I am blessed with opportunity. I’ve been dancing for many years and through my drive and passion for the art I have found a spot in the forefront of the music industry. Hard times are all around and I am so grateful to have a job doing what I love. The truth of my position is passion over pride.

            Dancers have continually been in the background. Forced out of the spotlight and pushed to the bottom of the totem pole. My advice to all aspiring dancers out there is to check your self. Evaluate what dance means to you. If you know it’s your driving force in life and you would never choose to live without it then reach for your dreams. If you have any thought of failure or glimmer of self doubt then move on. The rewards in dance are through passion and appreciation for the art.

            The downfalls are the wear and tear on your body. Always being pushed to the back and giving all of you in every take knowing that 90% of what you give will never be seen. It is for you and for you alone. Be prepared to dress body-conscience, wear heels, and face a judgmental world of critics. Many times your looks will get you in the door and talent will get you the job. Know you will hear ninety-nine no’s before you get one call back. Persistence will be what sets you apart from others.

            Your craft depends on the amount of heart and soul you put behind it. We live in a world where dancers have to battle the stigma that dance is always connected with an erotic sense of self. Many jobs are men looking for the “sexy factor” in dance. The art of movement is frequently misunderstood. The amount of work for technical dancers is slim. The dream jobs working for amazing companies of dance means making little to no money and taking on second and third jobs to pay the bills. Many dancers turn to teaching to make ends meet.

            Luckily there are more and more shows popping up showcasing the talent that is out there. Sadly there is no pay besides a check for the winners. Thankfully there are movies and some television shows, touring with artists, and industrials. These are the jobs that keep working dancers alive. Reality is that no part of the industry truly embraces the art with respect to pay and or care.

            Now that record sales have been diminishing and the search for survival in record industries has been on the outlook for new ways of bringing in money, opportunity has arrived. People may not buy albums but people will buy tickets to a live show. In a live show the passion is felt and the international form of expression is understood. Music and Dance lives as one. Being a dancer is humbling. Living from passion and discarding pride is constant work. I trained hours on end my entire life and am given an outlet to share it with the world is my truth.

            Just as it is cast in movies, you have lead actors and supporting roles. Dancers may always make up the supporting characters but you’ll never have a good movie without the heart and soul that makes up the cast. I may play the supporting character but the passion behind the work is just as great. Knowing my truth and honesty in my thoughts and in the role I play in life keeps me grounded. Pride is a false sense of accomplishment.

“Search for fame you lose your soul, search for creativity and you will win.”