We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ari Fine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ari thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I’d always wanted to dance since I was little, however, I knew my Junior year of high school that I wanted to make dance my full-time career. I remember seeing Aladdin on Broadway in NYC and thinking…wait I can dance and make people smile all day as a profession?! I was dancing almost every evening in my weekly classes I took, on top of doing dance team and drama club at my high school. The feeling I had performing was unmatched, and I knew I wanted to become a professional dancer. I had such tunnel vision on pursuing dance in college that I began all the possible research I could on colleges that offered dance programs, on conservatories, and even on professional summer dance programs.

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.

My name is Ari and I am a professional dancer and dance teacher in the Cleveland area! :) I really got into the dance industry when I moved to NYC in 2018 and started performing and teaching around the city. I learned so much about being a dance educator through The Mark Morris Dance Center and the classes I was fortunate to assist/teach. Then, I began my Training Program at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan in 2019. This program really launched so many opportunities for me as both a performer and artist. I was auditioning nonstop, training & taking classes every day, and making lasting connections with my fellow artists.

During the pandemic, I came home and was virtually auditioning until I was able to start auditioning in person for dance performance roles. After many amazing audition opportunities, I got casted seasonally for one of my dream roles as a performer at Universal Studios Orlando! I had such an amazing year in Orlando performing. I grew a lot as a performer, and I learned so much about being ‘on the job’ and the stamina it requires to perform consistently. This was the first ‘ah-hah’ moment for me and really validated all the hard work and perseverance.

Currently, I teach and choreograph at multiple places around the Cleveland area, and I do remote work for an amazing studio in NYC, as well. I am most proud of my students and being able to witness their growth season after season. Being able to articulate what I’ve learned as an artist into the classroom setting is both validating and rewarding because it feels like I’m really able to provide guidance and support for my students. Also, seeing how excited dancers get about this art form is something I’ll never get over…the pre-show excitement, the friendships made, and the hard work is so amazing to witness as an educator. No matter where, what, or who I teach, my main goal is to make dance fun, safe, and accessible for all.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I feel like I’m still learning how to navigate social media, but I think as cliché as it sounds, the best advice I have is to find something you’re passionate about and stay authentically on that path. Everyone has their niche and favorite way to consume media, so I think being consistent and not comparing your pages to others will be the best way to build your presence.

I first built up my presence from posting my dance videos on Instagram, even the ones where I knew I needed to improve. This became a way for me to track my growth and see what I need to work on from a technical and performance standpoint. I also love to see my non-dance friend’s reactions because they perceive dances with fresh eyes, and they can provide some positive feedback that maybe you’ve never thought about before.

Another huge part of my social media presence is sharing my love of pop culture and t.v. shows/movies. I began making videos on my favorite shows during the pandemic, and since, I’ve met such a wonderful community of fellow creatives, been able to be in the new Bridgerton promo trailer for their upcoming season, and made connections with artists from all over the world! I am so grateful to be able to explore all my passions, and to share that joy with others.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew earlier on about the power of networking and how asking questions is SO so beneficial. Your teachers have so much wisdom and experience that starting there is such a great source of inspiration in and of itself. I was so fortunate to have teachers growing up and professors in college that provided me with so much information about being a dance educator, about living in NYC, and about different opportunities that were available. I think the best piece of advice I got across the board was to make sure you make your own path in the creative world and don’t feel limited to just doing one thing. Your art can be your art AND it can be your means of making a living. Why not have it both ways?

Personally, one very specific thing I wish I knew about earlier on in my creative journey was the power of research and applying to EVERYTHING and anything that interests you! I think I learned the most doing programs and intensives because I was in new environments, surrounded by peers with a plethora of different experiences, and supported by teachers/educators/choreographers that had so much experience and knowledge to give. Essentially, don’t be afraid to dive ALL in! :)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arifine.wixsite.com/mysite
• Instagram: @ari_fine
• Facebook: Ari Fine

Image Credits
Dance shots by Tieast Plummer (@snapzbytiemovez)