Meet Walther Ormeno

We recently connected with Walther Ormeno and have shared our conversation below.

Walther, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

That’s a great question. Honestly, living in a city like Los Angeles can make that both the easiest and the hardest thing to do. It’s such a privilege to be surrounded by artists from all over the world — people from every creative field coming here to share their passion and talent. But at the same time, that environment can also be a trap.

For me, authenticity is everything and in a city full of incredible talent, it’s not always easy to stay unique and stand out. My main goal as a performing artist — someone who’s fortunate to express himself through both acting and dancing — is simply to be me. That’s always the mission. I want everything I do to carry my own signature, so that no matter the outcome, whether it’s a success or a lesson, I can truly own it.

I draw a lot of inspiration from other artists. For example, when I’m creating choreography for a musical artist — which has been my main focus lately — I always try to adapt to their style while emphasizing their strengths, as well as those of my dancers. I see creativity as a team sport, and I genuinely love collaborating with other artists. That exchange of energy and ideas is what keeps me inspired. It’s what keeps my creativity alive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Walther Ormeno. I was born in Los Angeles to Peruvian and Mexican parents. When I was five, my family decided to move to Peru, where I spent most of my childhood until I was sixteen. Later, I moved to Mexico to study Media and Communications, and at eighteen, I returned to the United States to continue my education at the New York Film Academy.

Although I’m American, I carry deep influences from both of my ancestral roots — something I cherish and feel very proud of.

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve had the pleasure of being a multi-talented artist, which has taken me on a fascinating journey across many creative fields. I’ve worked with incredible artists and producers, from independent film sets and SAG-AFTRA productions to major commercials for Toyota, Hyundai, and even an amazing Lay’s campaign for the FIFA World Cup directed by the legendary Michael Bay. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform on major stages and in concerts as a dancer and choreographer — and I truly love every part of it. I feel incredibly blessed to express my art in so many ways.

Currently, I’m focusing more on my dancing, collaborating with extraordinary talents in the Los Angeles music scene. This year alone, I choreographed at two major shows: the Halftime Show of the legendary Los Angeles Bachata Festival and the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Both performances were for George Arvanitidis, an amazing music artist whose live shows I have the privilege of choreographing.

Another project I’m especially proud of was performing at YouTube’s 20th Anniversary celebration — a huge milestone and such an unforgettable experience.

In addition to my performance work, I also teach Salsa, Bachata at 3rd Street Dance Studio in Beverly Hills. I’m there every Monday, so if any of our readers want to join, please feel free to reach out — we always welcome new students.

Right now, I’m focused on creating a brand new show for a music artist, which we’ll be presenting very soon in Los Angeles and internationally.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities I value the most are empathy, kindness, and an open mind.

I consider myself a deeply empathetic person, and I believe this quality shapes how I communicate—both as an individual and as an artist. In our work, especially when leading by example, empathy is essential. I always strive to be understanding and considerate with my fellow artists and collaborators. Having personally experienced the harsh reality of working with people who only focus on business, I’ve learned that while I’m fully committed to achieving success, it must always operate under the umbrella of empathy—and my second most important quality: kindness.

Please, be kind to the people around you, especially in these challenging times. It’s crucial, particularly in work environments, where constant interaction can shape someone’s entire day. You never truly know what another person might be going through, and a small act of kindness can make a world of difference. So always apply my third favorite quality.
Keeping an open mind. Everyone is different, and there’s always more than one way to approach things—both personally and professionally. Maintaining an open mind allows creativity and collaboration to flourish. It’s something I constantly remind myself of, especially in artistic spaces where ideas and perspectives are endlessly diverse. So, always give others a little grace… and give yourself some, too.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Last year, I began teaching Salsa at 3rd Street Dance, the studio where I first took classes when I arrived in Los Angeles nearly a decade ago. It has always been a safe and inspiring space for me—a place where I’ve met incredible people and built lasting friendships. I’m very grateful to this studio for giving me the chance to now share what I’ve learned with others.

I also teach the sensual dance, Bachata, one of my personal favorite styles, and I’ll soon be expanding into new areas such as dance fitness classes and private lessons for individuals preparing for social events.

On the performer side, as I mentioned earlier, had the pleasure to work with George Arvanitidis, a person a have truly admiration and respect for how he sees art. He pushed me to believe in myself and ended up choreographing for the first time and performing in shows alongside his band. We have new performances coming up in Los Angeles soon—so stay tuned!

In between all of this; I’ve also been collaborating with different artists on social media and performing at various events. These experiences have opened an entirely new path of opportunities for me as an artist, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: walther.ormeno

Image Credits

George Arvanitidis
Christopher Kokinos