Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bianca Brandon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bianca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Honestly through the grace of God, I have been able to earn a full time living from being a professional dancer since I graduated from college. After I graduated in 2016 I worked for Disney Cruise Line for a nine month contract then came back to Pittsburgh where I realized I really wanted to get more involved with teaching dance and judging for dance competitions. I dived right into the work that needed to be done and made it happen after a few months of moving back. While judging for competitions on weekends, I also started working for Abby Lee Dance Company and also became a creative arts teacher at public schools in Pittsburgh. It’s honestly something I really loved and enjoying doing. I did all those things for about four and a half years then during Covid, I decided I wanted to still dance professionally and wanted to move to LA. So in 2021, I moved to LA and started working a few different dance jobs that paid the bills but I was not exactly happy. Then finally the perfect job landed my way after subbing at a dance studio the owner gave me information to someone who ran a program in LA where dance teachers teach dance in schools. The pay was amazing and I found a great studio to work at and finally signed with an agency. I started going to more auditions and finally started booking jobs after living in LA for about 7 months. Then in 2023 I left for 6 months working for Virgin Voyages for a 6 month contract and then an even longer contract with Holland America Cruise Line.

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.

When I was Two years old my mom signed me up for my first dance class. I think I quit every other year my mom said and then I got really involved with gymnastics. I was going to start doing gymnastics competively but injured myself and had to take some time off. That’s when I decided to take dance serious when I was about ten or eleven years old. I just really loved dancing and performing, it’s just an incredible feeling that I can’t explain but I feel it within my body and soul whenever I hear music. I danced competitively and did summer intensives like Alvin Ailey and Point Park. I graduated high school and received a scholarship to Point Point University where I received my BFA in Dance with a jazz concentration. I think all of my teachers from the age of 5 to my college teachers all helped shape me into the dancer I am today. Even doing contracts and different gigs, I am always learning in the space and that is something I am proud of. I am proud to be an African American Dancer trying to pave the way for other girls who look like me because representation does matter,

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A story about my resilience is that my mother actually went blind my senior year of college. It was really hard being in a different state than her while she was going through this transition and being in school but more because I dealing with the fact my mom would never be able to watch me dance again. She was and has always been my biggest supporter when it comes to dance. She will always be my hero and I know I am the strong woman I am today because of her.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes one of my favorite books is called “The subtle art of not giving a #@%!”. Its truly an amazing book and changed my perspective on so much because I can sometimes overthink a lot so this book was a game changer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Beewthegoodhair