We recently connected with Terrianne Butac Zonca and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrianne, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I’ve been asked in many classes that I’ve taught “Did your parents support dancing as your career?” and knowing why they’re asking me breaks my heart. My parents were the most supportive parents and did what they could to help support my dreams. They would reminded me that even though I had all the tools and passion to make my dreams a reality, it wasn’t going to be easy. There were times when I wanted to quit or I would call them crying because I didn’t book a job. They would listen and then tell me that this was the hard part, but if I still want it then I have to keep going. I’ve been in the industry since 2008 and I’m so grateful that my parents continue to support me and my dreams as they change throughout the years.

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?

I was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii but I knew from a young age that I wanted to move to Los Angeles and be a dancer in the industry. That was the goal I was always working towards through middle school and high school. My junior year of high school I was accepted into a performing group that was a non-profit organization and I was so excited! I knew that was what I wanted to do after I graduated so it was also easier for me to look up colleges in the area that I could also attend.

One part of my story, and career, that has been a struggle is my heart condition. I had my first fainting episode my senior year of high school and the doctors couldn’t pinpoint what had triggered it. My second episode happened a couple months into living in LA. I was in a dance class and I had another episode. This time they kept me in the hospital for about 3 days to run tests to figure out what was causing these episodes. They diagnosed me with Mitral Valve Prolapse, which we would learn 17 years later that it was a misdiagnoses. Since then I had about 4 more episodes. Last year in 2023 I had the biggest episode yet. At Grandpa’s funeral in Hawaii I went into cardiac arrest in front of my family and friends. The doctors called it sudden death because my heart had stopped before I even hit the ground. As scary and crazy as it sounds, I am grateful that it happened where and when it happened. I was surrounded by family who stepped in and started CPR immediately. At the mortuary there was an AED device that they used to shock me before the paramedics got there. Without those 2 things happening, I wouldn’t have survived. The doctors also told me that they couldn’t properly diagnose my condition until I went into cardiac arrest. I finally have an answer to my condition and a renewed appreciation for my body and my life. The doctors told me that I needed to slow down and should probably stop dancing. In true dancer fashion, I have not stopped. I took the time I needed to for my recovery from surgery, but 5 months later I performed in my first stage show again and it felt incredible!

I began working in California in 2008 as a dancer in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular and I spent the next 8 years as a dancer in the stage shows over at Disney California Adventure Park. Shows like Mad T Party, Disney Dance Crew, ElecTRONica, and many more. I also traveled all over the world doing Paris By Night shows with Thuy Nga and had the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas, Thailand, & Singapore. My husband and I moved back to Hawaii this past April and even though I’m not living in LA, I am still working in the industry. I just got back from a week long work trip where I choreographed and also stage managed at D23 in Anaheim.

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

After my cardiac arrest episode last year, my husband and I began to talk about what was most important for us. As much as we love being in LA and working towards our careers, the most important thing for us was to be by family. I wasn’t able to say goodbye to my grandpa before he passed because we couldn’t get on a flight soon enough. While we are currently living in Hawaii, we know that we can continue to work towards our careers in the industry, it just might look a little different.

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

As a dancer, being able to move my body to tell a story, my story, and express myself when I couldn’t through words, it helped me get through good and bad times in my life. I also get to do what I love for a living and that is one of the best feelings in the world. When you find what you are passionate about and get to make a living doing that, it’s truly amazing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @TerrianneButac