Meet Eshe Yildiz

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eshe Yildiz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eshe below.

Eshe, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

For me, creativity isn’t a fragile thing you can lose – it’s a practice. It’s a muscle you build by showing up, not a mythic creature that disappears if you look away. The biggest barrier people face is fear: fear of starting, fear of not being perfect, fear of not knowing the outcome, fear of being perceived and known. Our brains are trying to protect us, but sometimes they act like a 1950s parent – overly cautious and limiting. You’re not going to lose your job, your community, or your worth if you make something imperfect. The only requirement for creativity is that you begin. The best time to start is now, your soul is hoping you will.

I keep digital “creativity libraries” – folders filled with performances, songs, ideas, emotional textures, concepts for groups or solos. When I need a spark, I dip into those. Inspiration doesn’t need to strike like lightning; you can build scaffolding for it.

Whenever I watch performances, I do so with a curious, analytical eye: What’s magical here? Where is the audience lighting up? What faltered and why? How could it be avoided or repaired? That kind of compassionate critique sharpens your artistic instincts.

And then – exposure. Feed yourself movies, books, poetry, business classes, anything at all. Everything adds to your creative toolkit. I’ve seen brilliant artists with huge passion who struggle to communicate their ideas because they don’t yet have enough of a vocabulary to express themselves. The more you learn, the more languages you can speak creatively.

Journalling is essential too. It teaches you your own voice – your patterns, your obsessions, and your perspective. When you’re onstage the most effective persona to embody is YOU, amplified. The deeper you are connected to yourself, the better.

Most importantly: bring all of yourself and all of your gifts to every moment. Whether you’re painting the ceiling of a gallery or decorating a garden planter at home, you’re adding beauty to the world. Your voice matters. Your creativity matters. And if you don’t share it, who will?

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’m an artist, which for me means wearing many hats – teacher, choreographer, director, producer, host, DJ, and performer. My work sits at the intersection of community, storytelling, and movement. I don’t just teach steps; I help people reconnect with the part of themselves that wants to be seen, heard, and expressed. I genuinely believe everyone has an artist inside them, and one of my greatest joys is nurturing that spark in my dancers.

My background has taken me across the world – performing and teaching in Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Denmark, Spain, Indonesia, Australia, the U.S. and my native Canada. Those years shaped my philosophy: art is both a personal practice and a communal act. Whether I’m directing a large-scale show, performing for a corporate event, or teaching beginners who’ve never danced before, I’m always trying to create a space where people feel safe enough to be brave.

What makes my work special is the combination of technique, creativity, emotional depth, and community care I bring to every project. I love blending styles, genres, and ideas in unexpected ways, weaving social messages into performance, and creating shows that celebrate resilience, joy, and identity.

Right now, I’m focused on growing my in-person and online classes, expanding my performance projects, and developing new creative productions that centre empowerment, accessibility, and self-expression.

As my work evolves, one thing stays constant: art is a place where people transform. And it’s an honour to lead others through that process.

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

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my career the most were positivity, professionalism, and passion.

Positivity matters more than people realize. Life as an artist can be unpredictable – financially, emotionally, creatively. But choosing to show up with a good attitude, curiosity, and a willingness to try makes every room better. No one wants to collaborate with someone who is constantly negative or closed off. Backstage, in rehearsal, or on set, people gravitate toward artists who make the environment feel lighter and more hopeful. Positivity builds trust.

Professionalism is an underrated superpower. You’d be surprised how many artists struggle with the basics: meeting deadlines, replying to emails, sending bios and photos, following through on commitments. Being “the person who gets it done” will open more doors than talent alone. Your reputation is one of your most precious assets. Protect it. Nurture it. Let people know you are reliable, respectful, and consistent – it will carry you further than you can imagine.

Passion is the heartbeat of everything. It’s the energy that fuels your late-night rehearsals, your bravery in taking risks, your willingness to keep growing. When you show up with genuine love and gratitude for what you do, people feel it. Passion is contagious; it inspires your collaborators, your students, and your audience.

