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

Deanna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From a young age, I have always been dancing. Whether it was around the house or in the dance studio I grew up in, I was always moving. With my studio, I took classes and participated in recitals and competitions. I didn’t have much experience with the professional side of dance. It wasn’t until I was awarded a scholarship to the Hollywood Summer Tour that I got my first taste of the professional dance world. This experience was super insightful and transformative. I got to experience the LA dance scene for the first time at 14 years old. I learned from professional dancers and choreographers and immersed myself in open classes, photoshoots, rehearsals, and educational workshops. This special experience concluded in a Michael Jackson reprise music video, “Black or White,” filmed at Paramount Studios. The Hollywood Summer Tour reaffirmed my love and dedication to the art of dancing, and it made me realize how much I can achieve to make my passion a job.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Deanna! I was born and raised in New Jersey. I began my dance journey at four years old at LaDanse School of Performing Arts in Linden, New Jersey. I trained in many styles, including salsa, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, modern, and musical theater. Like many kids who grow up in a dance studio setting, I was also a part of the competition team. I also went to the Academy for Performing Arts, where I studied technical theater and learned more about the backstage aspects of live theater. After graduating from high school, I relocated to Los Angeles, where I am currently pursuing my BFA in Commercial Dance at AMDA. Here I have been able to delve into not only dance but also acting, creating choreography, cinematography, and directing. I was also a part of the Business of Dance mentorship program with Menina Fortunato. In this program, I talked to industry professionals, learned more about the business aspect of dance, and learned and grew alongside other dancers. Aside from dance, I enjoy baking and cooking! I also love fashion and seeing how I can piece different items together.

In the future, I want to merge film, fashion, and dance together in my artistic expression. In addition to that, I would love to perform on stage and in music videos alongside my favorite artists. I also have been training more in heels recently. It has become one of my favorite styles. I love how I feel when I put on a heel and perform. I would love to choreograph and teach heels choreography and technique to dancers. When I am no longer performing, I would love to open up my own dance business or studio that combines all my creative interests into one hub.

One thing I am proud of is my growth as a dancer. I work very hard in and outside the studio, which shows in everything I do! No matter your skill level, work ethic and being genuine will get you a long way. I truly believe that the way I show up in a space has greatly impacted my life and helped me work towards and gain many of my accomplishments!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I believe a lot of non-creatives struggle to understand how artists make a living. Many people would shy away from the arts as a career or even tell people to try to do something else. However, a lot of the media we consume is art! I think the reluctance to accept the arts as a legitimate career comes from fear. The “starving artist” stereotype is etched into people’s minds as a universal situation for all artists. There are certainly ups and downs as an artist. However, I truly believe that if you have a strong passion for something and want to turn it into a career, it is possible. There are so many different avenues one person can pursue in this industry. It is all about putting in the work towards your goals and setting yourself up for success. Grit, passion, and effort are all key! As long as someone works hard, shows up for themselves mentally, physically and spiritually, and surrounds themselves with a supportive community, success is not as far away as many make it seem.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is seeing ideas come to life. I love being in a space where you can see or even feel the shift in energy when an idea has been realized. The arts also bring people together. No matter if you’re a beginner or the most skilled artist on the planet, the arts have the ability to bring different people and communities together. Art can provide a safe and sacred space for people to be themselves and express freely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedeannabrooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.deanna.xo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deanna.brooks.967422/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@xodeannaxo
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.deanna.xo

Image Credits
Jared Treviño @_jared_trevino Jack Robertson @jr_acting Tony Udom Lily O’Dell @endless.lenses