Meet Gisele Silva: Professional Dancer, Choreographer & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gisele Silva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gisele, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
” If you can dream it, you can do it. ” – Walt Disney

As a child my dream was to meet Disney, so I grew up and read things about it. And this quote has always motivated me, my dream has always been to become a dance professional and live on my art. Time has passed and today I’m proud to say that I worked at Disney, you need to believe what you dream of.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a Tap Dancer, I was able to get to places that little 5-year-old Gisele would never imagine. Shows in renowned theaters like Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center, TV shows, music videos, international trips to teach at renowned festivals.

In addition to the group Syncopated Ladies directed by Emmy nominated Chloe Arnold, I am a member of the Tap company Music From The Sole based in NY, directed by Brazilian Leonardo Sandoval and musician Gregory Richardson, and I do regular training with the Afro-Brazilian company Viver Brasil, directed by Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró, working on the Latin Parade at Disneyland California Adventure.

I’m from Brazil, and that’s certainly my differential, I can add the Brazilian flavor to everything I do.

But it’s not easy, being an immigrant is certainly something that helps me but it also makes everything more difficult.
The paperwork to be able to get jobs here in the United States are complex, it takes time and in my case as an artist, you have several restrictions, even though you can work legally, some jobs require Green Card, or you need to be an American citizen.

Surely my courage, for many seemed crazy, to leave a stabilized life to experience the unknown, start from the beginning in a new country, without speaking English and at the age of 32. But I’ve always known what I wanted, I’m still not where I know I can get, but I’m happy with everything I’ve achieved.

I believe that my story can inspire many black girls, especially immigrants, not to give up their dream.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would certainly take a tour of the beaches, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu. I really like The Groove, have a fun night at Downtown LA. Grab some drinks and good food at Catch LA, It’s a beautiful place during the day. And I think you can’t miss Universal and have some adrenaline on Six Flags

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely my mentor Chloe Arnold and all my sisters Syncopated Ladies. Sisterhood is real, during my move to Los Angeles if I didn’t have their support, everything would be more difficult and I don’t know if I’d still be here.

Website: giselesilva.com

Instagram: iamgiselesilva

Twitter: Gisele Silva – @iamgiselesilva

Facebook: Gisele Silva

Youtube: Gisele Silva

Other: Clubhouse – iamgiselesilva

Image Credits
photo – Rony Leão