We recently connected with Milagritos “Floetic” and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Milagritos “Floetic” Godina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Thank you for having me—I’m excited to be here!

When I think about the moment I realized I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally, it wasn’t just one moment…it was a series of memories, feelings, and experiences that kept showing up throughout my life. But one memory that always stands out happened when I was about six years old; my sister Lisette and I were cleaning the house, just the two of us, with Hip Hop music blasting. I can’t remember what song was playing, but she suddenly started dancing and breaking down her moves. I stood there, staring at her, thinking, “Woah… what is she doing?” She caught me watching and said, “Come, copy me!” From that moment on, I remember my sister and I began to watch movies like Step Up, Bring It On, and Honey. Watching them, I didn’t just want to sit and enjoy—I wanted to be in them. To be honest though, I think my love for dance started even earlier! My family always tells me that when I was just about to turn one, they’d sing to me while I stood in my crib, and the second the music hit, I’d start to bounce and wiggle. I guess I have always loved music. 

Growing up as the youngest of seven siblings in East LA, I was constantly surrounded by a mix of music. I feel like all of my siblings had their own taste in music—Corridos, R&B, Hip Hop, Mariachi, you name it. That blend of sounds shaped me. Music wasn’t just something in the background—it was how we connected.

Family parties were everything. Whether it was Thanksgiving, a birthday, or a carne asada at my Tía Chayo’s house in City Terrace, music brought us together. I remember the women would bring out the speakers and microphones, and we’d sing our hearts out to Jenni Rivera and Rocío Dúrcal– to name a few. I also remember that I would get shy at first, but always ready to perform, doing little shows in the living room. Those moments, being surrounded by joy, rhythm, and love—made me feel unstoppable, even if I didn’t know what a stage or spotlight really looked like yet.

As I got older, that love for performing only grew. When I was around seven, I remember asking my parents if I could take dance or singing classes. They were supportive and did what they could—they took me to a few community spots to check things out. But to be honest, the classes were just too expensive for us to afford. I remember being understanding, and so I held onto the hope that one day, I’d get to be part of something big in the arts.

That dream stayed with me until middle school, when everything started to shift. In 8th grade, my school hired a new dance teacher—Ms. Yareli. She introduced us to contemporary and modern dance, and that was the first time I experienced a dance class. I instantly fell in love. It felt like I had found a missing piece of myself. That year, we entered a competition called SHARP, and my team became the first in our school’s history to take home a 1st place dance trophy, along with the “Most Enthusiastic” award. That moment lit a fire in me.

I want to say that, Ms. Yareli saw that spark and later introduced me to her high school dance coach, Alli Gray-Odenidye. I met Alli at our spring show in I believe 2015, and although I didn’t know it then, she would become one of the most important mentors in my life.

That summer, right before starting high school, I had the chance to attend the Rhythm Impact Summer Dance Intensive at Torres High School. It was basically a week-long training program for the school’s dance team, and it changed everything for me. We trained every day and wrapped the week with a performance. This is where I was first introduced to street dance styles like Whacking, Popping, Locking, Hip Hop, and House. And it wasn’t just about learning steps, it was about learning history, culture, and community. These styles spoke to me in a way nothing else ever had.

Throughout that week, I made real connections; lifelong friendships with people I now consider family. I’ll never forget the pre-show huddle before our final performance. Alli gave us this emotional pep talk, and half of the team was crying—happy tears, tears of pride. It was intense, beautiful, and affirming. I remember thinking to myself, “This is where I want to be.” That moment solidified it for me.

Through Alli, I was introduced to Versa-Style Street Dance Company in 2016. That same year, I joined their youth program and that’s when my dance journey really began to take shape. Being part of that program gave me a space where I could grow not only as a dancer but as a person. I spent seven incredible years in Versa-Style’s youth program. During that time, I trained in street dance styles, learned about the pioneers who came before us, performed, and traveled to New York for the first time! In 2023, I graduated from the youth program and transitioned into Versa-Style’s B-Company, Versa-Style Legacy. Now I train, perform, teach, and help carry the mission forward in ways I could have only dreamed of as that little girl dancing at family parties.

Looking back, my younger self was such a dreamer, and I’m proud of her for holding on to that dream. Dance became more than just something I loved, it became an escape, a form of healing. During high school, a lot was going on in my family. There were shifts, challenges, and moments where everything felt uncertain. But dance was always there. My brother Martín and my mom would often tell me, “necesitas hacer mejor que nosotros,” meaning “you have to be better than us”. And as an adult, I understand why. They saw something in me, a spark, a resilience, a hunger to break cycles and be the blueprint for the next generation in my family. 

