Today, we’d like to introduce you to Susie Garcia.
Hi Susie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My love for the creative world started at age 5. Like so many dancers who start off with their parents putting them in an extracurricular activity; mine was Dance, Piano, and Modeling. Although Ballet, Jazz, or Hip Hop might be the first thing people think of doing at an early age… I started off a bit differently.
My mom put me in a dance studio that was based on Flamenco. My Teacher/Mentor; Pepe Bronce gave me encouragement, training, and an artistic approach throughout the years. Later I was accepted to his Flamenco Company where we traveled and did local performances. I was always on a stage; I fell in true love.
Like all true loves, my relationship with dance came to a halt when I was 16 and my goal was to “fit in” in school. I was bullied from 5th grade till 11th grade; not because of dance but frankly I still don’t know why I was bullied so much. It was a lonely time in my journey. I was blessed by 2 major people in my life who wanted to actually get to know me as a person.
My best friend; we are like sisters Yohama Villamil and my high school savior Kesia Vasquez. These 2 women truly made my journey more fun, and full of laughter and I knew they had my back. I ended up going back to dance after 1 year of a break. Realizing the world I was in with dance and the dancers I moved to such a beautiful place; I didn’t want to lose it. So I went back. (I’m so happy I did)
Fast forwarding; At 17 the career fair made its way to my Highschool and this was the time when everyone was asking you… “what are you doing with your life?” I loved dancing but I had no idea what I wanted to do. I worked since I was 14 years old at a restaurant where they held flamenco shows on the weekends and I danced there every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Guitarist, my dance partner, and 1 singer, and I have a lot of passion. By this time I had already indulged in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop.
I knew I felt amazing while on stage but didn’t quite connect the dots on how to do that for a living. I remember walking around nervous, scared, and full of anxiety. My first choice was Psychology. I’ve always had a fascination with human behavior and loved the thought of helping people who had no one to talk to. As I walked around the first booth I found was New World School of the Arts. Right there… I said to myself… I’m gonna dance.
I auditioned for NWSA, but didn’t make it on the 1st try. (I had a horrible Jazz solo with a chair and Britney Spears). This conservatory was nothing like what I was doing. Ballet and Modern. That’s it. When I didn’t make it on the 1st try, I cried I studied what the school was about, went back with a Ballet solo, and boom: Accepted! The first year my grandparents paid my tuition 2nd year I was awarded a full scholarship for the remaining of my studies.
Graduated from NWSA with my BFA Degree and the Highest Honors on the Deans list. I gained so much in those 4 years; with Modern history and techniques as well as Ballet, Dance comp, Pilates, Acting for dancers, Music appreciation, and A LOT of performances. I had the opportunity to do works by Jose Limon, Martha Graham, and Robert Battle, go on tour with Utaf Ballet as well as join a Jazz/ Modern Company.
In my Sophomore year, I was awarded a scholarship to Jacobs Pillow. In my senior year, I landed a leading role as a soloist in Line, Circle, Square an original piece by the amazing former Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Company Robert Battle. To this day… He is my absolute favorite artist.
In the years to come, I had the opportunity to dance with the Miami Heat Dancers for 6 years, and have a championship ring with my name on it; which is pretty cool. Went on tour with Shakira; Oral Fixation tour and performed with various artists such as Daddy Yankee, Chayanne, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Will Smith, Chris Brown, Chino y Nacho and more.
Later to Choreographing and Directed for artists and Shows such as; Karol G, The Jimmy Fallon Show, Dancing with the Stars, Christina Aguilera, The Alma Awards, Latin Billboards, Latin Grammys, MTV Music Awards, Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud.
2009 I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance; Made it and was top 20 on Season 4. It was an amazing time in my career. Later I was asked to be part of the movie Rock of Ages where I worked hand in hand with Mia Michaels; Such a beautiful time! In 2021 I was given the opportunity to be the Creative Director/Choreographer for a Latin dance reality show “Asi Se Baila”
After So You Think; I opened my dance studio Show Stopper Miami. The creative hub creates a safe space for dancers to create themselves. To awaken the artist within. 15 years of training, creating, and art. I am a mom, wife, choreographer, Director, and producer of bringing light to artists who don’t see what’s there.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road in this industry? Absolutely NOT. Hahaha, why would it be? I think we learn from toughness, and from struggles. I went through my stages of deep black holes where I honestly questioned why so much. Why was I bullied? Why didn’t I make that audition? Why was I cut from that casting? Funny enough I was never bullied in my dance career, it has always been my feel-good world.
Although I know I may not be liked by everyone in my industry for their own insecurities I assume; I never was bullied by dancers but I definitely felt challenged by some choreographers/productions. I’ve never been completely open about one of the biggest struggles I went through which was my weight. Of course, 20 years ago body shaming wasn’t a “thing” If you danced you needed to be skinny… period. I was never “skinny” I always had more curves, more muscle, and bigger boobs.
I was asked by a teacher… one of my favorite teachers in NWSA to think about the D word… he leaned in and whispered, “Diet” in the heat I was always assigned to stay after practice to run. I was on the treadmill for 45 min after practice was over and my team was going home. 11 pm— I would get home at 12am to wake up at 5 am to take the train to be in Ballet downtown by 7:25 am. It all may sound dramatic, and it should’ve affected me, but I guess I just put in the back way in the back of my brain.
The one that will truly stay with me forever was when I was dancing for an artist: Chris Brown + Pitbull a Latin award show… rehearsed for 2 weeks, was on it working out, dancing, and doing my part to “look the part” Which by the way… I look back at those pictures and think now.. wow. I LOOKED GOOD! Yet I was taken out of stage rehearsal Run-Thru the DAY of the SHOW. “Alright we are running it again” the director announced on the mic and I saw the choreographer coming to me and saying… “Susie, you gotta come out” Not looking at me in the eye, almost ashamed.
I looked back and said… “what?” Music was already starting and I had to go onstage. “He said I gotta pull you out per request of the production because you look too big,” I swear I lifted out of my body and came back. I felt so ashamed, so fucked up so targeted and I was incredibly angry and devastated. After 2 weeks of performing, I was taken out on show day in the run thru.
All the dancers came up to me asking “What happened?” I couldn’t even speak. The choreographer quickly told one of the dancers to fix the formations. They ran the piece again quickly on stage as I sat in the audience trying to not let my tears be seen by anyone. I felt so alone. It was horrible. This shifted something in me. I no longer wanted to trust anyone and I was very emotional.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Being the Creative Director of Showstopper Miami has really opened up a beautiful space to meet new artists, work with talented individuals, and create amazing, fun, and colorful pieces. I would say “What I’m known for is creating.”
Creating artists, creating choreography, creating stories, creating classes, and creating long-lasting relationships with other incredible artists. What sets Show Stopper Miami and myself apart is there is no one like us. No one out there is like me and that’s my superpower.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The relationship you have with others in your life truly enhances or detaches you from your craft and your art. It’s important you get a sense of what your outside-of-dance life is, so your creative space is authentic to you.
If you’ve been through hardships… use it. I know a lot of people say: “Leave your problems at the door” I say invite them in and use it. Let yourself cry, let yourself be uncomfortable… That is where the true ART is.
Contact Info:
- Website: showstoppermiami.com
- Instagram: @susiegarcia @showstoppermiami
- Facebook: @Susiegarcia @showstoppermiami
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShowStopperStudio
Image Credits
Show Stopper Miami
