Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bauford
Hi Lisa, 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?
Hmmm, my story. Where do I start. I guess we can start with when dance became my life. My family has always been a dancing family but not like competition. More , every family gathering we were battling each other on the dance floor (side note: my mom out dances me everytime) and that’s what brought us all together. My cousin, who’s a well know choreographer in NYC now took his passion to the next step and created a dance crew that I joined not too long after. After winning a few dance completions I started entering battles in Tampa. At first alone which we call 1V1 battles and then with a partner. Found out my passion was freestyle. There’s was always something about entertaining a crowd and putting smiles on faces that brought joy to me. After winning a few battles I caught the eye of “Mouse Vadar” who then was the crew leader from Enigma Dance Kru” based in Tampa, FL. I joined the crew and started performing In different corporate events and for our very own Tampa Bay Devil Rays for their hip hop night. It was a crew but more like family. We would go out to clubs together after rehearsals just to session. In one of those moments one of our crew members uncles saw me getting down in the cypher and asked who I was. This man was one of the dopest bboys in the world by the name of “Flipz”. His real name is Ivan Velez. A member of the crew skillz Method who were well known. He’d recently finished doing AGT ( America’s Got Talent) with a company called iLuminate. A company that fused dance and technology. After coming in 3rd place on the show in 2011 they wanted to expand . Their first venture was to create a 20min long show that would run at a few different six flags over the summer. Flipz reached out to our dance community in Florida and let us all know about the auditions in ATL and told us to spread the word. My Kru leader mouse said say less and booked rental and we all hit the road to the audition. 13years later I’ve traveled the world, opened up an off-broadway show, created an educational program that toured with the US Embassy, and currently have a show running at the stratosphere in Vegas (voted best new show in Vegas) and corporate teams in ATL, NYC, and Los Angeles.
Long story short Dance has given me the opportunity to put smiles on a lot of faces across the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has the road always been smooth, no. It’s had its ups and downs especially being a black Queer woman traveling the world. Leaving my family for years and missing out on holidays and birthdays was difficult. My family was so proud of me though so we always figured it out. I’d come home every January and celebrate All the things then. I’d bring them cool gifts from everywhere I’d been so it was always a cool experience. My niece and nephew felt like they had double Christmas .
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a creative all around. I host/emcee battles here in LA. I’m a dancer/choreographer. I have my own clothing line called blameboogiellc. I also teach dance. I teach dance as well as mentor students.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Honestly for me it’s always being your authentic self. In every room you enter you have to remember there’s only one you. A lot of people can do the same thing but it always comes out different because of what YOU bring to it. I also believe in energy. Being in this industry I’ve learned that a lot of times what gets you in the room isn’t sheer talent. A lot of folks want to be around people that make the room a better place. Be that light if the situation makes you feel as such. Carry your light wherever you go. You’ll know when it’s right.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisalboogie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa.LBoogie.Bauford/
