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

Chantal , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Not always, but often times in the Dance world it’s common for teachers to use negative reinforcement when instructing. To be critical of the students’ bodies, intelligence, and natural abilities. I prefer to approach teaching with compassion. Everyone has been a new student at one point or another and we should aim to bring students out of their shell rather than force them back in. Constructive criticism doesn’t have to be negative, rather, teachers can embolden students by framing their critiques as a milestone of their dance journey. I like to deliver my notes alongside acknowledgment that the student is growing as a dancer and gratitude that they continue to put their best foot forward in rehearsals.

Chantal , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I knew from a very young age that I wanted a career in the performing arts. I began dance when I was 3 years old and theatre when I was even younger (I was carried onstage at 2 months old as Baby Jesus). I did dance and theatre throughout my childhood and eventually landed a spot in my dance studio’s Company team. In high school I got involved with show choir which really changed the game for me. Whereas I already had a passion for dance and theatre, I developed a passion for singing as well. I was a member of Bonita Vista High School’s Sound Unlimited and The Music Machine show choirs and became one of the Dance Captains for The Music Machine my senior year. I started college at San Diego State University as a Theatre major with an emphasis in musical theatre. After 2 years, I transferred my Junior year to UC Irvine for their Drama program.
Once I graduated, I started teaching dance almost immediately. A couple years later I got a call from one of my show choir peers from high school. He had recently taken over the program as the Director and wanted to know if I was available to choreograph. Fast forward to today and I am one of the Artistic Directors and choreographers for the very same show choirs I loved to perform in in high school!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I know this sounds cheesy, but there is something really exciting about watching your student master a new skill. New dance students will often be self-deprecating in an effort to soften the blow when they make a mistake. To see that same student do their first double pirouette, round-off, or whatever they’ve been focusing on is extremely rewarding because it validates hours and hours of work that you and your student have invested together.

When I’m at competition with my show choir students, it feels ten times more gratifying when they win 1st Place than it did when I was one of the ones competing as a teenager. It relieves some of that imposter syndrome that I think most people feel at some point in their career. To see these students watch their hard work pay off in real time is an amazing feeling.

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

I think most people will relate to this in some way or another. I graduated college in 2019 and immediately began teaching dance and gymnastics. As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 and unfortunately, I was let go from my gymnastics job. I was still able to teach dance occasionally over Zoom but the hours were few and far between as most studios and classes had shut down. In order to fill some of the financial and creative void in my life, I learned how to make epoxy resin crafts and began selling them online. I opened an Etsy shop and an Instagram account to sell jewelry, coasters, trays, etc.
I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to learn and share a new craft but was over the moon once it became safe enough to teach in-person again (albeit with a mask on).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @blossom_illuminations
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bvhs%20vocal%20music (the Facebook account for the show choirs I work with, stay up to date with performances and events!)

Image Credits
Kaleb Scott Lisa Brannen