Meet Salise Marin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Salise Marin.

Salise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a 23-year-old professional Dancer/Choreographer & Figure Skater born and raised in New York City. I have always considered myself to be a creative individual. Beginning at young age, my parents enrolled me in numerous activities such as; voice, art, juggling, tennis, swimming, karate, and gymnastics. I feel that being involved in these activities and learning to express myself so uniquely in a variety of ways helped me to become the expressive artist that I am today.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy road, and there were challenges from the very beginning.

I began competitive figure skating in 2009. I was already at a disadvantage because of my height & my age. I was 12-years-old and 5’5”, which is a late age to begin and a tall height for the sport. I had to learn very quickly as child to not compare myself to other people and to stay in my own lane. I was extremely passionate about figure skating, though, and was determined to be the best I could be no matter what.

I was bullied in both middle school and high school to the point where I had to be enrolled in a homeschooling program. I had to relearn how to achieve academic excellence outside of the traditional school environment. I met with a private teacher in a library setting for two hours each day- five days a week. I was fortunate enough to be able to have the same teacher for the rest of my high school experience who understood my academic and social needs and concerns.

I began dancing in 2012. I originally began taking ballet classes for the sole purpose of becoming more graceful (as that is what my figure skating coach said I needed). I took my first ballet class ever at a studio in New York City at the age of sixteen. It wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I caught a glimpse of a Hip-Hop class happening in the studio next door, and was so intrigued and wanted to try it out. I fell in love with Hip-Hop and started training every single day! The dance world, like any other industry, is tough to say the least. Attending endless auditions, injuries from consistent training, and facing rejection/criticism are all very common. These obstacles forced me to develop a thicker skin and to be able to persevere.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
In figure skating, I would have loved the opportunity to start training at an earlier age.

In school, I wish I would have been less sensitive to the way I was treated by others.

In dance, I believe I could have used more time to develop my fundamentals.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 646-284-2433
• Email: Salise14@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salisemarin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salise.marin

Image Credit:
Cat Kearns, NB Studios, Lauren Khalfayan and Alex Cole

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