Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephan Mero-De La Cruz.
Hi Stephan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, music was always a big part of my life, especially Spanish music playing at family gatherings. I would dance on my own at parties, and one day my family saw that spark in me and decided to put me in dance classes. I was really young, and to be honest, I didn’t love it right away. Midway through, I switched to taekwondo and soccer instead.
A couple years later, I rediscovered my love for dance. Watching Michael Jackson videos and seeing dancers from Canada on YouTube pulled me right back in. That’s when I started training seriously at studios like Jade’s Hip Hop Academy and Dancercise. I stayed in the studio scene for about six to seven years, and during that time, one of my biggest early milestones was dancing for Justin Bieber at age twelve.
From there, I transitioned into the industry side of dance, joining Dark Dance Company and touring with The Dance Experience as an Elite Protégé. Being surrounded by so many talented dancers from all over the world deepened my passion and pushed me to keep evolving.
Since moving to LA, one of the proudest moments in my journey has been becoming a leader and instructor at Millennium Dance Complex, one of the most iconic studios in the world. Being able to teach there and pour into the next generation of dancers is something I take seriously and hold with a lot of pride.
I’ve also had the opportunity to dance for artists like Jennie, the Jonas Brothers, Jessie Murph, Luis Fonsi for the Gold Cup, Benjamin Elgar, and LUCK. I feel incredibly grateful to be doing what I love and I’m just getting started. There’s so much more ahead and I’m excited for it all.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
no struggles
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
im a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor with a deep-rooted passion for hip hop, jazz funk, and street jazz. I’ve been training and performing for most of my life, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with artists like Jennie BLACKPINK) the Jonas Brothers, Luis Fonsi, jessie murph and Justin Bieber. I’m currently based in Los Angeles, where I work as an instructor and leader at Millennium Dance Complex, one of the most iconic studios in the world. What I specialize in and what I’m truly known for is my energy, musicality, and storytelling through movement. I’m proud of the industry work I’ve done, but what I’m most proud of is the role I’ve taken on as a teacher. Teaching at Millennium has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. Being able to mentor dancers from all over the world and help them grow, not just technically but as artists and individuals, is something I hold with immense pride and responsibility. What sets me apart is my ability to connect. I’ve walked both paths—the studio and industry world and that dual perspective allows me to bridge the gap for young dancers. Whether it’s preparing someone for an audition, helping them find their confidence, or simply inspiring them to push past their limits, I approach teaching with passion, empathy, and intention. My goal is always to give back to the community that shaped me and to create a space where dancers feel seen, challenged, and empowered.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly, I’m naturally introverted, so networking didn’t come easily to me at first. I used to think that to connect with people in the industry, you had to be super outgoing or always in the mix but over time, I learned that showing up as yourself is what really matters. For me, the connections and mentors I’ve had came naturally, not from forcing anything. I just focused on putting in the work, being consistent, and staying open. Whether it was on a job for an artist or at Millennium Dance Complex, the relationships I’ve built came from mutual respect and genuine energy not trying to “network,” but just being present and contributing to the space I was in. As I got more comfortable in those environments, I started coming out of my shell. Teaching at Millennium has been a huge part of that. Being in a leadership role pushed me to connect more, to speak up, and to pour into others. Ironically, teaching helped me grow into the kind of mentor I once looked for. So my advice to other introverted artists is this: you don’t have to change who you are to make meaningful connections. Let your work speak, be kind, and stay open to learning. The right people will gravitate toward that energy and the right mentors will show up when you’re ready to receive them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephan_mero/
Image Credits
Mary Mason – Headshots
Choey – Rehearsal for Jennie’s Coachella 2025 performance
Brian Ziff – Artist photo for Benjamin Elgar (from “Better Now” music video)
Gavin James Taylor – Artist photo for Benjamin Elgar (from “Better Now” music video)
