Meet Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez of 3-19 Dance Art in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Beatriz. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started dancing when I was a child in Bogota Colombia in South America, I was exposed to an amazing rich cultural community full of dance, theatre, performance art and magic. (Bogota holds one of the biggest and best theatre festivals in the world). Due to political and economical turmoil the country was going through at the time my parents decided we should immigrate to the United States, I continued with my dance studies here in Los Angeles CA, dance allowed me to integrate into this new culture and new country, and it also helped me deal with the sadness and melancholy of leaving my extended family behind. At times when I felt that I didn’t fit or belong here it was in the dance classes that I felt at home, where I could express myself, be me and enjoy the classical music I so much adore. I continued dancing with wonderful dance teachers in Los Angeles, attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, and just kept going. It has been a beautiful journey with ups and downs, right and left turns but everything has led me to where I am today, dancing with different dance companies like the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, Los Angeles Fusion Dance Theater, Mojacar Flamenco Dance Company. Choreographing for theatre companies such as Teatro Akabal, The Watts Village Theatre Company, Casa 0101, The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, Macha Theatre and for the cultural organization Kayamanan Ng Lahi. Performing and touring with world renowned tap dancer Chester Whittmore, working with musical artists such as Leopold Nunan and J. D. Mata, performing for visual artists: Eva Montealegre, Tiger Munson and Gronk. And ultimately creating and directing my own dance company 3-19 Dance Art.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh no, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all, there were struggles along the way. As a young dancer investing time with a mentor was so important, what people sometimes forget to tell you is how difficult it can be when that relationship breaks, you spend years with an organization and the people affiliated with it, almost on a daily basis year after year, with classes, rehearsals and performances, the years go by and before you know it you have become an adult. In my case this relationship broke and I found myself as a young adult dancer without a mentor having to navigate this dance world very abruptly and on my own. However it was through this struggle that I ventured into other forms of dance, movement, yoga, and performance, and by doing so I have created my own personal path, met wonderful individuals and continued learning about my art and about myself. At the time I didn’t see it, but now when I look back I know that I am where I am supposed to be.

I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing now if it wasn’t because of that experience, I have embraced my role as mentor and role model so besides being a choreographer and a performer I also teach, I have had the privilege to teach over 130 kids over the last 12 years, I am so proud to know that my journey has led my students to dance on stages such as the one in California Plaza, The Day of the Dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and The Festival of Books at USC.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the 3-19 Dance Art (Where Magical Realism Meets Dance) story. Tell us more about the business.
My dance company 3-19 Dance Art (Where Magical Realism Meets Dance) is known for magical story telling through dance. We have performed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Pico Rivera Sports Arena, California Plaza, Highways Performance Space, Los Angeles Union Station, USC, UCLA, The Los Angeles Festival of Books, Festival De la Calle 8, and many more local events in the area. We are known for our story telling and the visuals our company presents which are carefully planned and created in collaboration with Castulo Alfredo Iraheta. We are very proud to have been selected to participate in “Encuentro De Las Americas 2017” the biggest international Latino theatre festival in the west coast, 3-19 dance art was selected to be part of it alongside some amazing international theatre companies with more than 30 years of existence under their belt.

What sets us apart from other companies is the inclusion of children in some of our performances, and the predominant use of classical music in our pieces, on this day and age where classical music is not as popular with only 1 public radio station in place our company feels very passionate about promoting and preserving this art.

The company is currently made up of 4 core dancers and 6 guest dancers with different backgrounds, our four core dancers are Karin Santiago who comes with an extensive professional Belly Dance and ballet background. Delante McCreary who comes from the Musical Theatre world having toured with LeClik and opening shows for The Backstreet Boys. Reynaldo Santiago who comes from the Martial Arts world and has danced in music videos for Pharrell Williams, It’s Hot As Sun, Capital Cities, Leopold Nunan and J.D. Mata. And lastly myself.

Our 6 guest dancers have been: Omar Rodriguez Diaz, Ernesto Mañacop, Claudia Paz, Izryel Mathis, Nura Murray and Gabriel Avila.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Well I don’t really know how to call it. I truly believe in synchronicity, every little thing and moment leads you to a place, sometimes you don’t see it when it is staring you in the face but when you look back you see how everything is connected. The key is to always be prepared, always be ready, and always be working. Like Pablo Picasso said “Inspiration exists but it has to find you working”.

Some people say I work too much, I need a break….etc but when you do what you love it doesn’t feel like work, the only way to continue growing and expanding is to continue working and creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beatrizeugenia3-19danceart.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3_19danceart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheremagicalrealismmeetsdance/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ballet_at_the_park/

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