We were lucky to catch up with Lee Daniel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Sometimes I often think about if I had Started earlier, however I don’t regret my decision to start when I did. I grew up dancing since I was a very young, but not in a studio more of a street dancer. But I also did gymnastics and a little bit of martial arts.. I only got really involved with dance when I got to college. I joined a team there that ended up becoming a world recognized company that I was afforded the ability to travel with all over the world. Soon after that is when I caught the bug to enter into the entertainment industry as a dancer. So it seems that all of the things that I did when I was younger, actually came in to play, quite a bit once I got into The industry. Having a background, gymnastics and and martial arts really set me up for success as far as body awareness was concerned. All the rest came naturally to me as a dancer. So yeah I don’t think that I would change a thing about my path, but it is nice to think about sometimes maybe if I had joined a performing art school when I was younger, but who knows my path would have changed if that was the case.

Lee, 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 first big break was being cast in the monsters of hip-hop showcase. It is a convention that still travels around the world today and I’m actually one of the faculty members now. But before I used to attend and I auditioned to be a part of the show and I got it. Once I got the show, I moved out to Los Angeles and jumped right into the industry headfirst. For the first couple years it was very tough trying to find my path and identity but soon after I began to gain traction and things started to shift a lot for me. In 2007 I started to teach and sub at various Studios in Los Angeles. By 2008 I had my own class at one of the most famous studios in Los Angeles at the time Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio. I began to develop a great reputation as an amazing instructor and dancer , which also afforded me the ability to begin to travel overseas as well to teach. And I really enjoyed all of that so much. In 2009 I booked my first tour with American artist Jason Derulo. I toured with him for about four years as well as doing other jobs in television and film when I was on breaks. Now it’s been about 19 years since I’ve been in Los Angeles and I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many different artists from USHER, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and a few more. I think the one of the main things that set me apart and allowed me to work with so many different artists was my versatility. I tried to train with as many different choreographers as I could in the beginning so that I can strengthen that versatility and I believe it paid off. I’ve always had a really great work ethic and I feel that it was strengthened once I came out to Los Angeles on my own and had to make it happen. It is definitely one of the Things that I am most proud of in my life. Today I am still dancing, teaching, and now trying to do more choreography and be more behind the scenes creatively. And just recently I am now a certified yoga instructor. This is also something that I really really enjoy doing since 2012 I knew back then that I wanted to become a yoga instructor and finally last year I made the time to make it happen, Now I’m making plans to continue to transition into new goals and see what else I can accomplish while living in one of the entertainment capitals of the world

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

For me, the most rewarding thing about being a creative is the effect that you have on others, especially with dance. The most special thing about it is that not one word is spoken and yet you can make an audience feel so much just by moving. I also really love teaching. Being able to connect with students from all over the world and sharing this passion that we have for dance has always been such a special part of my experience. And now being able to teach yoga has opened up a whole New World of connection with others through movement. So yeah, I just really enjoy the connection that I get to have with others through movement. Knowing that I can affect someone else’s life in a positive way is always an amazing gift.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

To be completely honest, I’m not the hugest fan of social media. But I do realize that it is a huge part of our existence now especially in the entertainment industry so you must use it as the tool that it is to help further your career and your reach in the world. For me I’ve never really worried about the numbers so much. It’s all about sharing what I love about my art and connecting with those who feel the same. Now that’s not the only way that you can go about it, but that is the way that I’ve chosen to do it. I try not to put too much pressure on myself to be ” trendy “ But instead, keeping my authenticity so that the audience that I do reach sees me hopefully. And ultimately, those are the connections that are the most fulfilling to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @leedaniel3
• Facebook: lee Daniel
• Linkedin: Lee Daniel
• Youtube: Lad3

Image Credits

Lee Gumbs