Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Andersen.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Originally from the Bay Area, I started dance at about 13 years old when my best friend got me interested in a dance company she was in, known as Bliss Urban Arts Center in Vacaville, CA. At first it was just a hobby, showing up for a couple of weeks of rehearsal to work on new pieces and perform in some small shows. About a year and a half in I went to my first Monsters Dance Convention, and that’s when I really found my passion for dance. Pushing yourself to take classes all day around a sea amazing dancers bringing everything they got into the room. And then being able to perform on stage with my team, in front of Nappytabs and Luther Brown and incredible artists in LA… there was an energy that I couldn’t describe being on stage and being around people who inspire you. I wanted more… so I went to more dance conventions. I expanded my training to various dance genres & styles by joining 1-UP Fam based in Oakland, CA where I learned about foundational styles such as popping, locking, and krump.
I also started taking classes in techniques such as jazz and ballet. I went to Hollywood Dance Jamz Dance Convention for the first time, where I got a scholarship to be an assistant for their faculty. Being in the assistant program as it was called, I networked and worked closer with people living in LA and pursuing dance. In the summer of 2018 at HDJ Nationals, I signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. About that time, I was actually getting ready to go off to college at Cal Poly SLO for electrical engineering, still wanting to get my degree while pursuing dance. But after another year of meeting people and hearing experiences from successful dancers, I ultimately decided to drop out and commit completely to what I knew was meant for me. And that’s how I ended up here! 6 months so far being in LA, training in KM Dance Academy and in Cameron Lee’s Mentorship. Working on building myself to be the best dancer I can be.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say I’ve been blessed to have supportive parents, friends, and dance teachers that have helped me get to where I am. It’s never easy trying to pursue your dream… even if everything seems to be working for you. For me, I was surrounded by so many influences in high school urging me that college was the best path to take, and I was always interested in math and physics so I thought getting my degree in engineering and getting a secure job would be the smartest path to take. I had to realize myself by going to college and experiencing being around students going for your same career that it wasn’t what I wanted. And I felt lonely in that sense because I wasn’t fully committed to going to school. It felt like something somebody else chose it for me. I would spend hours and hours in the studio dancing instead of studying. Once I made the decision to move to LA and focus on dance, I had to stick by that as many people around me warned of my decision, and suggested other opportunities school could provide. I’m a strong-willed person though, so knowing deep down moving to LA to pursue dance was my dream, I didn’t let anyone tell me otherwise anymore.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Although I moved here to be a “dancer”, me as an entrepreneur identifies as much more than that. I’m still a student, specializing in dance and choreographing but I’m open to trying everything and having different experiences that will lead me to where I’m meant to be in my future. It’s my dream to go on tour – I love being on stage more than anything, and right now, I’m focused on establishing myself more in the industry to get to that point. Ultimately the reason I dance is to show people what it means to be human… so people can see there’s a greater purpose than what we involve ourselves in surface level-wise on a day to day basis. When I dance or choreograph, I try to paint pictures of experiences, feelings, stories, and relationships. I want people to interact with my art and find patterns in their own life and others around them so they can have more deeper meaningful connections. Any form of art, creating, and expressing that inspires me to carry out this idea, I want to pursue.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I think I’ve always had a special place in my heart for L.A… I’ve always wanted to move to a bigger city. I love the weather, the beach, and I like the fact that L.A. is huge but spread out, so you can find comfort in a smaller community. The biggest reason I moved here is for dance, and the dance community itself I love… it feels great being around artists from all different parts of the world, from different backgrounds and cultures. L.A is a great place to interact with diverse people. I don’t think I have anything negative to say about our city… except perhaps the traffic!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: holly_andersen_
Image Credit:
Lindsay Rosenberg, Isabelle Gunn, IAMFORCE Jazz Project
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