Incredibly talented, very honest, and truly exceptional: she speaks about life and the dance community while sharing her journey. She says: ''Gratitude is one of the greatest teachers who teach her to love. And that love helps her to share''. So take a cup of coffee and let's experience her story together.
Can you introduce yourself to the community?
I am a simple but extraordinary human being who shares my and other stories within a movement, a movement guide, choreographer, and dancer. My work is to create space for myself and others.
Your ordinary day at work, what does it look like?
My work is also my love, every day is different. There are some similarities, and routines that I do, and they all inspire my work. When I wake up, I try to understand what are my goals that day or what I want to achieve. I settle my goals and intentions as well as practice gratitude. During the day, I find moments to check in with myself on how I am feeling and take some time to feel whatever is there. Moreover, I try to never skip my breakfast.
I get up early, usually between 6 and 8. Doesn’t matter how late I come to bed. I like silence in the morning when I can settle in. And in this way, I can still have a NAP. Naps are the greatest thing in the world. (laughing)
My work is not consistent, its not like every day is the same, some days are busier, some not so much, and I like it both ways. So, the daily routine depends on whether it is private classes, workshops, working with an artist, or choreographing commercials. I do a lot of work outside of the country it was one of the biggest focuses all my life, to put myself out there in the world.
I like to say that I am not overdue things, but people say that I am busy all the time. (giggling)
I think it’s because I am very active in my creative zone.
What makes you happy working as a professional in the dance world?
I think it’s the things that dance brings to the world. The ability to dance and exchange energy with others blows my mind!
Dance is the way to learn more about myself, like a tool to play with. I love music, movement, sharing. And I love sharing so much that I can go from workshop to workshop sometimes. It opened a lot of doors for me. What’s magical about it is how you can go through to people, how much you can touch them, just by moving. For professional dancers like us, it creates more possibilities to talk when we know how to control our bodies.
And moving is so natural to us: you hear music, and your body starts to move, you don’t need to be a dancer for that.
The first question people ask you when they hear that you work in the dance field? Do you face the fact that people treat dance more like a hobby and not a real job?
I don’t hear it that much now, but I went through many stages before when I was younger. I got many stereotypical questions, and I still hear those questions now, like, what it is as a career, but I am trying not to get into it. Also, I went through stages where I didn’t want to tell people that I was working as a professional dancer. Being looked at just as that got me in a certain state where wanted to shout: I am not just that. There is so much more about me. When I meet random people, sometimes I keep my profession to myself. I love to explore what I am besides that.
There always be people, who will take it seriously and who don’t. We should focus more on each other than on them because even in the professional dance world we don’t take each other seriously. Our problems start within the community. We don’t respect each other enough, so how do we want society to respect us?
Have you ever been in a situation where clients asked you to work for free? How do you feel about that? What kind of reply are you using in these kinds of circumstances?
Yes, of course, growing up and even now, people asked to do things for free. It is fine when you start until it doesn't become a habit - the line is thin and hard to catch.
It can go in many different ways because exposure is promoted to us as a thing that takes ages to understand that you don't need it anymore. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you have to say no.
I had a hard time saying no even now sometimes. I practice it a lot, and I am grateful for the people who are there with me and ground me. I can be aware that I am a great mover yet certain things from my past make me question myself. It creates some confusion in my decisions.
The situation in Lithuania is not the best example, all of us are aware of it. If you say no to a job, there will be somebody else who will take it. It creates a snowball effect. I don’t want to take it from people who say yes but it’s standing your ground. As artists, we should get training for this thing.
Like when you are constantly asked to work for low prices or no fee at all unconsciously it makes you question your worth too.
The more you educate yourself, the more work you put in as an individual, the more you can start playing. I´m trying to have conversations with young kids and explain that this is my income, my work, life.
If people come to me with an amazing idea, burning eyes, and no budget, but I can see my worth in the project, I am in, but you sense that kind of thing. If you shit money and offer me nothing, you show me you don’t appreciate me and my art.
The biggest struggles and problems in the dance area?
The problems start with us as individuals, not as a community itself: as a dance society, we are very divided. What we lack is showing even tinies gestures of support: I believe we have it in us, but we tend to get in our bubbles. Do I feel supported all the time? No, but I focus more on the people who do that and try to respect everyone, hoping the same from others.
Also, a lot of competition going around - everybody wants to be THE one. Here our egos come in, me me me, I am that one, to get the spotlight. Is it bad? No. Healthy competition is good. Yet there a thin line when competition turns into comparison, and then we end up being bitter towards others. With that said, it’s also important to acknowledge that we are all basically in one way or the other seeking for the same thing. We want to be respected in our crafts. And for that, we also got to respect the people and reasons why these crafts are here in the first place. When it comes to the styles we dance in the studios, we got to embrace the fact that we didn’t create them yet appreciate the fact that we have the opportunity to learn them & have the possibilities to share them with others. That is huge, but let’s not forget and give credits to where they came from. And each other. We are humans, before dancers.
