Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabrielle Tumaneng. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gabrielle, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing confidence and self-esteem is truly an ongoing journey, one that intertwines with the practice of learning to love and accept yourself. I don’t believe there’s ever a final destination in this process, but rather, it’s a continuous unfolding of who we are. Looking back, I can confidently say that I’ve come a long way in understanding my worth—both as a person and as a creative. In fact, this is the most confident I’ve ever felt in my life.
What’s been key in nurturing my confidence is recognizing the unique qualities that make me who I am. I’ve learned to love the things that set me apart from others—those quirks, talents, and perspectives that I used to doubt or suppress. There was a time when I allowed others to determine my value, letting their approval or opinions dictate my sense of self-worth. I’d mold myself to fit their expectations, and in doing so, I lost touch with who I truly was. This unhealthy relationship with myself led me into a dark place, one where I felt lost and disconnected from my true essence.
But that dark time also became a turning point. I made a promise to myself that from that moment forward, I would choose to put myself first. I decided that my value wasn’t dependent on others’ validation—it was something I could declare for myself. I am valuable because I say I am. That shift in mindset was life-changing. I began to pour love and energy into myself—into understanding my worth and embracing it fully.
As I made this conscious decision, things began to align in ways I never expected. I was finally embodying the person I was always meant to be. And through this embodiment, I was able to shine in ways that felt true and authentic to me, and people have recognized that. I was no longer trying to fit into someone else’s mold; I was simply being myself, and that’s when the magic happened.
Do I still experience moments of self-doubt? Absolutely. I’m human. But what I’ve learned along the way is that when you truly recognize the value you hold, those moments of doubt don’t have the power to keep you down for long. You can rise above them, grounded in the truth that you are enough just as you are. And that’s something no one can take away from you.
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?
My dance journey has taken an unconventional path, beginning with self-taught moves inspired by the music videos I grew up watching on my old television. My passion for movement eventually led me to train more formally at the age of 17, where I received guidance from esteemed mentors like Joe Tuliao through his program, Illustrative Society, and Prince Nii Engmann. Now, with seven years of experience under my belt, I’ve built a strong foundation in various styles, including Hip Hop, Commercial, and Jazz Funk.
I am deeply committed to continuous growth and development, which is why I’ve made it a priority to train with some of the industry’s top choreographers. I frequently travel between Los Angeles and Vancouver to expand my skill set and evolve as a dancer. I’m proud to be a member of Antoine Troupe’s elite training company, ‘Troupe Dance Company’, and have had the opportunity to train under Kolanie Marks in his renowned program, ‘The Room & Board’. I’m also constantly refining my craft through Tristan Edpao’s program, ‘TEMP’, and am part of Prince Nii Engmann’s training group, ‘Untitled’. I’ve always believed in being a student, constantly learning and broadening my dance vocabulary.
Some of my proudest accomplishments include choreographing and performing in the live stage show for ‘The Elevate Music Project’ alongside local artist Temia, as well as performing as an opening act for the popular girl group ‘BINI’ with artist Nikkaela. I also had the honor of securing first place at ‘Danchella’ in Australia with a dance group under the direction of Prince Nii Engmann. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate enough to showcase my talent on an international level, dancing in global commercial campaigns for ‘Calia’ and ‘Frito-Lay’.
Beyond performing, I find deep fulfillment in teaching and sharing my passion with others. I’ve had the privilege of spreading my knowledge both locally and internationally, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of dancers. Through my dedication, accomplishments, and relentless pursuit of growth, I strive to inspire aspiring dancers. I embody the belief that success isn’t defined by when, where, or how you start—it’s fueled by passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to your dreams.
