Interview with VOU dancer Jiuta Tigarea
Almost too good to be true!
Jiuta Tigarea is currently hip hop training at the Millenium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, which is the world’s best hip hop school. Jiuta was the recipient of funding from the VOU Development Fund in 2015, which helps dancers with their professional development. He wanted to expand his knowledge and become qualified in his dance passion hip hop.
Jiuta returns from LA later this month and will be sharing his new skills at the new VOU Nadi School at 32 Naicker Street, Nadi.
- How did you come up with the idea of wanting to go to Millennium Dance Complex to study Hip Hop?
It’s always be one of my goals in my career to go out and attend hip hop classes and workshops overseas. I always watch dance videos on Youtube whenever I get a chance and I saw the best teachers in the world taking classes. I did my research and found Millennium Dance Complex.
- What is an example of your routine on a typical day studying there?
Every day is different here. But every day I wake up and take 1 liter of water before I do anything and find a peaceful place here at Home for Dancers where I stay and meditate for 20 to 30 minutes.
Usually the mornings are very relaxing since the dance classes usually start in the afternoon. The Millennium Dance Complex is the most famous dance studio in the world. There are so many talented teachers and I learn different styles and movements every day.
In the nights I hang out with my new friends who come from all over the world. We are 16 people that come from Denmark, Austria, Canada, Chile, Brazil, South Africa, and the US and all stay at a place called Home for Dancers. It’s amazing now to have friends from all over the world that share the same passion as me.
On other days I go out and explore Los Angeles. I have seen Venice and Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame and LA Zoo.
- Is there any one of the dancers/Choreographers/teachers that you have met that you find particularly inspiring? Why? And if you have a little bit about their story
I got to know an amazing dancer from Brazil. He has inspired me in so many ways. First of all his style of dancing is so unique and his movements are so different from other dancers here in LA. He does alot of freestyle and this is also why he is able to express his personality through his own movements. He took an education to become an architect and usually works on Mondays to Thursdays from 9 to 6 and on Fridays he is off work so is able to take dance classes.
Over the past few years he has changed his lifestyle to save as much money as possible. He has sold his car, never goes out to eat and takes alot of overtime at work. All these sacrifices he has made to be able to come here to LA and experience the international dance industry. Because the currency in Brazil is very bad he had to save up much more money than what he would use in his country.
I find this extremely strong and I look up to his willpower.
- What is it like living in LA?
It is like living in a dream. There is not really much more to say. Everything is perfect, the weather, the dancing, the opportunities, the friendly atmosphere. After 3 weeks I still can’t believe that I am here. It’s just too good to be true.
5. What is the difference between the dancers in America and the dancers in Fiji?
The only differences that I can see is in the style and technique. Dances here are so competitive and shrive to get the same opposition. Back home I can say that we share and help each other out and grow together.
- What things have you learned about dance since you have been there?
In dancing there’s always room for improvement and learning new styles and breaking your boundaries
- What things have you learned about life since you have been there?
Make every day your masterpiece and enjoy your life to fullest
- What advice would you give to young aspiring dancers who want to make a career out of Hip Hop dance as you have?
If you know what are your dreams focus and make it happen and don’t ever thing of giving up when you haven’t tried your best yet not only to people who has dreams in dancing but to all people that have dreams and goals in their lives.
Learn today, improve tomorrow and training, training and training!!
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