30 A STUDIO FOR EVERYONE The result of all Mercier’s hard work, however, is a brand new, modern and stylishly decorated dance school. While its grand opening is scheduled for mid-August (2017), this summer the studio offered full-time camps, with four hours of intensive dancing, plus before- and after-care. According to Mercier, part of the reason she wanted to open a studio was so that the 19 kids on her two dance teams (one at the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch and the other at the Imagine School at Palmer Ranch) could have a studio of their own. “What really inspired us to do this is that the kids are really passionate,” said Mercier’s 23 year-old daughter Marina, the studio’s Choreographer/Competition Director. Marina spoke enthusiastically about the dance team students that she and her mother coach. “We want to see them improve. They have a lot of potential.” With Dance University, Michele Mercier wanted to create a place that is welcoming to all. She offers mommy and me classes for children as young as 18 months, dance classes for students of all ages and skill levels (the genres listed above plus others including acrobatics and circus), summer camps and an afterschool program. The school has a performance team that attends local festivals, shows and events; A competition team for dancers ages 6-18, which also performs at local events, plus attends three competitions and has the opportunity to compete on a national level. “We are hiring the most amazing teachers to enhance our dancers’ technique and performance,” Mercier said. “We’ll employ award-winning choreographers and professional dancers to teach advanced levels.” Dance University also offers classes, such as belly dancing, hip hop and yoga, for adults. And she is working on putting together programs for people who are wheelchair-bound. “I want people to feel comfortable about coming here,” Mercier said, adding that she wanted to provide a non-intimidating alternative to large studios. “It’s a welcoming place to thrive, and to make dance a part of your life.” People should approach dancing the way they do other sports, hobbies or passions, Mercier said - you won’t be good at it unless you take the time to learn how to do it, and practice. “I get people saying to me all the time, ‘I don’t know how to dance,’ or ‘I wish I could dance,’” she said. “To me, that’s so sad. Because there is a dancer in everyone and anyone can be a dancer, if they have the desire and take classes. You don’t need natural talent.” DANCING FOR A CHANCE Mercier, 50, is a New Jersey native who has been dancing since age three, and teaching dance since age 15. After graduating high school, she earned a full scholarship to the Phil Black Dance Central Station studio in Manhattan (where she danced alongside Jennifer Lopez). During the course of her career, Mercier has taught classes at prestigious companies including the Boston Ballet. Since moving here in 2004, Mercier has taught at Flex, Southside Athletic Club, the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, and Bradenton Cheer Academy. She created and coached dance teams at Willis Elementary, Gullett Elementary and Wakeland Elementary, as well as the two Imagine Schools. Marina Mercier has also danced since she was a toddler, including at Ellenton’s Diane Partington Studio of Classical Ballet, and the Black Pearls Dance Team at Braden River High school. After graduating, she went on to coach the dance teams at Braden River, as well as her own elementary/middle school team. But three years ago, Marina was forced to quit dancing when doctors discovered she had brain tumor so large it was compressing her brain stem. A 13-hour surgery to remove the tumor caused complete and permanent loss of hearing in her right ear, plus severe nerve damage. Marina still deals with debilitating pain daily. Marina needs another surgery, which will remove scar tissue and sever nerves that were damaged in the first surgery. Unfortunately, Marina’s insurance company has refused to cover this procedure. This past May, Michele Mercier put on a fundraiser to raise money for her daughter’s medical bills and future surgeries. Called “Dance for a Chance,” the dance competition and showcase bene��tted Operation Marina. Eighty-four dancers and dance groups performed in the event, held at the Venice Performing Arts Center. She hopes to continue putting on the event each spring. Marina isn’t the only member of the Mercier family who has had to face life-altering medical issues. Michele Mercier’s other daughter, Megan, 17 and a student at Braden River, also had to have brain surgery to correct a condition called Chiari Malformation back in 2014 - four months prior to the discovery of Marina’s tumor. According to Michele, if it wasn’t for Megan’s brain-related medical problem, she would never have pushed for the x-rays that ultimately showed Marina’s tumor. “We’ve always used dance to bond and to stay close and to heal,” Michele Mercier said. “Dance has been part of our family our whole lives.”
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