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

Celeste, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were extreme believers in the impact of the arts. Growing up as a child in the Latina-Morales household meant that you were not able to watch TV unsupervised and that you were going to play the piano every day for at least one hour, attend church twice a week, participate in the choir and youth services as well as going to flamenco and ballet classes outside of school and attending rehearsals that my parents were choreographing or choreographic music for. I was constantly surrounded by the arts because both of my parents were actively in the field. What I truly appreciate about my parents and how they brought me up was the constant encouragement that I received to them when it came to the simple idea and concept that I could do anything. The world was my oyster. I could be the president of the United States. I could book a Broadway show. I could attain the highest degree here in the USA of a PhD. Or I could travel the world as a rock star. I could create my own movie. I could be a writer. I could be an actress. There was a constant uplifting in my household that I did not realize until my later years in high school that several of my friends were not experiencing in their households. My parents are both Latines coming from two completely different backgrounds. One coming from parents with a third grade education coming from Mexico and then a Filipino father who adopted him working in the military and the other a mother from Honduras and a Chicano father who did have education at the college level.

Everyday in my household we needed to be actively creating art that was working on dance, music, or writing. On Saturdays every morning we would get up early so that my parents could teach my sister and I and some our best friends Mexican Folkloric and Flamenco dancing. This became a ritual all throughout grade school. I remember racing to dance class, to church rehearsal, band practice for my local school that I was in. I was in a performing arts middle and high school and my parents fully supported my artistic drive and opened up this door for me to attend and not only was I in productions in school but my parents were also driving me to my training classes outside of school where I had attained full scholarships at several local dance studios that were in town. At the time in middle school I don’t believe I understood the efforts that my father was going through at the time to complete his PhD, dissertation, and coursework that was happening in a degree program from San Diego State University and Claremont Colleges in Los Angeles county. So while he was encouraging me to do my best in school, supporting my private piano lessons, attending and being actively apart of church services as the pianist, he was also driving to and from Los Angeles to complete this degree. Thinking about that now is so humbling because I realize all that he did for his children for a better life of more opportunities. To be the best version of himself. My mom was the head of the dance department at the middle and high school art school I went to. Not only was she my mentor and friend, but she was also the mentor of many of my close friends at the time. So she was chauffeuring my friends and I around town for dance training and mentoring us when it came to college applications, writing letters of recommendations for friends of mine that I really wanted to go to college with and opening doors and seeing how much my parents would go out of the day plays a significant role for me today because it has given me the perspective that all is possible if you empower one another, if you have faith in your community while being our best versions of ourself. What my parents did well was not only telling me that I could do anything but also telling me that I was the best one onstage even if I wasn’t or making me believe that I was the star and that I was the daughter of their father really being our number one fans at every show. Even when I had moved across the country to go to college to study dance and theater they were flying across the country to be there for me. Even then they were making sure that I understand my role in this world and the power that I have and the ancestral lineage that runs through my blood. There was a constant pouring of love in my household that at times it did reflect to be a demanding, rigorous environment that was abnormal in other households like when kids were finding commonalities amongst one another with playing video games, watching tv, or playing outside but our environment was immersed in the arts. So performing with another as a family playing music together at Spanish restaurants etc. So this picture that I’m painting for you is a picture is a picture that was paining with so many colors and there was such a dynamism of life and filling so many voids that I thought I had inside of myself especially overcoming a stuttering issue and moving from a Spanish school to an English school. Later on vI always knew that the academics played a significant part in my life. And while straight A’s were expected from my dad, I did not attain these straight A’s until my junior year when I met another dancer and friend who was also on fire for the community and we would compete with each other for straight A’s with a healthy competition.

