Today we’d like to introduce you to Aldonza.
Hi Aldonza , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started dancing when I was three years old. It all began when I used to go with my mom to the mall, where there was a ballet academy. I would see the older girls walking into class in their ballet uniforms, and I was completely mesmerized. What first caught my eye, and the main reason I begged my mom to sign me up, was the classic pink outfit with the tutu and ballet shoes.
My mom made my wish come true, and as soon as I turned three, which was the minimum age to enroll, she took me to my very first ballet class. And the rest is history. I’ve always been the kind of child who needed to move constantly. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I was always in motion.
As I mentioned before, my very first contact with dance was ballet, and to this day, I can say it was my first love. As I grew, I started exploring other styles like flamenco, modern theater, jazz, and a little bit of hip-hop. The older I got, the deeper my love and passion for dance became.
During my childhood and teenage years, I got certified in Ballet and Modern Theater by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London, England. Later on, I discovered the world of conventions and competitions, both nationally and internationally. That meant training even harder, diving deeper into the styles I already knew while adding contemporary, jazz funk, and street jazz to my routine. Competing and performing in recitals required much more time, effort, and discipline, but I loved every second of it.
It was through those recitals and competitions that I discovered what truly made me feel alive, the feeling of being on stage. Only those who have danced on stage can understand how magical that moment is. The lights, the music, the adrenaline, it’s something indescribable. From that moment on, I knew that this was my path. No matter how hard, frustrating, or challenging it might be, I knew I was meant to be a professional dancer.
One of my biggest dreams growing up was to move to New York City after graduating high school to keep training and chase my dreams. Fortunately, with the incredible support of my parents, support that I’ve had since day one. I made that dream come true. I moved to New York in 2023, where I became part of the Independent Study Program at Peridance Center for a year and a half. There, I had the opportunity to train with some of the best artists in the New York dance industry.
Moving to New York also made me realize what I truly wanted to focus on, the commercial industry, specializing in street styles. After that, I had the opportunity to be part of the fourth generation of the CLI Conservatory, directed by Teddy Forance, where I graduated in June of this year.
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?
Not everything has been easy. Throughout my life, I’ve had to give up certain things for dance. Although, I don’t really like calling them sacrifices, because it was always me who chose to make those decisions, to prioritize my training and my passion. I remember that ever since I was little, and even to this day, I’ve missed social and family events because I had rehearsals or training. I’ve lost friendships and important relationships in my life for staying true to my dreams.
But again, I don’t see them as sacrifices, because no one forced me into this path, it was me, my passion, and my love for dance that led me to live a life very different from what people consider a “normal” childhood or adolescence.
Throughout my journey, I’ve also dealt with serious injuries that have forced me to stop dancing completely for periods of time. Those moments left me feeling deeply angry, sad, and most of all, lost. But now, I’m grateful for what I learned from those experiences. In those times when my life felt meaningless without dance, I realized how much of my identity, my personality, and my entire being I had tied to it.
That’s why getting injured was so painful, it felt like losing a part of myself, because I thought I was nothing without dance. But the truth is, I’m more than just a dancer. And thanks to those moments of struggle, my relationship and love for dance transformed in a positive way, one that has impacted me not only as an artist, but also as a human being.
Another challenge I’ve had to face, and something I’ve learned with time, is to stop letting ignorant opinions or narrow-minded comments affect me when it comes to living through art.
Growing up in Mexico, I come from a culture and a society where art is often undervalued, and being an artist is seen as something unrealistic or unstable. I still remember being in school when teachers would ask what we wanted to be when we grew up. Every time I proudly said, “I want to be a dancer,” people would laugh or reply, “No, seriously, what do you really want to be?” Others would say things like, “That’s not a real career,” or “Are you really willing to be poor?”
Those words used to hurt, because they came from people who didn’t understand what it feels like to be driven by passion, to wake up every morning wanting to express yourself through movement. For a long time, I had to fight against those ideas, even within myself, to truly believe that following my dreams didn’t make me naïve or irresponsible, it made me brave.
Even now, I still face judgment when people ask what I do for a living. But today, I no longer feel the need to explain or defend my choices. I’ve learned to carry my art with pride, because dance isn’t just something I do, it’s a reflection of who I am, what I believe in, and everything I’ve worked for.
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?
As I mentioned before, I recently graduated from the CLI Conservatory, one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had so far, not only as a dancer, but as a person.
During the conservatory, I had the opportunity to train with some of the best choreographers, dancers, and teachers in the industry. We were prepared to face and be ready for the professional opportunities that cities like New York and Los Angeles have to offer. But beyond the technical and professional growth, one of the most valuable things I take from the conservatory is the family I found there. Without my friends, this experience wouldn’t have been even remotely the same. I feel truly lucky to have crossed paths with such genuine and kind people, because finding that in this industry isn’t always easy. I’ll be forever grateful to life for giving me the gift of my group of friends.
As I’ve said before, what I love the most are street styles, performing, and the commercial dance industry, which is what I’ve been mainly focusing on. However, I still have a deep love and appreciation for ballet, concert dance, and contemporary, all of which I truly enjoy.
That’s why I consider myself a versatile dancer, and I believe that’s one of the most valuable qualities an artist can have in this industry. Nowadays, you can’t just specialize in one style, the more you know, the more doors open for you.
Currently, I’m represented by Reves Agency, the biggest dance agency in Mexico, and I’m in the process of exploring and discovering the commercial dance industry in Mexico City.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Without a doubt, my parents and my brother have been my greatest support throughout my entire career. Without them, this dream wouldn’t mean anything.
Having an artist as a child isn’t easy. They’ve seen me heartbroken after not getting the results I hoped for in an audition, they’ve lived through my injuries with me, and they’ve had to endure ignorant comments from people questioning why they would ever let their daughter pursue a career in the arts.
They’ve been there through every high and low, every doubt and every victory. Their love, patience, and belief in me have been the foundation that keeps me grounded and allows me to keep going, even on the hardest days. I truly owe everything to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/AldonzaSantana
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aldonza.santana/
Image Credits
David Flores Rubio
