We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yevyn Alam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yevyn below.

Yevyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I’ve taken by far: moving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. I strayed away from my comfort to put myself in a space of opportunity–to begin anew–and to pursue my career in the entertainment industry.

My narrative mainly begins earlier this year around April as I took a class from a choreographer who was visiting Vegas at the time. I was very apprehensive because I was viewed as an underdog in the Las Vegas movement scene, but I knew that being seen by this choreographer could lead to more opportunities. I recognized this visit as a golden ticket to make connections and showcase my artistry; so, I made sure to impress them to the best of my ability. Fortunately, it opened doors for me that I didn’t see coming.

Thanks to my mentor and close friend, Trevontae Leggins, I was introduced to the idea of proceeding into a mentorship in LA that was hosted by the choreographer. I took on the opportunity and was able to make more connections which brought unforeseen opportunities. Then, I ended up taking multiple trips a month to attend the choreographer’s program held in LA, while working two jobs back in Vegas. Unfortunately, I was removed from those jobs and everything turned into a waiting game. I was exhausted from the idea of being complacent, so I packed my bags and went to LA in the middle of May. Little did I know, I’d be “visiting” for a while. Around August, the choreographer held an audition for their company showcase where I prevailed. I was admitted into the company and it put me in a position where I would have to live in LA to be casted in the show. Thanks to receiving the opportunity, I now stay in LA.

Moving to LA put me in a promising position to succeed in my current career choice but brought hardship to the surface. I felt I had to have everything figured out. I needed a job, to make tons of connections, and be in the right rooms of success at all times. I faced a consistent battle of finding positivity in solitude, admiring my authenticity, and accepting the “I may not know where I’m going, but I know I’m getting there” mentality. I often caught myself overextending my training and being excessively active to be acknowledged by those at the top. I often battled the feeling of being complacent or too comfortable as I wasn’t receiving consistent income, another unfortunate circumstance. In various ways, I was learning to start small and recognized that not knowing isn’t always the best avenue, but knowing everything doesn’t mean you’ll succeed either. Trust the process.

There’s a motto I currently live by that’s alleviated my journey: “Crouching tiger, hidden dragon”. Its meaning expresses the idea of an underestimated/hidden being waiting in the shadows of others, but at any moment will appear with keen timing. Despite everyone else’s doubt in the creature’s capabilities, they thrive and embody attributes of success. Through this, I know and feel that I’m destined for greatness, I have trust in my path, and know what’s meant for me will come despite anyone else’s opinions, or ill intentions.

As a young artist reaching into the entertainment/dance Industry, I’ve discovered that one can change perspectives, feel doubt, and even lose motivation. Even though I’ve gotten the opportunity to be in this environment, it’s not easy. Changing my life around and trying to do it alone can be strenuous. In many past and current circumstances, I had to consider being in the right spaces at the right times (foreseen or not) and surrounding myself with like-minded people while dealing with those who aren’t. Balancing my mindset and staying true to my values are key. Risks are sometimes a joker card at hand. It can be full of unknown and spontaneity. But I will say… it pushed me to work harder, and built my character in the best ways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Yevyn Alam, 20 years of age.

I was born and relatively raised in Vegas while traveling in many parts of the United States. Growing up, I had the opportunity to experience the world on a circus tour for 3 years (thanks to my father), where I enrolled in a private school and observed the arts of circus ensembles. I instilled acts of entertainment within me and applied my amateur skills to dancing and singing. In my early years, I was intrigued by dance and how it moved others, watching movement artists Jabbawockeez & Les Twins do that and more. During my freshman year in high school, my mother enrolled me in Dance 1, a beginner’s class, where I learned to dance again. I auditioned for the school’s varsity dance team where I succeeded and learned the arts of technique, making mixtapes, choreographing, and leadership. As corny as it may sound, I learned to appreciate dance again thanks to my high school experiences and it became an outlet for me to lean on.

I ventured onto social media where I found other groups to join. I was initially a part of a group named “Ground Zero”, where I learned the community aspects of dance such as formations, cleanliness, unity, shapes, and lines. The most recent group I was a part of was a company named “Prodigy Training center”, also known as “PTC”, where I took on a more professional perspective and learned to develop and indulge in my individuality.

In terms of my individuality, there are many aspects to my movement. My style includes the genres and qualities of movement I’ve trained in, my “character” and its embodiment, and my expression from the clothes I wear. The genres I’ve trained in include: Hip Hop, Jazz, House, Ballroom, and Contemporary. When it comes to my movement, people would describe me as the elements of water & air, some a siren. Others would say I have the essence of certain animals as well, such as a snake or intriguing enough, octopi. However, as I grow into the artist I aspire to be, my movement is ever-evolving as I’m constantly training and learning from many talented artists.

