Conversations with Eden Coleman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eden Coleman.

Eden, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey as a dancer has been a combination of passion, persistence, and trusting the process, even when I couldn’t always see where it was taking me.

I started dancing at a young age, and pretty quickly it became more than just something I loved doing, it became the way I expressed myself and the place where I felt most like me. Over the years, I trained, performed, competed, and continued pushing myself to grow, always dreaming about where dance could take me.

Eventually, that dream led me to Los Angeles, where I took a huge leap of faith and moved across the world from New Zealand to pursue dance professionally. Starting over in a new country and trying to establish myself in such a competitive industry has definitely challenged me. There have been incredible highs, but also moments of rejection, uncertainty and having to remind myself why I started in the first place.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not every “no” means you’re not good enough. Sometimes it simply means something else is waiting for you. I’ve had opportunities that didn’t work out, moments that humbled me, and experiences that forced me to grow both as a dancer and as a person.

Little by little, the hard work, training, resilience and belief started opening doors. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some incredible projects and alongside inspiring artists and creatives, but I’m still very much in the process of building my career and chasing bigger dreams.

Looking back, I’m proud of the girl who had the courage to dream about this life and even prouder that I’ve had the courage to keep going when the journey hasn’t been easy. I’m learning to celebrate every step, not just the big moments, because every experience has brought me closer to the dancer and person I’m becoming.

I’m still dreaming, still learning, still working, and honestly, I feel like I’m only just getting started.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. I think one of the biggest misconceptions about pursuing a career in dance is that people only see the exciting moments. The jobs, the stages, the travel and the opportunities, but there is so much that happens behind the scenes.

Moving to Los Angeles from a small country like New Zealand to pursue my dream was one of the biggest and bravest decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve had to navigate being away from my family and the people I love, finding my place in a completely new environment, and learning how to handle an industry that can be incredibly competitive and unpredictable.

Rejection has probably been one of the most difficult aspects. You can walk into an audition knowing you’ve prepared, worked hard and given everything you have, and still not get the job. Sometimes you don’t even know why. It can be a look thing, a height thing, the list goes on! There have been moments where I’ve questioned myself and wondered if I was good enough, but I’ve learned that rejection doesn’t define my talent or my worth, it’s actually taking me into the direction I need to go for the next opportunity that I’m meant to experience, even if I don’t know that yet in the moment.

There have also been opportunities that I was incredibly excited about that didn’t work out the way I expected. Those experiences have been painful, but they’ve taught me resilience and reminded me that one closed door doesn’t mean the journey is over. I grew so much and learnt a lot about myself from those moments.

Reminding myself that I can celebrate other people’s successes while continuing to believe in my own path, stay disciplined when motivation is low, and keep showing up even when nobody is promising you the next opportunity.

The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I’m grateful for that. The difficult moments have made me stronger, more grounded and more determined. They’ve taught me that you can be disappointed without giving up, and that sometimes the setbacks are what prepare you for the opportunities you’ve been working toward.

I’m learning to trust that my journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. I just have to keep showing up, keep working, and keep believing that there is a place for me in the room.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work as a professional dancer is about far more than performing choreography. It’s about bringing an artist’s vision to life, connecting with an audience, and being able to adapt to whatever a project demands of me. I’m a commercial dancer with a strong foundation in hip hop and a versatile background that allows me to move between different styles, artists and creative environments.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to perform on some of the biggest stages in the world. Some of the highlights of my career include headlining Coachella in 2023 with BLACKPINK, performing with Coldplay, and joining Jolin Tsai on her “Ugly Beauty” World Tours. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform with artists including Rita Ora and New Zealand’s SIX60, as well as being part of some incredible international productions.

More recently, one of the most exciting chapters of my career has been working with Tate McRae performing with her at major festivals Lollapalooza in Chicago and Osheaga in Montreal. Being part of her team and performing her show has been such an incredible experience. To be experiencing moments like these and also being the first dancer from New Zealand to dance with her too, is pretty surreal. Also performing at FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico with J Balvin, that was surreal!

My work also extends beyond being on stage. I’ve been fortunate to contribute behind the scenes within the choreographic process, working as part of skeleton crews and helping bring choreography to life as a visual guide for artists and creative teams. I’ve worked in this capacity on projects connected with artists such as Karol G, Jennifer Lopez, TWICE, KATSEYE, BlackPink and LE SSERAFIM. I love this side of the industry because it challenges me creatively and gives me the opportunity to understand the bigger picture behind a performance.

My journey started in New Zealand, where I trained and competed with elite crews including Royal Family’s RFV and Masque from Identity Dance Company, as well as Neverland Studios crews including Khaos and Hijinx. Competing internationally and representing New Zealand at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships taught me some of the most important lessons I carry with me today — discipline, teamwork, resilience, performance quality and how to keep pushing when things get difficult. I was fortunate enough to achieve multiple podium finishes at the World Championships, which gave me the confidence to believe that dance could become a career and not just a dream.

What I’m most proud of is the journey itself. Moving from New Zealand to Los Angeles and building a career in one of the most competitive dance industries in the world has required me to constantly evolve. There have been incredible highs, but also rejection, uncertainty and moments where I’ve had to remind myself why I started.

I think what sets me apart is my energy and the “X-factor” I bring into a room. Technique can be trained, but there is something intangible about the way a performer connects with an audience. I’ve always wanted to be someone who doesn’t just execute choreography, but makes people feel something when I dance.

I’m also incredibly proud of being known as someone who is hardworking, adaptable and easy to work with. I want choreographers and artists to know that when I walk into a room, I’m going to give everything I have, learn quickly, bring positive energy and be completely invested in the vision.

I’ve been lucky enough to experience things I once only dreamed about, from performing at Coachella to travelling the world and now stepping onto some of the biggest festival stages with Tate and Fifa World Cup. But I still feel like I’m only getting started. There are so many more artists I want to work with, places I want to perform, and creative spaces I want to explore. For me, success is continuing to grow, staying hungry and never losing the love for dance that started it all.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think the dance industry is going to evolve in really exciting ways, especially within the commercial and live performance space.

One of the biggest shifts I see is how global and interconnected everything is becoming. The industry already feels international, but I think that’s only going to accelerate. Artists are pulling inspiration, dancers, and creative teams from all over the world more than ever before, and I think we’re going to see even more cross-cultural collaboration on major tours, festivals, and digital platforms. For dancers, that means more opportunity, but also a higher level of versatility being expected.

I also think the role of a dancer is expanding. It’s no longer just about being a performer in the background of an artist, dancers are becoming a much bigger part of the creative identity of a show. We’re seeing more involvement in the development process, more input in choreography, staging, and storytelling, and I think that will continue to grow. The “skeleton crew” and creative development side of the industry is becoming just as important as the final performance, and dancers who understand that full picture will really stand out.

Another big change I see is the influence of social media and digital content. Performance is no longer just for the stage, it’s also for the screen. Choreography is being created with virality in mind, and dancers are expected to be just as strong in a live show as they are in a 15-second clip that can travel globally overnight. I think that’s going to continue shaping how choreography is made, how artists release music, and how audiences connect with performances.

At the same time, I think there’s going to be a stronger appreciation for authenticity and individuality. With so much content out there, what really cuts through is personality and presence. Technique will always be important, but what makes someone memorable is their energy, their uniqueness, and how they make people feel and I think the industry is going to lean even more into that.

I also see live touring becoming even more immersive. Concerts are already becoming full-scale productions that feel like experiences rather than just performances, and I think that will continue to grow with more cinematic storytelling, stage innovation, and integration of different art forms. For dancers, that means more dynamic roles and more opportunities to be part of world-building on stage.

Overall, I think the future of the industry is going to be faster, more global, more collaborative, and more creatively expansive. And for dancers, it’s going to reward those who are adaptable, open-minded, and willing to grow beyond just one lane.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/edencoleman
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edencolemann
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edencolemann