Meet Madison Rutherford of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Rutherford.

Hi Madison, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started dancing at the age of 2 years old! I grew up strictly doing ballet. I trained 6, sometimes 7 days a week, and my plan was to be a professional ballerina. When that plan didn’t work out, I pivoted, and decided to start training in other styles of dance. I went to the University at Buffalo to study dance, where we studied ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. I wanted to expand my training even further into more commercial styles, so I started training in Toronto on the weekends. I would drive 2.5 hours each way to further my training in hip hop, jazz funk, and heels.
After graduating with my Bachelor in Arts in 2018, I made the move to Los Angeles to start my professional career! Since then, I am so fortunate to have worked with and trained with some of the best creatives in the business.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course it has not been a smooth road! I trained my butt off when I first arrived in LA. I networked as much as possible, and finally was able to sign with an agency after being in LA for a year and a half. A WEEK after I signed with Go 2 Talent Agency, the entire world shut down because of COVID. I was so excited to finally start my career with an agent, and then everything stopped.
As most dancers do, I also struggle(d) with self doubt. The hustle culture of LA can be really exhausting. Sometimes it feels like you have no stability, and are just one of a thousand dancers that are just as good as you. Taking time away from LA helps me realize just how far I have come, and how much I really do know my stuff! I have a lot to offer this industry, sometimes we just have to get creative in the ways we get inspired.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional dancer and choreographer! My credits include the GRAMMYs, and iHeartRadio Music Festival with The Weeknd, skeleton crew work for KATSEYE, assistant choreographer for Violet Chachki & Gottmik’s “The Knockout Tour,” commercials for Experian and Mountain Dew, and Hulu’s original series “Into the Dark.” I have choreographed and performed in multiple pride festivals with artist Mariah Counts, toured nationally with AHF’s Westside Story Burlesque, and held residencies both in LA and across the country.
I am most proud of creating my “Move to LA Mentorship,” a program designed to guide and support aspiring professional dancers transitioning into the commercial industry. I feel really called to give back to dancers who are just getting started in their careers. My program is very “information based,” which is exactly what I needed when I first moved to LA! I wish I had a mentor that told me what headshots I was supposed to have, how to get an agent, how SAG works, what I was supposed to wear, etc…. It can be so overwhelming learning everything! I love chatting with dancers, answering their questions, and giving advice.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think in order to go full force as an artist, you have to be a risk taker. You cannot have a “Plan B.” If you have something to fall back on, then you won’t push yourself to go full force on “Plan A.” I’ve been supporting myself through dance alone for 3 years now. Do I have the most money in the world? No. Am I fulfilled and proud of myself? Yes!! I still plan on performing for at least another 10 years. Dance will always be a part of my life, all because I took a risk and bet on myself. Sometimes taking a blind risk is exactly the push you need to succeed.

Pricing:

• Move to LA Mentorship (4 weeks of 1 on 1 mentorship) $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/movetolamentorship/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonrutherforddd/
• Other: madison.bookings@yahoo.com

Image Credits
Alissa Rose Photography, Parker Harris Studio