Meet Virginia Malvido

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Virginia Malvido. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Virginia , 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?

I learned resilience from my upbringing . We overcame so much while I was growing up!
In 1961 ,my parents were an upper middle class family living very comfortably in Cuba -until communism destroyed everything they knew. I was five years old when we were uprooted and my family lost everything in order to flee. I had to say goodbye to my grandparents who stayed behind . My grandmother died in Cuba only a year later. We could not attend her funeral.
We lived in Costa Rica for about 3 years, but a volcano eruption forced us to leave the country in a hurry and move to Peru. Every time we moved, I would lose all my friends. While in Peru, my mother suffered health issues and we had to move again! Eventually we ended up in United States. I was 12 years old with limited comprehension of the English language, so I dedicated myself to learning it as quickly as possible. I went from a C- to an A+ in English in only four months. It was all the bullying from other kids that prompted me to learn the language so quickly !
While in the states, we moved many times because of my father’s work. I attended the 6th grade in three different cities/schools and high school in two different states.Each time I had to adapt to a new school it was quite a challenge ! My adolescent years were not easy , but I excelled in academics instead trying to fit in with the popular kids. I went to college on a scholarship from the Council for the development of French in La. because I had received so many awards for mastering French in high school .
Using my many languages to an advantage ,(studied German also) I worked as an international flight attendant for a few years after college. Unfortunately , the Air Traffic Controller strike in early 80’s ended that career path quickly !
Eventually , I started my career in outside sales, and have remained in that industry since 1987.
It is a very demanding job, physically and mentally . I balance it by pursuing my life’s dream which was always to dance professionally.

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?

Currently I enjoy a successful career as a sales executive . I am very grateful as it affords me a great lifestyle, but it is not my real passion.
When I was only 3 years old I discovered my talent for dancing !
I studied ballet until high school, then spent many years doing modern dance on my own I did not have parental support of my dancing while young as they valued education above all. So I could not pursue a career in dance ,but the desire was always there .
I was very involved in the Aerobics dance craze of the 80’s ,teaching in several clubs and entering and winning competitions.
Finally in my mid 40’s, I identified what am most passionate about : Flamenco dance ! It was very late in life to begin such a demanding art form . I persevered in spite of often agonizing back,foot and knee pain. . Flamenco is a very intense and expressive art form . It takes many years of training and devotion to achieve the maturity and level of expertise required .
When the singer and guitarist inspire your body and soul during the dance and you lose yourself in the moment- there is no other feeling like it.
While my mother was still alive, her proudest moments were watching me perform . During her last two years bedridden in a nursing home I brought the shows to her facility , she lived to see me dance !
I still perform in senior residences in her memory .We bring joy and smiles to many who have never seen or experienced Flamenco before..
I formed my own group of Flamenco artists back in 2009, Sabor Flamenco Dfw. We perform in many venues, private functions and corporate events . My dancers are all much younger .They frequently tell me how much I inspire them . But we inspire and encourage each other ! I make sure everyone enjoys our time together in rehearsals and performances , without the drama of most dance companies.
I get so much pleasure from choreographing dances! I mostly do my own choreographies so I can improvise when the song moves me while performing.
For me, it is the joy I bring to the audience that fulfills my heart .I hope to continue dancing for many years to come!
.

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

I would say first and foremost are perseverance and adaptability I dance in spite of many physical challenges and recently very painful surgeries. During my first years of training in Flamenco I also had to overcome a lot of criticism and jealousy.
I have taken each physical and emotional obstacle and found a way to resolve it , This has required a giant effort on my part but the rewards have been worth it .
Acting and singing come natural to me , so I also enjoy singing vintage Spanish songs for my shows.
How I keep fit: I am obsessed with health ! I maintain a low sugar, no dairy or red meat diet since the 70’s ,which is also when I started doing yoga. I have always dedicated myself to prevention of disease via holistic , alternative methods . Am a big believer in healing with natural remedies.
To look and feel my best at any age is my life motto !
My advice is to pursue your passion , no matter what it is and how much you are criticized . Do not let others inflict their negativity on you .Rise above it . Fulfill your dream no matter your age.
Also, you must take care of your body so it will take care of you !

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I just turned 70 ,so I am enjoying my time on earth more than ever. I still work in sales but I I have achieved enough to enjoy more time off , I always make time for dancing and performing!
When I was in my 20’s I started visiting Western Europe and was fascinated with the architecture and history, so I currently take time every year to visit several countries . I plan on seeing more of Eastern Europe as well.
I love old architecture; historical homes, museums, cathedrals, palaces and castles!
When in Spain I see a Flamenco show every night . It is the highlight of my day.
Besides traveling, am giving away a lot of belongings that no longer serve me. It gives me great pleasure to see others enjoying what I once loved .
I live with a positive attitude and hope to inspire younger generations to pursue their dreams no matter what obstacles life throws at them!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Saborflamencodfw_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancerginge
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-maria-
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@saborflamencodfw
• Other: https://www.gigheaven.com/members/sabor.html

Image Credits

Paul Carranza
Leigh Mergehenn
Dennis Hevia