My advice for those early in their journey is to get intimate with gratitude and hardwork. Cultivate a mindset that looks for possibilities instead of problems. Treat every project, no matter how small, with care and professionalism. Build habits that reflect the artist you want to become. And most importantly, stay connected to your “why.” Let your passion guide you, especially on the days when the path feels steep.

These qualities aren’t innate – they’re practices. And they will serve you for your entire artistic life.

These days, I’m almost always working with a handful of coaches. Whether I’m studying business, polishing my dance technique, or expanding my creative direction skills, I know that a knowledgeable guide can take you farther than you can travel alone.

For me, a great coach is someone whose leadership I admire – someone who has a skill I want, a mindset I respect, and a way of moving through the world that feels expansive. Investing in guidance has been one of the most powerful decisions of my career. You are the most important thing you will ever spend money, time, or energy on. There’s nothing more valuable than becoming a version of yourself you’re proud of – someone who makes choices that align with the life you want. What would a successful, happy, future you pick?

Coaches are a life hack. They see you in real time, they notice your patterns, and they help you navigate directly toward your goals. They keep you accountable, grounded, and focused. I started to see real, measurable growth only when I decided I was worth investing in – when I stopped trying to do everything alone and started hiring coaches who could elevate me.

But guidance doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. If formal coaching isn’t accessible, there are countless free resources online – YouTube tutorials, IG reels, and online lectures. You can take classes, film your practice, and review it with a kind but critical eye. Share it with a peer and create a feedback or accountability circle. Barter your skills – when I was in university, I nannied in exchange for free dance classes.

If you’re creative and committed, there is always a way to access education. Support, mentorship, and learning come in many forms, and each one can move you closer to the human or artist you want to become.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I’ve learned so much from books, but the truth is that the most impactful lessons in my life have come from people – mentors whose words became the wisdom I carry with me. Their voices have become the “books” I return to over and over.

When I lived in Japan, I collaborated often with a photographer named Nam. No matter how late I arrived, he would always say, “Take your time.” It wasn’t dismissive – it was compassionate. I use that phrase constantly now. I don’t want anyone rushing into accidents, spiraling into panic before a show, or feeling ashamed for being human. Most people aren’t careless or disrespectful; they’re just overwhelmed or doing their best. That simple sentence taught me patience, grace, and the value of creating a calm environment for others.

During the pandemic, I joined an online session with my mentor, Jillina, who offered two pieces of advice that changed me. First: “Ask how you can be of service.” In moments of despair or loneliness, she encouraged us to look outward – to use our gifts to support others. It gave me purpose in a time when purpose was hard to find. And second: “Be as generous to yourself as you are to others.” That reminder of self-compassion softened my inner world and helped me advocate for my own well-being.

Another mentor, Mishaal, shared a lesson I still repeat to my students. When I once felt disappointed about not being hired for a show, she asked, “Do you support them? Do you buy tickets to their shows and classes?” It was a gentle wake-up call. Community only thrives when we contribute as much as we receive. You can’t just extract; you have to show up, participate, and uplift others. That mindset has guided my entire career.

My friend Suhee Yeon, a singer in Korea, once told me something that has stayed with me forever: “Whenever I feel lost, I look into my child’s eyes. The answers are there.” It reminded me that we can get swept up in big ideas and grand pursuits, but the simple truths of life are often the most powerful. They bring us back to the essence of who we are. At the core of everything – art, community, movement, healing – our purpose is to love.

Most recently, I performed in Gijón, Spain in a cast representing 20 countries. One of my roommates, Akisha – who is also a therapist – taught me a powerful emotional lesson. Whenever I tried to suppress big feelings to “power through,” she would gently hold me and say, “Feel it.” Allowing myself to fully experience and release emotion made me stronger than pushing it down ever could.

I’ve read many books, but it’s the people in my life – across countries, cultures, and stages – who have been my greatest teachers. Their words are the chapters I return to, the wisdom I live by, and the guidance I try to pass forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @eshelovesyou

Image Credits

Profile picture & pictures 1-4 Tessa Trueheart, 5 Kieran Noble 6-8 Mack Henderson