Meet Alternese Griffin

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

Hi Alternese, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

It still seems so fresh to me, and it was over 25 years ago. I can still feel the sensation of my skin gathering goosebumps watching Janet Jackson’s rhythm nation video on Video Soul. It had me in a trance, I was glued to the TV! I didn’t know much so young, but I just knew that I wanted to do that! I grew up with my parents being in bands, my mother : a vocalist, and my father: a guitar player. Due to this, I grew a strong connection to music before kindergarten. I absolutely loved performing and dancings at my parents band rehearsals. I remember my mom would say “my baby is a ham ! ”

Later, in elementary school, I would gather my friends from school and in the neighborhood and form dance groups. I would watch music videos on MTV and BET, learn the latest dances, and teach my friends. I made up routines that we performed for my family and local talent shows and events. It wasn’t until middle school when I started taking dance classes regularly at a studio. My mother actually enrolled me into Ballet when I was three. However, we quickly learned that I was quite a bit too energetic for Ballet. It’s making me laugh thinking about it! I was actually kicked out a Ballet due to my behavior. Thank God my mother found a studio offering Street Jazz classes.
I was eleven when I started competing in dance competitions. My 3rd year I was offered the opportunity to teach my own hip hop class at the studio I attended. Having this experience showed me that I enjoyed creating just as much as I enjoyed performing. It is so rewarding seeing my dance routines come to life on stage! Such a rush!

In the eighth grade, I was assigned to write a research paper on a passion of mine for a final exam for English. Yes! Of course, I wrote my paper on Dance. While researching I learned about Dance Choreographers and their career roles, from Broadways, to movies, to live concerts. I believe  that doing something you are passionate about, where you get to help others, and you can make a career out of it ? This has to be your purpose! Dancing and teaching dance feels natural to me and music is literally my best friend. I deeply appreciate the verity of moods and story telling given through movement interpretation. The opportunity to make others feel something while watching a piece I’ve created is motivating. I truly found my purpose from simply following my heart.

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 am a professional dance choreographer, dance instructor, Music Artist, and Artist Development Coach in Atlanta Georgia and surrounding areas. I own a mobile dance instruction business called Groovement Dance Company LLC. I go to my clients and teach dance one on one , and offer my choreography services for any creative project. I teach all ages and various styles such as hip-hop, jazz, ballroom, afro beat, contemporary, line dance, and more. To learn more about my services just google Groovement Mobile Dance Lessons and I will pop right up. My instagram is @dancegroovement . I am also Cheray, music artist and songwriter. You can find my music on all music streaming platforms and my music video on YouTube and Vevo entitled “GO OFF!” More music on the way soon in 2024 visit www.cheraymusic.com to stay up on my new music and shows ! Cheray instagram is @cheray247. You can check out my choreography in A Christmas Carol Reimagine Musical, showing at the Gas South Theatre in Gwinnett County Georgia. A Christmas Carol Reimagined Musical will be showing at 7:00 PM December 19-22, 2023. Tickets are on sale now. Visit https://www.gassouthdistrict.com/events/detail/a-christmas-carol-reimagined

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being flexible, remembering change is good. No one can grow without change. Be patient, timing is everything and everything comes within time of when it’s supposed to. Stay humble, and stay focus on the path that you were wanting to take even when a detour may arrive. Be confident, when you believe in yourself, others tend to believe in you as well. This makes for longevity in your career and build’s positive connections.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking for like minded creatives to build content and collaboration projects. I’m looking for dancers beginners or advanced experienced to be apart of projects I have, like working on stage performances for Music Artists I Choreograph for. Also looking for dancers to cast for my choreography reels, TikTok dance content, and musicals. I’m looking for music artists who need dance content or stage performance pieces for their music or that need Artist development help. If you have a creative idea or project as an individual or as a business I’d love to speak with you and see what we come up with. If you do events and want to host a dance class at your event I’m happy to collaborate with you, such as, weddings, themed parties, or even family gatherings.

Contact Info:

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