The Journey to Becoming a Dancer

Ever since I was young, I have always been drawn to dance and movement. However, it was not until college that I really discovered my passion and began my journey to become a dancer. Here is my story.

Discovering My Inspiration

When I was in middle school, a friend showed me a video of legendary dancer Michael Jackson performing his iconic song “Billie Jean”. I was mesmerized by his smooth moves and enjoyed the catchy beat. However, at that time I did not have access to learn more about dance. It was not until years later in college that I came across that same song and felt inspired to learn more. I spent hours watching Michael Jackson’s live performances of “Billie Jean” on repeat, studying his legendary moonwalk and other moves. This ignited a fire in me to start practicing dance seriously.

My First Steps

With Michael Jackson as my inspiration, I began practicing the choreography to “Billie Jean” in my dorm room. At first, it was a struggle and I felt clumsy trying to mimic the dances. My roommates would laugh at my attempts. But I remained determined and kept practicing every day for months. Slowly but surely, I started to get better at replicating the moves. My friend noticed my progress and encouraged me to audition for the dance team at my university. With their support and guidance, I was able to improve tremendously over the course of my freshman year.

Joining the Dance Team

By the time freshman year ended, I had come a long way in my dance skills thanks to dedicated practice and lessons from the dance team coaches. I was excited to take on a bigger role in my sophomore year. I decided to audition again, this time aiming for a leadership position. Through months of rehearsals and performances, I gained even more experience performing complex choreographies in front of audiences. By my junior year, I was selected as the captain of the dance team. Leading my peers and producing show-stopping routines gave me so much confidence in my abilities.

Expanding My Horizons

Being on the university dance team opened many doors for me. I was exposed to different styles of dance, from hip hop to jazz to ballet. I realized I had a strong foundation in multiple genres, not just what initially drew me in—pop and hip hop. To challenge myself further, I started taking advanced dance classes in various styles during summers and school breaks. I also began regularly attending dance conferences and workshops across the country. Here, I learned from renowned choreographers and dancers. Interacting with the broader dance community fueled my passion and kept me learning.

Pursuing Professional Opportunities

All the training and experiences throughout college prepared me to take my dance career to the next level. After graduating with a BFA in Dance, I decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue job opportunities in the entertainment industry. I worked hard to build my resume, dancing backup for musicians on tours and in music videos. After a few years of networking, I landed my biggest break yet—a spot dancing on a popular TV show. Being on such a large production allowed me to showcase my skills to an even wider audience. This success gave me the confidence to start chasing my dream of choreographing for major artists.

Passing It Forward

Now that I have found success as a professional dancer and choreographer in Los Angeles, I want to give back to the next generation. I began teaching hip hop, jazz, and contemporary dance classes at a local studio near my home. Working with enthusiastic young students reminds me of when I first fell in love with dance. It is rewarding to see them progress and develop their own unique styles. I also volunteer my time leading dance workshops in underserved communities. My goal is to inspire others the way legends like Michael Jackson inspired me. I hope that through dance, I can empower more youth to chase their dreams.

Still Learning

Even after over a decade in the professional dance world, I am always looking for ways to improve and challenge myself. These days, when I am not in the studio working on new projects, you can find me taking classes from some of the best instructors in the field. I find that continuing to learn from peers keeps me fresh and innovative. Dance is an ever-evolving art form, so staying teachable is key to long-term success. Some genres like voguing have also piqued my interest lately, and I am having fun experimenting with newer styles. Who knows where this journey will take me next, but I am thankful for all the rich experiences so far. Dance will always be my passion.