Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Evelyn Robaina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Evelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?
Yes, I have been able to earn a full time living as a dance artist, but it is hard. I believe as a dance artist, you are your own corporation, you’re the product and the one thing that they don’t teach you in a dance school is how to market yourself. I think a huge factor that has allowed me to make a living as a dance artist is being versatile and able to work in different realms within my industry. Being able to dance different styles as well as choreograph, has given me the opportunity to be bookable in multiple fields, such as television, music videos, corporate and private events, concerts, movies, coaching artists and teaching young dancers. When a you’re versatile you open doors for yourself. But this took me sometime, and it’s certainly hard and requires a resilience and persistence, and a strong character, which could be very exhausting. At least in Miami, I don’t think there is enough education and information available to dance artists on how to market themselves or how to have a business mentality. dancers rely on their agencies, choreographers , teachers, directors to handle all of that for them, and most of the time they don’t have a sit at the tablet negotiate their salaries, and in order to get a job, they need to belong to a crew, or a team, or a dance company or simply be friends with a choreographer, and take whatever these people agreed on. I certainly wish someone would have explained all of this to me when I first moved to Miami. But I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked along side people who showed me the way and shared insights with me, and I also, was always inclined to become a leader, a choregrapher and an entrepreneur, so I was always asking questions and looking for information.
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 was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and I am based In Miami, I am a Professional Dancer and Choreographer and I have more than 20 years of experience in the Performing Arts and The Media & Entertainment Industry.
I studied at the Cuban National Ballet School and became a professional ballet dancer, joining Laura Alonso’s Ballet and the Pro-Dance Center of Cuba. Classical Ballet gave me an amazing foundation and discipline, trained me as a technical dancer, and gave me knowledge in art history, music, stage design, composition, and even a little bit of French :). Even tho I was already a working dancer, at the beginning of my professional career, I decided to do a Masters’s in Ballet at the Superior Institute of Arts in Havana, which opened my mind to the Arts and the Creative World in a much bigger way. After a few years in the Ballet world, life made me transition into the Musical Theater world and Latin Dancing, so I joined the Cuban Television ballet back in Havana, and with them, I learned so much really. learned what dancing for the camera was, dancing in heels instead of point shoes, learned all kinds of Latin dance styles, and did musical theater plays for the first time. I started traveling abroad with this Company and was part of big and small productions around the world. Not only did we do television shows but also cabaret shows, concerts, and any kind of live entertainment.
I think like every dancer, I was always a fan of Michael Jackson, so when I moved to the States 9 years ago, I started training and exploring Urban Dancing (Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, among others). I really connected with the street styles and I believe is because of music.
Being versatile has allowed me to perform in different scenarios in Miami, LA, Atlanta, and also internationally. Today my resume has acquired countless credentials in multiple fields of my work, including most recently dancing for the film “Father of the Bride” on HBO Max. For Television and on-Camera work, I have had the opportunity to leave my creative mark choreographing and dancing for The Miss Universe Television Pre Show and The Latin American Music Awards Red Carpet; I have worked with names like CNCO, Prince Royce, Marc Anthony, Cardi B, Enrique Iglesias; been part of tv shows like “Love Craft Country” on HBO, “Genius: Aretha” on National Geographic, The “Lo Nuestro” Awards, The Youth Awards and many Commercial Campaigns with known brands such as Toyota, Deezer, Amex among others. In 2018, I decided to start my own company with the purpose to provide choreography, artistic direction, and professional dance artists, for a variety of productions,( music videos, tv shows, commercial shoots, concerts, etc).
But besides working for famous names and brands, and being on TV, one of the things I have enjoyed the most has been choreographing for a variety of theme shows for corporate and private events in South Florida. From the Roaring 20s to Havana Nights, to Contemporary AfroFusion or 70’s Disco, I am constantly getting inquiries to provide entertainment at multiple events, and my team of amazing dancers and I, have always created magic. My clients range from Tv Producers to Singers, Music Video Directors, Entertainment Companies, and Party Planners among others, and together with the network of local talent I have, we bring entertainment to a Higher Level.
I believe everyone is unique and different and has something special to bring to the table. My journey, my experiences in life, and the path I have taken since I started back in Havana, Cuba, helped me shape who I am today as a person and as a professional, and that is what sets me apart from others. Having lived in 3 different countries throughout my life, opened up my mind as a creative, and gave me knowledge of different cultures, characters, music, dances, and food. and one important thing, I have always remained a student of my craft.
Dance is my lifestyle. It’s my first love, and I put all that passion into my work. I truly love what I do, and I think it always reflects in everything I do as a dancer or as a choreographer. As a Latina and Cuban, to have been part of incredible projects in the American market, is a dream come true. To feel that I have inspired many dancers to follow their dream is one of the things that I am most proud of.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
that everything is difficult and that you have to struggle to achieve what you want. that’s the mentality I grew up with coming from a difficult and poor country like Cuba. I had to unlearn the belief of victimization and do things from the point of lack. Of course, you have to be consistent with your craft and practice your skills to become better and do it because you love it so it doesn’t become a burden. But, when you start believing in yourself no matter what, things become easier and opportunities arise. I am still on that journey, and it is an amazing one.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The happiness you bring to people’s lives with the art. To me, that is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist. Whether is music, literature, or dance in my case, people can feel your emotions through your artistic expression, and your message. With dance, people usually feel happy. I have never seen anyone being sad when they dance, and for me being able to bring happiness with my art and my talent, wherever I go, is one of the most rewarding things in what I do
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evegatuna/?hl=en.
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-robaina-28058580/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLLJFhDRjKH267cJ6jvcHRQ