Meet Shalome Unique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalome Unique.

Hi Shalome, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From a young age, I found solace and joy in the art of dance. It became my sanctuary, a place where I could transcend everyday hardships and truly express myself. Determined to pursue this passion, I committed myself to countless hours of practice and dedicated my efforts to honing my skills. I would sneak and watch music videos and take whatever free dance classes my community had to offer. I also had an obsession with people-watching and learning more about behaviors, the human mind and its functions. Once I was old enough to make my own choices with dance, I trained under esteemed dance professionals, studying a wide variety of styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. I studied psychology and was able to dive deeper into brain functions and understand mental processes. These experiences have not only strengthened my technical aptitude and given me a more extensive understanding of how behavior can be affected but also broadened my versatility as a performer. I have had the privilege of performing in various competitions and showcases as a dancer and choreographer. These experiences have allowed me to showcase my unique style, creativity, and remarkable stage presence to a diverse audience, ultimately helping me develop a distinctive voice as a dancer and choreographer.

Entering into adulthood, I found a lot of my dance friends gave up on dance. Although I wasn’t as in shape and my technique wasn’t what it used to be, I didn’t want my dance to be silenced just because I hit my 30s. I wanted to continue my dance and choreography career and wanted to make it accessible to women. My mission is” to inspire women to establish resilience and freedom by being actively engaged and supportive. My desire is to create a judgment-free place for individuals in crisis to problems solve, troubleshoot and discover themselves through the art of dance.” Combining my passion for dance with my studies, I developed The Unproblematic Queens. UPQ is a dance group that focuses on women coming together and healing with one another through dance.

Right now and in the future, I am committed to continually refining my craft and leaving an indelible mark on the world of dance. I firmly believe in the transformative power of dance, and I am driven to inspire others through my performances and choreographic endeavors. My overarching goal is to challenge societal perceptions, break stereotypes, and create a platform for expression and connection through the art of movement.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I come from humble beginnings, having grown up in a financially disadvantaged household. I didn’t have the opportunities to take dance classes weekly. I remember I joined a dance company and I would soak up everything I could until it was time to pay dues. Once they would ask for money, I would move funny. I often would leave or disenroll and come back when I would see a need for dancers. But my biggest and longest challenge has been mental barriers. I can become so frustrated with myself for living in fear and comparing myself to other dancers. Scared to audition, scared to put myself out there, comparing my journey to others, scared to be outside of the box even scared to complete this interview. This is a challenge that I still work with myself on today. Being fully confident in who I am and what I have to offer the world. That is it more than enough and like no other.

Dance is life but as you know, life has a way of beating you down with a sack of bricks and timberland boots. I don’t know exactly when but I remember waking up one morning and not being the same. My confidence and motivation was at an all-time low. Of course, I used dance to get through it as much as I could but over time, my emotional low evolved into a physical low. I gained weight, lost strength and everything seemed to hurt. As a dancer, you become used to aches and pains; it’s almost second nature. One stomach pain in particular was not resolving. A short doctor’s visit turned into a life-changing experience. I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and instantly decided to operate in denial. I ignored it for some time and dealt with the extreme pain and weight gain for years until I couldn’t take it anymore. After countless doctors suggested a hysterectomy, I was so close to accepting this faint that was placed on me. Had it not been for the love from The Unproblematic Queens, my sister and my mentors, I would have given up. After much research, I agreed to a myomectomy and have been on the road to recovery ever since. Learning my new body and how it moves has its ups and downs. At times I feel like I’m starting over but I am glad to have the opportunity to start again. Nothing about this has been easy but I live in the moments that make me proud and bring me joy.

Despite the challenges I faced, my love and passion for dance have been my guiding lights throughout my life. My story serves as a reminder that art knows no boundaries and that talent can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. I have no doubt that I will continue to achieve greatness and inspire countless others through my artistry.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have created and accomplished many things as a dancer and choreographer, both inspiring and commendable. My commitment to honing my skills through training, coupled with artistic expression, showcases my unique talent that is known for captivating audiences. My body of work conveys emotions and speaks volumes about my ability to connect with the heart, power and mind. My goal is to make every dancer and spectator feel powerful after performing or watching a performance. My greatest work as been being a mentor and the development of The Unproblematic Queens.

Being a mentor to young women and assisting them with building confidence and resilience at a young age has been one of my biggest and ongoing accomplishments. Learning and developing the next generation. Nothing like watching a seed you planted grow and create, redefine and plant their own seeds.

I have to say that with all my work combined, I am the most proud of The Unproblematic Queens. UPQ provides spaces focused on women of color being celebrated and revered through movement while bonding, building and accessible community, gathering resources and developing platforms for women to create, feel supported, flourish and heal. This group of women are performers. All start with different backgrounds and skill levels in dance but use that to build with each other and heal. There have been so many studies that show the effect on groups/ community healing, especially with women of color. We not only heal together but we PERFORM together. UPQ has produced several showcases and has been a part of some of the biggest festivals, community outreaches, and concerts. This has not only been a platform to dancers of all levels but choreographers and artists of all styles.

What does success mean to you?
I’ve always thought success was this in-depth definition coupled with status and financial achievement. But now it’s as simple as its Webster definition, “a measure of favorable or desired outcome.” Is this something I have a desire to do or have to do? YES. Am I happy with the outcome or have I accomplished something from it? YES. BOOM!!!! There you have its success. It’s up to you to make it as small or as big as you want it to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shalomeunique.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalomeunique/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalome.unique.7?ref=bookmarks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWqlZn44AiCZKLRkDEGFhw?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Amanda Evans Photography Justin Carr Photography RB Visuals Photography and Videography