Check Out Dante Rose’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Rose.

Hi Dante, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Santa Barbara and raised in San Diego by my mother with my younger brother for about a decade before moving to Houston to live with my father. After a stint in the Armed Forces I relocated to NorCal (Sacramento then Oakland). I started getting super interested in film, television and music at a very young age. My mother would tell stories about me programming the VCR at two years old, and my grandmother (rest her soul) used to love telling me how I would order her (with incoherent baby babble but she got the point) to put on her rock and roll records so I could dance in her bedroom. By all accounts I was a curious and strange child who was bound to have an interesting life.

I started acting at a young age and even was signed with an agency for a while, but it wasn’t until I moved to Houston when my passion was awakened. I started dancing seriously when I was introduced to Breaking and House Dance but it wasn’t until my time in Norcal when I really began to flourish as an artist. It was there I connected with the legendary Circle of Fire crew and really started to make a name for myself. I went on tour with a really great dance theatre company and won a decent amount of championships. Shortly after that I made my way down here to pursue a career in entertainment and now I am currently teaching at USC as well as through my own independent program; Renovate.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, no, no.

Much like anyone each chapter was marked with its own struggles. I was a victim of bullying in Houston. I was creole with a Californian accent and strange apart from my already distinct regional strangeness. But the injustice of that, would enlarge my passion and engage my mind ultimately. I began to ask questions about character, questions I wouldn’t answer for years, questions I still ponder to this day.

In the military I struggled with authority, identity and a type of bullying that I was sure I would be free of post high school.

When I arrived in Oakland, the Bay Area was dealing with a housing affordability crisis and I was dropped right in the thick of that. I had a lot of trouble finding steady work and for a few years was forced to live in my car. It was a very jarring experience going from championship battles and cheering sold out theaters to getting in my car and sleeping in a parking lot on treasure island. Eventually my car conked out and I was forced to leave the Bay Area entirely.

Some really great friends helped me get on my feet enough to make my way to Los Angeles where I was able to get into transitional housing and get my own place for the first time in 7 years – wow can’t believe it was that long. Unfortunately I would soon become sick and diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had the choice to live with it and try experimental medications or to get a procedure to have it removed. I opted for the procedure as the medication route would have essentially ended my ability to dance in any serious capacity, and professional or not I can’t imagine a would where I couldn’t dance. I was very blessed in that I had great support on my side during that time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a performing artist (musician, actor, dancer) and educator. Currently my work outside of teaching at USC involves writing and acting on independent film, live performances and my progressive dance program Renovate House Dance that I do with my good friend Jess Smith.

I have an album: *TASTE* is an interactive multimedia art campaign that blends music, performance art, fictional social media characters, and real-world audience interaction into a single immersive experience. It was originally developed during the pandemic, the project combined a concept album with puzzle-solving installations across Los Angeles, inviting participants to actively uncover the story rather than simply hear and observe it. *TASTE* explores themes of identity, digital performance, and human connection while pushing the boundaries between physical and virtual art spaces. I also have two EPs: Spice Rack Vol 1 & 2. They are all out under the Moniker: D’osito.

I am also hoping to get into the Sundance development track. So fingers crossed.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never regret being generous.

Pricing:

• Private Dance Lessons – $100/hr
• Progressive Dance Program – $300/4 weeks
• Creative Direction Session – $350
• Artist Identity & Project Strategy Session – $500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.renovatehousedance.com/
• Instagram: clappingonthe2

Image Credits
Ralph Rances

Victoria Villamil

Sarah Rodriguez

Ben Conde