The community reflects what we are: I am a believer, that we need to understand our intentions, need to talk, communicate, and educate ourselves first. We rush so fast to create things, be the ones, that we forget to continuously fill in ourselves and learn the things we want to use. We should know about the culture to be in the culture.
Everybody is a teacher NOW. When I started it, I was not ready to do that. The way I teach now is so different from before. I was giving a movement - moves have a purpose now. I am more aware of how I am, that requires honesty. Yes, we are struggling with a need to survive and make money, but you can work at the restaurant and train at the same time. We don’t know who we are, yet we teach other people. We should be truthful with ourselves and take a chill pill sometimes. (laughing)
How do you feel about the fact that our body is growing old faster than ordinary human beings? Do you have methods for how you take care of your health?
We can come back to the money topic here. If I want to provide good things for myself, I need to make enough money. People's appreciation shows in this like you are paying for the products, so you are paying for the work we do for you. This way allows me to take care of myself.
I really like the thought I heard some time ago: money is not bad, but what people do with the money can turn bad.
I invest in my mind and body, getting enough sleep, eating well, resting, and stopping when I need a break and not feeling guilty for that. It's the fear of missing out here. We should understand that you can be in one place, not everywhere, and I try to stick to that. If you don't stop at the right moment, it will lead you to burnout.
We all sometimes face difficulties creating, doing our projects, and teaching. What do you do when you feel stuck, how do you evoke your creativity?
I usually turn to simplicity. I stop and take a break. If I get to a place with zero motivation, I try to breath through it and find that space to calm myself down. Also, gratitude practice helps here.
When you feel stuck - start again and question things a bit more. Allow yourself to feel that frustration, embrace it, and meet that anger that comes up, but keep remembering what you did to get there and why you are still doing this. Being stuck allows you to think.
If you have a possibility to go home for a day, then go and come back with a fresh start.
Calm yourself: you don’t have to figure it out just yet.
Lack of support from your close ones can be devastating. How to find strength and move forward? Especially, when you are a teenager.
One piece of advice cannot fill everybody’s cups, but I would probably go with conversations. Try to find those people with whom you feel safe to share your thoughts. You might not find the answer, but it makes lighter on your body, clears up the space.
And practice playfulness. Play with things. You probably do dance because it brings out something within you. Being a child in this will allow you to find more.
Your advice for people who seek to be professionals in the dance field?
Don’t rush. Take your time, learn. Look around. Play. Get inspired. Trust yourself. It will help you make yourself into the individual you want to be.
It doesn’t matter what you do or how you do it at the end of the day - What matters is who you are while doing it.
Can you introduce yourself to the community?
I am a simple but extraordinary human being who shares my and other stories within a movement, a movement guide, choreographer, and dancer. My work is to create space for myself and others.
Your ordinary day at work, what does it look like?
My work is also my love, every day is different. There are some similarities, and routines that I do, and they all inspire my work. When I wake up, I try to understand what are my goals that day or what I want to achieve. I settle my goals and intentions as well as practice gratitude. During the day, I find moments to check in with myself on how I am feeling and take some time to feel whatever is there. Moreover, I try to never skip my breakfast.
I get up early, usually between 6 and 8. Doesn’t matter how late I come to bed. I like silence in the morning when I can settle in. And in this way, I can still have a NAP. Naps are the greatest thing in the world. (laughing)
My work is not consistent, its not like every day is the same, some days are busier, some not so much, and I like it both ways. So, the daily routine depends on whether it is private classes, workshops, working with an artist, or choreographing commercials. I do a lot of work outside of the country it was one of the biggest focuses all my life, to put myself out there in the world.
I like to say that I am not overdue things, but people say that I am busy all the time. (giggling)
I think it’s because I am very active in my creative zone.
What makes you happy working as a professional in the dance world?
I think it’s the things that dance brings to the world. The ability to dance and exchange energy with others blows my mind!
Dance is the way to learn more about myself, like a tool to play with. I love music, movement, sharing. And I love sharing so much that I can go from workshop to workshop sometimes. It opened a lot of doors for me. What’s magical about it is how you can go through to people, how much you can touch them, just by moving. For professional dancers like us, it creates more possibilities to talk when we know how to control our bodies.
And moving is so natural to us: you hear music, and your body starts to move, you don’t need to be a dancer for that.
The first question people ask you when they hear that you work in the dance field? Do you face the fact that people treat dance more like a hobby and not a real job?
I don’t hear it that much now, but I went through many stages before when I was younger. I got many stereotypical questions, and I still hear those questions now, like, what it is as a career, but I am trying not to get into it. Also, I went through stages where I didn’t want to tell people that I was working as a professional dancer. Being looked at just as that got me in a certain state where wanted to shout: I am not just that. There is so much more about me. When I meet random people, sometimes I keep my profession to myself. I love to explore what I am besides that.
There always be people, who will take it seriously and who don’t. We should focus more on each other than on them because even in the professional dance world we don’t take each other seriously. Our problems start within the community. We don’t respect each other enough, so how do we want society to respect us?