Currently, I am focusing on expanding my dance vocabulary, especially as I transition into teaching. As a teacher, I am diving deeper into various dance styles, with a particular emphasis on street styles like house, and honing my dance technique. I value the energy and insight I bring to my weekly drop-in classes, and I’m all about continuously expanding my knowledge—not only for my own growth but to become a better teacher for my students as well. I’m also prioritizing the opportunity to teach in different cities, both locally and internationally, so I can expand my reach and impact on a global scale.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, there’s one quality that stands out as the most impactful in shaping who I am today as a dancer—and it’s knowing your ‘why’. In the early stages of any dance journey, it’s so easy to encounter moments of self-doubt, discouragement, and the occasional temptation to quit. We all face those times when we question whether this is really the path for us or if we’re truly cut out for it. For me, what kept me going, especially during those tough moments, was my deep love and passion for dancing and music. I didn’t start dancing because I wanted recognition or fame; I started because it was something I loved, something that made me feel alive.
When you’re early in your journey, you’re often focused on training and perfecting your technique, which can sometimes cause you to lose sight of why you started dancing in the first place. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind and forget about the joy and passion that initially inspired you. But when you reconnect with your ‘why’, that’s when the magic happens. It’s like a light switch that reignites your drive, fueling you to keep pushing forward. It’s the same as being in a relationship—you need to nurture, care for, and continually remind yourself of why you chose this path in the first place. That’s what builds a solid foundation, and it’s what allows you to go the distance.
If I could give advice to someone who’s early in their journey, I’d say: don’t forget to find and embrace your ‘why’. Hold on to that passion and let it guide you, especially when things get tough. It’s easy to get distracted by comparison, the opinions of others, or the pressure to perform at a certain level. But at the end of the day, your personal connection to the art is what will keep you moving forward. Once you’ve grounded yourself in your purpose, your dedication will feel natural, and every step along the way will be filled with meaning. Keep nurturing that relationship with dance, and let your love for it drive you to continuously evolve, not just as a dancer, but as a person.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is learning how to cope with rejection, and honestly, it’s something I’m still working through. Recently, I was given an incredible opportunity to audition for a project that had come into the city, and I was so excited about it. I felt confident in my performance, like I had really put myself out there and showed the choreographers exactly what they were looking for. I truly believed I was a great fit for the role. But when I didn’t book the job, it was devastating. It triggered feelings of frustration, self-doubt, and made me question whether all the effort, the late nights, the sweat and tears I’d put into this journey, was for nothing.
It’s been a tough pill to swallow. The rejection hit harder than I anticipated, especially when people I’m close to—people I admire—were able to book the job. It left me wondering, “Why not me?”, “Did I not do enough?”, “Am I not good enough?”. Those thoughts have been swirling in my head for a while. Usually, I’m the type of person who tries to push through, burying my emotions under work. But this time, I decided to allow myself the space to feel. I’ve given myself the time to sit with these emotions of rejection and self-doubt, and although it took longer than expected, it’s actually been incredibly freeing. Letting myself experience those feelings has lightened the weight on my shoulders, and I’m feeling a lot better now compared to how I felt just a few weeks ago.
I’ve also turned to my friends in the creative field—those who understand what it’s like to be in this industry and experience similar ups and downs. Talking to them has been incredibly healing. They’ve shared their own stories of rejection and the struggles they’ve faced, and it’s been comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Their support and encouragement have reminded me that this journey is full of peaks and valleys, and that setbacks are just part of it.
I’m truly coming to terms with the fact that there are so many factors that go into booking a job, and majority of them are out of my control. But what I can control is how I respond to the situation and how I move forward. After taking time to reflect, I feel a renewed sense of excitement and optimism. I know that there is something bigger and better out there for me, something that aligns with where I’m meant to go next. It didn’t work out this time, but I’m learning to trust in myself and the unknown. I believe that what is truly meant for me will never miss me. As long as I stay true to myself, keep shining in my own light, and trust in the process, things will fall into place when the time is right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gabrielletumaneng.my.canva.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbgabs_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabrielletumaneng
- Other: Film & Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH58GvvYhRo
Image Credits
Lauren Han
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