Check Out Tanisha De La Torre’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanisha De La Torre.

Hi Tanisha , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Absolutely! Surprisingly, if you can believe it, it all started with a YouTube video. I found a video of a Lebanese belly dancer in 2006, before I had ever even taken a class. My family noticed how interested I was, so they bought me a couple of belly dance workout DVDs,

It wasn’t until 2010, though, that I was able to take my first in person belly dance class at Palomar College in San Marcos. I trained with my first teacher and eventually joined her dance troupe, along with another local troupes here in the San Diego area.

One of the most influential experiences for me was joining the Oriental Jewels Belly Dance Company in 2013 under the artistic direction of Talia Jewel. That’s really where a lot of the foundation of who I am as a dancer today was built. Talia became a mentor to me, and she taught me so much—not just technique and musicality, but also professionalism, stage presence, and how to conduct yourself in the industry.

What really stayed with me was the environment she created for her students—a safe and supportive space where dancers could learn, grow, and explore their own paths, whether that was with her or with other instructors. That experience really inspired me to carry that same philosophy into my own dancing and teaching. .

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?
As for challenges, one of the hardest parts has been navigating the hierarchy within the industry and seeing how competition over gigs and dance “territories” can sometimes affect relationships between people. That was honestly pretty jarring for me when I first encountered it, especially because we speak so often about creating a supportive and inclusive community. We don’t always take the time to really look inward and examine ourselves and what community truly looks like in practice. It’s easy to talk about creating a supportive space, but it requires us to be intentional about how we treat one another, how we show up for each other, and how we make sure people actually feel welcomed and supported within that community.

Another challenge has been navigating body-size expectations within the industry. I’ve had clients and even other dancers tell me directly that I’m too big for certain opportunities. I understand that clients have their own preferences and are ultimately hiring performers for a specific vision. At the same time, it can be challenging when those expectations create assumptions about what a dancer is capable of physically or artistically based on my size.

For me, learning to navigate those perceptions while continuing to take my craft seriously has probably been one of my biggest challenges.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a semi-professional dancer, so dance is currently my part-time job. I’m a teacher, but I’m also a student myself, continuing my training through online modalities and in-person classes whenever I can. I currently perform as a soloist, but I’ve also been a member of various dance companies throughout San Diego and have trained in multiple genres.

I’m known for my sassy, bold performances and for being confident in my body, especially as a curvy dancer.

I’m most proud of continuing my dance training through the ups and downs and chaos of my personal life.

What really sets me apart is that I genuinely care about people. You’re not just a dollar sign to me or someone I’m trying to sell a gimmick to. I’m here to help you grow, whether that means growing with me or connecting you with another instructor who may be a better fit for you.

More than anything, I want my students to feel seen, heard, and connected. I’ve had students tell me they’ve had a rough day and that coming to my class allowed everything else to just shut off for a while. That means more to me than anything—the technique and musicality are important, but creating that feeling of connection and being seen is what I care about most.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are a lot of ways people can work with or support me. You can take one of my classes on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM at Vedanza Dance Studio in Oceanside, or book me for private lessons or performances, or collaborate with me on workshops, events, or creative projects.

I’m also always open to connecting with other dancers, instructors, musicians, and artists who want to create something together. And honestly, even just showing up to class, sharing my work, recommending me to someone, or supporting my performances means a lot.

For updates and upcoming classes, performances, and events, you can find me on social media at Tanisha Michelle Dance on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. You can also reach me directly at TanishaBellyDance@gmail.com.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanisha_michelle_dance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanishaBellyDance/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@TanishaMichelle_Dance/

Image Credits
3rd image in blue costume : Greg Siller – Active Media

4th image with sword – Fovea Photgraphy

5th image red costume: Nathan Choi

6th & 7th image with white costume and with bronze costume: Greg Siller Active Media