Check Out Aileen Ahmed’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Ahmed

Hi Aileen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The best paths in life always happen when you take a risk and dive into the unknown. With that being said, I’ve loved dancing as a child which I feel dance is innate to any joyous soul and is innate to human expression. But growing up with strict parents who are Muslim and Catholic, as well as in a household that strictly valued solely higher education, I could never pursue dance or take class even for fun as it was forbidden and had to purely give my all to my studies and academics with the goal of becoming a doctor that was set for me. The need to make my parents proud was always my prerogative. While I made it to my dream college, University of California, Santa Barbara, and had my head in the books, I always felt like there was a dimension of life and being that I wanted to express and honor in myself. I found myself curious to paint and try the arts even though my family always felt it taboo.

It was in college where I felt the freedom to explore and try new things. In a summer, I decided to enroll in an “Intro. to Mangrove Salsa” and “Introduction to Drawing” course and that summer definitely was one that changed the trajectory of my entire life. In dance class, even though I had no sense of coordination, I felt a happiness and joy I’ve never felt in my life! I felt the world melt away along with all the expectations on me and all that was left was pure magic of my spirit! I became utterly obsessed at that point and it became all I cared about. I found myself wanting to always salsa practice and meeting friends who always wanted to practice too. One thing let to another and I joined my first dance company in Los Angeles, called Salsa Intocable. I would train and practice the hardest and quickly rose to MVP in that dance company. I soon started to share my drive and passion at the college level and founded the Latin dance team there as well where we choreographed, competed, and even collaborated with live shows with the Latin Jazz Ensemble. We called ourselves Team Jambei, and that was my first dance family where I led with my dedication and vibrant obsession for the craft. Next I joined Los Anormales, a well-known international dance company led by my mentors Rodrigo Cortazar and Selene Tovar where we would continue to train and perform at the national level at festivals and headline those events. That was where my dance style and technique changed to New york Style or salsa on2.

Later, I had the need to be my own artist. Performing routines from other dancers was a great experience, however, when I performed from how the music felt to my own being and interpretation, a new realization of myself as a dancer was experienced. From there,I began to create my own routines and shows and then had a following of dance enthusiasts that appreciated my art. And so began Eros Dance Company, led by yours truly where I was the artistic director, choreographer, and led the team and performed nationally and taught at internationally as well.

I’m so blessed that salsa dancing allowed me to travel to parts of the world I never thought of, and to share my passion with people all over the world and make an impact to others near and far, seen and unseen, is a treasure to my soul while at the same time exploring the depths of my own being and create makes me speechless. So in love to live with an authentic truth and share it with all around me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a dance between both. Many moments of obstacles followed my utmost magic and opportunities. But ultimately an upward cycle I would never want to change. Some struggles along the way would include my own introversion and getting passed it to be able to share my art with others. Also being vulnerable to take the stage teaching and performing so many times and leading rooms with my energy from a couple of people to hundreds. Another obstacle was hiding my passion and love for dance from my father as it is still considered haram and forbidden. This is by far a deep-seated and most greatest obstacle but am so proud of myself and how far I’ve come despite it. Another obstacle would be people who would pretend to be friends but would then try to bring me down and hinder my work opportunities. I led with kindness and trust however I learned the hard way that not everyone is your friend and the ability to discern in others their intention is the greatest asset and skill to thrive.

No matter the obstacle, I have grown profoundly as a woman because of it and my world is filled with bliss. Also, I can honestly say I’m so proud of the woman I became through all my obstacles and truly they were all gifts in disguise. God has always stayed with me and he gave me so much power to overcome and to have done all the things I did that not many people can say they’ve done.

I’m blessed to have all the experiences I’ve had so far in this wonderful journey of life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional salsa dancer! I am the artistic director of Eros Dance Company where I teach salsa group classes and hold rehearsals for my ladies team where we train and grow and perform together! I’m known for my unique sensual style of body movement and musicality and footwork.

I’m most proud of our sisterhood and the experiences we share together and what sets us apart is our unique interpretation of music and movement and creativity and our growth together as a team.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important qualities intrinsic to my success is my intuition and my ability to listen to my inner voice before and above any external influence, This led me to the depths of my art, my personality, my identity, my passion, as well as an ability to navigate any obstacle or hardship with truth and grace and detachment and to lead and grow everyone around me.

Pricing:

• Private lesson package of 10 ($1200)
• 1 Private lesson $145 per hour
• Eros Ladies Team membership dues $150/month

Contact Info:

• Instagram: aileenrose.eros