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

Alright, Rob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Getting to contribute choreography for Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour is by far the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. I grew up in the Jersey Club culture so getting to be a part of bringing it to the worldwide stage and properly represent it is no small feat. The sound and some of the dances are all over the internet but there is so much more to it than what the mainstream audience has been exposed to. What they witnessed on the stage was just a bit further into the unknown. For the people back home who are a part of the culture, it means a lot that the style is represented properly and by people who have lived it.

Rob, 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?

As a child, my relationship with dance began in church. Being in the praise dance ministry provided me with my first performance experiences and taught me what expression through movement really was. As a young adult I was a product of black cultural dances as well as influence from what was seen in music videos, tv shows and movies like most other dancers. These styles of movement that I viewed as something to do for fun became the very movement that lead me to thrive in the industry after an upbringing of no formal training. My background as a multi-sport athlete provided me with the work ethic and physical intelligence to learn quickly and apply myself in new movement.

Once I connected this new movement palette to the spiritual connection to music that I witnessed as a child something clicked. On the other hand, the educator in me had been cultivated by the years of being a camp counselor, being a part of mentorship programs, working at a daycare and having such a large family filled with children. I didnt realize that God was indirectly preparing me for my future. I wanted to help people while exploring my passion for this art form. Fast forward to now where I have taught classes all around the world and have worked with top musical artists such as Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliot, Chris Brown and H.E.R. to name a few of many.

What I am most proud of is the impact I have as a movement artist and educator outside of what my resume reads. Being able to invoke feeling, inspire shift and speak life into people while helping them get to their next level makes me feel complete.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This is something that is extremely relevant to where I am right now. I found myself on the top of a mountain with my fists held high when it comes to my career while being at the bottom of a valley with my head hung low in my personal life. The pivot I had to make came from realizing that none of this matters if I do not tend to the aspects of my life that I had been running from. We get so caught up in this pursuit and trying to be something in particular and we run the risk of neglecting our deepest traumas and truths. This can lead to causing harm to yourself and others. The pivot is focusing on honesty, a life of integrity, self-esteem that is intact and overall facing the hard personal growth that would make me just as proud of myself as my career achievements do.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have multiple missions I’d say. Creatively I want to highlight transparency and expression through the scope of someone who is also passionate about being highly skilled and knowledgeable in the craft. Discipline before freedom is the philosophy I lean on. I want to provide students perspective and training in a way that helps their soul’s expression shine. The exploration of it all. As a man of faith I want people to know that God can still use you even if you feel broken and undeserving.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rob_bynes
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@robbynes4181?feature=shared

Image Credits
Andrew White Erica Génécé Jenna Maslechko Rodney Chonia Marcin Gilarski