We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devotera Hill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Devotera, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
As a kid, I learned how to dance by watching my family and TV. My mother, Aldona, taught me how to Chicago Step, and My sister, Nita, taught me how to freestyle. My sister, Shawn, taught me contemporary and a bit of ballet. My brother taught me how to Chicago House Dance. I was the type of dancer that put together movements without copying every step of choreography, which is called freestyle. I would figure out creative movements with my body and create a dance routine.
To speed up my learning process, I could have incorporated copying other people’s full routines, which could have helped me with auditions.
The most essential skills are being consistent, wanting to learn more styles, and finessing the styles I have already learned.
The obstacle I’ve faced, that stood in the way of learning more would be the lack of knowledge within my community when it came to dancing education. I lived in the projects of Chicago, Ill. which were called State way Gardens. There weren’t any professional dance opportunities that I knew of nor had access to. Once I became older and traveled, I was introduced to the professional entertainment industry, in my 20s as a parent.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have gotten into my industry of business by going to college my hip-hop teacher was the leader of Foot Klan and the other teacher was a part of Rock Steady. I learned that I could dance, perform, travel, and make a living from entertainment.
The discipline it takes to be in this industry is self-motivation, self-respect, and tough skin, The type of services I provide is dance education to various genders, ages, shapes, sizes, and dance levels which include new to dance, beginners, intermediate, advanced, and professional. I provide entertainment for clients’ corporate, private, and public events. I also teach those that compete in competitive dance, wedding choreography, birthday routines, corporations that need team-building activities, and so much more. 2 Left Feet is innovative and embrace change. We also have a partnership with the City of Phoenix where we teach dance education for three community centers as far. The main thing I am proudest of is accomplishing my business. I started my business with the notion of being genuinely supportive of my son’s goals and aspirations. When my son was younger, he advised me of what he wanted to be when he grew up and I encouraged him to go for it, but genuine support came from me pursuing my dream. He inspires me until this day, while I try to do the same! Interesting fact: the logo of 2 Left Feet is my son’s baby footprint.
My company always customizes each specific client’s personal goals with the art of dance and movement, and this amongst other qualities is what sets us apart. Hello, I am Devotera Hill, this is a short snippet of my background:
Devotera Hill (Violet) – Mother, Motivational Speaker, Panelist, Performer, Instructor, Founder, Movement Coach, Artist, Choreographer, Producer, Dancer, & More…
2 Left Feet
Started, 2015
Incorporated, LLC 2019
Logo created 2019, ☀️ son’s baby foot
2 Left Feet was created because of a mother’s love for her son. One day, her son looked at her with eagerness in his gorgeous eyes. He voiced, “Mama, I want to be an astronaut.” From that day, she set forward to follow her dreams of what she wanted to be when she grew-up. She genuinely wanted to be able to tell her son to follow his dreams and never give up!
Devotera Hill born in Illinois and is an Indigenous well-rounded artist who is better known by her professional name Violet. Her dance foundations include Hip Hop, Contemporary, 2 Step, & more. She has featured in the news, newspapers, videos, and more.
She has opened for artists which include De La Soul, Candy Man, Cee-Lo, Janet Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Alice Cooper, Skee-Lo, Cypress Hill (Melo Man Ace), In Too Deep & more.
She has choreographed and performed on several beautiful stages & arenas for example Dodge Theatre, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Talking Stick Resort, Tempe Center for the Arts, Herberger Theater Center, Celebrity Theatre, and more.
Former member of Footklan 2008 – 2017
Arizona’s first Hip-Hop location and dance troupe
Selected and Performed: Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. Her extensive work in musical theater includes starring in Broadway productions of Coco, Over Here! Goodtime Charley, Chicago, Dancin’ and Sweet Charity
Selected and Performed: Tsahai Dias
Tsahai Dias former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance.
**Awarded Most Improved Female Dancer and Member of Moving Company Dance Team**
Education:
Graduated with a business degree, two dance degrees, and a certification. Received a full certification scholarship at Rio Salado, offered a scholarship at Grand Canyon University, and accepted at ASU.
Sunny Slope High School
Stepping Team, Created the 1st Stepping Team
Cheerleader
Flag Girl
Awarded Best Dancer
Royal Palm Jr. High
Pom Team
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I’ve been told- Why are you working on your business, you need to work someplace in a corporate career? I thought about it, and stated, how do you think the corporate job got started? It had to start somewhere before it grew. I am not sure where my business is going to go but I won’t know until I do it!
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Resources I wish I knew about earlier, are connecting with the career-based entertainment industry. Earlier, I didn’t know there was such a thing, where you an audition and end up dancing with celebrealities and etc. By the time I found out I was a parent. I couldn’t travel, be gone all hours of the night and my priorities were to take care of my son.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2leftfeetaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2leftfeetaz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2LeftFeetAz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DevoteraHill
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/2-left-feet-tempe?osq=2+left+feet
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@2leftfeetaz
Image Credits
The 1st picture is my son, Terence McGary Jr., and I, can you put his name on the picture and state my son and I are teaching choreography for a birthday event. Or put something like that on the photo image credits please.