We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea González Román. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Andrea, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I’m a dancer who started at the age of 6, and of the disciplines that I have focused more it was ballet, It wasn’t until I was between 16 and 18 that I began to understand the rules of the industry and how they define who is a success dancer and who doesn’t even have a chace. I realized that there was something different in me by seeing the reaction of the others. Initially, I thought this would be an obstacle, and honestly, it has been one. However, my perspective has empowered me to challenge the ideas that others have about people who look or are like me.
We often see that certain industries are rigid, with only one established path to success set by someone a long time ago. But I think the real limitations appears when we accept these standars without question, failing to understand the history and context behind them. I firmly believe that wisdom is freedom, and it allows us to sculpt out our own unique paths in life. And by this you are the own creator and the one who defines their success.
I also believe that coming from a country like México, which is rich in its culture, has taught me that being different and diverse is completely okay. It’s what makes a space or a person richer and more valuable, offering so much more. I think that my need to question things began with my appreciation for the vibrant diversity of my culture, which led me to wonder, “If I can experience so much joy from this diversity, why shouldn’t others in different spaces have the same experience?”
I think it is also important and something that can keep us motivated after celebrating our own success is that we don’t forget that our resilience and how we face the challenges of being different not only lead to our success but also help us build new places, bridges, and narratives. These efforts will help others feel more welcome in the environment we are living in.
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?
I’m a performing artist who began my journey with dance at just 6 years old. Although I explored other activities, like swimming, something inside me always pulled me back to dance. My curiosity led me to explore new disciplines and after a break from dance I came back and started learning jazz. This discovery opened up a whole new world for me, allowing me to train with the a renowned choreographer that has worked with iconic latino artists like Juan Gabriel, Thalía, and Sebastián Yatra. Working with him gave me invaluable insights into a different side of dance, but despite I was happy with this style, I eventually returned to my first love — classical ballet.
At some point in my life I moved to another state in México called Puebla to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology at the Universidad de Las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) on a scholarship. While I enjoyed my academic journey, I never lost sight of my true calling — dance. In Puebla, I found a ballet school where I was able to take exams for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and I was honored to receive highest scores, evaluated by esteemed instructors from around the world.
In 2019, everything changed. That year, I learned to believe in myself and to stop listening to others’ judgments because my hard work and perseverance were going to be rewarded. I was offered a merit scholarship to join the 4-year pre-professional program at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, one of the most prestigious ballet institutions in the United States. My time at Joffrey was transformative. I had the privilege of working with award-winning teachers and internationally acclaimed choreographers. I was also honored to be selected as an ambassador and representative for Joffrey Ballet School’s summer intensive in 2022. When I graduated in 2023, I was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Summer Intensive of the contemporary dance company Whim W’Him in Seattle, Washington. These experiences pushed me to grow both as a dancer and as a person, allowing me to expand my artistic voice and explore new styles and perspectives.
In July 2023, I took a significant step forward in my career by joining as a trainee The Company of Ballet Co.Laboratory, a professional ballet company based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in a variety of productions, including a unique twist on The Nutcracker, where the Land of Sweets merges with Alice’s Wonderland. I’ve also been part of premieres and new works created by talented choreographers from across the United States. At the start of 2025, I achieved another milestone by making my debut as a choreographer with my original piece, “Boléro 7,” set to the iconic music of Maurice Ravel. This work was performed by the Junior Company dancers of Ballet Co.Laboratory, and seeing my vision come to life was a deeply fulfilling experience.
My dedication and passion for dance continue to guide me as I move forward, exploring new horizons as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. I am excited to keep growing, learning, and sharing my artistry with the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience it something that is literally tattooed on my skin. This has made me understand that life is full of ups and downs and that is up to me if when I am feeling really low in life if I stay in that state. And by saying this, I’m not saying that is easy to exit those dark times but that it would be easier if I have the information to know how to deal with it and work with that every time that I’m feeling low so I can make it a healing cycle when I need it. Resilience has helped me to don’t quit when I’m feeling defeated and instead of cycling into the “why to me?” question, I’ve tried to analyze “how this situation is going to help me to grow?” “what is the lesson of this?”
I believe that curiosity has been the driving force behind my achievements. It serves not only as a motivator but also as a tool to help me approach my goals. To me, curiosity and questioning go hand in hand; without curiosity, there would be no urge to ask, explore, or challenge what is currently known. The ability to question opens up multiple perspectives and essentially erases the limits that society imposes on us. However, without understanding the “why,” it becomes difficult to know how to overcome these limitations. Therefore, curiosity is about recognizing that the possibilities available to us are far greater than what we are often led to believe.
I’ve come to realize how crucial it is to stay connected to yourself, remembering your roots, understanding who you truly are, and recognizing your genuine dreams. I believe these aspects are vital in life. This grounding gives you emotional balance and empowers you to pursue your own goals, ensuring that you remain true to yourself rather than getting lost in someone else’s expectations.
We live in a time where it’s hard to tell the difference between what we’ve been taught will make us happy and what actually does. But when we take the time to do a deep, conscious work to understand ourselves—beyond expectations and appearances—we begin to recognize that real fulfillment comes from within. This realization was transformative for me. It made me question the definition of success I was chasing and helped me see how much of it was based on other people’s standards. From that moment, I embraced the power to define success on my own terms, guided by a profound connection to my authentic self and my true aspirations.
No matter where you are on your journey, always remember to be your own best friend. That means staying connected and honoring your inner truth. You are the designer of your life, the one who gets to define who you are.
And just like any meaningful friendship, your relationship with yourself should be rooted in love, respect, and honesty. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer someone you deeply care about.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely—collaboration is something I deeply value and truly enjoy. I’m always looking to connect with individuals who are not only talented, but also open-minded and passionate about reimagining the standards we’ve been given. I’m drawn to working with people who care about creating impact—those who want to open doors, build bridges, and make space for voices that have often been left out or overlooked in the arts.
If you’re a dance company, photographer, videographer, musician, painter, part of the fashion world—or simply someone who’s ready to challenge trends and push past conventional limits—I’d love to collaborate. Whether it’s bringing movement into your project or building something entirely new, let’s create work that resonates and reflects the world we’re dreaming of.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: andygroman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFJEkUIcxvw369rg3-Y9xzw
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
IG:
@kimphotos.nyc
@alexis_lund_photography
@newyorkdrew
@fresheyesphotographyinc
@conrad.turner
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
