We recently connected with Alex Blitstein and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Alex thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Earning a full-time living from my creative work has been both a gift and a curse. There is no denying that sustaining a career in performing arts, choreography and or dance is a never-ending journey, but when the major shift happens and your passion becomes a career, it usually happens in the blink of an eye.
I would still fight to say I am still trying to “make it happen” each and every day, but at this point I feel proud of where I am, versus where I was when I decided to start this journey. Circumstantially I feel that I was born at just the right time to experience my career trajectory in real time and not through a cell phone or social media. The learning curve was more personal and less about others and more about my personal goals. I attribute much of my success to that.
There is no speeding up the process when it comes to creating a brand for yourself alongside the daunting task of executing the services that support that brand. All great things take time, especially when you are wanting longevity and the ability to expand into different avenues within your chosen career/industry.
Working as a creative often feels like playing the slot machines — it’s a gamble, unpredictable and beyond your control. You invest time, energy, and passion, not knowing when or if the payoff will come. But when you hit a streak of luck, no matter how small, it’s enough to reignite your drive and keep you invested, pushing more into the game, hoping for the next big win. It’s this mix of uncertainty and possibility that keeps us creatives going, fueled by the belief that the next spin might just be the one.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Like many great career stories, my journey into the entertainment industry was unexpected. I am a fourth-generation San Franciscan, raised by two incredibly supportive parents who always led with love. If I showed interest in something, they did too. Their unwavering encouragement and trust in my ability to forge my own path are undoubtedly why I am where I am today.
My childhood revolved around gymnastics, it was my identity, my passion, and my source of pride. The blend of artistry and athleticism kept me disciplined and motivated. However, it wasn’t until my teenage years that I discovered dance, ultimately leading me to my calling in the entertainment industry.
After earning a BFA in Dance and Preferred Sciences, I moved to Los Angeles with no plan, no job prospects, and only the determination to make something happen. I started coaching gymnastics outside Downtown LA for $20 an hour while living rent-free with a friend’s grandmother in East LA. My first break came when I landed a job as a Production Assistant in the wardrobe department for the inaugural season of The Voice. Life was simple, stress-free, and full of unknowns—I had no idea what the next decade would hold, nor could I have imagined it.
A month into my LA journey, a friend told me about an opening with a major film production company. I had no experience, but I was excited by the possibility. I showed up to the interview with a sparse résumé and a big smile, competing against dozens of candidates. After six rounds of interviews over two weeks, I found myself at a conference table with six executives staring at my resume, which, aside from a college degree and a few personal interests, was not so impressive. One of the producers looked at me and said, “I’m not sure how you ended up here, but from what I hear, you have that ‘it’ factor we’ve been looking for.”
The interview went well. They laughed, we connected, and then they told me I was up against another candidate, someone with a master’s degree from USC whose qualifications perfectly aligned with the role. Oddly, this only made me feel more certain that I was meant to be there. Two days later, they offered me the position. The hiring manager called, excited to share the news, but before finalizing everything, she asked, “Do you think you’ll be happy?”
That single question changed everything. It confirmed what I already knew, I wasn’t meant for this path. I thanked them for the opportunity, asked them to congratulate the other candidate, and walked away. That moment solidified a personal rule I’ve lived by ever since: If you have to ask the question, you already know the answer. It has guided me through countless personal and professional decisions.
Following my instincts, I immersed myself in dance again, training at Edge Performing Arts Center, then the epicenter of professional dance in LA. A few instructors noticed me and took me under their wing. Through them, I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my career—the power of being a great assistant. Working under someone who is doing one thing right in your industry can accelerate your growth exponentially and get you ten steps ahead. Observing their mistakes, learning from their successes, and absorbing their knowledge gave me a foundation that would later serve me in ways I never expected.
Before long, I secured an agent without an audition—an opportunity that came from playing my cards right, meeting the right people, and making authentic connections. From there, things took off. I booked a commercial with Jennifer Lopez, traveled to Japan to train J-Pop bands, and landed a direct booking on Glee. The hard work was paying off, and the universe was providing.
Lean into opportunities. They can change your life.
As my commercial dance career flourished, I found myself in new roles, working as a choreographer on set and teaching master classes worldwide. Those experiences revealed my true calling. For over eight years, I took more than 200 flights annually, traveling to television sets, universities, and studios worldwide. My work expanded into brand management, business consulting, and beyond. I pushed my limits, but through it all, I stayed true to my purpose—leading with intention and integrity.
If I was to sum up what sets me apart from others it would be my work ethic, my intentions and my ability to show up under any circumstance and read a room well enough to change the energy.
After years of relentless dedication to my career, I felt the pull to shift gears. I bought a home, took a leap of faith, and opened The Dance House Napa Valley. It was the riskiest yet most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. Becoming a business owner has been a profound and transformative experience—one that continues to shape me every day.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Children.
As someone who has worked with people from every walk of life ranging from the greatest of the great, I think we sometimes become jaded by our surroundings. Everyone is so hungry to say that they work with professionals that we forget that everyone starts somewhere.
There is nothing more humbling than teaching a group of 15 4-6 year olds. At the same time, there is nothing more rewarding.
Great mentorship and guidance got me where I am. Whether it was my parents, a teacher to a coach, whoever was willing to meet me at eye level could bring out my greatness.
Having worked with tens of thousands of children I can now see how it can take just one positive experience to shape someone’s trajectory. It can also take one negative experience to do the same. I was born with a level of empathy that allows me to reach people in a way that I cannot even make sense of. All I know is that it is my superpower and it makes me feel whole.
My mission is to make everyone that I work with see their greatness. Making people feel loved and able to see their worth is my passion.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am constantly pivoting for the simple reason that I am getting older. As a former gymnast, springboard diver and professional dancer, I can close my eyes and remember what it feels like to soar into the air effortlessly. But, when my eyes open I am forced to realize that my body and my brain are no longer in alignment.
As we grow up and grow out of our bodies, we have to make choices and have hard conversations with ourselves about what comes next.
Going from being a performer to a creator to a business owner was the ultimate pivot but also a power move. Divine timing and a little luck allowed me to realize that if you can be ahead of the curve, you will likely be ahead of the game.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedancehousenapa.com/about
- Instagram: @alexblitstein
- Facebook: Alex Blitstein
Image Credits
I have the rights to use the images.