We were lucky to catch up with Megan Bautista recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Megan , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I think I have always had a pretty good worth ethic naturally. Growing up I understood that if I wanted something that I would need to put in the work and pay my dues in order to achieve whatever that is. I danced and competed til 13 years old, so I was used to a lot of long practices, structure and discipline when it came to my craft. Fast forward to present, since becoming a professional aerialist, this was no different. I thoroughly enjoy dance arts and it always made me feel alive. Dedicating each week to training and all the other prep that goes into gig work, feels worth it to know that I am doing something I love. I genuinely feel like I am a better person because of aerial arts.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
A little about me, I grew up in a suburb of LA called Torrance. In 2018, I graduated from CSUF with a degree in Business Management. I currently wear many hats professionally, a sales coordinator for an environmental company, an aerial instructor at Sadie’s Pole Studio, and a professional performer.
I’ve always had a passion for movement and the dance arts. Growing up I was taking classes and competing. Then I took a hiatus from high school till the end of college. After I graduated, I was looking for a hobby to get into, and this is when I took my first aerial class, not really having any expectations other than to try something different. This was back in 2018 and I have been doing it ever since. I was taking classes weekly for about 2 years and around end of 2020 is when I came to the realization that I wanted to try to pursue aerial in a more serious way. I was booked for my first professional gig in 2021. What I wasn’t expecting was that I would soon be pulled into many different types of acts other than aerial, which was a pleasant surprise. I now do aerial, fire dance, Gogo, and other unique acts. I’ve performed in many different settings from small intimate backyard parties to large venues holding 500+ people, to a large main stage at a festival.
One of my current projects I am working on is an aerial duet group, Duo Allure. My talented best friend Marissa and I have co-collabed on this back in 2022 and have been performing duet aerial acts together till now. We are known for our synchro choreography and dance movement quality. We started this with the notion that performing is 10 times more enjoyable when you are with your friends. We work very well together and are continuing to market our acts. We currently do lyra, sphere, and loops together.
At the moment, I am homing in on my style and technique. I am hoping to pursue more act-based opportunities to challenge myself as an aerial performer.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three important things that have helped me tremendously in my journey are:
1. Knowing how to handle rejection. There are going to be many times you will not get the gig, get the role, or not be casted for whatever reason that has nothing to do with your skill set. That is OK and a part of it. I have learned to not let that get to me and keep trekking along. I firmly believe what is meant to be yours will be.
2. It’s a given that having proper training and basic safety knowledge is important, but when navigating the industry holding yourself in a professional and delightful manner is 50% of it.
3. Trust yourself and what you have to offer. You may feel an internal pressure to compete with those around you, but there’s only one you. So, nurture and embrace that! People gravitate toward and appreciate your uniqueness.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
It truly takes a village. At the top of my head, I have relied plenty on friends in the community, my coaches, and my close friends outside of the industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megantb_/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/duoallure/
Image Credits
Jamie Lebowitz
Valery Sugi
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
