Meet Gilbert Guzman Garcia

We were lucky to catch up with Gilbert Guzman Garcia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gilbert, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Reflection is the key to success as we learn from our mistakes and fears. As I reflect on my journey with starting Gilbert’s Dance Studio now known as Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s, overcoming imposter syndrome is no easy task. Growing up I always knew that I was meant for greatness, not knowing exactly what my purpose was in life. I just knew that I wanted to entertain the world by bringing joy with performing arts. The more no’s I got, the more I wanted to succeed. The fire of being shut down or rejected fueled me to prove all the naysayers wrong. The best way to overcome imposter syndrome in my opinion is to believe in yourself, but you must have the strength to push forward when others don’t believe in you. I have learned over the years that there is room for everyone and when we trust ourselves, anything is possible. I also have my family to thank for always supporting me and believing in my capabilities to accomplish the impossible. Till this day I still let my doubts creep in at times and feel that I don’t belong. Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away easily, but we must hold our head up and push forward not only for ourselves, but for those who have broken ceilings in order for us to walk. As well as for those who are behind us and looking up at us in order to break the barriers. Our biggest enemy is ourselves and when we reflect on why we are pursuing our dreams, it reminds us that we do belong in any room we decide to enter. When you think that you don’t belong, just remember why you are there, and that life is too short not to make your dreams a reality. Mohammed Ali once said, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”. I remind myself of this quote anytime I’m feeling doubts or start to lose hope, but remind myself that I would rather take risks, then look back and say why didn’t I at least try.

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?

