Conversations with Carly Lawrence

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Lawrence.

Hi Carly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing at the age of three years old where I continued my dance training at studios dancing competitively and graduated from Grand Center performing arts high school in St. Louis, MO. Growing up, I was thankful to have the opportunity to dance for the opening act for Nelly and Chrisette Michelle and perform at Super Jam.

After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles California to pursue my dance career professionally. Being originally from St. Louis, MO I now resides in LA. In the first few months of moving to LA, I was thankful to dance alongside The Chainsmokers on the American Music Awards 2016. Ian Eastwood has been an inspiration of mine growing up and he blessed me with my first big job opportunity. Later on through my agency, Clear Talent, I got the opportunity to dance with Halsey on The Voice. Also, I have worked alongside with top choreographers in the industry, Janelle Ginestra on a commercial for the well-known audio brand JBL. Alongside my dancing, I choreograph and teach at multiple studios teaching multiple styles such as hip hop, jazz, contemporary, jazz-funk and so much more. I have choreographed alongside Caleb Brauner for the Wild N’ Out Tour show in San Diego. Caleb Brauner and I own our own clothing line, convention and collective called KinFigure. I am currently still working in the LA commercial world perusing more of her dreams and can’t wait to see where the rest of my journey takes me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It is so important for people to know they aren’t the only ones going through struggles and bumps along the journey. The first year of living in LA, I was very much homesick. I am very close to my family so living halfway across the country from them was a huge adjustment. Then of course, we all know in this career there is bound to be plenty of no’s. Those no’s can start to get into your head to make you question if this path was for you or not. Learning that those no’s are because certain jobs were not in the path God created for you has helped me bounce back to just keep chasing my dreams and goals.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My heart is on the stage. I love performing. There’s nothing like creating and performing art that moves the audience. I’ve always been told my performance and connection with emoting was my strong suit. Dance is my outlet and I use it to not only let myself feel but to create movement that provokes feeling for myself and the audience. As an artist, we are all so different, but what I feel sets me apart from others is how I use my individual style and incorporate it into all styles of dance that I train in.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe my relentlessness is what continues to keep me successful. Success is not based off of what jobs you’ve done, who you’ve worked with or how much money you have. Success is that you made it to the next day and that you didn’t give up. I believe in myself and hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard, so if your a harder work and work hard to be talented, you can do anything you set your mind to.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kinfigure.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrence.carly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carly.lawrence.1128/?view_public_for=257587544734161
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaI8Bb505duc1opWVIhHWlw/featured

Image Credits:
@bemoremedia, @richlkatie, @elidewitz, @ajefxmedia