Up Close … with Norcia Rose, a young talented model, dancer and aspiring dance instructor |07 January 2020
‘Dreams do come true provided you are ready to work for it’
By Laura Pillay
Twenty-two-year-old Norcia Rose is no stranger to the limelight. In fact, the young, jovial talent has built up quite a reputation on the local dance scene from her debut as a timid teenager in the world of dance, at the School of Dance, under the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts (NCPA) just a few years ago.
Following a brief break from dancing, the bold and promising young talent is back on the artistic scene, appearing as a catwalk model for both local and international designers at the hugely successful second Seychelles Fashion Week, held at the Eden Bleu Hotel on November 29 and 30, 2019.
Seychelles NATION recently sat down for a chit-chat with the vivacious beauty on her tales from a rebellious teen to budding ballerina with the support of her beloved aunt and celebrated instructor Daniella Rose, her journey from the moment she first set foot on a stage for a public performance, and her dreams and aspirations to be a dance instructor and develop the art of dance in Seychelles.
Memories of her childhood
The third of four children, Norcia grew up at and spent the majority of her childhood years living at Anse Gouvernement, Praslin with her mother, father and two of her three brothers. She recalls her childhood as a happy and family-oriented one where both her parents spent most of their time at home.
“We grew up in a family were we didn’t bother with the latest gadgets or technology. My dad farmed the land and would go out fishing while my mum made a living from arts and crafts. My family was always a close knit family but at the same time, we were taught to socialise with others, to be understanding and kind towards others,” she said.
“Growing up with two brothers, I was always up to mischief, climbing trees, and just being outside. The family property where we lived was very large, surrounded by fruit trees and vegetables. The house was conveniently located a couple of minutes from the beach so there was this small boat and my brothers and I would take it out to Curieuse and Anse Lafarine, have barbecues there, go hiking,” Norcia remembered.
Setbacks and the storm before the sunshine and smiles
After having attended Baie St Anne primary school and completing S1 and S2, Norcia was transferred to Belonie secondary school, Mahé, as her parents decided to part ways. At that point, the three siblings were separated from each other and now head of the School of Dance, Daniella Rose assumed guardianship of the young teen.
“I had become a rebellious teenager by the time I was living with my aunt and all that happened with my family. My aunt tried tirelessly for a whole school term to get me to attend one of her dance classes at the school, as a form of therapy but I was very reluctant at first. I refused to go and would hang around at the bus stand in town until late every day along with other kids, until one day she eventually put the dance uniform in my school bag and texted me saying I should come by the dance school after I am done with school,” she recalled.
“Walking in the class that day, I saw lots of other kids but I also felt a sense of belonging. From that very first day, I gave it my all,” she said.
As a young lady who actively participated in numerous sports including football, swimming, and judo among others, Norcia worked hard to perfect the dance techniques, starting off with ballet, modern and jazz. Shortly after starting the class and auditioning for the annual Christmas show put on by the school, her hard work started to get her recognition, as she was selected as best runner-up in her category, featuring students who had been taking the classes for years. The following year, the promising young talent was again selected to this time perform with a group of students, including choreographer Denis Rose, well ahead of her in terms of dancing experience.
“I didn’t expect to succeed at ballet and I was not as graceful as some of the other girls, coming from a background where I was outside, scaling rocks and trees. But again, I worked extra hard to perfect the techniques, and my aunt pushed me to my full potential, even after classes she would point out where I had shown weaknesses in the class and instruct me to work on improving,” a grateful Norcia reminisced.
Others including contemporary dance instructor Joel Rose, also played an instrumental role in nurturing and inspiring the budding dance star.
Within the first few years at the school, Norcia was selected among the students who represented Seychelles at international events and attended overseas dance and arts workshops coordinated by the school. She has travelled to China, South Africa, Zambia, and Sweden alongside other students and instructors over the years.
Finding herself and discovering her passion through dance and arts
Despite the central role of dance during her teenage years, Norcia decided to pursue her studies at the Seychelles Institute of Technology where she came out best in the Certificate in Painting and Decorating programme before subsequently enrolling for a Diploma in Construction for Architecture. However, two years into the programme, she fell ill and was unable to continue as she left for medical treatment abroad.
“My dad always said it does not feel like work if you are happy doing it and you love what you are doing, and eventually, I’ve come to the realisation that dance is my passion. I want to carry on with my aunt’s legacy and be a dance instructor at the school. There is a shortage of instructors at the school now and I remember that it was more than a school to us students, we were a family and that is what I aim to do in future,” an enthusiastic Norcia stated.
In the near future, Norcia intends to pursue her studies as a dance and arts instructor so she can master the art form and take up a position at the school and to inspire the younger generation to pursue their dreams and goals.
“Dancing helped me to find my true purpose and helped me to overcome the emotional boundaries in my life. Each time I stepped on a stage, I felt empowered to keep pushing and to keep expressing myself through art and I want other youths to experience the same liberating feeling that I did and to seize all the opportunities handed to them,” Norcia said.
Among the things Norcia hopes to achieve as a dance instructor is the establishment of a black box studio/theatre dedicated to dancers at which they can hold performances, training sessions and classes, as is the case in other countries.
“I know it is a project that might take some time to realise but I am willing to try and work towards it. Aunty Daniella is onboard with the idea so I trust that it is feasible and that I will get the necessary support to achieve it,” Norcia stated.
Her debut as a fashion catwalk model
Asides from dancing, drawing and singing, Norcia recently tried her hand at modelling, making her debut on the catwalk at the second Seychelles Fashion Week which officially kicked off on November 25, 2019 with boot camps before culminating into two fashion shows, on November 29 and 30.
Considering it was her first fashion show, Norcia received some positive feedback regarding her performance and is set to walk the catwalk again next year, during the third edition, for which preparations are already underway.
“Modelling was a different but thrilling experience for me. I already feel that I am a confident person but it is still nerve-racking to some extent but it was an experience through which I feel I have grown and learnt a lot,” she admitted.
“It is important for the younger generation to know that dreams do come true provided they are ready to work for it. Despite some of the setbacks in my life, I thank God for the wonderful opportunities given to me and the fact that I am now a strong young lady. Nothing comes easy in life but it is up to each individual to work for what they want and what they feel passionate about,” Norcia concluded, as a message to the youths of Seychelles.
