Meet Claire Reneé

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Claire Reneé. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Claire below.

Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I believe I got my work ethic from my rigorous classical dance training, my coaches and teachers, my circumstances in life, and my mom. I had a mom who did all she could for two kids independently. I never felt like we were super disadvantaged, even though we were. She completed her schooling and made time for her kids to be well-rounded individuals exposed to different activities and the arts. We got to take on interests and even find out what we didn’t like so much. My mom led me to dance because I wanted to be a figure skater. It’s a costly sport so we started with dance. She taught me to finish what you start. The actions I witnessed from her was “when there is a will, there is a way”. I think I carried that through life, even in challenging moments where I wanted to quit.

As a kid, I got to study on scholarship at the Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Pre-Professional level. Then, I transitioned to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater school in high school through the dance major track at Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan. I can honestly say the Dance Theatre of Harlem poured into me and shaped me into the dancer and human being I am. Many of us who studied there were Black, Latinx, or Afro-Latino, and they made it a point to let us know that we have to be exceptional. I remember a lot of tough love, especially from my Russian teachers there, but there was a lot of nurturing as well. I was given space to grow, choreograph, and express myself by my jazz teacher Mr. Darryl Quinton. I will forever be grateful to him for allowing me to teach peers my choreography and lead jazz warmups on Saturdays. My teachers and coaches at both dance schools really believed in me, my talent, and my hunger to be great. That made me work harder. You don’t want to let others down, but if you come from the right space, that also includes yourself. That’s what built the work ethic I have even today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a singer/songwriter based in LA and originally from New York. I love to create music and express myself through that medium. It’s been healing for me and immensely rewarding, though tough independently. I have a classical dance background and will always be a dancer, but after a few years of dancing professionally in the commercial dance world, I realized I wanted much more for myself as a complete artist. I decided to focus on all of my talents, including songwriting. Over the years, I have released numerous projects and put my voice and name into the world. I’ve also released an exclusive physical and digital album in Japan. That was cool to watch happen, and I still feel the support from Japan, which is humbling. On the flip side, I have served as a dance teacher and a SoulCycle instructor. During the pandemic, I got certified in Yin Yoga as well. A big part of me is movement due to my dance background. It’s another way to release and express myself to music or without. I have recently been focusing on my passion for wellness and movement and how that looks for me as a content creator. I started my blog, Claire’s Wellness Corner, last year and recently launched the YouTube version and social media channels for my little wellness corner on the internet. I want to build this space to create a community and share Yin Yoga, stretch and deep stretch, and lifestyle content. We can all learn from one another and challenge how we think about our wellness goals and what wellness means and looks like. I notice that many of us build lofty goals due to trying to aspire to be like someone we have seen in a place we hope to be while negating the different lifestyles we lead. I hope my efforts and content can help people learn and find what works for their well-being and no one else’s.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think work ethic, patience, discernment, and resilience are essential regardless of your aim. I didn’t grow up with connections or my family having a network in the entertainment and performing arts industries. Even to be where I am(though I’m still not where I want to be) took a lot of resilience, trial, and error, and I had to gain even more discernment due to the nature of the entertainment industry.

My advice to others just starting is that you cannot look at someone else and think that copying and pasting what they did guarantees you to get where you are trying to go. There is no rulebook in many industries, not just entertainment. Do what makes sense for your goals, and be honest about what your goals are. Don’t think you should have what someone else has simply because they have it. Be honest with what you want; I promise your journey will have fewer pivots. Be patient, use discernment, learn how to get up and try again, and continue to show up for yourself even if no one else will.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest obstacle at the moment is imposter syndrome. I’m naturally shy, but my purpose prevents me from hiding. I am trying to be consistent and intentional about showing up more and posting more on social media. I have to get my name out there. I want more ears to find my music. I want more souls to be inspired to heal and realize it’s accessible. That means I have to show up more. I must believe in myself, my credentials, and what I offer. I have a lot of art, knowledge, and love to share, and I need to do just that. Share.

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Image Credits
Rachel Summer assisted by Annie Denten

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