Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joy Veluz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Joy, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Are you happy as an artist or creative? Yes, I can’t imagine my life not being able to do what I love; teaching movement is all I know and I realize the privilege I have being able to do that.

Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a regular job? For context, I think of a regular job as something corporate as in a 9-5, sitting in an office, etc. I think about this about 10,000% of the time (hah!) For people that know me well, I often joke how I would be the one in the office that is super distracting (e.g. talks too much, always fidgety, the first to ask to leave for lunch and/or happy hour). Even though I ruminate about a regular job, I always think back to how much I enjoy choosing the work I want to do and also being really proud about figuring out how to make things work logistically and financially.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a first-gen, FilAm, dance teaching artist based in Los Angeles. I grew up dancing at a competition studio and decided to further my dance education because of my experience headlining Stomp on their European tour with The Stars of Tomorrow during my senior year in high school. At UCSB I majored in Dance (BFA), Socioology (BA), and minored in Cultural Anthropology. Following graduation, I joined a company and started teaching in the dance and fitness niches. After some years I decided to go back to school to get my MFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. Upon completing my MFA I returned to LA and reignited my dance career and performed with several dance companies, most prominently, Blue13 Dance Company.

Over the past decade, I have been deeply involved in various aspects of dance education. Currently, I proudly wear multiple hats, serving as an Adjunct Professor at PCC, the Associate Director of San Marino Dance Academy, and a CAN Teacher Leader with the National Dance Education Organization. Additionally, I continue to share my passion through fitness classes at STRIDE Pasadena.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Please stop asking artists and creatives to work for free or in exchange for exposure, regardless of your personal relationship with them. It’s important to recognize and respect the value of their time, effort, and expertise. Asking someone to work without compensation undermines the value of their skills and can be financially detrimental.

Artists and creatives invest a significant amount of time, energy, and resources into honing their craft. Just like any other profession, they deserve to be compensated for their contributions. Exposure alone doesn’t pay the bills or support their livelihood.

It’s crucial to understand that when you ask an artist or creative to work for free, you’re devaluing their profession and undermining the broader creative industry. Paying artists for their work not only demonstrates respect for their talents but also helps sustain a thriving and vibrant creative community.

If you admire and appreciate the work of artists and creatives, the best way to show your support is by compensating them fairly for their contributions. This not only helps them continue to create but also ensures the longevity and vitality of the creative industry as a whole.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The creative process often involves self-discovery and personal growth and I love that it can challenge me (and others) to think in new ways, push boundaries, and explore what’s unfamiliar. I also really enjoy the level of freedom and autonomy in how I approach my work; I am appreciative that I have the opportunity to set the direction and vision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: justalittle_joy_ride
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myra-joy-veluz/

Image Credits
Pacific Video Services Daniel Valentine Ed Flores