Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Quinn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up dancing since I was 4/5. I actually started because I am dyslexic and went to a special school for that and they had a dance class for us and I fell in love. From there I went to a performing arts high school in Baltimore (Baltimore school For the arts, Jada p smith and Tupac went there not same time there older haha). I knew from a young age dancing was what I wanted to pursue. I went into ballet company for a year after high school and decided that summer wanted to come to la to try some Hiphop classes at millennium because they are where you herd of every choreographer and artist dancing at. I grew up doing jazz ballet pointe hiphop contemporary. And came out here for a week and we’ll now it’s been 11 years. I had no plan to stay no plan to move out here. I believe when things are suppose to happen it’s just easy and kind of just happens without us even being aware. Exactly what happened to me. I got offered a job as a manger within a month of me being in la and started subbing pretty soon after ballet classes for there adult program and now I’ve been teaching there 11 years. I’ve been lucky enough to live out some of my wildest dreams dancing in music videos, behind artist, on tv and it’s been quit the journey and pretty amazing!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No it’s never all smooth for anyone I don’t think . I think we all get delt cards in life and weather that’s friends , family, work, relationships we all have bumps along the way that’s where our biggest lesson started come into play. I wouldn’t be who I am without the bumps, even though sometimes when you’re going threw it you would do anything not too.
I’ve lost dream jobs to other dancers, blanked out at auditions, had my heart completely broken by an ex boyfriend.
I think the main struggle moving to la is being so comfortable with who you are and what you have to offer. I feel like when you come out here everyone is trying to change you, mold you into what they think might help you book. Weather hair color/ length,, body type , the way you dress. Also, la is a wild place and we all get lost in it even if it’s for a second of what cool or popular or not feeling pretty enough so wanting to change things about us. I think this happens every where but I definitely think this is even harder in LA.
So I think the challenge is to love yourself, trust the timing of your process and know that what’s meant for you will Be yours with hard work. If you truly are comfortable in your own skin the right jobs and etc will
Fall into your lap and you won’t care about the ones that don’t or at least not as much.
Hope that makes sense! La is not easy place there’s a lot of rejection in the industry so we all struggle nobody likes to hear no.
Please tell our readers more. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I currently teach ballet at Millennium dance complex and couple other studios in la. I travel and teach master classes at studios.
I also am a personal trainer. I teach body by Simone and then I do private clients mainly at there houses. Which is a huge passion of mine and something I love so much!
Then I work and dance in the industry. I mainly book jobs as a ballerina and hiphop dancer two extremes I know! Definitely more known as the ballerina in la 🙂
^ also what sets me apart I can do the extremely different styles. Pointe classical ballet then throw me some sweats and tennis shoes and I love hiphop as well!
I’m most proud of coming to la knowing no one having little expectations and exceeding all my dreams and more. I have made a life, living and accomplish most of what I came out here for and now have set new goals. I also have the most supportive family and friends and that’s something that means more to me than any of this. I made friends in la that are now family to me and have been there threw thick and thin of it and that’s one of my biggest things that fills my heart more than anything else could.
I’ve gotten to dance for Ariana grande, weekend, Selena Gomez, fall out boy… and dancing with the stars, shake it up, nickelodeon.
I’ve stayed true to myself threw it all and I’m most proud of that. 🙂
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I don’t know what the future holds. I am super happy and that comes first. I love my fitness journey and my clients I am getting to train. I love helping people accomplish their goals and seeing them fall in love with process of being stronger and healthier.
I love dancing still and don’t feel done with that yet so I hope to do some more gigs with that!
I love creating with my friends which I’ve been getting to do more. So I’ll def be doing more of that!
And love traveling and teaching so got some stuff set up for that and hopefully more of that to come!
Honestly as long as I’m happy and around people I love that love me and are genuine I’ll take whatever comes. Learning to fully trust the process and not want things so badly that disappointed not getting them and letting it take away from what I do have and is coming my way!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Laurajquinn
Image Credit:
Balletzaida
Kentaveryphoto
Frankiepeppa
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