Alfredo Castro shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Alfredo, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Lately, I’ve noticed that everything I’ve mentioned I wasn’t going to do or had no interest in achieve is happening now. When I first opened my dance studio in 2021, I had no interest in growing any bigger than one room with our services only for Quinceañera’s, Sweet 16s and Weddings. The past 4 years of being officially established, AC 15 Choreography has grown in so many ways I never could imagine. We now have over 10 instructors and 40 students dancing with us. Not to mentioned, we now offer recreational/competitive programs for our dancers ages 4-18. I find myself laughing in moments when I am overwhelmed and stressed and then realize how it’s crazy this journey began. I am genuinely so proud of myself, my staff, my dancers and all team overall for truly being a part of my growth. Proud is an understatement for the way I feel. I now tell myself to never say never because you truly never know where life will take you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Alfredo Castro. I am a 21 year old, dancer, choreographer and entrepreneur. I am the owner and director of AC 15 Choreography, a dance studio in the city of Anaheim that offers unique choreography services for events such as Quinceañeras, Sweet 16s and Weddings as well as recreational/competitive dance programs for dancers all ages and levels. I am also a public figure on social media and main personality on a Youtube Reality Show series called, “Quince Rent Boys”. I’ve been dancing my whole life and grew to become a teacher at dance studios as a competitive choreographer and instructor. At just 14 years old. I started my business, AC 15 Choreography and have witness it grow into an official establishment at the age of 18. Now, I am 21 years old with a 2nd location and over 40 students. I am so thrilled to see where else I go and how far I’ll go with this passion of mine.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Growing up is hard. And Im sure many people out there can relate to that. There was once a moment in my career where I no longer saw the passion in my art and success. I was stuck in a dark place, felt lost and unsure of my future and had to accept and understand that I was growing up. I struggled a lot with balance. Balancing between me growing up and wanting to be a young adult but at the same time, be a business owner and be there for my brand and team. Putting myself out there on social media while owning a business at such a young age has to be one of the biggest challenges of this journey. I considered myself a people’s person and the moment I feel like I am not making those around me proud or happy is the moment I start to crash with my own thoughts. Realizing that I am not here to please anyone but myself is what really changed my life. I am here to make myself proud and watch myself and my brand grow. The world we live in today is so crazy and I’ve learned to be there for myself a little extra more. This is essential to me now.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I truly miss being a kid. I miss everything about being a young child, going to school, seeing my friends, going to dance practice at my studio, having all those “boring” days at home. I miss it all. I believe that I’m growing up too fast and that’s because of all the responsibilities I earned early in life. Working with teenagers and hearing all their “complaints” on their teenage lives is so funny to hear because it’s like how do I tell them that they’re going to miss it all once they grow up. I was a junior and senior in high school during the COVID pandemic and I felt as like most of my high school experience was taken away from me. I miss those days so much but feel so honored to be able to live them now through my high school students. Also, because I am so busy and always on the go, it’s like time is going 100mph. I’ve learned to enjoy both the hard and slow days but also the crazy, chaotic days. We are never going to be in the situation we are in now, might as well enjoy it to the fullest.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I am fully committed to is the quote “El que quiere, puede…” meaning “Whoever wants, can…” I had this quote on my high school graduation cap and now it is painted in my dance studio. I am so committed to this quote because it is so insane to me how I’ve truly said in the past I wanted to own a dance studio, be a public figure/inspirartion on social media and to those I encounter, have my own reality show, and be able to create a unique career with my dance passion. And here I am, living that dream. No matter how long, how much effort, dedication, blood, sweat and tears any goal I set for myself takes, I’m going to commit to it and make sure it happens. Why? Because I know I am capable of it. Whenever I reflect back on everything I am doing or have accomplish, I always ask myself, “how did I even get here?” And honestly, the answer to that is, “El que quiere, puede.” I wanted to, I did it. I will forever live by this quote and apply it to my everyday life and tasks.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I see all my students or those around me thriving and enjoying every single moment of the empire/community I’ve built here at AC. It is so heart warming to me seeing my own students grow up to become teachers/instructors here at my own dance studio. I feel so at peace knowing that not only is my legacy being carried through the next upcoming generations but as well as the studio heritage. The environment we’ve created for anyone who comes into my dance studio to feel at home and feel so loved and supported in ways they might not feel elsewhere. I know my business will continue to thrive and grow if we continue to keep what we’re doing up. I cannot wait to see what else is destined to come across my pathway. I am so full of love, joy, support and blessings and I’m ready to continue sharing my passion and success with all those around me. This is just the beginning and we’re off to an amazing start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ac15choreography.com
- Instagram: @alfreedocastroo @ac15choreography
- Youtube: AC 15 Choreography / Yass Mija!
- Other: Reality Show:
Tik Tok:
@ac15choreography @ac.boyz
