Meet Christopher Cortez | Dancer/Performer & Massage Therapist

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

Hi Christopher, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

In retrospect, it’s something that I unknowingly prepared myself for since I could pick up a crayon and paper and since realizing that imagination could take me far with so little. I believe we set ourselves up, to a certain extent, on specific paths, be it in our subconscious mind or some intangible force that, even without words or concrete plans, leads us to our calling and/or future.

My journey in the arts began as a kid where I became a mostly self taught visual artist until I reached high school and college. It was an ideal way for me to express myself without speaking because as a kid, and even until now, I would stutter and that really kept me from wanting to talk. But the fact I could draw, I was still able to express and convey a message without having to vocalize it. I was also highly self disciplined and exercising that artistic skill, outside school work, really opened my eyes as a kid to what growth looked like.

When I got to High School that was the beginning of my dance journey and the ending of my visual arts journey. Once I discovered dance as a performing art, I slowly shifted away from drawing, which I was forming into a true talent, and into the world of dance. I began in Ballet Folklorico (mexican folk dance) as a high school junior and I continued into college which eventually led me to my life and career in NYC for the last 8 years. Returning to California in 2020, due to the pandemic, really put some parts of my life and career into perspective and this is where I can reflect and say that I chose Art because it doesn’t always feel like I’m doing labor for someone else. Yes, you are hired by someone or an entity to perform for, but at the end of the day I can always create for myself on my own accord. My skill in dance and the arts is an indelible part of my life and now I’m able to, in a sense, transcribe it into choreography for my own projects, in the hopes that I create art and continue to become an artist. In short, expression led me to pursue a professional creative path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

As a performing artist, when I was in NYC, I was proud that I held a special place in the world of dance. I was able to bridge the gap of having classical training in Ballet and in Modern Techniques, like Graham and Horton, but also be proficient in Ballet Folklorico. Many dancers I knew were either great in one or the other. Here in California I’m putting effort into sharing my skill through choreography by utilizing vocabulary in these many dance styles, while also sharing my experience that not many get to have, especially where I’m from. My focus is to tell stories of real life experiences in the eyes of a proud Mexican American, in the vein of folklorico and dance, with my own style and interpretation.

I would like for anyone reading to know that I got to where I am today by making the conscious effort and choice to try and pursue something regardless if I would fail or succeed. I don’t like the “what ifs” or the not knowing of something. It hasn’t been easy one bit in many aspects, including the amount of work, effort, money and time it takes to improve your craft, so that you can be considered talented or worthy, but I hope it inspires at least one person out there to go for something and see what happens. The best way I accomplished this was not allowing myself to forget who I was in such a big city full of talent and that I wasn’t a pawn, but a human being, an artist and that I was unique. A big lesson I learned was to not fall into the trap of comparisons. Especially within yourself rather than from other people. It’s a surefire way to lead you to self-destruction. Humility, I feel, always trumps validity. Yes, we must be honest with ourselves in all respects and admit that we want and need to be validated and that our ego needs to be fed, but like anything, there’s a balance. I would want the world to know that anyone can be an artist, but it’s the willingness, desire, motivation, and work ethic to hone and refine your skill so that you can become talented and share what it is you want to say rather than doing something for accolades.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Even though I’m located in San Diego, I would likely want to take them to my hometown, Guadalupe, and visit the surrounding areas. I would take them to my grandparents house and we would eat whatever it is my grandma made. If it’s the weekend it would likely be a family barbeque. We’d stop by for some pizza in town, 2 Guy’s Pizza, and grab ice cream rolls from the truck near the railroad tracks (I just discovered it and have yet to stop by). In the morning we could have a jugo verde/green juice either from my grandparent’s house or made ourselves and we could go for a run or bike ride to the Guadalupe Beach. On our way back we could stop at La Fuente and snack on something like nachos or a Tea, maybe even share a donut. Another day we could visit Pismo Beach and eat seafood at Splash Cafe and grab ice cream near the boardwalk. As the day goes on we could return from the boardwalk and grab a drink, or get a cinnamon roll at Old West, or head for some more food at Thai Talay or at Rosas Italian. Next day we could take a wine tour and stop by several vineyards and head up to Cayucos and have dinner at Lunada Garden Bistro. We could end up at some point at the Drive-In Theater (before they shut it down) and watch 2 movies with our own snacks (Hot Cheetos). Then we’d have to hit up Ming Dynasty Chinese and walk down the plaza and grab some bubble tea at Boba House. Lastly, we can take a day to visit Santa Barbara and just find interesting places to eat and drink and lay out by the beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

It would be not without many people that I am who I am, as a creative person, to this day. As a young visual artist I would say my suppporters were my 5th grade instructor Mrs. Cabanting (who kept my mixed media depiction of a pegasus), my 6th grade instructor Mrs. Carpenter, may she RIP, and my high school Art instructor whom I can’t recall her name but I wouldn’t have known how to look at things critically and try new mediums without her. Also, thanks to my parents and family for supporting me in my dance career even till this day. As a performing artist, had it not been for my childhood friend Nancy Leon, I wouldn’t have ever stepped foot in a pair of folklorico boots. To the former director of the Righetti High School Ballet Folklorico and Marimba Band, Mr. Gabaldon, for giving me the opportunity. To my college mentors of the dance program and now former directors at Allan Hancock College, Dianne McMahon and Larissa Nazarenko. Thank you to Dianne for standing at the entrance of the dance studio and advising an 18 year old Chris to take a ballet class and for Larissa who yelled at my feet and advised me to audition for The Ailey School in NYC, you both believed I had something and that’s all it takes to make a difference in the life of a kid from small town Guadalupe. To Candy for staying true to her philosophy of “do your best and forget the rest”.

To my fellow Ailey alumni Jessica Mumford and Kira Cajigas who went through the same dance program and take dance, art and fashion wherever we go on our trips. To Cynthia Fant for being a creative in her own right and my cheerleader in life. To Brenda Flores for showing me that there’s more to me if I just believe in myself and in my roots/raza. To Mary Sivongsa, Emily Myers and Lauren Grose who danced with me in college and then supported me in NYC when NYC got tough. To Sandra Soto for showing me a part of NYC that I was  missing out on in my early years there. And last but not least, to Luis Lopez and Mateo Lastra for having some of the cleanest footwork I know.

Website: http://chriscare.mymonat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscortezcare/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/mijochris/

Image Credits
dance images: Nir Arieli all other images: anotherday.photos on Instagram