Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Gonzalez
Hi Jennie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to dance. From swaying and lip singing in the mirror as a little girl, pretending to be Madonna or Janet Jackson. There has always been something so magical about the power of music and movement. Born in Miami Florida, my dance journey started like many others with ballet. I was around 5 years old when I started and I even got my first taste of performing by being cast in the studio’s Nutcraker performance. After a couple of years I would make the choice to leave ballet to pursue other activities. Later on, I wouldn’t return to dance until it was time to audition for the middle schools drill team. I would land the coveted role of Co-captain with a freestyle dance I had made up on the spot. Not bad for a ballet dropout I thought, but then again growing up as a First Generation Cuban American, music and dancing was abundant. I never fully returned to a traditional dance class until I started College. As a young adult, I was often told that if you didn’t start dance by a certain age then it was too late to pursue as a career. That all changed when I joined a local Salsa company at my community college. The director of that company gave me the courage and dare I say permission to go after my first love, dance. Just like that, I switched my focus to dance and graduated with a Bachelors in Arts in Dance Education. I moved to LA soon after to pursue this love even further. It has been quite the journey since moving to Los Angeles. I have started new ventures, met new people, conquered fears, let go of old notions, carved my own path, and the journey continues to unfold. At the core of it all, my experiences seem to always boil down to my first love of movement. Now it has taken on various meaning to me throughout the years. I have done many exciting things as a professional dancer from performing all over the world to sharing my passion with the next generation. At my core there will always be dance. The love for this art has flourished into other avenues of movement such as pole dancing. Something that started out as a curiosity has turned into a lifelong endeavor. Through pole dance I was able to create a niche that was very personal to me. My love for Latin music is intrinsically weaved in my movement which I have blended with the art of pole dance to create my own style. A style that reflects the complexity, excitement, and drama that is Latin dance. To be able to share that with the world is beyond the ultimate gift.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any journey there are highs and lows. The struggle is continuing on your path despite the outside world not fully understanding what you are creating. Sometimes you doubt yourself because you are the one that is constantly creating your own reality. It can be difficult because there are certain things that will be different from the rest of the public and that’s ok. If you are pursuing an artist life where creativity is key then other areas such as security or longevity can seem like an unattainable venture. Remembering that everyone is different and that your life path doesn’t have to mirror the next person. Every day is a decision to move forward even when you get knocked down. Always remember your why!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is infusing my background as a Latin dancer with the art of pole dancing and sharing it to empower one’s potential. I’m a teacher that strives to bring the best version out of my students I pride myself in making classes fun and motivating. I’m always telling my students to live their best lives so that they can hold their head up high and say “I did that”. There’s nothing better than a student telling me that they have gained a new confidence or are no longer scared to take class. That’s a life changing moment because when you believe in yourself you shut down the negative and it starts a new belief.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Hmm there are so many! Singing in the mirror as Madonna has to be up at the top. I’m an 80’s kid and she was big for that time. I would pretend I was in a music video and would even choreograph steps. It was a full on production in my little world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bailajennie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailajennie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bailajennie/featured
Image Credits
Knockingbird Creative
Shane Carns
