Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Bromberg.
Hi Karina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Karmiel, a small city in the North of Israel, surrounded by a vibrant mix of music, athletes, and diverse cultures. My journey in the performing arts began early as I delved into dance at the age of five. Impatiently heading to the studio after school, I was constantly immersed in music, making up dance routines and organizing impromptu family performances. Competitive dance became a significant part of my life, with participation in events like Hip Hop International Israel.
At the age of 14, my immediate family and I immigrated to Vancouver, Canada. Not knowing English and being foreign to the culture, lifestyle, and environment, the transition was difficult. Without a studio to train at, I began learning simple routines from YouTube tutorials and danced in my living room. After a long year and after moving to another city, I found a dance studio where I started training and teaching young kids. In my personal life, I went through many transitional periods as I adjusted to the new culture and language and as we moved from home to home, but dance remained a constant. During times when I questioned my identity, being a dancer and music lover never wavered.
As I immersed myself in the dance community in Vancouver, I began attending auditions and participating in anything I could find to gain experience network, and to keep growing as an artist. In 2020, still unrepresented by an agent, I secured my first commercial job in Netflix’s “Christmas Chronicles 2.”
The onset of COVID-19 prompted a shift, leading me to join “Motus The Company” in LA, which has become an integral part of my life and dance journey since. My career further flourished with appearances in Nickelodeon’s “Monster High: The Movie 1 & 2,” Sony Entertainment’s “Honey Girls,” and CW’s “Riverdale,” and in 2023, I signed with a local dance agency.
Simultaneously, I ventured into choreography and became the main choreographer and dancer for the soulful artist “TRS” and founded the “rishon” art showcase. Set to hold its second show on December 2023, “rishon” has become a platform to spotlight local community talent.
Alongside my dance endeavors, I am pursuing a full-time business degree at Simon Fraser University, balancing academic pursuits with my passion for the performing arts.
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 think all artists can relate that the road to pursuing a career in the entertainment industry is rarely smooth.
Being an immigrant, I often felt disadvantaged compared to local artists due to language barriers, lack of a local network, and limited knowledge. Immigrating as a family of four presented us with many obstacles, and I’ve had to figure out everything on my own. Where is a dance studio where I can train? How to submit for representation from a dance agency? What’s the proper etiquette in auditions for a movie? Where can I get professional headshots done? and so on. Fighting to stay on the journey to become a professional dancer and pushing the boundaries of my family’s beliefs about a career in the arts required quick adaptation and increased belief in myself and my dreams. The more I worked towards becoming a better artist, the more I started to believe I can become and feel deserving of being a professional dancer and choreographer. The journey taught me that everyone has a different starting point, and true comparison lies in personal growth.
Additionally, being a full-time student while working on movie productions and training and performing in LA presented the challenge of building the right balance between the two careers in my life. Balancing both careers meant doing quizzes during lunch breaks on sets, staying up late, catching up on university material after rehearsal, and making various compromises. Scheduling and time management became crucial skills as I navigated through both worlds.
Mentally, the unpredictability of dance jobs, ranging from three months long jobs to week-long jobs, and dealing with the highs and lows of the industry built discipline and resilience. Facing repeated rejections and staying patient in the face of setbacks became essential components of my journey, shaping me in ways that I doubt would have been possible in any other career path.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional dancer, choreographer, and director, immersed in the entertainment scene since 2018. My commercial credits include “Christmas Chronicles 2,” Nickelodeon’s “Monster High: The Movie 1 & 2,” Sony Entertainment’s “Honey Girls,” and CW’s “Riverdale.”
My journey as a choreographer kicked off with small showcases, evolving into becoming TRS’s main choreographer and dancer. I’ve curated performances for festivals and other creative projects.
Among my achievements, I take immense pride in “rishon” art showcase. It’s not just an event; it’s an immersive experience blending dance, live music, local fashion, and video content. The inaugural “rishon.1” on June 24, 2023, featured over 30 individuals, drew an audience of 70+, and showcased three clothing lines. Now, I’m deep into crafting “rishon.2,” slated for December 2023. “rishon” serves as a creative outlet, challenging me to elevate with each production and fostering growth across all its facets. It’s a project close to my heart, embodying my commitment to pushing boundaries and expanding creatively.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is becoming the truest version of myself. With the challenges of immigration and constant relocation, my identity has been a constant question. I’ve navigated the need to suppress, adapt, unlearn, and relearn behavioral patterns. Now, I embrace change, seeking to unveil the raw, truest version of myself. I aim to bring her to the forefront, enriched with the knowledge accumulated over the years. Whether I’m exploring new avenues, staying consistent in training, or pursuing my goals, authenticity is at the core of it all. The underlying prompt of my journey has been actively becoming that authentic self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karinabromberg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karina.bromberg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-bromberg/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzFofhKKYiG-_nvj1MU3yw
