Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Sandoval.
Hi Karla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always knew I wanted to dance I just didn’t know how far it would take me. I have been a dancer since I can remember. I would always ask my parents to play any Shakira song in the living room, and I would try to follow along with her music videos. When I was about 12 years old, I joined a competitive dance studio, where I started to grow my knowledge of different styles of dance; I fell in love with jazz and hip-hop. Dance allowed me to be myself in a time when sometimes I felt I couldn’t. At 15, I started to teach at my studio, and that was another experience; I grew so much in my art and in the way I approach dance, seeing it from the perspective of someone younger than me, being part of someone’s journey is always so special.
Since I started, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby. I knew I wanted to pursue dance professionally, but I just didn’t know how to. I grew up in Mexico and dance is not really seen as a real career there, there are not many schools where you can pursue it, and not a lot of support. So, I went against everything that was normal around me at the time to pursue something unknown, I actually had no idea what I would face but I wanted to do it anyway, that’s why I decided to move to NYC. I have learned so much in the past 3 years I have been here, and my knowledge keeps growing every single day, I meet amazing dancers all the time who have helped me with my career, and now I am in places I once dreamt about. My career as a professional dancer is just getting started and I am so excited for what’s to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been an easy road, being an artist is being vulnerable in so many ways, you put yourself out there all the time, some people are going to like your art and some people won’t. There is perseverance in everything I do; it’s falling and picking myself up time and time again. I had to take so many “no’s” to get one “yes,” I am away from my family and lifetime friends, I have learned to be okay with being alone, and most times, your expectations are not even close to what things are, but I would say is all worth it, being able to say that I am pursuing what I have always dreamt about is a privilege, I am so grateful for what my journey has been so far, and life has thought me that there is always better things coming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary dancer; I grew up with a jazz and contemporary background. For the past three years, I have specialized in commercial dance, as well as street styles like popping, waacking, and house dance. Because of this, my style at the moment is a mix of all I’ve learned for 15 years; I would describe it as edgy, captivating, and wavey.
People know me for my presence and joy when I dance, my goal is to always make people feel something with my art and get inspired to create as well.
I am proud of how my dance has grown. I am confident in what I can offer now, and I believe that people will see what I have to give.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The biggest lessons I have learned are to always be patient, to be resilient, and to know your worth. These three-go hand in hand, I am a firm believer that what is meant for me will find me and that there is always space where you are wanted. I will always be where I need to be, and things come to me at the right time always.
Contact Info:
- Website: bio.site/KarlaSandoval
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaarsandoval/
Image Credits
Natalia Sanchez
Kuoheng Huang
Dash Kolos
