Not just dancing, it’s a career path

By Nefertiti Matatia 29 April 2018, 12:00AM

Age does not matter if you have the passion for something. 

So says S.S.A.B. Samoa Toa Dance Crew dancer, Vicdez Ben Lemana.  

The dance crew recently won the Hip Hop International South Pacific Islands Competition in New Zealand last weekend. 

The 17-year-old is the youngest member of the team. He is the son of Ben Lemana and Siiae Fa’avae from the village of Vaimoso.

At a young age, Vicdez knows that dancing is the career path he opts to take and it all started from the church. 

“I started dancing when I was seven years old. When I was in the youth group I used to dance, this is when I realized that I had the passion for dancing,” he added.

“It is tough for me because the other boys from the group are older than me,” he shared to the  Sunday Samoan. 

“To be the youngest was the biggest challenge for me because I had to reach the level of the other dancers in the group. They had more experience and know more than I do, but at the same time, it was a big chance for me to become better and learn.”

“But there is something about having the passion for a God given gift that drives out the doubts,” he said.

The Hip Hop International South Pacific Islands Competition was an eye opening experience for him and has contributed to developing his dancing career.

“Before we had the performance, I felt very nervous, which is normal for any person when they have to bring in their A game on stage and you don’t want to let down your team, your people who are waiting back home.” 

“This was my first performance in front of such a huge audience and as soon as I got on the stage and started to dance; something happened to me that I cannot explain. I just danced and forgot about my nervousness and I felt very good on the stage. I would say I felt free when I can dance and express myself.”

He explained: “Just recently I felt that my dancing is good. I think I feel the pressure more because I am the only child in the group.”

He draws inspiration from a member of an American hip hop dance group.

“I first saw him on YouTube when I was 10 years old. The way he dances inspires me to be better.”

By Nefertiti Matatia 29 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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