Check Out Jessica Vela’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Vela.

Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for dance began at age 12, sparked by a middle school assembly that introduced me to the beauty of movement and storytelling. That moment led me to join my high school dance team, and over the years, I honed my skills at community college and Cal State Fullerton, where I discovered a deep love for choreography and teaching.

During college, I had the wonderful opportunity to perform at the Disneyland resort and began teaching dance, starting with young children and then expanding to more advanced levels. In 2020, my friend Lauren and I founded Dance 4:13, inspired by our shared faith (Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength) and our vision to serve the community.

Opening during the pandemic was incredibly challenging, but we were so grateful for the families who trusted us with their dancers and joined us on this journey. As Lauren transitioned away to focus on her growing family, we remained supportive of each other, and I chose to continue Dance 4:13’s legacy.

Now, in Tustin, we’re building a vibrant, diverse community, and I’m deeply grateful for the journey and the continued growth of our studio. It’s been a beautiful, faith-driven journey, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I went from being a dance teacher to suddenly becoming a business owner with zero knowledge in how to actually run a business haha. I learned everything through trial and error. And to make things even more uncertain, we opened right in the middle of Covid when all the odds were against us.

It’s also been really hard financially. In order to keep the studio going, I ended up using all our savings and selling my car that I had just finished paying off, just to help support our move to Tustin. On top of that, I worked a full-time job for 5 years just to support myself while still pouring everything I had into the studio. A lot of people don’t see the true struggle and sacrifice behind the scenes. I’ve missed birthdays, family time, and so many personal moments to make this vision come to life, but I don’t regret any of it.

Through it all, God has been so good. I’ll never stop praising Him for giving me this opportunity to be a dance studio owner. I’m still learning every day, and I know He’ll continue to give me the balance and strength I need to keep growing and serving this community.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I absolutely love choreographing. In college, I fell in love with creating pieces, incorporating modern contemporary and floorwork technique, and that foundation really shapes the work I create today. What I think sets me apart, is my ability to take what I’ve learned and dive deeper, creating pieces that are more than just leg holds and double turns. Don’t get me wrong, I loveeee seeing that in the competition space, but my style is more of a mix of both and about brewing something fresh that allows the audience to connect and interpret their own emotions.

There are so many pieces I’m especially proud of, but the ones I’ll always hold closest to my heart are Selah, my first piece with 4:13, and Eleanor Rigby, my most recent work. Both were choreographed with so much love and detail and I’m incredibly content with how they turned out. I’m also really excited for my new piece this season, which will bring a different kind of feel almost a sense of nostalgia for me. I can’t wait to share it with the dancers and see how they bring it to life and how it resonates with the audience.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that community is everything. I’ve realized that God always sends help, and sometimes that help comes through the people He brings into your life. I can genuinely say I love my community, the parents, my staff, my dancers, and everyone who has supported the studio. These are the people who have seen me through both the good and the challenging times, and they’ve stuck with me no matter what.

I’ve also learned that asking for help is not a weakness. I used to let my pride get the best of me, and that wasn’t healthy. Learning to lean on others has been such a blessing and has shown me the power of community and support. That, to me, is truly one of the biggest blessings from above.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.dance413.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance.413?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555698754849&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/Y0R8fk-OMM

Image Credits
Claudio Robles and Sophia Capecci.