Today we’d like to introduce you to Gisele Silva.
Hi Gisele, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started dancing in Brazil when I was five years old, I grew up dancing all dance styles. I was part of great companies in my city and I graduated in dance. In 2013, I decided to dedicate myself to Tap Dance exclusivity and started going to all the Tap festivals in Brazil, it was at one of these festivals that Chloe Arnold saw me and gave me a scholarship for her festival in Washington DC. After this festival, she asked my interest in moving to USA and working in her company. At first I denied it, my life was stabilized in Brazil, career, personal life and I didn’t see myself living here. But we really don’t know what the future holds for us. After my life in Brazil turned upside down, I decided to accept the invitation and moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to join the Syncopated Ladies A Tap Female Band.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I usually say that I am persevering and have had essential support from my family. I grew up in a poor community in Brazil, and when I started dancing we didn’t have a car, and without money for the bus, my mother and I were walking to the dance studio, 40 minutes to go and 40 minutes to return. It wasn’t easy, but that was my biggest dream. Besides, I didn’t have much examples of black dancers, especially women, I was one of the pioneers in my city, so I took responsibility for showing the new generation that it is possible, with hardwork and effort, you can do anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a Tap Dancer, I was able to get to places that little 5-year-old Gisele would never imagine. Shows in great theaters such as Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center, TV dancing and music videos, international trips to teach at renowned festivals. Teaching is one of my passions, they call me child whisperer, working with children inspires me. Giving back to the community is part of my journey, I teach Tap dance through the Chloe & Maud Foundation Tap Into Life program and I’m also a teacher at the renowned Debbie Allen Dance Academy. In addition to the group Syncopated Ladies dirigido pela Emmy nominated Chloe Arnold, I am a member of the Tap company called Music From The Sole based in NY, directed by Brazilian Leonardo Sandoval and musician Gregory Richardson, and I do regular training with the Afro-Brazilian company Viver Brasil, directed by Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró. In 2018, I became an Ambassador for the brand So Danca, a well-known dance article brand worldwide.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Surely my courage, for many seemed crazy, to leave a stabilized life to experience the unknown, start from the beginning in a new country, without speaking English and at the age of 32. But I’ve always known what I wanted, I’m still not where I know I can get, but I’m happy with everything I’ve achieved. I don’t regret anything.
Contact Info:
- Email: classwithgisele@gmail.com
- Website: giselesilva.com
- Instagram: iamgiselesilva
- Youtube: Gisele Silva
Image Credits
Solo Photos: Lee Gumbs Group Photo: Christopher Jones
