Daily Inspiration: Meet Laura Lanci

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Lanci.

Hi Laura, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Bilingual (Spanish-English) Actress, Singer, Dancer-Choreographer and Teacher from Argentina.

I was born and raised in Mar del Plata city, bordering the beautiful Atlantic coast of Argentina, into a family of musicians and educators. With a choir/orchestra conductor father, and a choir singer/schoolteacher mother, I developed musical interests as well as Performing Arts skills at a very early age.

At the age of twelve years old, I was able to travel to Buenos Aires with a group of dance students to see the Argentinian version of the show ‘Chicago, The Musical’. That experience impressed me very much, and gave me a purpose: to learn, perform, and teach Performing Arts, and to use them as an element for healing and kindness, to bring each other up in our communities, to plant a seed and build a better world.

I studied the three disciplines: Acting, Dance, and Singing in my home city, where I became a part of the Award-winning Dance Company ‘La Nouvelle Danse’, winning the 2004 Danzamerica Award for best performance in a Contemporary Dance piece.

At the age of 18, I moved to the Capital, Buenos Aires, to study the Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree, with a major in Dance and Choreography for Musical Theater, at ‘UNA’ The National University of the Arts. There, I auditioned and became a member of the first Argentinian Musical Theater Company ‘UNA’ created at the University by renowned director Ricky Pashkus.

I worked in several Theater shows, Classical Choir, Opera, and Musical Theater. Performing in ‘Carmina Burana’, ‘Suor Angelica’, participated in ‘Spring Awakening’ produced by Cris Morena, ‘A World of Cyrano’ directed by Manuel Gonzalez Gil, and in the ACE award (Tony equivalent) winner play ‘Headlines’, staged at The Alvear Theater in the famous Calle Corrientes, in Buenos Aires.

I had the amazing opportunity to perform on TV shows such as The Latin Sensation ‘Teen Angels’ (Casi Angeles). And on National televised Festivals such as ‘Amar del Plata’, and ‘Proud of my City’, a variety of prestigious musicals directed by Manuel Gonzalez Gil.

My dream was to come to the United States so that I could continue to learn, grow and improve my craft. So, In 2010, when The American Musical and Dramatic Academy came to Buenos Aires to have auditions, I decided to go for it! And so glad I did, I was given a scholarship to study The Musical Theater BFA program, in Hollywood.

It was difficult to leave Argentina, but my family and friends were very supportive of my decision, and that helped enormously. I had studied English for seven years, but there is nothing like having to learn the language in the actual country. I felt a cultural shock that lasted a couple of years, and there was a difficult period of adjustment. I think that my grandparents, who were Italian immigrants in Argentina, were my inspiration throughout the hardest times. Their example gave me the strength that I needed to continue to move forward. I learned much from them as well as from my parents. Values like faith, strength, courage, and determination were crucial for me to be able to continue on with this journey.

After University, I auditioned and performed with Bella Circo Company as a Featured Singer in the show ‘Oceania: An Underwater Journey’, at The Norris Center Theater for the Performing Arts in Southern California. I performed on TV shows such as ‘212 VIP Show’, ‘Dante Night Show’, on Commercials such as ‘Bud Light Platinum’ featuring Justin Timberlake at the Grammys, and was featured on ‘The Water Project’, and the Hispanic ‘Up’ Chevrolet Commercial showcasing my Voice Over skills, Nationally and Internationally.

As an Assistant Choreographer and dancer I worked in multiple shows including ‘The Tango Singer’ at Theater West, and Rasa: a feast of Emotion staged at The Lost Studio, in Hollywood.

One of my greatest passions is teaching Dance and Voice lessons. I hold a Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach Certification from New York Vocal Coaching.

I am very passionate about teaching. I love helping students reach their individual goals, from developing the craft of Performing Arts to healing through movement and song. From building confidence for public speaking to learning breathing exercises and better posture to improve their daily lives.

I currently reside in Los Angeles, CA. I am represented by Go 2 Talent Agency and BBA Talent Agency. I continue to advance my knowledge and experience working in the Performing Arts, TV, Film, and Commercials. As well as advancing on my teaching education.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles were plenty, for instance learning the language to be able to communicate better took a lot of hard work (I became a Certified Medical Interpreter on that journey). And I continue to learn more every day.

Not being able to work for a couple of years waiting on working papers to clear, was also a very challenging experience. Having faith, and being optimistic towards the future, focusing on training, and patience, made a positive difference throughout that time.

The struggles taught me to find faith and courage within myself to continue the pursue, understanding that it is a journey and a process and there is no real attainable end but only a present moment by moment, that can be enjoyed and appreciated. To follow my joy.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Artist and a Teacher. As a Teacher, I created a Voice and Movement program that accommodates all ages, and individual needs. I strongly believe in the healing power of Art.

I am most proud of the relationships I developed with the people that I encountered on my personal journey, realizing the importance of supporting each other, creating safe community spaces to rely on. I have strong ties to some friends from Argentina, and we continue to support each other on our separate journeys. I also continue to meet kind friends along the way.

I believe that kindness and authenticity are most needed in the world we live in today.

What sets me apart from others I think is is the way in which I open up to others. I create a safe and loving space for people to feel they can be themselves, they can make mistakes, we can laugh together, and find a kind and efficient way to achieve their goals and highest potential.

I believe in people when they do not believe in themselves, I have faith that they can achieve what they do not believe to be possible. And through that faith, I have seen marvelous transformations. People seeing that they actually can and that they do!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk I took was deciding to stay in the United States. I had a life set up for me in Argentina, but I fell in love with whom today is my husband, and I had to make that decision, being far away from everyone and everything I knew at the time was very difficult. I know that my decision was the best one for me at the time because I evolved in many ways, I am better than I was before, I grew and because of that, I can now help others through that growing process as well.

I believe that every day is a gift and so I intend to live life to the fullest. I believe that risk taking is about not being afraid of what we call ‘failure’ or ‘success’. I take risks because for me the only failure is to not try again. And the greatest success is to be kind to myself regardless of the outcome.

I believe that if you have a dream you will find the way to pursue it, and it will be completely unique to you. When you focus your mind, work hard, keep going and not give up, when you do not listen to the rejection, you can overcome and achieve anything life throws your way.

I think it is important to meditate on looking at life from how do you want to feel when you last close your eyes? What is truly important to you? How do you want to serve the world? What places do you want to see? Who do you want to talk to? What do you want to say to them? Will this matter that much in the next five years?

These questions guide me to make decisions. Most importantly, I think we all want to feel peace. So the decisions we make need to be followed by a feeling of peace, I think the best answer lies there.

Contact Info:

• Email: lauralanciarts@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lauralanciarts/
• Facebook: es-la.facebook.com/lauralanciarts/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lauralanci
• Twitter: @lauralanciarts
• Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCj0P1KofN8NhJmAByzHBMDg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/laura-lanci