Interviewing the Dreamer - the Choreographer

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If you missed my last fashion show for SS12 with Project Ethos, then you missed a talented young lady's performance! Noooo, I'm not the talented young lady (lol).  Her name is Joanna Baca and she opened my runway show in what now has become a staple of my runway shows.  Her performance has already received awesome reviews.

" One particularly inspiring moment of the night was watching a young sixteen year old model work the crowd as she opened the Melissa Velia presentation with an amazing hip hop dance routine she choreographed herself."   - The LA Fashion Magazine 

Here's my interview with Joanna.

When did you start dancing?
I've been dancing ever since I was a little girl at the age of 3.

Joanna Baca

Have you always wanted to be a dancer/ choreographer?

Yes I've always loved to dance and create dances just for fun. As I got older, I found a real interest in choreographing dances for group performances and solos for myself.

Joanna in the center

Have you had any training?

I took dancing lessons for tap, ballet, and jazz when I was younger but stopped when I was 9. I'm currently a member of my schools dance team and the experience of working with other dancers and learning new material everyday has definitely helped me with my dancing technique.

Who are your favorite dancers/ Choreographers?

My favorite choreographer would have to be LaurieAnn Gibson. I love her style in movement and she has a lot of flavor. There are also many talented dancers that inspire me that it's hard to name.

Who inspires you?

Famous choreographers such as Jaquel knight, Mikey Minden, and LaurieAnn inspire me as a choreographer and influence the way I intend to dance.

When you were asked to pro-form for the fashion show, what did you think?

When I was asked to perform I was so stoked and excited. I couldn't wait to experience the opportunity to open for Melissa Velia with my own dance choreo.

Pic via Snapstarlive.com

Where you nerves going on stage?

That entire day of the fashion show and rehearsal, my nerves continued to build. I ran my dance in my head about 500 times. When the lights dimmed, and when I took my place on stage, all my nerves went away an I just gave it my all. I left everything on the dance floor and truly had fun with it.

Joanna backstage before her performance

How often do you perform?

I perform dance numbers quite often for dance competitions, dance recitals, benefit shows, and many school events which are every year.

Who's your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter would have to be my mom. She encourages me to excel in dancing and try new dance technique. She is always at every performance and shows tons of support.

Is dancing/ choreography something you want to do for a living?

Yes dancing is something I see myself working towards in my future. And making a profession out of. One of my goals is to work with well known dancers and choreographers and grow as my own unique dancer.

Is this something you want to do for the rest of your life?

I want to experience new opportunities in dance throughout my life but mostly I want to inspire other people to dance and impact there view on it as well.

What's the hardest thing about being a choreographer?

The hardest thing about being a choreographer is probably taking time and energy out to put together an amazing dance number. Dance honestly takes a lot of dedication and is more difficult than people thing. But I love doing it and wouldn't spend my time doing anything else.

In your wildest dreams where would you like to see your career go?

My dream is to be a performer in concerts and huge events and work with amazing artists and choreographers. I'd love to travel the world and share my talent with people.

Who would you absolutely love to work with? (performer, celeb, singer, etc.)

I would absolutely love to work with LaurieAnn Gibson and Beyonce. That would be my dream.


Check out her performance at my SS12 Fashion Show

For bookings, press or other questions for Joanna Baca, email Jessica at dancebookings@yahoo.com