We recently connected with JaLena Findley and have shared our conversation below.
JaLena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I started Childish Choreography in 2020 and the main focus was teaching classes in Baltimore, especially because training for dancers was very scarce. However, during my senior year in college, I took a break from teaching to focus on graduating. With that break, I realized that I was drained with solely teaching. Ever since I was a young child, I wanted to be a professional dancer and choreographer. I dreamed of being apart of live performances, award show, music videos and ultimately seeing my choreography hit a big stage.
I fought the idea of changing lanes for so long due to fear that I wasn’t good enough and possible failure. “I’m comfortable where I am”, “What if I never get booked?”, “What if my choreography isn’t liked?”, “What if I can’t adapt?” are all things I statements I said and questions I asked myself. But after deep soul searching and listening to my heart, I took the leap.
I started getting accepted into showcases and everything changed from there. I choreographed and performed in live sets and music videos for a variety of local artists and opened shows for big name artists.
Because I followed my gut, I am now beginning to live my dream and I am so grateful.
JaLena, 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?
My name is JaLena Findley and I am an aspiring professional dancer and choreographer. I began dancing at the age of 2 and began professionally training in 2021. I’ve been a member of different dance teams and organizations, allowing me to study different genres such as ballet, modern, hip hop, heels and HBCU dance line. I started out teaching choreography classes and I am now choreographing live shows and visuals.
I believe what sets me apart is my passion. Because dance is all I ever wanted to do, I will go the extra mile to make sure it works.
With my progressing dance career, I’m very proud of my switch from teaching classes to choreographing live performances and visuals.
I want potential clients to know that I put my all into my work. I’m extremely passionate and driven. I want my supporters to know that I love and appreciate them and the constant love and support they show. There will be many projects coming soon and I’m so excited for the world to see.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Personally, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing your vision to life. The process of a visual can be chaotic yet fun when putting it together. But once it’s completely finished, it’s so crazy seeing thought from your brain on physical, moving bodies. It’s breathtaking.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I believe a way to best serve growing and aspiring creatives is to bring recreation centers back. Communities don’t realize how much of an impact places like that how on young people. Children could use it as an escape from their day to day and it can grow into a passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://childishchoreography.as.me/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/childishlena?igshid=MDE2OWE1N2Q=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC5w0V1XzYEHYcV8rFRzLGpQ
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@childishlena?_t=8VnBuVCZ0n8&_r=1
Image Credits
Randolph Brent Kema Wilkins Tyler Webb