Check Out Gabby Robinson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabby Robinson.

Gabby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Gabrielle Robinson, but everyone calls me Gabby — a nickname given to me by my very first dance teacher when I was about five years old. It stuck, and I’ve been “Gabby” ever since.
I started dancing around age four and trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. I also would choreograph my own dance routines when I got to elementary school and I just couldn’t get enough of creating. At that time, little did I know that not only did I have a gift for dance, but also a gift for choreography. I absolutely loved it, but unfortunately, dance classes became difficult for my family to afford, so I transitioned into sports instead. I played basketball, cheer, and softball growing up, but as I got older, the financial pressure of keeping up with multiple activities meant I had to choose one path. I chose basketball and continued playing through my sophomore year of high school.
Even though I loved basketball, I realized it didn’t fulfill me the way dance did. Plus, the reality of pursuing basketball at 5’3” started to set in! Toward the end of my basketball journey, I found myself spending more time choreographing routines in my head while sitting on the bench than actually focusing on the game. I was literally dancing on the sidelines.
As junior year approached, I realized I had two options: continue pursuing a sport I was no longer passionate about or finally give dance a real chance. I had auditioned for my high school dance team multiple times and never made it, but I learned there were dance classes I could enroll in. During a meeting with my basketball director about whether I planned to continue playing, I remember telling her, “Basketball is my second love — dance is my first.” Looking back, that probably helped get me cut from basketball… but honestly, it also pushed me exactly where I needed to go.
After not making dance team yet again, I enrolled in dance classes so the coach could really see my growth and commitment. I started training seriously, taking classes consistently, and completely fell in love with dance all over again. For the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Then, during my senior year, after auditioning one final time, I finally made the dance team — and that experience changed my life.
Dance team was where I truly found my people. I was surrounded by others who loved dance as deeply as I did, and it reignited my passion for choreography and performance. I immersed myself fully into dance. I competed, choreographed, participated in multiple pieces for dance shows, trained outside of school, and basically ate, slept, and breathed dance. That experience made me realize I wanted to pursue dance professionally.
After high school, I became a dance coach at my alma mater for several years while attending college and continuing my professional dance training. During that time, I trained at KreativMndz Dance Academy for 15+ hours a week while balancing coaching and school. I also became a work-study at Movement Lifestyle, which opened even more doors for me in the dance community.

Like many dancers, the pandemic shifted things for me creatively and professionally, and I slowed down for a period of time. But after graduating college, I stepped back into choreography and continued growing as both a creative and educator. I later became a work-study at TMilly TV for over a year while continuing to train, create, and reconnect with my passion for dance.
When Movement Lifestyle reopened in 2023, I returned to finish out my season there as a work-study. While I wasn’t dancing at the same intense capacity that I was in 2020, I found myself evolving in different ways within the dance industry. I began judging school dance competitions, choreographing performances again, and reconnecting with the creative side of dance that originally made me fall in love with it.
Then, in 2025, I stepped back into coaching — this time with an all-star dance team. One of the highlights was co-choreographing a collaborative performance with the dance team, band, and color guard at Disney California Adventure. Experiences like that reminded me how much I love creating pieces that bring people together and tell a story through movement.
Today, I continue coaching, choreographing, and building toward my goal of becoming a professional choreographer. Looking back, my journey hasn’t been linear, but every setback, redirection, and opportunity has shaped me into the artist and creative I am today. Dance has always found its way back to me, and I truly believe it’s God’s gift to me and is exactly what I’m meant to do.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been an easy road!
High school was tough. Auditioning each year and not getting selected to be on the team. Crying.. bawling my eyes out each time. My parents having to see me like that every year… I know it was rough on me, but it was also tough on them. Eventually I persevered though.
Also, I have always had to juggle so many things to keep dancing. Whether it was school, coaching, judging, or my own well being. It has been tough!!!
Training has been tough too. I trained HARD! I would be challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally while balancing everything and some relatives didn’t get it (luckily my mom and sister did and they have supported me throughout), but I remember crying all the time because I was overwhelmed and exhausted and was fighting to be seen and keep my passion for dance alive.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do a little bit of everything. I Caregive for my brother who has special needs and have been caring for others like him for about 7 years now. I also am an Administrative Assistant and really have learned a lot in that role that I love so much. When I’m not balancing that, I’m judging, teaching, coaching, choreographing. The works!
I am most proud of my ability to multitask and the longevity of my dance career. Even now, I still push to climb higher and more in the dance world. God has blessed me with this gift and I he has always provided for me way more than I would’ve ever anticipated and it is through this gift.
What sets me apart from others is be versatility. God has blessed me with the skills and ability to be successful in anything and everything I do and I don’t take my ability to be exceptional lightly.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as being happy and fulfilled in something that you love to do (hopefully with someone who you love if you are lucky!), living comfortably and with great gratitude over your life.
I define success as leaving a legacy or mark that other people that come after you can acknowledge and admire:)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbysynclaire?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Purple headshot-
IG: lnzyrosephoto