Dance Student Spotlight: Taylor-Tatiana André

Dance Student Spotlight: Taylor-Tatiana André

Meet Taylor-Tatiana André, 13, from Tampa, Florida where she trains at All American Dance Factory and All American Classical Ballet School.

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

I began dancing at 4 years old.  I did all genres of dance tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, and hip hop at a Broadway dance school.  I did competition team there until I was 8. We relocated and I was then referred by Duncan Cooper and Maria Alvarado & Tatiana Melendez, my mentor to All American Dance Factory/American Classical Ballet School in Tampa.  

The Ballet coaches Julio Montano and Gissell Durand saw my potential in Ballet and put me on the Ballet competition team.  I then really fell in love with Ballet.   I’m grateful for the school’s excellent training program and coaches.  I have grown so much as a dancer in the past couple years because of my school and hard work.  

I have placed very well in several competitions such as ADCIBC top 12 and World Ballet Competition 5th, and then I won 1st place at  YAGP and Universal Ballet Competition, which has been such an honor for me. I never take anything for granted and I am grateful and humbled as my journey has just only began and I have so much yet to learn and experience. Excited for the dance adventures ahead.

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?

Ballet is one of the most beautiful art forms.  Everyone knows Ballet is not an easy sport. You choose Ballet, but Ballet also chooses you.   Ballet requires a lot of time, energy, discipline, dedication, focus and for the most part passion and patience to achieve your dreams.

It’s mentally and physically challenging because you are always trying to improve something. I really try to train hard at my dance studio everyday so I can improve and be my personal best.   My coaches Julio Montano & Gissell Durand truly believes in pushing me to my fullest potential with no reservations, only passion for the art and dedication to their students.

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

I was not born with high arch feet creating that perfect foot line and amazing turnout like some ballerinas so I have to work harder to be able to achieve that.

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

I believe that all dancers will experience some type of limitations at some point, but it’s up to you to stay focus and turn those limitations into fuel and motivation to achieve your goals and prove them wrong.  

Only you know your true ambitions,  that fire and passion that you have inside. I always try to surround myself with people that support me; push me to be my best and not hold me back and encourage me in a positive way.

How do you conquer negative talk?

My mother has always instilled in me to believe in myself and to focus on the positive and ignore the negative.

What is your favorite quote?

“Dance from your heart and let the passion shine through”

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

With all that is going on right now with Covid my plans are to continue training hard at All American Classical Ballet School.   My dream is to dance in a Renown Ballet Company or Contemporary Company in America or Europe.