Hi Calvin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story started in the early years of 2001. I was this small kid from Cutler Ridge in Miami FL, who was shy and quiet but big into the track & field scene. Growing up back then, that was the only thing thing that was on my mind and making it on a professional level was my only goal until I went to my very first Heat game. I remember sitting up in the nose bleed section seeing the game and cheering them on until the dancers came out. Out of nowhere, I felt this feeling of joy and happiness when I watched the Heat Dance and the kids dancing. From that moment I knew I was in love and it wasn’t with track & field but dance. Soon after, I started taking dance classes from my older cousin who was a dancer and also Director of the Miami Heat dancer at her studio where I began my Hip Hop dance journey. Years of training I felt like I knew everything but I didn’t.
Later on, I started attending another studio where I learned other forms of dance that could help me. I learned Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and eventually went to college to continue my dance career at New World School of the Arts. Now with all that knowledge, I have dance in multiple music videos, done a few awards shows, be on a Pro Cheer and Dance NBA team in the league and is now teaching students at dance studio my knowledge. Because of that one Heat game and a little faith and determination, I have a career and job that I love and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It wasn’t a smooth road for me at all. In order to get to where I am now, I had to overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges especially being a male dancer. There were sacrifices I had to make like long hours in the studio, rehearsals five and six o’clock in the morning, missing out on certain life events and sometimes not being a child, but without all of that I wouldn’t be where I am today. Being a male dancer in the industry especially being African American, I have been called derogatory names, been made fun of, have people question my sexuality, been rejected from a lot of gigs and even been told to pick another profession because dance wasn’t in my future. I even got to the point in my life where I started to believe them and almost gave up. But I didn’t and I will never let them get into my head again.
Please tell us more about your work. What else should we know?
As of right now, I am a Professional Dancer for the NBA. I am currently finishing up my rookie season and hopefully return back next season as a veteran. I specialize in Urban Hip Hop but is also know my contemporary and jazz style and now my Pro Cheer dance style. I am very proud of how far I came from being that little boy in the nose bleed section at the Heat game. I am now an industry dancer that knows the game, I’m proud of the history I’m making with being apart of a NBA dance team that is co-ed and I am most definitely proud of the man that I am becoming. What sets me apart from other people is my drive and determination. Not letting fear and hate get in my way and being confidence in myself.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about our city is how diverse it is and how fun it is to find new areas and locations. What I dislike about our city is how divided we are. We all have our section and city but we never come together as whole and be united.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @itscalvinbrown
- Twitter: @Caltbrown_
Image Credits
Drew Xeron Tim Milgram
