Méryem Pearson was born on November 11, in Montreal, Canada. Her father, Patrick Rainville, was a pianist, painter and writer, and her mother, Eva, was a pianist and passionate art lover. Alongside her brothers, Méryem followed in her parents’ artistic footsteps, learning to play both piano and guitar.

She began ballet and skating at the age of three and skating quickly became her passion for more than seventeen years. For the final five years of her competitive career, she was part of the Canadian Olympic pairs skating team. Unfortunately, due to rheumatism and the pain that came with it, she was forced to retire from competitive skating.

In 1965, toward the end of her skating career, Méryem traveled to London with a group of Canadian skaters for training and competitions. A friend invited her to Royal Albert Hall to watch the World Latin Championship—and that moment changed her life. Méryem instantly fell in love with ballroom dancing. Upon returning to Montreal, she began taking classes with Louis Perret. She loved the music, the rhythm and the style.

As a skater, Méryem had studied various dance forms—from classical ballet to modern—and remained closely connected to Canada’s top dance experts, including Edouard Toussaint and Edouard Lock, founder of the renowned dance company La La La Human Steps.

Her vast experience and artistic network helped shape her unique competitive style and, later, her coaching philosophy. Although her teacher, Louis Perret, encouraged her to start teaching immediately, Méryem was determined to first experience ballroom dancing as a competitor.

With her partner Bernard Turgeon, she competed in two World Championships: in 1971 in Berlin and in 1973 in New York. Their main coaches included Sam Sodano, Walter Laird, Lorraine, Major Eric Hancox, Len Scrivener, Benny Tolmeijer, Bill and Bobbie Irvine (MBI) and later, Anthony Hurley—who remains Méryem’s greatest inspiration to this day.

Bernard and Méryem were also part of the very first Invitation Team Match for Canada at the British Open in Blackpool in the early 1970s, alongside Vicki and Frank Regan in Latin, and Milan and Jutka Bouma and Roger and Helen Picard in Standard. Decades later, Méryem returned to that same floor as a team leader for North America.

Sadly, her competitive career was cut short when Bernard passed away at a young age. After his death, Méryem chose not to search for another partner. Instead, she fully embraced teaching and quickly became the most popular and prolific dance coach in Canada.

Teaching, Lecturing, Adjudicating

Known worldwide as the Canadian “champion maker,” Méryem has coached nearly every Canadian champion since the 1980s. She was a pioneer in teaching children and nurturing them from early stages through to the top levels of professional dance.

Her list of students includes:

Denis Tremblay and Mireille Veilleux, Pierre Allaire and Christiane Primeau, Pierre Allaire and Mireille Veilleux, Benoit Papineau, Marianne Nicole and Rufus Dustin (USA), Shirley and Corky Ballas (USA), Armando and Laura Martin (USA), Jean-Marc Genereux and France Mousseau, Benoit Drolet, Alain Doucet and Anik Jolicoeur, Daniel Héroux and many more.

Most of her couples rose to international prominence, reaching finals and winning prestigious titles in Latin, Standard or Exhibition styles.

Méryem’s coaching style is distinct—centered on the quality of movement and authentic dance expression. Her true “magic touch” lies in recognizing a dancer’s personality and potential and drawing out the very best in each individual.

She is one of the most respected international adjudicators, known for her integrity and transparency. In addition to judging, she is also an examiner, a founding member of the Canadian DanceSport Federation and the president of NDC Canada.

La Classique du Québec

Méryem launched La Classique du Québec in 1977 as a modest one-day amateur competition to give her students a platform to compete locally. She soon began inviting world-class adjudicators and top international couples and the event grew rapidly into one of North America’s premier dance competitions.

La Classique Du Quebec is celebrated for its elegant ballroom, adorned with fresh flowers, 28 sparkling chandeliers, superb music, world-renowned judging panels and a passionate audience that supports dancers until the very last beat.

Since 1987, La Classique du Québec has included a major congress for adjudicators and coaches. The largest edition drew 1,200 participants, and over the years, many of the world’s leading experts have lectured there, contributing to its exceptional reputation.

Ron Montez and Sam Sodano - Rumba lecture

Tough Times

In 1995, Méryem faced a devastating loss when her husband, Dave Pearson, passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. Heartbroken, she moved to Florida for five years to heal.

Méryem with her husband (right) and Major Eric Hancox (left)

But Méryem is a fighter—driven by her passion and unwavering commitment to dance. After returning to Montreal, she realized the workload was too much for one person. She decided to partner with Daniel Héroux, who became her co-organizer of La Classique Du Quebec. "I love Daniel’s personality—we simply fit,” she says.

Cirque du Soleil, TV and Film

Guy Laliberté, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, hired Méryem to scout dance talent for the shows. She brought in many exceptional performers, including Augie and Margo Rodrigues, who danced in Zumanity in their late seventies—featuring their signature Mambo routine.

I had the privilege of seeing Zumanity in Las Vegas in 2007 with Méryem and Peter Maxwell. Watching Augie and Margo live was unforgettable. After the show, we shared a special dinner. Augie and Margo were legends of the 1950s Palladium scene in New York during the “Mambomania” era.

Méryem also worked as a choreographer for TV and film. Notably, she collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on The Aviator, coaching stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Jude Law.

Awards and Recognition

In 1982, Méryem became the first Canadian to receive the Carl Alan Award as a dance promoter and coach.

In 2018, she was honored with the DBDC Lifetime Achievement Award in Boston. A beautiful tribute video featured her closest colleagues and students.

A Connector

Méryem is a connector of people and cultures. I first met her at the USBC in Miami, thanks to John Kimmins, who invited me to judge there more than thirty years ago. Over the decades, we met many times at Blackpool. She also visited Slovenia in 2000 and shortly after, I was invited to Montreal, where I twice had the honor of judging at La Classique du Québec.

At her competition, she introduced me to many of Canada’s and America’s top dance figures. That’s how I met Sam Sodano—and many others—with whom I’ve stayed friends ever since. It was through Méryem that I truly understood the deep dance connection between Canada and the USA. Alongside Sam and John, Méryem stands as a foundational pillar in that community.

Although we don’t meet often, I feel Méryem is my true Canadian friend.

Source of information

Brigitt Mayer-Karakis, U.H. Mayer - "Ballroom Icons"

To learn more about Méryem, you are welcome to listen to our podcast on Spotify, Barbara's Dance Room.