Dance Student Spotlight: Isabella Valentina Rodriguez Camacho

My name is Isabella Valentina Rodriguez Camacho and I am 13 years old. I'm from Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico, and I dance at Paty Geyer Dance Center.

@Vale.ballerina15

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I started training in 2019, at 9 years old. In my first contest, I won a silver medal (a great logo for me). I continue to compete and strive for each goal or achievement. Dancing is my passion, and it is what makes me happy.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

I struggle with making turns in general. For example: fouettes or pirouettes.

What personal limitations if any did you go through in your young career?

Every day after school, I have to go train, and it's hard because of the weather.

Has anybody ever tried to limit you on what you could do? If so how did you fight it?

When I didn't have good training days, I would get tired and limit myself to raising my legs to 90 degrees, etc., but later I decided that if I didn't try to improve myself, I wasn't going to make it.

How do you conquer negative talk?

I simply think about the things that person or persons say and walk away, or respectfully ask them to stop saying negative things to me.

What is your favorite quote?

"Dancing is like dreaming with your feet." - Constanze Mozart

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

My next contests are coming soon (Attitude and Sheer Elite). 🤍