Have you ever been in a situation where clients asked you to work for free? How do you feel about that? What kind of reply are you using in these kinds of circumstances?
Yes, of course, growing up and even now, people asked to do things for free. It is fine when you start until it doesn't become a habit - the line is thin and hard to catch.
It can go in many different ways because exposure is promoted to us as a thing that takes ages to understand that you don't need it anymore. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you have to say no.
I had a hard time saying no even now sometimes. I practice it a lot, and I am grateful for the people who are there with me and ground me. I can be aware that I am a great mover yet certain things from my past make me question myself. It creates some confusion in my decisions.
The situation in Lithuania is not the best example, all of us are aware of it. If you say no to a job, there will be somebody else who will take it. It creates a snowball effect. I don’t want to take it from people who say yes but it’s standing your ground. As artists, we should get training for this thing.
Like when you are asked to work for low prices or no fee at all constantly unconsciously it makes you question your worth too.
The more you educate yourself, the more work you put in as an individual, the more you can start playing. I´m trying to have conversations with young kids and explain that this is my income, my work, life.
If people come to me with an amazing idea, burning eyes, and no budget, but I can see my worth in the project, I am in, but you sense that kind of thing. If you shit money and offer me nothing, you show me you don’t appreciate me and my art.
The biggest struggles and problems in the dance area?
The problems start with us as individuals, not as a community itself: as a dance society, we are very divided. What we lack is showing even tinies gestures of support: I believe we have it in us, but we tend to get in our bubbles. Do I feel supported all the time? No, but I focus more on the people who do that and try to respect everyone, hoping the same from others.
Also, a lot of competition going around - everybody wants to be THE one. Here our egos come in, me me me, I am that one, to get the spotlight. Is it bad? No. Healthy competition is good. Yet there a thin line when competition turns into comparison, and then we end up being bitter towards others. With that said, it’s also important to acknowledge that we are all basically in one way or the other seeking for the same thing. We want to be respected in our crafts. And for that, we also got to respect the people and reasons why these crafts are here in the first place. When it comes to the styles we dance in the studios, we got to embrace the fact that we didn’t create them yet appreciate the fact that we have the opportunity to learn them & have the possibilities to share them with others. That is huge, but let’s not forget and give credits to where they came from. And each other. We are humans, before dancers.
The community reflects what we are: I am a believer, that we need to understand our intentions, need to talk, communicate, and educate ourselves first. We rush so fast to create things, be the ones, that we forget to continuously fill in ourselves and learn the things we want to use. We should know about the culture to be in the culture.
Everybody is a teacher NOW. When I started it, I was not ready to do that. The way I teach now is so different from before. I was giving a movement - moves have a purpose now. I am more aware of how I am, that requires honesty. Yes, we are struggling with a need to survive and make money, but you can work at the restaurant and train at the same time. We don’t know who we are, yet we teach other people. We should be truthful with ourselves and take a chill pill sometimes. (laughing)
How do you feel about the fact that our body is growing old faster than ordinary human beings? Do you have methods for how you take care of your health?
We can come back to the money topic here. If I want to provide good things for myself, I need to make enough money. People's appreciation shows in this like you are paying for the products, so you are paying for the work we do for you. This way allows me to take care of myself.
I really like the thought I heard some time ago: money is not bad, but what people do with the money can turn bad.
I invest in my mind and body, getting enough sleep, eating well, resting, and stopping when I need a break and not feeling guilty for that. It's the fear of missing out here. We should understand that you can be in one place, not everywhere, and I try to stick to that. If you don't stop at the right moment, it will lead you to burnout.
We all sometimes face difficulties creating, doing our projects, and teaching. What do you do when you feel stuck, how do you evoke your creativity?
I usually turn to simplicity. I stop and take a break. If I get to a place with zero motivation, I try to breath through it and find that space to calm myself down. Also, gratitude practice helps here.
When you feel stuck - start again and question things a bit more. Allow yourself to feel that frustration, embrace it, and meet that anger that comes up, but keep remembering what you did to get there and why you are still doing this. Being stuck allows you to think.
If you have a possibility to go home for a day, then go and come back with a fresh start.
Calm yourself: you don’t have to figure it out just yet.
Lack of support from your close ones can be devastating. How to find strength and move forward? Especially, when you are a teenager.
One piece of advice cannot fill everybody’s cups, but I would probably go with conversations. Try to find those people with whom you feel safe to share your thoughts. You might not find the answer, but it makes lighter on your body, clears up the space.
And practice playfulness. Play with things. You probably do dance because it brings out something within you. Being a child in this will allow you to find more.
Your advice for people who seek to be professionals in the dance field?
Don’t rush. Take your time, learn. Look around. Play. Get inspired. Trust yourself. It will help you make yourself into the individual you want to be.
It doesn’t matter what you do or how you do it at the end of the day - What matters is who you are while doing it.
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