Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia White.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta, I started dancing and performing for my family as soon as I could walk. My mom put me in ballet, and as I grew older I had the privilege of training extensively in contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop styles, as well as Latin and standard ballroom. My life was completely committed to dance. At 14 years old, I received the Dream Team dance festival scholarship for EDGE Performing Arts Centre in Hollywood – given to the dancer with the most potential to become a professional. During this training intensive in Los Angeles I came to know deeply that dance was my path. Back in Edmonton, I continued to train and perform while also completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Dance Composition at Victoria School of the Arts.
I then moved to Vancouver, BC, in the summer of 2016, where I was quickly signed with da Costa Talent agency, who have represented me ever since. My first Film/TV job was skeleton crew (pre-visualization of the dance sequences) for Miranda Sings Netflix series, “Haters Back Off”. Since then, I’ve had the honor of dancing on shows such as CW’s Riverdale, ABC’s “Charmed”, NBC’s “Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist”, SYFY’s “Deadly Class” and more. I am deeply thankful to have had the opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers such as Megan Lawson, Louise Hradsky, Jamal Sims, and Mandy Moore. Most recently, I have been working as a dancer for pre-visualization on the brand new Paramount+ series, “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies”, in addition to two feature movies (Nickelodeon and Netflix) that I cannot yet disclose. Outside of this, I continue to share my passion and knowledge as a resident instructor and choreographer at one of Canada’s most esteemed movement institutions, Harbour Dance Centre.
I am thrilled to now be getting pulled back to Los Angeles, where I can further my career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor. Through my training, I have formed connections with choreographers Megan Lawson (Madonna), Matt Cady (ABDC), Nina McNeely (Banks) and more. My journey in this land is just beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited to see where this takes me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At 16 years old, my world came crashing down on me when I found out that I had completely torn the cartilage in both of my hips. Prior to this knowledge, I trained in agony and took pain medication to continue dancing. It wasn’t until crying after class became a daily occurrence that I finally accepted something was wrong and got an MRI. Luckily, I knew choreographer Stacey Tookey through my home studio ‘Shelley’s Dance Company’. She connected me with hip specialist Dr. Rose in NYC, who performed two separate surgeries to reattach the cartilage in my right and left hips. I spent my graduating year in a wheelchair, watching my peers perform and questioning my purpose. I went to the University of Alberta in my year of recovery, studying Business and Film. I had physiotherapy constantly, and without dance, began to really understand who I was at my deepest level. In hindsight, I look back on this time with immense gratitude, as it helped me to form a truly healthy relationship with my body and mind. Going from wheelchair to professional dancer has shown me that dreams really do come true.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional dancer and choreographer for film, TV and stage, committed to being the embodiment of versatility and intentional creation. A highlight of my career has been working on multiple episodes of CW’s “Riverdale” as a recurring dancer and skeleton crew with acclaimed choreographer Heather Laura Gray. I had the honor of being part of the process from creation to filming for numerous numbers while playing everything from cheerleader to drama student. I received much recognition for this work due to the show’s viral popularity.
For live shows, one of my most prestigious contracts was touring internationally with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines in “Spectra’s Cabaret” as a dancer and aerialist. It was a dream to showcase my work as both an artist and athlete in this long-term show.
In my debut to the indy film circuit, I won ‘Best Experimental Film & Best Dance Choreography’ from the Oniron Film Awards for my leading role and work as a choreographer in the short film ‘Eclosion’. I also recently starred in an independent short entitled “Perjury”, displaying my interdisciplinary training.
Within my personal projects and teaching, I am known as an experimental and innovative movement engineer. My avant-garde creativity activates my curiosity to find new ways to break out of the mold. Forever curious, I will always be a student.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Take care of your body. Take care of your mind. Take care of your spirit. Prioritizing health is the key to longevity.
Authenticity is more important than approval. The sooner you show up unapologetically as yourself, the sooner what is for you will come to you.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiapatriciawhite
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS8eGp-kYIo
- Website: http://www.dacostatalent.com/nadia-white
Image Credits
CREATEV STUDIO KRphoto Richie Lubaton Studio @secondteamkyle Karolina Turek Photography Mandisa Photo