I believe my intention and ability to perceive choreography differently sets me apart from others. For example, when I’m training in a class setting, I learn the movement and go over it with counts or at the choreographer’s pace. I hear it with music, and my entire interpretation of the movement changes based on the sound and feel of the music, meeting the choreographer’s standards. My interpretations can be very erratic, yet appropriate and that’s helped me become more successful in my craft. Exuding my character can portray many things depending on the circumstance; for example, embodying confidence can come through as the essence of a creature, or a profound being.

Connection is my provision, my goal. A gift that dancers have is the ability to paint a picture and conduce a feeling through movement. As mentioned previously when describing others’ views of my movement, there are so many perspectives and depictions. Movement can be understood without saying a word and can convey many different paintings for the audience. That’s what I have to offer: a feeling, a connection to those who observe.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My report of solidity commences in January 2021.

I was 18, pursuing dance in Vegas which at the time was all I knew. I had no access to travel to the studio I was predominantly training at, Prodigy Training Center, as it was extremely far from where I lived. I was battling my relationships at home while focusing on school, all while juggling jobs to maintain a stable livelihood. During this period, I struggled with unfortunate solitude, lack of communication with others, parched resources, and minimal support. While in pursuit of jobs, nothing piqued my interest and I was denied by those I applied to. Nothing seemed to work for me at the time, but my father and I often communicated about jobs and he suggested places I could find work. He proposed the idea to contact the studio for hiring availability, so I got in touch with the director of Prodigy and luckily enough, they had an opening,

Though I received this opportunity, I continued to struggle with the distance. Fortunately, at the time, I had the support of my father and grandmother, and they were able to assist with traveling expenses until I could get on my feet. Not only was I working and making income, but I also received complimentary training which allowed me to check off two goals at once: finding a job and consistent training. Working with prodigy I learned how to create professional flyers, the construct of business and marketing, and acts of concession. I became an official “Prodigy” company member, a main cast member that represented the studio. Eventually, I was paid to teach and run the company’s teams for competitions, and instruct after-school programs for multiple elementary schools. I received more outside jobs and exposure opportunities, attending major events and conventions such as “Monsters of Hip Hop”, “Kaos”, & “Radix” to name a few.

Thanks to my father’s and grandmother’s support as well as PTC’s, I could pursue and complete my goals while forming new ones. I made astounding connections, excelled within my craft, and exceeded my limitations, all of which facilitate my independent departure from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My objectives are driven by my ambitions as well as my visions for the entertainment industry, specifically to positively impact and inspire others. My current mission as an artist is to recognize and develop my movement with authenticity to pave my way as an entrepreneur, while excelling in other fields of entertainment such as modeling, acting, and singing. As cliche as it sounds, I’m currently living the reality of my dreams in many aspects, but as any success story begins, it’s never easy. I’m on a path of discovery and discretion and with that comes many lessons and downfalls. My upbringing and the challenges I’ve faced have molded me into a substantial human being, and I’m learning more through my creative artistry. I aim to actively prevent my limitations from hindering my output and instead, pushing through my obstacles with lessons and art.

I want to be a living testament to those who feel like they can’t or are scared to make decisions to pursue their desires based on their circumstances. As someone with a once oblivious perspective dredging through a  challenging upbringing, I had the privilege of meeting like-minded people while getting to where I wanted to go. I learned from others that “what is meant for you, will not leave you”. For whoever finds familiarity with my journey, I am honored to be a living vessel for anyone who feels misunderstood or lost. You can do anything in this world that you put your mind to.

As I face constant challenges, I’m enabled to realize that being genuine and ambitious, persevering with my community, and recognizing/letting go of hindrances are the keys to progress. Navigate and appreciate your successes and failures, be grateful for your upbringings no matter how good or bad, and learn from them. I’ve learned to thrive through my hardships and am in pursuit of careers I’ve always wanted and in that perspective, I’m succeeding even though I’m not fully at the finish line. Although there is a finish line, there are always more ambitions I look forward to developing even after I’ve reached my destination. It’s important to find an understanding of what is and isn’t in your control to produce new capacities of control. With trust, the process maximizes the potential of your goals. Everyone’s journey is different, but with strength in adversity, anyone can succeed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/yehvyn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Youtube: @yehvyn

Image Credits
Beatriceonfilm @beatricenugyen /IG SON studios @sonstudios /IG JoeDuarte.jpg @joeduarte.jpg /IG Matt Salvador @mathew16sal /IG Andrew Gunning @gunning_media /IG Monsters @monstersdance /IG Kaos @kaos /IG