Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhesus Aponte.
Hi Jhesus, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I come from a family of musicians. My father is a bass player and all of my paternal relatives are musically inclined, most playing a minimum of two instruments. Music was constantly played in my house and Salsa, the cultural music and dance of Puerto Rico, became embedded in my subconscious in the same way learning to speak does. It’s not something you think about, it’s something you simply know. I inherent love for dance.
I took a more professional turn at the hands of a friend who took me to an aerobic jazz class. I was enchanted of that first formal lesson and I decided to start training to become a more complete dancer. I started training in Jazz, Ballet, modern, contemporary, Music Theatre, Tap, Hip Hop, Swing, Hustle, Flamenco and Rumba and pole dance among others. In 1992, I landed my first job and I haven’t stopped working since then. Traveling around the world teaching and performing and also working for many amazing talented Artists.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an Artist means itself it’s not a smooth road. It’s a delicate matter, it is significant that it has not been easy to become one. Being able to create, not having time, not having money, sometimes not being able to be as creative as one wants, the bullying, people who want to get in your way, directly or indirectly or that one simply does not have the necessary help to be able to achieve your goals. What has helped me is my positivism, my desire to fight, to move forward, perhaps my character; It is not easy to let my mind beat me or for people to want to get in my way. Already when I have passed many of these obstacles, I have begun to have the support of my family, friends and followers.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Profesional Dancer/Choreographer/Creative Director/Dance Teacher & Founder of JAWDX (Jhesus Aponte’s World Dance Experience). My specialty is dancing, creating, putting together very talented puzzles & developing other artists. I am known for been two times world salsa champion. In the world of salsa, I am known for Salsa cabaret; where I fusion salsa with acrobatics tricks and lifts with great elegance and also Latin fusion, where I fuse Caribbean rhythms with other genres, such as hip-hop, reggaeton, flamenco, jazz, among others. I’m most proud of every single step that has taken me to the next level, where I have learned and I keep learning every single day.
What sets me apart from others is my knowledge in all the disciplines that I’ve studied and trained, my way of being and being able to create, because each one of us is good in his way of being and creating, some of us are more creative than others or more cheerful. I like to realize my projects little by little, sometimes right at the moment, I go for them, I follow my intuition, I am very stubborn, I like to be original, I do not copy anyone because even if my work is not recognized, at least I feel proud that I am unique. I am proud of my versatility as an artist and I don’t like being labeled.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I’m a morning person. Every morning I wake up thanking God and the Universe for my existence. It makes me happy to listen to the music that I like, that moves my soul, to dance, to think about what I have achieved, the world that I have seen traveling and knowing other cultures and recognizing where I have arrived and it has made me be the person I am today day!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.Jhesusaponte.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhesusaponte
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jhesusjam
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jhesusjam
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/jhesusjam
Image Credits
Photography by: Maurizio Montani & Seo Fernandez
