: It is the respect I have for my dance teachers and my passion for dancing. Dancing is not only about moving your body but it’s all about self-discipline, self-respect, responsibilities and determination.

                                                                                 

Q: How will you describe studying at SBSA and also being a dancer at the same time?

A: I have been dancing for years so I know how to balance my time between my dancing and my studies. Definitely my studies come first so I have to make a lot of sacrifices. I have missed a few trips and performances because I know that my priority is my education. I have my parents, dance teachers and dance team supporting me since day 1 and now in post-secondary I have the full support of the SBSA family.

 

Q: What can we expect from Neryl in the years to come?

A: I’m going into my third year at SBSA so there is no doubt that the lessons are going to get harder. I’m going to focus more on my studies for the time being but this does not mean that I will stop dancing. Dancing will always be part of my life but for now receiving a diploma in Business Studies and Accounting is my number one priority.

 

Compiled by U.J.

 

                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

                                                

 

 

 

 

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