Q&A with NZ's Nigel Mooney
Linedance NZ had the pleasure of catching up with Nigel Mooney, a homegrown and much-loved line dance personality from New Zealand. Nigel has made significant contributions to the line dance community both locally and internationally, earning a reputation for his passion, skill, and dedication to the art of line dancing.
As part of our LDNZ "Meet & Q&A Sessions" series, we had the opportunity to catch up with Nigel and ask him the questions our line dance community has been eager to know. From his journey into line dancing to his favourite dances and music, Nigel shared insightful and heartfelt stories that give us a deeper understanding of his remarkable career and personal experiences.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Nigel Mooney as much as we did!
Tell us a little about yourself...
Hi, I’m Nigel. Christchurch is home for me, where I live with my beautiful wife, our two babies (one still on the way), my best friend, and our fur baby. I’m one of those people who has been lucky enough to turn my passions into careers: photography, music, and most significantly, dance.
How did you get into line dancing and when did you start?
Have you heard the joke about the cowboy who walks into a bar…? For me, it started a lifelong career in line dancing. When I was 14, my parents owned an American-style bar that became a home away from home for USAF pilots en route to Antarctica. When line dancing first exploded in the US, these guys would learn it in a bar midweek and then dance it in our bar in Christchurch on the weekend. I first learned to line dance as a joke to do behind the bar while the bands were playing. Within a year, at age 15, I was teaching more than 300 students a week. That was back in 1991, and I’ve been doing it ever since—dancing, teaching, workshopping, competing, and judging all over NZ and Australia.
What's your favourite dance now and of all time?
After 33 years of line dancing, my favourite dance has changed numerous times. In the last 10 years, it would have to be "Eternal Secret" by Ria Vos. The connection between the choreography and the music compels you to dance at a higher level.
What's your favourite song?
"Sing Me Home" by Tim McGraw. Like a lot of Tim McGraw’s music, the lyrics connect with me and the music moves me, but this one inspires me the most.
Cowboy boots or comfortable shoes?
Potentially the hardest question I’ve been asked. Ideally, something that looks like a cowboy boot, with the flexibility of a dance shoe, a ballroom suede sole that allows me to feel connected to the floor, and a heel twice the size of a Cuban for stability… Come up with a shoe like that, and you can take all my money!
Music preference: Country or Pop (or both)?
Country music is what absolutely drew me to line dancing. Having spent years dancing to country and playing in country bands, my love for it is permanent. That said, I prefer dancing to a much wider genre of music. I believe that for line dancing to evolve and improve, we should all be widening our musical palate.
Favorite dance buddy?
I have so many line dancing friends and people I’ve met and love as a result of this dance journey. The one who inspired me to get better was Stuart Robinson. The one whose choreography blew my mind was Terry Hogan. The duo partner who helped me conquer Australia was Bill Larson. The best team I’ve danced in was Hi-5. The biggest smartass I’ve danced alongside (and yet still love) is Mark Simpkin. The best student I’ve had is Gail Cook. I met my lovely wife on the dancefloor, so she deserves a mention here too 😊. But the most important buddy who has been there supporting, encouraging, picking up the pieces when it goes wrong, and running this business alongside me from day one is my mum, Polly Mooney.
What club(s) do you attend?
Christchurch 😊
Proudest moment in your line dance journey?
I’m super proud of the many competition routines I’ve performed in throughout the years. I’m especially proud of some of the individuals and teams I’ve choreographed for and coached to high success. I have a competition routine to "Fake ID" on YouTube with over 4 million views, but the thing that I’m most proud of is that after 33 years of teaching, my Monday night beginner class has 120+ people on the floor every week. The most pleasing thing about this is that the age range is 8 to 80+ years old, the music range is wide and dynamic, and the dances taught are more modern and energetic than they have been historically. I think line dancing is well-positioned to really take off, so I hope my fellow dance teachers can all embrace the change and evolve with the style.
Do you have any funny little line dance stories, fun facts, or snippets?
Having grown up in the line dance scene, the stories are too numerous, too long, and not entirely appropriate to be shared on a public forum. However, here’s one great story for you: Mum once had the brilliant idea to do an international workshop on the cheap by promoting Gordon Elliot from Australia and Hedy McAdams from the USA—only to have Stephen Paterson impersonate Gordon and me as Hedy. We did such a good job with the accents, outfits, and mannerisms that the late, great Pat Dugan made a comment to my mother at the end of the day about how great Hedy's legs were (still not aware of the deception, and that I was in fact Hedy).
Fun fact(s) about yourself (non-line dance related)?
Over the years, I have trained in many other dance styles, with two-step, west coast swing, and salsa being personal favourites. I have had 17 fun-filled years on stage as a musician with my father. I have a double black belt in Go Ju Kai Karate. But of all the things I am most proud of, finally becoming a father last year takes the cake… Two babies a year apart though… What were we thinking?!