Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Markarian.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m originally from Worcester, MA. I came into the Arts at a young age, mainly to overcome my shyness as a kid and correct a slight handicap I was born with. I wore leg braces to correct my hips, and I’d be shy/run away from anyone who got near me. My Mom thought the best way for me to overcome both issues was to put me in dance at the age of 3 and get me in front of an audience.
I wasn’t talented at first, in fact, Doctors told us I’d never be a dancer or a model, and Dance Teachers used to tell my Mom she was wasting our money. Dance was physically painful, and audiences made me uncomfortable. Needless to say, I fought her every step of the way for many years. But, my Mom was determined to keep me in it, thankfully, and by the time I was 12yrs old, I was completely in love with it. I think she’s where I get my drive and determination from.
At 15yrs old, I lived in NYC on my own for three months while training as a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway. When I graduated from a Performing Arts High School, I went to Oklahoma City Univ. as a Dance & Theatre Performance Major. After 2yrs in college, I decided to head to LA to pursue my career as a Professional Dancer.
Over the past 16yrs, I’ve been very fortunate to be blessed with a lucrative career in the Arts, ranging from dance, acting & modeling, to teaching & choreographing. I’ve been able to tour the world a few times with incredible artists and have loved working in Film & Television.
Please tell us about your art.
When I started in the Industry I was a dancer, through and through, I had a passion for choreography and acting but wanted to pursue dance solely until my heart called me to another place. Within those years I was fortunate to dance and/or tour the world with artists like RIHANNA, KATY PERRY, CHAYANNE, BEYONCE, PINK, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, KANYE WEST, CHER and more. I’ve gotten to perform in 2 Super Bowl Halftime Shows (Katy Perry & Beyonce) and have done over 30 Films, TV, Shows & Commercials. Some of my favorites include TRUE BLOOD, RUSH HOUR 3, GLEE, LEGION, MICROSOFT, H&M, TARGET, DWTS, THE MASKED SINGER, airing Jan 2019 and more.
About five years ago, the Acting bug hit me hard, I loved the idea of telling stories not just with my body, but using my voice and emotions was so powerful to me. To literally step into the shoes of someone else has always fascinated me, I think that’s the shy kid in their talking…the land of make-believe was always present in me even as a kid. My main goal as an artist has always been to do great work, surround myself with great people, and be part of powerful, thought-provoking projects. I think if we constantly try to keep ourselves surrounded by people that inspire us to be better artists and humans, we can’t go wrong. I’m very lucky to have worked on beautiful projects in Film & TV and am enjoying my journey as an actress.
Over the past few years, I’ve also enjoying teaching. SO much so, that I created a company that allows me to teach and connect with aspiring dancers on a deeper more personal level. The Dancer’s Edge is an in-studio Intensive bringing LA & NYC Master Teachers into studios across the country. We educate dancers of all ages through Classes & Industry Educational Workshops. Our goal is to inspire, empower & educate the next generation.
I’m also a faculty member on NRG Dance Project, an amazing convention, as well as with CLI Studios, an online platform of interactive classes.
Teaching is extremely rewarding for many reasons, I love investing in other people and their goals, it’s a great way to be in service within my craft, and I love seeing the light click on when a dancer ‘gets it.’ My main focus as a teacher is to inspire and empower dancers to reach their biggest goals, and believe they’re more than capable of accomplishing what they set out to do. I try to instill confidence and an unshakeable belief in their dreams. The industry and world out there can be hard, but we can control so much of our own destiny by having a healthy mind and spirit. Dance is just the instrument I use to teach life lessons.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
The best piece of advice I could give anyone pursuing the Arts is…you have to LOVE it, and you have to be willing to give so much to it…your time, body, emotions, money, heart, everything. You have to get to a place where you see the value in truly INVESTING in yourself. This idea came to me only about 10yrs ago, I wish I’d known this sooner. Now, I’ll always bet on myself, and I’ll invest in myself because I have faith and confidence that I’ll deliver.
Being an Artist is hard work and requires so much of yourself, you’ve gotta love it because sometimes it doesn’t give anything back to you. Sometimes you give so much of yourself to it and are often faced with rejection, or a baby step forward. And then there are those times when you smell sweet victory, and it’s ALL WORTH IT.
My love for dance and acting has kept me moving forward because I’ve gotten to the place where I understand my journey, I consistently put in the work, and I’ve learned to trust my timing. Everyone’s journey is different, by us comparing ourselves to others we simply rob ourselves of our own process and growth.
It’s also so important to create balance. While It’s so important to immerse yourself in your work, by reading, studying, training, etc. you also have to find the balance and fun in it all. Make sure you take care of your mind and body, if you’re running yourself to the ground, what good are you going to be when it’s time to show up and deliver?! Another lesson I learned later on in the game, I thought if I work, work, work then I’m showing up for myself, but as I got older, I realized that although I love the craft, it doesn’t own me. Working smarter and not harder is a daily practice of mine.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Most of my body of work is on my website, www.rachaelmarkarian.net my Dance & Acting Reels are on their, as well as resumes, images and upcoming projects.
My company site The Dancer’s Edge is www.thedancersedge.net
Social Media provides us with a great platform to showcase our lives / work, @rachaelmarkarian is my IG and you can find updates there.
I love supporting and connecting with new people and artists of any kind.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rachaelmarkarian.net
- Instagram: @rachaelmarkarian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.markarian
- Twitter: @rachelmarkarian
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2262020?ref_=nm_nv_usr_prof
Image Credit:
Image #3 (rose pink 2pc outfit) – Charles Grauke
Image #5 (black & white) – The Riker Brothers
Image #6 (dance action) – Robert Kelley
Image #7 (long black skirt) – Leo Cabal
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
