We recently connected with Helen Samuel and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Helen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?
Becoming a young mother I did believe my dreams as a professional dancer were over. Although I was fully committed to becoming a mommy and SO EXCITED there was a level of sadness knowing I had to choose and commit to getting a “REAL” job as they say because dancing is never consistent enough to provide and support a family. The world let me believe this at the time. Maybe a year in thinking that Best Buy was going to become my reality God had different plans for me. I got the call at a time when I had almost gave up on dance that I was booked on a professional tour when my daughter was just turning 4. I was in literal disbelief but overwhelmed by happiness. I have been on this professional tour ever since so FOUR YEARS now consistently and have been able to support my whole family and then some and still am currently. God knew exactly what I wanted and found a way. The fact i’m able to-be with my daughter on week days and then weekends i’m able to-be on tour as a professional dancer is only something God could have curated for just me specifically. I am still so grateful to be professionally dancing at 28 and as a young mother. My passion pays for my life and that’s the biggest dream any dancer prays for. Thank you God.
Helen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Helen Eulalia and I am a Professional dancer. I have been a dancer since was 3 years old and thats literally all I have known. I grew up joining every dance, step team or anything that could include dance. By the time I was in high school I was competing professionally and winning major trophies. I had always dreamed of being on broadway in New York ! I was a big dreamer. I went to college at BYU Idaho and majored in Dance. In Idaho I started dance teams , taught on campus and really curated a name for myself. I moved back home to Atlanta and being a young mother I Ofcourse gave myself close to a year to recover but after that it was game time again. I threw myself in the Atlanta dance community taking classes and training and next thing I know I’ve touched Multiple stages as a back ground dancer, I have choreographed many shows and Booked dancers on my own . I branched out as Video vixen, Model and even scored a commercial for Delta dancing on the airline campaign and delta commercials showing on your very own Tv. The rest is history. Now I’m currently on a professional dance tour and feel as if I’ve had a very successful dance career and gained so much industry knowledge. I really love and enjoy the arts and always want to give back to the community. I’ve always said Hopefully I can find a way to incorporate dance in my life forever and now I have my daughter who fell in love with dance too. She is currently 7 years old on the Mini company at her dance school and competes professionally. My real life mini me and she LOVES it. Next too being a dancer myself becoming a dance mom was an even bigger dream. Sharing the same passion as my daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me. We are both currently dancing and have even had shows on the same weekend together. I love her and this little life and I will always pour the arts of dance into us two forever.
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.
Growing up with a Nigerian father the end goal for me was always to become a doctor or something medical. I knew in my heart that’s not what God had arranged for me. As soon as I felt dance in my body I never let it go. My whole life I have always battled the world and my family with the question of ,” are you going to be able to provide for your family with this career?” The odds were always against me but I never gave up regardless of what family or friends said. I’m a true testimony that you can provide for your family and be comfortable at that as a creative while being a parent. The statistics are not always true and you can be that 1% . My advice is to never give up and listen to your heart no matter who or what road blocks come up. Never stop dreaming !!! God has the last say and if you were meant to be in the room you will be.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
As a creative because our work is not as consistent investing is probably one of the smartest things you can do. I say educate yourself on trading in all forms and investing your money so you can monopolize off yourself and have a forever savings when your knees just might not work the same anymore haha.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @heleneulalia
- Facebook: Helen Eulalia