After I finished my studies at University of the Arts my parents were still telling me I could do anything. They didn’t see the path for me to be a struggling artist, couch hopping, or living in poverty by choice. They told me anything was possible and I could be possible. During this time I met Donald McKayle which was when I was invited to join UC Irvine without an audition or needed to complete tests. I was extremely humbled to have him as my mentor. Many years since I am beyond humbled to have the career that I’ve had, the choices I’ve had, ability to say no to opportunities, and being employed by other opportunities. The opportunity to have options and know that I am in the drivers seat and that I drive and steer my own car. And so that role of agency has been taught to me as a young girl and looking back at this short life that I’ve had I look forward to a very long life I realized that the more education that I gain at the final stages of my PhD writing my dissertation, I realize I sit with more agency, in the drivers seat and acknowledge the power of choices I’ve had and the role that I play in my own story in my own narrative both in writing as a take each step in my life and open each door or close doors along my journey. I’m grateful to be able to have played principal roles in so many shows and earning a living performing, creating and still being exposed to many communities that see me so I can inspire them. I continue to be grateful to my parents for watching our shows that we would write in our house. Our musicals, magazines that we would publicize and produce, our cooking shows and all of the interactions that we would have with cousins, friends and loved ones. I thank my parents for being a captive audience and always wanting more for me but also making me see that I can have everything and more and the power that I have in society the role that I play especially as a woman and Latina. Understanding the role of family, community, and sociopolitical economic reality that surrounds us because I came from to community leader parents. Our dinner table discussions would continually reflect topics about current world issues happening. So ever since I was a little girl there has been an urgency running through my veins to say something through my art and speak up for those that are silence while remembering all the ethical considerations that surround art. Remembering everything my grandparents went through so I can stand here today speaking to you. Remembering and being told that life is about relationships has been huge for my life journey my continual discover. My continued journey as a get to know myself more in this life and continue to evolve. My personal relationship with God has been a constant conversation in my family. My dad used to share scriptures with us at the dinner table because he knows the Bible inside out I grew up with the word. Knowing that I could always go to God. Knowing that all is possible if I have God on my side. Knowing that I can always go to him and share love with others regardless of what’s going and reminding us that life is about love not religion. I reflect on what it was like as a kid growing up in the 90s in a city like San Diego this was not the norm I am just beyond thankful to know that I am always surrounded by my ancestors. Because I learned from them that without faith there is absolutely no way I’ve been able to confront the battles I have faced. So thank you for asking this question it really makes me revisit the beginnings of my life and how’s it has impacted my trajectory.

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

Of course! I am a creative and performing artist living in Los Angeles currently producing work in the city! I am also a professor at the University of California San Diego Theater & Dance Department where I teach Improvisation & Play classes in several styles of dance. My work as a PhD Candidate in Performance Studies is energized by my continued work as a performer here in Southern California. I write my own music performing with my band and am also an actress in theater/film. I have toured the world as a singer, dancer, and choreographer/dance specialist. I am most proud of remaining rooted in my gifts, developing my own dance theater works, album, and playing leads in theater works all while elevating myself through education and attaining scholarships for my PhD studies and MFA degree from UC Irvine. I got into the artistic industries as a professional because my sister taught me belly dancing and introduced me to a company in Southern California right out of college which allowed me to perform right away. Belly dancing gave me the opportunity to dance as a pro while making a living through college.

Upcoming March 28th show in Hollywood at the Vermont Hollywood presenting my original music and choreography at Choreographers Carnival! I have also curated an event called ‘Dance on Film’ as a part of the San Diego Latino Film Festival happening mid March this year where my dance film will be premiering as well as live original performance of my music. April shows in LA are also coming up along with more dance film and music releases.

I thrive fully when I am continuing to collaborate with other artists through creative expressions as well as working with individuals and productions who are true artists and believe in the power of arte!

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

Being constantly inspired by my surroundings and having the capacity to integrate external happenings into my art. The outlet of creative expression is so liberating and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. It has gotten me through some low moments and has also allowed me to have a closer connection to God. Through music, dance, theater, and communities I’ve been immersed in I have had the opportunity of knowing so many beautiful humans that have been life long friends and have the super power of artistic expressivity that has impacted my journey throughout. Having the power to be in dialogue with my body as a I move through expressions when I am at a loss for words has been a radical act of joy making that I constantly am navigating. Composing music continues to serve as a method that honors my inner most feelings especially when my body feels heavy from outside oppressions I witness daily. Artistic collaborations with others have been vital for healing and exploring togetherness as we as a people make new discovers towards love, peace, and justice.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe in financially thriving as an artistic and having deep impact in our communities. Cross discipline opportunities with STEM fields could invite new understandings that celebrate diverse approaches with empathy and inclusivity. More funding in arts programs in k-12 and higher education is essential. It has been statistically proven that when young people are active in the arts they succeed academically. All people are artists. All people are creative. One way or another, everyone in curious about artistic expression. Therefore, arts need to be supported and encouraged towards careers. More financially thriving opportunities for artists as careers is imperative. Careers in venture capitalists, consulting, and the lists go on. Artists are healers, community builders, and shape-shifters. The act of dance, creating choreographies, composing music, rehearsing, producing works all embody these aspects. Creative opportunities to produce art at high levels where artists can live by these opportunities would be deeply beneficial for our country. We need it.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://celestelanuza.com
• Instagram: @senoritaarranca-https://www.instagram.com/senoritaarranca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelesteLanuzaOfficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-lanuza-2799aa18b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4OhUfVwxs
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16BETn53QQ26owESuUJM6x
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCxiHyMLMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERConX8gcs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5wKupssio&t=135s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=511e2TAUmDE https://youtu.be/511e2TAUmDE?si=gcKTZ2DrIShW5dnL

Image Credits
Carlos Solorio and Denise Leitner