Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carlos Tonos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Carlos, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I don’t think I have ever really overcome imposter syndrome and I am not sure if I ever really want to. There is not a single day that I am teaching that I do not ask myself if I am doing a good enough job, and if I am truly ready.
Helping people to learn to dance comes with its own sets of difficulties, and array of situations outside of our control as instructors. As instructors, we can not force our students to practice outside of class. We can not control their natural coordination, movement and body control, nor their effective practice ethics and personal commitments. We can teach and guide, but ultimately each student is responsible for their own journey. Even knowing and understanding this, it is hard to see my students struggle. Every time I teach a class, if I see a student struggle, even if it is just one, I go deep in thoughts trying to understand what I do wrong, and how I can do it better. When I see students having a hard time progressing, I try to understand if there is a problem within the curriculum that I designed or my teaching methods. Every time I see a student having a hard time progressing, it triggers my imposter syndrome.
With time I have come to appreciate it. I believe it actually fuels me to want to be better. It pushes me to always want to find a way to keep learning, growing, and improving. It helps me to be engaged in every task, and with every customer trying to always provide the best I can.
Having imposter syndrome has pushed me to continue to find creative ways to develop and improve my services, my curriculum, and teaching methods, but more importantly it helps me not forget why I ultimately started teaching. It has kept me grounded and focused to challenge myself and proof to myself that I am on the right track.
Every doubt, every moment of worry, have made me grow stronger as a teacher, as a business owner, but more importantly, as a person. I can not be anything but grateful when I see the results and see the impact on my students. Making sure I do right by them, is the ultimate reason I have embraced my imposter syndrome.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the instructor and owner of Tonos Latin Dance, a Salsa and Bachata dance studio located in Tampa, Florida
Tonos Latin Dance was created with the purpose of building a supportive dance community, a place where everyone can come together, learn and grow. We do not only teach dancing, we help our students build confidence, trust and self-esteem while promoting a safe and welcoming environment.
Our school specializes in teaching how to dance different styles of Salsa and Bachata, whether in a group setting or private lessons. We focus on helping people who want to improve their dance skills by focusing on fundamentals and musicality. We aim to help everyone master the steps while developing their unique styles. We are known for our ability to break down the steps and teach them in a simple manner that everyone can learn. We help build up morale and confidence.
We are proud to have created a place with a supportive culture that promotes growth. Our students have become a small family. A place where we all get together in and outside of the classroom. We do weekly activities together from dancing to going to the movies, practice, and attend small gatherings. We are proud that we started to build a community that lifts and supports each other.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a dance instructor it is vital to be a dancer first, and understand and master the techniques needed to perform the style of dance you enjoy. Is also essential to expand your knowledge across multiple dance styles, music, but also develop your teaching techniques and methodology.
Starting at a young age in dancing, music, theater and sports, helped me gain the knowledge and experience I needed at a very young age. But what was more important, was my love for the arts, the commitment and dedication I had to learn and grow. It helped me develop the skills needed to be where I am today.
It really does not matter what your journey is, the most essential skills to help you be successful in life are your discipline, work ethic, commitment and curiosity. Your discipline will help you move forward everyday. Your work ethic will help you focus and harness the skill and knowledge needed. Your commitment will keep you motivated even during the most challenging times. And, your curiosity will help you grow in ways you never imagined and become unique.
These skills will give you everything you need to be successful in your own way, at your own pace. The more important thing is not to move fast, or at the speed of others, but to continue to move forward. To continue to learn, expand your skills, and always find a way to do everything with love and dedication.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
It is hard to just pick one thing my parents did that impacted my life. My parents, at a young age, taught me to be curious and ask questions. They pushed me and supported me to pursue any passion I had. They also helped me to understand commitment, help me develop a good work ethic, and discipline.
From my dad I learned to always find a way. That you do not always have to break down a wall, or jump a barrier to be able to get around it and move forward. My mom taught me resilience and endurance. That you do not give up, no matter what. You only fail if you stop moving forward, and don’t learn from the opportunities life gives you. They taught me all of this everyday with their actions. Even when things were hard, they always found a way to move forward, and make the most of it.
We had a lot of tough moments, but we never gave up, we endured, we persevered and we always found away. For them, it was to provide us with opportunities that they did not have. For me, it is to make them proud along with my friends, the people who have helped me and guided me, and my students.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tonoslatindance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonoslatindance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonosLatinDance/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQnyJycG32yyVwhRbL5VSMw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tonos-latin-dance-tampa
Image Credits
Soul Captured by Chavez – Jorge Chavez
