Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Rich.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Moved to LA in 2008 from Virginia where I graduated from Hampton University with honors degree in business and marketing. Packed up everything and drove three days with a friend to sleep on the floor for about three months. Long story short crashed my first audition after my agency I was signed within NY didn’t want to transfer me to LA. I booked my first gig and it was for Lady Gaga. I danced professionally for about two years and knew it simply wasn’t enough for me.
I decided that I wanted to become a choreographer/creative director. In the meantime, I kind of fell into teaching dance which later became a true passion for me.
After years of subbing with barely any students in classes, one summer everything changed for me when I landed a slot teaching at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio and my international teaching career took off from there. Since then, I’ve been to almost every continent as a dance educator and can’t count how many times I’ve been privileged to see the world.
I’ve worked with artists like Jill Scott, Ellen Degeneres, Pia Mia, Ciara, Mariah Carey, and more. I’ve choreographed Tours, Tv shows, Music Videos, etc. In 2013 I started a global community service project called the RICHFAM. I started with six mentees in a small studio and now have over 175 members in more than 30 countries globally. With this project, I’ve directed/produced numerous sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Israel, and Peru. I’ve sponsored more than ten dancers worldwide in the past seven years and flown them to these countries providing them with the best training coming from the best educators in dance in the world.
My dancers represent the cream of the crop in their countries as 97% of RICHFAM members are consistently working creatives globally. I have thrown some of the best parties and events the dance industry has seen in Los Angeles and continue to create numerous opportunities in and out of dance till this day.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not.
A consistent fight with new challenges at each level of elevation in my fight for success. Always growing and always learning. From sleeping on the floor of a friend’s friend to becoming a homeowner in Los Angeles, the struggles of each part of my experience here are simply numerous.
Thousands of no’s funny looks, betrayals, lost friendships, broken relationships, and continuous disappointments. It’s the lows that help me appreciate the highs.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Choreographer, creative director, internationally acclaimed educator, event coordinator, t-shirt line owner.
I do a lot across the board.
Amongst all my companies, I am most proud of RICHFAM.
This program has changed hundreds of lives and mindsets worldwide for the positive. It’s literally something that cannot be explained unless experienced but the results are always phenomenal.
I train dancers to be able to work for lifetimes and in turn give back to their community and build from a place of humility and humanity. This project is changing dance and the way the world sees it in many places.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
It’s actually the best place to work in dance in the world. The success of my name in Los Angeles opened doors for me worldwide.
I would definitely recommend here for working in dance. The dreams are endless but so are the nightmares.
There are so many things we can do to improve and I believe that 2020 is bringing all of those issues to light. I’m extremely happy for this.
Contact Info:
- Website: youtube.com/mightyoracle
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/_therichfam
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thelifeofrichie
- Other: instagram.com/iloveflygirls
Image Credit:
@lnzyrosephoto, @_therichfam, @iloveflygirls
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