Today we’d like to introduce you to Effie Somrova.
Effie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a professional dancer living in Los Angeles, originally from Prague, The Czech Republic!
I started dancing when I was 11 years old and professionally by the age of 15! I grew up dancing in a Czech-Brazilian group where I met one of my mentors and dear friends Jaja Vankova. That gave me an opportunity to study a wide variety of styles from all over the world and I soon started teaching in that group as well. Prague is a beautiful city but has limited options when it comes to a dance career. That’s why I started traveling for work all across Europe and had the opportunity to work with some amazing names such as James Corden, Katy Perry, Adidas, Britain’s Got Talent and more!
When I accomplished everything I had set out to do there I decided it’s time to move to Los Angeles! The reality is that it is much more difficult than most assume however, I have been very fortunate with work here in the US! There is so many opportunities I would have never had anywhere else in the world!
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with accomplished names such as Meghan Trainor, Steve Aoki, Alyson Stoner, major brands such as Google, MAC, Tarte and BH Cosmetics, toured with Latin artist Raymix, repeatedly performed at Las Vegas Bellagio, was a part of So You Think You Can Dance skeleton crew for the Top 6 under direction of Chris Scott, appeared in commercials Wienerschnitzel and SoFi and most recently I got to work as a dancer in the newest Fast and Furious 9, one of my all time favorite movie series!
Great, 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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! Not only is there an incredible amount of talent in Los Angeles but it is also a completely different culture. Luckily, I adapted very quickly but it was tough! Being away from your family is one thing that never gets easier. I only get to see them once a year as it is hard to manage my time here with jobs and auditions and schedule enough time for a trip all the way to Europe to spend some quality time with them.
On another note, obtaining a work visa in the US is also an obstacle that you have to face when you decide to move here! At first my family was very skeptical about me pursuing a career of a professional dancer. No one from my family has ever done anything like that before. It is expected of you to finish college and find a 9 to 5 job but I knew that was not my destiny so I had to break that stereotype. I decided to leave University and move to Los Angeles.
To persuade my family that I am going to make it here as a dancer was extremely challenging but they are very happy and proud of me now.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As a dancer among many styles that I grew up studying, I specialize in salsa and popping which are two VERY different styles! I love mixing up different styles and creating new ways to level up the next performance! With that I have performed body control in heels that was featured by Gustavo Vargas in LA’s famous Club Jete and the Congress show organized by a well-known choreographer Denna Thomsen.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Definitely when my body was not sore all the time haha!
But also when my sister was born! I was 8,5 years old and remember it like it was yesterday! It was funny because I was actually disappointed that it wasn’t a brother but that changed very quickly! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7-LLCDF8zs
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effiesomrova/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliska.somrova
Image Credit:
Getty Images, Slater Photography, Wes Klain
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