Today we’d like to introduce you to Joséphine Remy.
Hi Joséphine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Switzerland. I started dancing when I was five years old. I fell in love with just dancing in general and at the age of 13, it started getting serious. I started dancing in a hip hop company and won a lot of competitions. Right after I started a dance school – a two-year program – only in street styles – so my life was filled with classes but only in hip hop, house dance, popping, locking, and more… At that time, I fell in love with freestyle and started battles. I became the top three hip hop female freestylers in my country and started traveling Europe battling and dancing. I was only 17 at that time. To be able to make money on the side I decided to start teaching with my best friend Mamadou Kalombo. In a year we passed from 50 students to 200 students – so we created our own dance school named K-unik. We had this school for seven years. It was very successful. We were traveling the world, competing and battling. We didn’t know much at that time to have a dance school but we were so passionate and very good at what we do. In the meantime, I was still going to school and did an apprenticeship in banking.
My parents wanted me to get a diploma before trying to be a full-time dancer. It wasn’t and still not is a common thing in my country. But more and more, my passion got stronger, and I have always dreamed of dancing with the biggest stars on the planet. In 2013, I finally decided to make the move. I go to New York City and audition for Peridance Capezio Center – a two-year certificate program! I did it and passed the audition! In 2014, time to move to the USA! It was so challenging to leave my family behind and move by myself in the United States. The first few months were very challenging, le level in the dance community, the culture, the mentality…. everything was different from my country. It felt so lonely at first but then I knew it was my dream and I will fight for it.
After graduating from the program everything started – in 2017, I got my 01 visa and started working as a professional dancer. I have worked with French Montana, Faith Evans, Jadakiss, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg & more. And also started working with a lot of reggeaton artists like Myke Towers, Arcangel, Bad Bunny, Jhay Cortez, & more. In 2018, I decided to move to Los Angeles to reach higher levels. I got signed by go2 Talents agency and my dreams got bigger and bigger. I started choreographing for big reggeaton artists, travelling the world, dancing also in awards shows (Grammys, Latin American music awards, people choice awards) dancing with Shania Twain, Jbalvin & many more. In addition to my career in the USA, I started teaching in Switzerland and created the first commercial dance intensive in my country – named Talents Factory.
Talent Factory is a concept where I can bring my knowledge to the dancers in my country. I teach different types of workshops and intensives. Now hundreds of women come to train with me when I visit Switzerland and my family. And cannot wait to keep bringing the knowledge that I have learned in those past years from this industry and giving opportunities to dancers in Switzerland.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been pretty blessed but I’m such a positive human being that I know that everything has a reason. But obviously, it was many struggles during the way:
– The hardest has been being away from friends and family. I wish I could have my family and friends with me.
– I injured myself very badly in a disk in my lower back during my program at Peridance. I thought I would have to go back to Switzerland. I had to stop dancing for three months. Wasn’t able to even put socks on… But with a lot of healing and time, I was able to keep dancing even tho a doctor told me I should stop. I fight for it and still have pain sometimes but I’m glad I am aware that I need to take care of my body.
– The struggle about the 01 visa. I have done it three times now. It’s so much money and time… it’s a very challenging process. But I’m glad I did it and now I got my green card approved so I will be finally good for 10 more years.
– Also the fact that we need to always work on our confidence level. The amount of competition and rejection is very heavy in our industry. But it is also a beautiful thing when you finally know your worth and don’t let this define you.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. What I am the most proud of:
– Leaving my country to come to the USA and achieve all my dreams. I would had never imagined realizing everything I wanted. Of course, I have still a dream that I want to achieve. But coming as a foreign is not easy, and not having your family.
I am very proud to have now my green card it is such a big accomplishment after all those years in the USA. I am also very proud of Talents Factory – the classes that I give in Switzerland. I have bring the community together and mainly brought “heels in my country”. When I started teaching heels in Switzerland it wasn’t really a thing and now my country is very good at it.
– I think what sets me apart from others is my mindset. Might be cliche, but I do everything with my heart. I just want to walk in peace and do what I love with so much happiness. I don’t take anything for granted so I try to remain grateful in everything that I do and or receive. I love sharing my art and my knowledge and having genuine relationships and connections.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
The dancing shows with my sisters. My two sisters are my best friends. When we were children we all loved to create dance shows and show it to my parents (ahahah and they HAD to watch it). We really had so much fun creating and dancing and singing together. We were having a special outfit for it and we really took that seriously.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.josephineremy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephine_remy/
Image Credits
Marine Remy, Erick Delgado, Nicolas Stajic
