Daily Inspiration: Meet Gabrielle Tumaneng

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Tumaneng

Hi Gabrielle, 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?
Music has always been at the heart of my life. From childhood piano lessons—thanks to my mom’s encouragement—to the lively DIY karaoke sessions at family gatherings, music was a constant presence. Growing up in a culture where music was embraced also meant being exposed to other forms of expression, particularly dance. For me, dancing wasn’t just an art form—it was a social activity, a way to connect with others, and the sense of community that came with it was what truly captivated me. This is where my passion for dance first took root.

As a little girl, I often imagined myself as a pop star, singing and dancing on stage. Whether in the living room, car rides home from school, or even in the kitchen, I would turn any space into a stage. I often would watch music videos that were playing on the TV and copy the dancers in the background. My mom eventually bought the popular game ‘Just Dance’ for our Wii, and I became obsessed. After school, I’d rush home to play, learning the choreography by heart. Eventually, I got so comfortable that I would turn away from the screen and perform the routines for my family during our gatherings.

When a new version of ‘Just Dance’ was released the following year, my mom couldn’t afford it. But that didn’t stop me. Determined to keep dancing, I took to YouTube, searching for tutorials. That’s when I discovered a whole new world: a class video from the Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. I had no idea such a space existed, where people could take dance classes and learn from top choreographers. I was instantly inspired. From then on, I binge-watched class videos, trying to teach myself the choreography. It wasn’t long before I realized that I wanted to be a dancer just like those I saw in the videos.

As I grew older, I found several opportunities to train. I attended local kids’ dance camps and even auditioned for a competitive hip-hop team, where I was fortunate to make the cut. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, my mom couldn’t support my participation. But I didn’t let that stop me. I made the most of what I had, and continued to learn from the drop-in classes my mom could afford and choreography from class videos on YouTube to continue my training.

At 16, I joined the “Weekend Warriors” training company at Harbour Dance Centre under the guidance of Eric Malapad, focusing primarily on Hip Hop and Grooving. After a few seasons, I took a leap and auditioned for a more prestigious company, “Illustrative Society,” led by Joe Tuliao. I didn’t think I’d make it, especially since I had no formal training from a young age. But to my surprise, Joe saw something in me and welcomed me into the company. During this time, I was also scouted to join “Apprentice,” an all-girls competitive team led by Prince Nii Engmann. That’s when my serious dance training truly began to take off.

Both Joe and Prince Nii played pivotal roles in my development as a dancer, helping me refine my skills in various styles like Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Commercial and Afro Dance Styles. Thanks to their mentorship, I’ve had the opportunity to perform on stages locally and internationally, including at World of Dance, Monsters Dance, and Kaos. I also participated in my first production, ‘Awaken’, an experience that shaped my artistic vision. To this day, I consider both Joe and Prince invaluable mentors, and I continue to take their classes and share the stage with them whenever I can.

Then, COVID-19 hit, and everything changed. The world went into lockdown, forcing me to look for new ways to train. I enrolled in online programs and connected with choreographers in Los Angeles, joining the ‘TEMP’ Program with Tristan Edpao and the ‘Troupe Dance Company’ under Antoine Troupe. These programs helped me build connections within the LA dance scene, and once the world started to open up again, I made a spontaneous trip to LA to further develop my skills. Since then, I’ve been traveling back and forth, training with Troupe Dance Company and Kolanie Marks in his program, ‘The Room and Board.’ These experiences have had a profound impact on my growth as a dancer and expanded my understanding of different styles.

Through relentless pursuit and a desire to be the best version of myself, I’ve carved out a unique path in the dance world. Today, I’m signed with Premiere Talent Management, teach weekly at A3 District Studio, and perform regularly on stage, even landing roles in commercials. Looking back, little Gaby would never have imagined that she’d be doing the things I do now. But I keep chasing my dreams, knowing that every step forward is a tribute to the girl I once was—and a promise to make her proud.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My dance journey has been anything but smooth. I didn’t start until high school, much later than most, and with no formal training. I had to figure things out on my own, adapting as I went along.

One of my biggest challenges was finding my place in the Vancouver dance scene. I started later than others, didn’t have the traditional dance upbringing, and dipped into the competitive world briefly. I spent a few seasons in a training company but eventually left to expand my training independently. Instead of committing to just one studio, I sought out a variety of places to learn, gathering diverse experiences along the way. I felt like I was always in between—never fitting neatly into any one box. At first, this made me feel uncomfortable, even self-conscious. I didn’t have a “safe” space where I could feel fully settled. But over time, as I grew more confident, I came to see how much of an advantage this in-between space gave me. By not limiting myself to one style or studio, I was able to learn from many different people and methods, which ultimately shaped my own unique style—something people now recognize me for.

