Check Out Rachel Bergeron’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Bergeron.

Hi Rachel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The start of my career as a dancer and artist is a little less conventional than most. The true beginning of my love for performing started when I attended a performing arts school in Massachusetts called Capachione School of Performing Arts. This school’s goal was to create well-rounded performers who could excel in the disciplines of acting, vocal performance, and dance. Safe to say, the dance program was not your average “competitions-every-weekend” type of program. Even though the dance training was not as “hardcore” as other studios, the passion among the students was incredibly unmatched. There, I learned that dance and theatre were going to be a part of my life forever- or more accurately, BE my life. Attending college at the University of New Hampshire, I found myself playing catch-up technique-wise while also working harder than ever before when it came to my dance training. There, I cultivated my interests in dance, along with theatre performance and directing/choreographing. Though my major was technically in performance, I was also heavily drawn to directing and choreographing. During my college career, I directed alongside professors, choreographed numbers for dance showcases, as well as musicals, and was able to eventually direct and choreograph my first full-length show.

Halfway through my college career, I also found myself teaching dance and becoming a leader amongst my peers. My favorite part of my story so far is that I have never felt limited by society’s attempt to force us all to commit to one thing. Being one thing, doing one thing, even linking our identity to our career, can be extremely stunting. Even in the most creative fields and lifestyles, we still obsess over nailing down EXACTLY what we do. Whether this is for our own comfort, or other’s, I feel it diminishes the whole point of creating. I am completely aware and comfortable that my interests and desires will change as I grow, and therefore I can’t sit here and say I am ONLY this- or ONLY that- or in five years, I want to be doing x,y, and z. Of course, I do have long-term and short-term goals. I also believe having the knowledge and acceptance that life takes us on so many journeys is important in encouraging us to find countless things we love. I believe this has made me successful in where I am today. So- today! Currently, I am living in Los Angeles, CA, all the way across the country from my family, friends, and the life I created on the East Coast. After teaching dance at Zello Dance Studio in Peabody MA, I put my east coast career on pause and I found myself with a one way ticket to LA because I knew that was where I needed to train in dance. From 3,000 miles away, I was the most inspired I had ever felt by watching beautiful, strong dancers on social media. I felt I had so much to learn, and even after college I wasn’t done being a student yet. Something that I was missing at UNH was hip hop. I desperately wanted to be as close as I could to people excelling in this style and learning from the best. Where better than LA? I saved as much as I could in a six months period after I graduated in 2020 and moved all by myself after having only been to LA once before.

Since arriving nine months ago, I have been signed as a model, voice actor and have worked professionally as a dancer, actor, model, and choreographer. Some of my recent projects have involved choreographing for small artists, music/concept videos, lifestyle shoots, clothing brand shoots, and swimwear shoots. Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that I have technically only been training at an advanced/pro-level for about 6 months now. When I look at that small time frame, I am reminded of how far I have truly come. As far as training goes, I have been working with ILY-girl, which was discussed on VoyageLA not too long ago! I have been a creator for them as well as a student in their training program. I have also been mentored by EJ Hoffman with MAD program, and have been a part of several others along the way. One of my favorite things about being in Los Angeles is that there are always people who want to create, collaborate, and expand. I also recently performed in my first live performance in LA. My next goal as a dancer is to get signed by an agency. Many people have tried to ask me “So, what’s the end goal?” There is no perfect end goal for me- there is too much that I want to do as an artist. Life moves in only one direction and my goal is simply to keep moving, connecting, and growing. Safe to say, there’s a lot I want to accomplish, and this is only the beginning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I was 15 years old, my dad passed away unexpectedly. He was my best friend, biggest supporter, best critic, and one of my favorite people in the world (right beside my mom.) I truly believe this could have completely derailed me from my dreams of performing and eventually moving away. However, it did the complete opposite. More than ever, I was filled with passion, determination, and complete focus to get to where I wanted to be. My dad’s passing taught me many valuable lessons that frankly, I could not have learned with him here. He inspires me in everything I do and every decision that I make. I know undoubtedly, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for him.

Struggles are inevitable when it comes to following your dreams so vivaciously. There will always be people who have a hard time seeing you succeed at something, especially when it feels like it might be out of reach for them. When you start to make your dreams an integral part of your everyday life, you realize how many people are unhappy in their life. Unfortunately, projection is very real when it comes to this, and you must continue unapologetically showing up for yourself and your goals. Other people’s reaction to you is not your problem. “You can’t compete with me- I want you to win too.” There is so much power in this quote, and it will always be one of my favorites.

With that being said, straying from the normal workforce and 9-5 lifestyle is not for everyone. With complete transparency, this journey involves a lot of sacrifices and struggling. It is the best thing I have ever done while simultaneously being the hardest thing I have ever done. Upon building your career as an artist, time, money, and energy fly out the window faster than the results and achievements can make up for them. Having the trust in yourself to make it all worth it is the most important part. I truly believe obstacles and challenges shape the journey even more than the wins do.

Something I am working on currently is celebrating the things I have accomplished instead of brushing past them to get to the next step.

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 am a pro dancer, actor, model. I teach dance, mostly jazz-funk, tap, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. I am known mostly for musical theatre dance, jazz-funk, and tap. I am most proud of the projects I have worked on since coming to LA, for small artist’s music videos and creating content on my Instagram of my choreography. Also, being in clothing/swimwear/lifestyle shoots. I believe my multifaceted talent is what sets me apart- I excel in performing in dance, acting, theatre, and also directing, choreographing, and teaching.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck- but I do believe in your divine path. Everything you do in life sets you up for something else, everything has a cause and effect. The universe will put you on your path if you just stop and listen to it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rach_bergeron_/

Image Credits:
Tony Escalera, Jason Peguero, Kassandra Carrettini