Rising Stars: Meet Cammie Tolleshaug of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cammie Tolleshaug

Hi Cammie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a family where everyone shared a talent for music. My grandpa was a famous composer and wrote for Scooby Doo and the Flintstones, my mom got her Bachelor’s in music and sang all her life, my dad played guitar and performed with his twin brother in a band, and my brother learned basically all of the instruments. So from an early age I was taught the importance of music appreciation. I was forced into piano lessons for 10 years, but it never really clicked and I wasn’t gifted like the rest of my family. As a kid I had all these dreams of becoming a popstar, envisioning myself singing and performing on stage. Since my mom didn’t pass down the vocal gene and I probably sound like a screaming goat every time I attempt to sing, I may never know what it’s like to be a Britney Spears…..but in reality, I did become the next best thing–the popstar’s back up dancer.

Ironically, I’m the only dancer in my family, but dance is MY musical instrument. I’ve been dancing for almost 20 years now, and whenever I feel uninspired or unmotivated to dance, music is what brings me back. I literally can’t help it, I can’t NOT move to a good song. Dance has shaped almost my entire life and I’m really grateful for the people and places it has brought me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Pursuing dance as a career is hard. For anyone who isn’t in the arts, it may seem like rainbows and butterflies getting paid to do what you love. But it’s not straightforward, it’s cutthroat, it’s almost never financially fruitful, it’s physically and emotionally exhausting, and there’s no guarantee you’ll “make it”. I’m at a point in my career where I’ve spent years comparing myself to others and their accomplishments, diminishing my own victories or invalidating them. Especially in an era where social media is everything. You see everyone else booking these big jobs and working with certain famous choreographers, and if that’s the only way we define success, then we’ve lost what it means to be an artist.

The problem with professional dancers is that we are our own business. We tie our worth to our abilities and whether or not we are chosen. We put ourselves constantly out there to then be dismissed and looked over. Dance is subjective though, so some people will prefer technique, some prefer clean lines, some prefer seeing character and performance, etc. Most jobs are profiled by height, race, gender, or weight. Most directors and choreographers will primarily pick their friends or the dancers that have been loyal and networked their way into their circle. So it’s a constant practice to build up the resilience and intelligence to know that you will not be picked or booked and it has nothing to do with your actual skills.

The truth is that there is a place for every dancer. You belong, and someone will see you and appreciate you. But it can be a long road to finding the people that will give you the opportunities you deserve and have worked hard for.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a dancer, choreographer, and educator with my primary styles as hip hop, commercial, and jazz funk. I’ve learned a lot over the years from street style legends, so I have a passion for passing down all the knowledge that I’ve been so blessed to receive. I teach a lot of adult beginners, so I pride myself in being able to build confidence and break down difficult steps to those with little dance experience, encouraging them to try new things and believe in their abilities to learn something out of their comfort zone. Dance can be super intimidating, but so rewarding when you allow yourself to lean into it.

Of course, we all know that dancing is a meaningful way to express our emotions and experiences, and I have always valued dedication, hard work, and grinding to achieve goals. But that being said, it doesn’t have to be so serious all of the time. It was designed to spark joy and connection. Dancing is meant to be fun! It’s an exchange, it’s entertainment, and it’s social. With the world right now full of hate, despair, and fear, smiling and laughter is crucial medicine.

I’ve started to incorporate more comedic aspects into my projects because I can hardly take myself seriously anyways….I love to create and I love to be silly. Also, why do what everyone else is doing? There’s enough of that. The world is full of extremely talented people and if everyone is choreographing to Tyla, then why copy them and do a watered down version? I’d rather just choreograph to Paramore. Or Akon. Or Lil Dicky….while still making it good. There’s something I love about doing the unexpected.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Try not to let other people’s definition of success influence yours. Making an impact on one person still counts. Social media and numbers do not determine whether what you have to offer is of quality or importance. It can be really easy to get confused, hurt, or lost in today’s society, but if you stay true to being a genuine representation of yourself, you will attract the right people and the right opportunities. Especially if you are prioritizing your values and how you treat people.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambam0_o/

Image Credits
@neoncometmedia, @kate_scott_photography, @gifted.reality