We were lucky to catch up with Misha Metelkov recently and have shared our conversation below.

Misha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I feel like it definitely was misunderstood back at home in Russia, or not even misunderstood, but under appreciated, which led me to change my surroundings and move to LA, where I have like minded people around me.
I always knew what I could bring to the table and believed in my craft. That’s what made me just spend nights alone at the dance studio, practicing and developing different dances, and just ideas in general.

Misha, 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?

I’m a professional dancer, born and raised in Russia, Saint-Petersburg and currently based in LA. I started dancing as a child who was inspired by dance movies, such as Step Up, after watching it my mom found a dance school for me that was close enough to us. That’s how my journey began and somehow developed into a professional career and a lifestyle overseas.

My goal with my work right now is to tell an honest story through movement, that could touch an audience. I love that dance doesn’t require words in order to tell a story. And I also love that it is holding a perfect balance between and art form and a sport for me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Connecting and communicating with people through our ideas. You never know who is listening or watching, and who are you touching with your ideas or art, who is moved or inspired, or who has learned something from you. And there’s a beauty in it.
I love the idea, that we are here, just make peoples living experience better, as there are enough challenges and hardships for all of us already.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew, that I should have used more resources that are located inside me, haha. More of my own brain and developing my own thoughts and opinions. Trusting my own instincts. I wish I would have learned it sooner, as this is the most important skill for a creative for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mishametelkov.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishametel_/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mishametel?si=zKVKqSeAl9Rjcw1A

Image Credits

Noam Galai, John Shearer, Ivan Apfel