Many times creative kids aren’t celebrated in spaces where Art is the minority. Often times we are told to pick a passion that “makes sense” or something that can land you into college. I knew from a young age that my route would be different. I knew Art was my ticket out! It wasn’t until I was 14 years old that I stumbled into a high school dance audition and met the woman that would single-handedly be responsible for changing my life forever. Her name, Susie Garcia, she came in at a divine time, I was just an untrained singer who never danced and only wanted to dodge his practice for Track & Field. I couldn’t keep up with the choreography and only knew one dance move, “The Moonwalk”, I must’ve been bursting with energy because plot twist I made the team. That was the beginning of a beautiful pattern that will be a constant in my life, Susie believing in me more than I believed in myself.
Susie has not only been a game changer in dance, she also encourages us to hone in on other talents and gifts we’ve been blessed with. I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember and Susie has celebrated that time after time, from allowing me to perform my original song at 14 in front of my entire high school during a recital, to her choreographing my very first music video. She has always motivated me to push beyond the limits I set for myself be it in dance, music or wherever I chose to express. My gifts were never shunned or silenced, they were always celebrated.
I grew up in a home with loving parents who always wanted the best for me and wanted me to succeed, but most parents are realists and can only guide and encourage you to the best of their ability and not really understanding the plight of an artist. We need mentors and guardian angels to help sharpen our iron and creatively direct us in life, Susie is that to me and so much more. She continues to pour life into me everyday. Constantly challenging me, beyond art, in life. I will never be the same and I am forever grateful. I owe my entire artistry to Susie. I feel the reason I am able to capture freedom so freely is because I had the honor of being trained and nurtured by the best example of liberation through expression.