Breaking these cycles is no easy task, as a first-gen Latina, first in my family to graduate from college, to break cycles I want to say that I’ve been able to do this thanks to my mentors, siblings, and dance! Dance has taught me discipline, the value of community, professionalism, and the power of honoring your story and those who came before you. It gave me a sense of belonging I didn’t know I was missing.

If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t always believe that a career in the arts was realistic for someone like me. To this day, some people in my family still worry about my path. And I get it, like in many Black and Brown households, pursuing the performing arts isn’t always seen as a “real career.” That belief lived in the back of my mind for years. But even with the doubt, I kept showing up because I love it! I kept showing up with the same mindset: “I love this, and I’m going to keep doing it until the wheels fall off.”

The little niña in me—standing in her crib, dancing to her family’s voices—could have never imagined everything we’d go through and grow through. But here I am. 23 years old. A professional dancer, teaching artist, and digital media and marketing assistant. I’m building the life I once dreamed about.

If there’s one thing my parents taught me, it’s to never give up and to hustle for what you want. And now, I carry that with me, not just for myself, but for my community, for my family, and for every young person who needs a reminder that their story matters.

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?

Hola, my name is Milagritos Godina, but in the dance world my aka is Floetic. I am a first-generation Latina born and raised in the heart of East Los Angeles, CA. I’m a professional street dancer, teaching artist, and digital media and marketing assistant for Versa-Style Street Dance Company. I’ve been dancing professionally for about three years, and spent seven years growing as a pre-professional dancer, and I’m nowhere near done!
I am also a model, graphic designer, entrepreneur, plant enthusiast, and coffee lover. I often say to myself , ‘I do it all,’ because I don’t like to put restrictions on myself. Even if I don’t know how—I’ll just ‘fuck around and find out.’ I feel like I get that fearless, creative attitude from my parents, especially my mother. She’s always been a hustler and a creator at heart. Growin up, my parents ran a flower and party supply gift shop in East LA for many years, and some of my fondest memories come from seeing her pour her heart and soul into her work. My mom was self-taught, running a business like no other. She would make stunning bouquets, rent tables, chairs, jumpers, you name it! She even sewed every tablecloth and chaircloth she rented out to customers; all with dedication and creativity. Watching her grow that business taught me the power of resilience and the importance of following your passion, no matter where you start. Gracias ama y apa!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to inspire and connect with others through my work. Dance, for instance, it’s not just about movement, it’s like my mentors always say,’ it’s about telling a story’ and creating a space where people can feel seen and understood. As a dancer and teacher, I love being able to share my passion with others and watch them grow, not just in their skills, but in their confidence and self-expression.

I also find deep fulfillment in the creative process itself, whether I’m graphic designing, curating content, or teaching choreography. The freedom to experiment, being able to try new things, and push boundaries is what keeps me excited and motivated. But what truly drives me is knowing that my work can leave an impact, whether it’s through helping others build their confidence, express their emotions, or connect to something larger than themselves. I take a lot of pride in knowing that, like my mom, I’m creating something that people appreciate. Through my performance, designs, or a simple moment of connection its all rewarding! All this to say, the hustle and the constant learning and growing are all a part of the journey, which makes it all so rewarding.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Great question! I think society can support artists/creatives in many ways. Literally, by promoting, celebrating, and investing in the arts! O sea, just by simply showing up makes a huge difference. This looks like physically attending an event or reposting a post, word of mouth, providing *PAID* opportunities, and space for the arts is GREAT! We work hard, and there’s so much that happens behind the scenes/ in life that often goes unnoticed. What we do may look easy, but it takes immense dedication and effort. I’m still growing and striving to become the artist I want to be, and knowing that I have people showing up along the way makes the journey feel full and meaningful. But beyond showing up, promoting, celebrating, and investing in the arts are also powerful ways to show support. Sharing an artist’s work, attending events, and contributing financially to creative projects, non-profit organizations *cough cough* Versa-Style, all help support a thriving creative community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milagritos.gch?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milagritos-godina-8b19291a7/

Image Credits

– George Simian
– Brianna “Passion” Grey
– Ricki Ramirez
– Christopher Martinez
– Robert Warren
– Ernesto “Precise” Galarza