We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcella Palazzo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcella below.

Alright, Marcella thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Dance is a hard skill to learn. I started dancing as a teen which is considered late in the dance world. Through my journey I realized that mastering this craft includes training in all styles, strength conditioning, flexibility conditioning, technique, and performance. Learning the foundational technique of Ballet/Jazz is what I feel every dancer needs to be great at whichever style they want to expand in. Learning your body and mind’s strengths and weaknesses is how you master this craft

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the owner of my Mood & Moves Dance Company in San Francisco, CA. Mood & Moves is a dance studio that provides classes, workshops, private lessons, and studio rentals. We also put out performance videos and live shows to showcase our company’s style.

Since I was a little girl I would always zone out and envision choreography when music came on. In my mind I would see the lights, the costumes, the formations. As I got older I began bringing my visions to life on dancers. I then opened my own studio where I was able to teach and create endlessly! My studio is also a place for other artists to create their visions as well. I wanted my studio to act as a blank canvas for dancers, photographers, actors, film makers, and more. My passion is providing space for art to come to life.

What I am most proud of is my company’s ability to showcase our dancer’s uniqueness. We teach proper technique and choreography, but we also emphasize dancing with passion and encourage dancers to find their own unique touch. Mood & Moves is about performing from the soul and communicating a feeling through dance. We don’t just dance with the feet, but also with the heart.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect is that I feel fulfilled every single day. I’ve had other jobs where I would work my shift, and then go home not feeling like I contributed anything important to the customers or to the world. Teaching dance allows me to put a smile on my student’s face, help them improve at a goal, and bring my own creative visions to life. It’s my way of making something beautiful and expressing myself to the world. I love seeing my students grow, seeing my choreography come to life for an audience to see, and also seeing what other artists are able to create in my studio.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think every creative has been told the phrase “well this is a hobby, you need a real job”. A lot of people don’t understand that artistic careers aren’t just hobbies for creatives. If you have a job you’re not passionate about, I don’t believe you will ever truly be happy. Having a job you don’t feel fulfilled by will only suppress your true purpose. So yes it will take hard work, a little bit of struggle, and a lot of dedication. But if it’s your true passion then it’s more than worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: moodandmoves.com
• Instagram: @moodandmoves
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS8tQw310YSoyElB1Cl0rTA

Image Credits
Photos by: Lindsey Huffman