Today we’d like to introduce you to Myra Joy Veluz.
Hi Myra Joy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up dancing at a competition studio and decided to further my dance education because of my experience touring in Europe with The Stars of Tomorrow during my senior year in high school; this was my aha! moment. After receiving a double major (BFA, Dance and BA, Sociology) and a minor in Cultural Anthropology from UCSB I started teaching in both fitness and dance studios while performing as much as I could. I briefly lived in Shanghai where I continued to train and perform. However, I always knew that I wanted to teach full-time in higher education. I then decided to attend the University of Arizona School of Dance (I received a full ride) and graduated with my MFA.
When I relocated back to Los Angeles, I performed with several dance companies, most prominently, Blue13 Dance Company. I was also hired contractually in many different schools from Scripps College and Pasadena City College to West Covina High School, SMUSD and LAUSD. Over the past decade, I have taught in the entire gamut of dance education. Today, I wear multiple hats as an Adjunct Professor at PCC, the Associate Director of San Marino Dance Academy, and a CAN Teacher Leader with the National Dance Education Organization. I also continue to teach fitness classes at STRIDE Pasadena and REV Cycle Studios in Eagle Rock and San Marino. I continue to look forward to what is in store in the future.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to teaching dance in higher education full-time isn’t a walk in the park. I learned that just because you have the degree doesn’t mean that you will get the full-time job offer right away. I was extremely disappointed at the multiple rejections (we’re talking a lot of rejections!!) however, after taking a step back I realized that I simply needed time to live life and while patience isn’t my best virtue, I have had to learn to smell the roses along the way and appreciate what I have. Looking back, if I received the full-time job, I would have missed out on a lot of performing opportunities like Disney California Adventure, the Ford, and Geffen Playhouse to name a few. In many ways, I would argue that the time spent performing made me a better teacher. I would also have been closed off to opportunities like serving on the Board of Directors for Boston Court Pasadena and receiving my certificate in Arts Management from UCI. Within the tapestry of teaching full-time in higher education, I have learned from colleagues that 25% of it is actively teaching in the studio space whereby the other 75% is a mix of serving on boards, mentoring students, and administrative work. Again, that is something that I don’t think I was ready for five years ago but now, I am more prepared to take that on with not only a better sense of self but also a better sense of how to serve a diverse student constituency.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a dance teaching artist that specializes in modern technique and contemporary dance styles. I would argue that outside of teaching in fitness and dance, I am most known for mentoring students when they transition from their studio training to college; many of my former students are now in college dance programs and/or dancing professionally. I am most proud when former students come to visit me and share all of their stories from college life and beyond. I believe that my ability to read the room is one of my superpowers.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Two things that have worked really well for me when networking are as follows: 1) connect with people outside of the niche you are comfortable with 2) volunteer and/or join organizations that serve your personal interests (i.e., book club, knitting club, running group, etc.). Not everything that I do is related to dance and those were the experiences that helped me grow as a person, which in turn informed all things dance. Also, when in the right context asking to interview people is a great lead in to finding a mentor. People are usually flattered when asked to talk about themselves and in this way, you can control the questions and see if the person is a right fit for you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: justalittle_joy_ride
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myra-joy-veluz/
- Other: Spotify profile: joy_ride
Image Credits
Ed Flores, Christopher Lewis, Lianna Nakashima Jess Nurse, and Daniel Valentine