Another struggle I faced was building confidence in myself and my abilities. Early on, I often hid behind the “late bloomer” label, holding back in class and avoiding the spotlight. Even when opportunities came my way—whether to lead a piece, perform solo, or participate in a group—I’d hold myself back, telling myself it wasn’t the right time or that I wasn’t ready yet. I told myself, “I need to accomplish X, Y, and Z before I can take that step.” But eventually, I started noticing that I was being overlooked for opportunities I knew deep down I wanted. That’s when I realized I was the one holding myself back all along. There was never going to be a perfect time, and there was no checklist to complete. The time was now, and I had to make the move.

Once I understood this, I began to take action. I stopped waiting for everything to be perfect and started stepping up, even if I might mess up along the way. I knew that if I didn’t take control of my own path, no one else would. When I didn’t have a regular teaching slot, I created my own pop-up classes, which eventually led to my own weekly teaching schedule. When I wasn’t signed with an agency, I worked tirelessly on my portfolio, re-submitted it multiple times, and eventually got signed with Premiere Talent Management, where I’ve been for over a year now. When I wanted to produce my own live performance, I went the extra mile —- I got customized costumes for my dancers and even filmed a documentary about the experience. Every idea I once dreamed about became a reality because I took that first step.

Through it all, I’ve learned that the dance journey will never be easy or predictable. It’s filled with both obstacles and unexpected rewards, keeping me on my toes at all times. But no matter what challenges come my way, I know I’ll find a way through.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional dancer and choreographer based in Vancouver, Canada, specializing in Hip Hop and Open Style dance. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to perform in a variety of settings, from international commercials and music videos to background dancing on stage and choreographing live performances.

In addition to my work as a performer and choreographer, I teach an Advanced Hip Hop class at A3 District Dance Studio and host my own pop-up classes around Vancouver. In my classes, my goal is to offer students more than just choreography. I aim to help them develop both their technical skills and creative expression, encouraging them to grow not only as dancers but as artists. I strive to create an environment where students feel comfortable exploring their individuality while also executing movements with precision and thoughtfulness. It’s about balancing artistic freedom with intentional execution, pushing them to constantly challenge themselves.

I like to call myself a bit of a dance chameleon, because you never know what style I’ll bring next. My dance style is distinct, blending influences from various movement forms into one fluid expression. I’m known for my versatility and strong stage presence—when I perform, I bring a fiery, expressive energy that connects with the audience. I love feeding off the crowd’s energy and creating a dynamic exchange that makes every performance feel alive.

In my classes, I keep things exciting by offering a different vibe each week. One week, I might teach a strong, intricate piece with an instrumental feel; the next, I could shift to something slow and fluid with a touch of feminine energy; and the following week, it could be a style deeply rooted in Hip Hop. I embrace the variety of styles I can offer, not just to push my own creativity, but also to keep my students engaged and challenged, keeping them on their toes.

This year has been full of proud moments, and I’m incredibly grateful for the exciting opportunities and creative growth I’ve experienced. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some exciting projects, including being featured in two national commercials: ‘Calia: Inspire Collection’ and ‘Frito-Lay’. I’m also proud to have choreographed a live stage performance for emerging artist ‘Temia’, bringing her unique style to life through movement. Additionally, I had the privilege of working as a background dancer for ‘Nikkaela’, performing as part of her opening act on stage. On top of that, my own film and documentary, ‘GABY’, has just been released and selected for the 2025 Coast Mountain Film Festival.

All of these achievements were made possible because I believed in myself and continuously pushed the boundaries of what I thought was possible. The moment I decided to stop hiding in the shadows and step into my own light, everything started to fall into place. I began to transform into the person I had always envisioned myself becoming.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
A fun twist about me is that by day, I’m a Preschool Teacher and I’ve been shaping little minds for the past years! It’s a bit of a plot twist, but it’s true. I spend my mornings educating a lively bunch of three-and-a-half to five year olds, and by night, I’m dancing my heart out. It’s like I’m living a double life — basically I’m the Hannah Montana in my world!

As a professional dancer, we all know the struggle of maintaining consistent income. That’s where my job as an early childhood educator really comes in handy—it helps fuel my dance pursuits while I work toward making dance my full-time career.

When you’re in front of a classroom full of little ones, you quickly learn to embrace your inner goof and get comfortable with it! It’s all about being playful and creative, which directly influences how I teach dance. This approach helps create a relaxed, fun atmosphere where students feel free to be themselves and fully express their creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://bit.ly/_gabrielletumaneng
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbgabs_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabrielletumaneng