Meet Reina Hidalgo of AandRcreative in Venice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reina Hidalgo.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I was always a  dancer since the age of 5 years old. I started in New Jersey taking ballet, jazz, and tap. I never stop since that day. I continue my training in Miami in dance studios and even in high school I was in a dance team all four years which two of those years I was as Co-Captain at Barbara Goleman Senior High. I attend New World School of the Arts right after graduation for four years with two scholarships and received my B.F.A. in Dance. After college I was part of the WNBA dance team for two years and as well did small gigs in between. It was until I meet my best friend Asiel Hardison on the team and we meet some amazing talented people who were filming  “From Justin to Kelly.” That night that we got a chance to go out with the cast and dance the night away in cyphers with some of our idols we watched on TV. We knew that LA was the place we had to go to pursue our dreams.

In November of 2004, Asiel and I drove from Miami to Chicago to spend at least three months at his hometown to gather his belongings and do some workshops to save up before the big move. Then in the middle of winter in January we made our drive to LA. We drove across the country for two and half days in a Kia Sportage packed with our belongings, alternating driving and sleeping in parking lots of hotels to rest. 15 years later, I can say it was the best decision I have ever made and will do it all over again. I have had the most incredible career as a professional dancer/ choreographer/ and consulting producer. To travel the world doing what I love and sharing the stage with some incredible artists is priceless. I’m truly excited for the next 15 plus years.

Has it been a smooth road?
Life in general is full of smooth and bumping roads. That is the beauty of it and the journey we have with the stories to tell. Some of my “bumps” like anyone in this industry was having faith and hope in myself. Especially when starting off hustling from auditions to auditions hoping to get that one yes. I had to keep pushing and believe in myself that this is what I was meant to do. I stayed focused and trained hard and knew the universe had my back. I stayed positive even when it was getting hard. Financial setbacks is a big one. There are times that you will be working non stop and then turn around it will be months and or a year without work. Luckily, family and friends were there to help to support when I needed them. I learned that saving your earnings is so important. Investing your money as well has having a savings accounts because you never know. This industry can be unpredictable sometimes. I will say overall we all deal with fear and self-doubts and I learned and understood we have the gift to create our own path and future. No matter how many times you hit a “bumpy road” take a breathe, exhale and keep moving forward. We are all destined for happiness in our life.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the AandRcreative story. Tell us more about the business.
Well, AandRCreative is a company my best friend Asiel and I started three years ago. We are a choreographing and producing team. We have worked on commercials, an Emmy nominated show on Hulu for five seasons call East Los High, as well we do artist development. What set us apart is that we are trained and skilled in varies style of dance so that is an advantage as far as certain jobs.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the dance industry in the next 5-10 years in a new innovative, fast pace, creativity level which will  definitely blow our minds with not only movements but concepts and visuals. The way dance is now with social media, tv competition shows, digital, etc. It’s giving a platform for so many artists to expand their mind.  I’m excited to see where it goes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: my personal reinahidalgo521 and our company aandrcreative

Image Credit:
_blankcreation, Tiffany Tahan

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