This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!
Interview with Vanessa Livingston-Andreassen – owner of Studio Vanessa. If dance, pilates and yoga interest you, read on to find out more about Vanessa and what classes her studio offers!
Where are you from?
I am from Toronto, Canada where I grew up but I also consider myself from France, since my mom is from Britanny and I have close family ties there. I often travel there more than I get the chance to go back to Canada to see my family and friends. So I am half Canadian from my dad and French from my mom.
What brought you to Stavanger?
Love brought me to Stavanger, Norway. My husband and I met on a cruise ship 10 years ago: NCL’s The Dream where we were both working, him as a professional fireman and me as a dancer onboard the ship. It was a FUN time!
What do you think of this city?
I think this is a great city to be in! Since Stavanger is so international even though I now live in Sola where I am running Studio Vanessa. It is a beautiful place with their beaches, their mountains so near as well as the scenery being special. The Rogaland region is the perfect place to raise a family and it feels very safe, which I like in comparison to big cities. It is just the right size, not too small that the gossip comes back to you in less than a week and not too big where the safety is an issue. I have to say after being here for almost 5 yrs, I have made the right choice! What is there not to like really other than the rainy weather? We have it so good in Norway in comparison to a lot of other places. I feel Life is a blessing here. You can pretty much do what you want and be successful at it. I feel there are a lot of opportunities here awaiting to be discovered!
After living here for 5 years, do you feel like you have integrated into the lifestyle and culture here?
I feel it took me almost these 5 yrs to feel as if I have fully integrated. But as an expat/immigrant you will always be different than the Norwegians born and raised here since we have different life experiences and the way we are raised etc.
But I do enjoy the small town mentality because it is not too small. Stavanger is a changing city – I see it when I go to the city since I am living on the outskirts now.
Do you have any advice for people who are new to Stavanger?
Hhhhmmm, well let go of where you came from and try not to compare. I know this is hard, especially in the beginning. But you will only make it easier on yourself just knowing and remembering how things are back home rather than making a comparison.
Can you tell us more about your studio?
Studio Vanessa is a friendly environment where everyone can join, no matter what your background is. It is open to dancers, yogis and pilates enthusiasts! I mean dance, yoga and pilates are some of the main forms of enjoyment you can join. The children’s classes start from ages 2 and up, the teens classes are from 13-17 and everything beyond that is considered adult classes and there are also 60+ (seniors classes being offered in dance and yoga). So no matter your age or your physical shape, there is something for everyone. The studio is 18 weeks old and I enjoy every minute of running it. It is very rewarding to see happy faces coming through your door! I only wish to spread the JOY of physical movement to others as it has made me happy since I was 3 yrs. old.
What kind of classes do you offer?
The classes being offered this semester are kids dance (aka Baby Ballet) for 2-3 yr. olds, creative dance for 4-5 yr. olds, Ballet for 5-7 yr olds., Combi Dance which is a mix of both ballet and jazz from the 3rd-6th grade, there is teen dance and teen yoga from 13-17 yrs. old, there is Hip Hop and Street Dance as after school programs running at certain schools in Sola. Once a month on a Sunday there is Yoga for everyone which is basically kids yoga with the parents being involved and participating since there is partner work, learning about the Breath, stories about yoga etc.
The adult classes being offered at the moment are New Beginner Pilates stretch, Yogalates (a mix of yoga and pilates during the class), New Beginner Yoga, Yoga, mom and baby yoga or mom and baby pilates, 60+ yoga, 60+ dance, Pregnancy Yoga is part of the Beginner Yoga.
Corporate classes are also available at companies or on site at the studio.
The best bet is to check out the schedule on the website.
Are your classes held in English or Norwegian?
I have 2 classes a week that are just English speaking and the other classes are mostly in Norwegian, but I also cater and help out by speaking either English or French to the students in class that speak those languages. So it is not a problem to go back and forth in all 3 languages.
How can you be contacted?
The best way to contact me is by email otherwise you can give me a call at 47 33 93 76.
Thank you for your time, Vanessa and all the best with your studio!
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About Cynthia Myrnes
Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!
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