In order to understand where our journey came to be, we must know where it all began. This story began when a boy who grew up in Fresno California, named Gilberto Guzman Garcia had a dream and at four years old started dancing by watching Bailando Por Un Sueno and self-taught the different styles of dance. He would go on to join Studio De La O as a professional dancer and then reach for the stars by studying at AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Hollywood California. After gaining his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in 2020, Gilbert decided to step away from performing arts in order to find the passion and love of the arts once again. Then two years later knowing that dance was a true passion of his, Gilbert’s Dance Studio came to be. Two years later after a rebrand and reset we are now known as Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s. This journey began in April 2022 in Fresno California as a choreography business for events like Quinceneras, Wedding dances and would later include hosting duties. In one year, the business had expanded all over the Central Valley by word of mouth and would expand to Los Angeles California on its one-year anniversary. Two years later we offer services that have expanded to Zumba classes, private dance classes, hosting events and continue our growth in the roots of Quincenera choreographies. What makes us different from our competitors is that with us you don’t just get to learn some moves, but you learn the history and roots of where these dance styles came from. The dance choreographies are all original work from scratch, and you get to choose the music that you want to dance. The dances are all created for you in order to showcase a high-level performance and we bring a Hollywood essence to your event. Thus, we combine tradition with new innovations by mixing our Hispanic roots with entertainment. There are a number of incredible events that I have had the pleasure of hosting and choreographing for, but my first event in Los Angeles California really showed me why I had launched my business. The Quinceanera’s grandmother had passed away and she wanted to do an homage Vals in dedication for her. When I presented the theme of the dance which would include red roses which were her grandma’s favorite and a picture of her grandma watching her dance would make for an incredible homage. As we rehearsed the Vals, fully for the first time it made her emotional. She came up to me and asked if she could give me a hug and said thank you so much. In this very moment, a fire I hadn’t felt in a long time ignited inside of me and reminded me why I love dance and why I launched my business. It’s not about being perfect or being the best dancer, but it’s about the storytelling. My company is more than just dance choreographies, but it’s about bringing out those raw emotions and using storytelling to create a core memory for not only those who participate, but those who are watching. In 2025, Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s hopes to keep expanding in the Los Angeles County and as well as keep creating new styles and creating core memories for our new clients.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As a young child growing up in Fresno California, I always had a dream of being my own boss. Beyond being my own boss, I had a dream of being a professional dancer. When I launched Gilbert’s Dance Studio in April of 2022 now known as Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s, it all happened so fast. At first, I saw it as a new source of income or side revenue besides having a full-time job. Only later to discover that launching my own business would ignite my love for the performing arts once again. Reflecting on my journey on starting a business, some qualities or skills that I believe are important in my story include my passion for dance, wanting to inspire others and my determination to create a business that was different and unique to not only the competition, but was a piece of me. First, my passion for dance transformed me to wanting to launch something that would show others what dance or performing arts could do. When you are passionate about what you do it doesn’t feel like a job. I am not only passionate about performing arts but also wanted to inspire my students who had dance experience or not that dance can be fun. As I began to teach, I realized the impact that dance makes on others, as I didn’t just teach them moves, but many were inspired to continue dancing after my lessons. My goal was not only for the teenagers I worked with to have fun, but to learn something from dance. Many times, they thought they were learning from me, but all along I was able to learn from them. The students taught me why I began to dance in the first place, and it was because dance has the power to make you laugh, cry, jump and gives you the freedom to express yourself in many different ways. When laying out my business model, at first, I was hesitant as my love for dance had diminished during the global pandemic and it had been years since I had choreographed for events. My background as a professional dancer and working for Studio De La O as a Chambelan gave me an opportunity to bring what I had learned to the events world. On the first day of rehearsal many moms asked about how much I would charge to choreograph for their daughter’s quince and in that moment, I knew that I could bring what I had learned from my bachelor’s in fine arts and dance background to help create a lifetime memory. I was myself since day one and I have brought my authentic self to my clients. While in college I had a vocal coach by the name of Anne Burk who always told me to be myself as there was only one Gilbert Guzman and whoever didn’t like it could, while you know what she meant. My advice for those who are just beginning their own journey is to always be yourself and to be passionate about the work you do. Naysayers are everywhere in this world, but when we believe in our capabilities anything is possible. As you continue your journey there will be those who try to change you, but when you stay true to who you are that’s when the magic happens. I once had an acting teacher by the name of Bill Mesnik who said that we all have a spark inside of us that fuels are passion and makes us who we are. We must never let that spark fizzle away as that is when we lose who we are. Life is not an easy journey, but life can be full of hope, joy and wonders when we just believe and never give up.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The creation of Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many incredible individuals who have taught me skills or supported me in overcoming challenges. First off, I want to thank Jenevy Guzman who is one of the choreographers who helped me run the Fresno division of quinces while I ran the Los Angeles division. Jenevy began as my assistant for events and would later grow to become an incredible choreographer. Another individual is Yoselin Guzman who helped run my social media campaigns and helped with editing videos that would be a part of promotional content. My best friend Luisa Avila and her family, who chose me to choreograph for her sister’s quince and without that first event there wouldn’t be a company today. My family who has always supported me in my endeavors, my mother, father, brother, sisters, nieces, nephews who always inspire me to reach for the stars. My clients and future clients who believed in me and my ability to create an incredible moment for their events. Without my family, friends, clients who have believed in me and what Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s stands for which is all about rebelling against the status quo, we wouldn’t be here today. Thank you to many teachers as well who over the years have inspired me to continue loving performing arts like Paty De La O who runs Studio De La O and Strong Family Fitness in Fresno who believed in me and hired me in my first gig as a professional dancer. Mrs. Hinojosa and Mrs.Ankrum from Edison High School and Computech Middle School are both theater teachers who in high school and middle school inspired me to continue my higher education in Fine Arts. The Zumba instructors who inspired me to start Zumba once again Francis Farias-Ruiz who runs Fitt by Francis and Claudia P Rodriguez who runs Fire Fit Zumba both in Fresno. The story of Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s is still developing, but with all the incredible individuals who have inspired me to believe and never give up makes me know that dreams are possible when you work hard and believe in yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: gilbertguzmangarcia
• Facebook: gilbertsdancestudio
• Youtube: Gilberts Dance Studio

Image Credits

Yoselin Guzman

Jenevy Guzman