We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valentina Naranjo Saavedra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Valentina, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from the ability I’ve developed to adapt, endure, and thrive despite all the adversities I’ve faced since I was a child. In my mind, there’s always a voice that says, “Don’t give up, keep going,” even when things get tough. I’ve nurtured this strength because I’ve always had a clear sense of where I want to go, and the biggest pillar that supports me is my family.
Like everyone else, I’ve had moments in life when I’ve felt lost and unmotivated, but even in those times, I always find the peace and strength to move forward. From my own experience, I can say that resilience is born when you’ve gone through and overcome difficult phases in your life. It is through those experiences that we learn to accept that change is inevitable, and with time, we learn to adapt to whatever comes our way.
Every time we face a new challenge, we do so with more composure because we know we will always find a way to move forward. We may fall, but when we get back up, we do so much stronger. And that’s where a fundamental component of resilience comes in: “hope.” It’s this hope that allows us to keep moving forward, to believe that things can improve, and to trust that there will always be a new dawn after the storm.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My Story as a Dancer:
My name is Valentina Naranjo Saavedra, I am 26 years old, originally from Cali, Colombia, but I have been living in Spain for the past 5 years. I am a professional dancer specializing in Latin rhythms with acrobatics, with a particular focus on Salsa Caleña. I’ve trained with many teachers and in numerous dance schools.
I began my journey as a dancer at the age of 9 in a school near my neighborhood called “Rumba Brava.” My first teachers were Jhoiner Riascos and Ronald Sevillano. We practiced in a community hall or, many times, even in the streets. Those were my first steps into a new artistic world.
At 14, I started working with a dance company called “Matices,” where we performed shows for cultural events. I have participated in dance competitions such as the World Salsa Championship in Cali, where we won the Salsa Ladies category with the dance group “Aguanile.” I was also part of the cast of “Ensálsate,” a well-known show in Colombia, through the “Nueva Juventud” dance school.
For two consecutive years, I traveled to Turkey for 6-month seasons, performing Latin rhythm shows at various hotels. At 19, I traveled to the United States with the “Hispanic Flamenco Ballet” company. The tour lasted 3 months, traveling by van to 30 states and 60 cities across the country. The performance was 2 hours long—one hour of Latin rhythms and another hour of Flamenco. The cultural show aimed to introduce students to Latin America and Spain.
In Spain, I worked with the company “The Maex Team” in a theme park, putting on a different show every day. I also did a season in Greece, performing a Latin show.
This year, 2024, I participated in the National Day of Salsa in Puerto Rico and traveled to Scotland to give a Salsa masterclass. Currently, I am focused on traveling and showcasing Salsa Caleña to the world, as it is distinguished by the speed of its footwork.
As you can see, just like me, there are thousands of dancers who leave home at a very young age to pursue our artistic dreams. Along the way, we face many difficult situations, and sometimes we think about giving up on our dance journey. But we always have hope and faith that art will continue to grow and expand more and more.
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?
Looking back, I believe the three qualities that most influenced my journey were:
Discipline and commitment: Dance requires daily dedication, both in practice and in continuous improvement. From a young age, I was taught to be consistent and never give up, even when circumstances were tough. This discipline was essential for my progress.
The passion for what I do: Without passion, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome the obstacles I encountered along the way. My love for dance is what has driven me to keep growing and always look for new ways to express myself.
The ability to learn from every experience: Whether in competitions, performances, or classes, I always tried to learn something new from each situation. Every mistake or success has been a lesson that allowed me to evolve as a dancer.
My advice for those starting their journey would be:
Stay disciplined: Consistency is key. It doesn’t matter if things don’t always go well; daily practice will take you far.
Do it with passion: If you love what you do, the challenges will be easier to face. Passion will keep you motivated even during tough times.
Learn from everything: Take every opportunity to learn, whether from your teachers, peers, or your own mistakes. Every step you take is a lesson that brings you closer to your goal.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Letting me be free from such a young age I was only 16, and as an only child, they allowed me to spread my wings and live my own experiences. They have always given me their unconditional support for my love of dance, even though their friends and even family members told them I wouldn’t be able to make a living from art. But they ignored those opinions. They have always respected every decision I’ve made, and if I’ve ever failed, they’ve been my support and have helped me rise again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinansaavedra/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaranjoValentina06
Image Credits
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