Meet Branden Robinson

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

Branden, 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?

Whether due to ethnicity, gender, or another identity, I believe that being the “only one” in a professional situation is a typical issue that calls for certain mental and strategic adjustments to transform into a professional advantage.

I tell myself that I should be in the room if I’ve been invited. Instead of sitting around the edge, I firmly position myself at the table. I mentally “own” the room’s four corners before going in to instill a subliminal sense of ownership. This outward change, such as lowered shoulders and a more steady voice, conveys confidence to others.

While many people feel under pressure to put in twice as much effort to dispel preconceptions, I prioritize respecting my own abilities and happiness in order to prevent burnout.

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?

I’m a performer. I started dancing in middle school and continued to do so throughout high school. I have danced in school plays and at halftime during high school basketball games. I’ve performed as a dancer with the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Falcons. I’ve always loved dancing since it gave me a means to express myself during some difficult moments as a teenager. I believe that dance helped me stay focused and out of trouble. These days, I occasionally utilize dance as a coping strategy and as a stress reliever.

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

When I think back on my dancing path, technical foundations, musicality, and resilience are the three traits that have had the biggest influence. These pillars turn a student into a professional by giving them the mental toughness, artistic depth, and physical prowess required to maintain a career in this challenging industry.

My advice for adding depth to your dance is to focus on capturing the subtleties within the music itself. Listen attentively to the different layers—individual instruments, changes in tempo, and the lyrics—to inform your movement quality. You can learn how varied rhythms and musical phrases affect movement by cross-training in diverse dance forms, such as jazz and contemporary styles. Furthermore, consider the mood or specific story the choreography is attempting to tell, then fully utilize your energy and facial expressions to authentically represent that narrative.

Success in dance requires long rehearsals, the physical strain of regular training, and the mental fortitude to deal with rejection. Discipline ensures you consistently show up even during periods of low motivation. Instead of viewing constructive criticism as a sign of failure, see it as inspiration for growth. It is also helpful to create a network of peers and instructors who can provide essential support and direction during challenging times. Above all, adhere to a consistent practice regimen, as consistency ultimately outperforms intermittent, high-intensity training.

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?

I’m always looking for partners to collaborate with from dance to music to content collaborations,
you can find me on Instagram @iamdamatrix999 Facebook/damatrix chambliss and tiktok at damatrix.bliss

Contact Info:

• Instagram: iamdamatrix999
• Facebook: damatrix chambliss
• Other: tiktok @damatrix.bliss

Image Credits

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