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

Hi Ashley, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always had a hyperactive imagination. I sometimes concerned my family growing up with how often I could be found unabashedly having a conversation with something that wasn’t there. Every regular trip to Costco was an epic adventure and I never just walked… it was trotting on whatever animal I imagined I was riding that day or nothing. You know those children on leashes you see sometimes? I was one of them. Not because I was a flight risk, but because I LOVED wearing them. It made the days I was pretending to be a dog that much more realistic. I promise I’m a normal (ish) person nowadays LOL. Anyway, there was no way I could do anything for a living that didn’t stimulate and fulfill my imaginative ways, and there’s no better industry for that than the creative/artistic one.

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.
I’m primarily a dancer/teacher/choreographer, but I also do jobs that involve singing, acting and modeling. I perform professionally in musicals, commercials, music videos, shows, live events, do print modeling, etc.

As number 5 of 6 kids who all perform for a living, I was somewhat born into the arts. Once I experienced what it was like to be on a stage, I never questioned if it was what I too wanted to do professionally. I danced competitively from age 8-19, and started teaching my own classes and choreographing for dance studios, music videos and musicals from there.

Dance did not come easy to me. Despite my work ethic, my body was always one step ahead in making me too lanky and awkward for the body control of an advanced dancer. Looking back, I believe being a late bloomer is what made me the dancer and teacher I am today. It taught me perseverance and problem solving – something I wouldn’t have exercised if things came quickly and naturally to me. I pride myself on developing students as artists no matter their level of natural talent. I strive to ensure they are aware of where they need work AND aware of the strengths and potential they already possess. It’s amazing what showing faith in a student can do to their development. Nothing is more fulfilling than giving the underdogs a chance and seeing them take off with it.

My emphasis in my choreography or my own dancing, is always on performance quality and body language. I love making a complex art form universally entertaining. I do this by making the story I’m telling as comprehensible as possible to the average eye with human expression, while simultaneously executing the technique and quality of movement that’s more appreciated by trained eyes.

One of my favorite things to do is perform in musicals. I was never formerly trained in acting or singing, but one day I decided to go to an audition. I bought a cheap pair of character heels on my way to the audition and danced my heart out. Then I walked into the vocal portion of the audition and unintentionally showcased how inexperienced I was in that area. Despite it all, I was hired as a shark in my first musical, West Side Story. From there, I was cast in In The Heights, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Spamalot and the Cinderella Christmas Story panto all within one year. I will soon be performing in A Chorus Line and Escape to Margaritaville.

I am also a proud member of the Royal Flux dance company. It is the perfect artistic and athletic challenge. Every rehearsal I discover things I didn’t know I (or dancers in general) are capable of. Director Jaclyn Royal and the members of this company are some of the most talented superhumans I’ve met.

I believe many successes are due to an openness to growth. Without this mindset, the fear of failure could have easily discouraged me from these dreams that I now call realities. Once in a while I still need to remind myself that my cracking voice or my muscles giving out aren’t signs that I’m failing, but signs that I’m in the process of growing. And that is the real success. In this competitive and highly subjective industry, celebrating my strengths while celebrating the process of working on my weaknesses is how I stay truly, madly in love with this art.

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?

I tend to be more of a hidden gems over main attraction type of girl when it comes to LA, so I’ll give you some of my favorite little finds in the city. Google’s got you covered for all the bigger stuff. 😉

– The Baked Potato
This humble little hole in the wall is so charming to me. It’s a jazz club that regularly brings in some of the best musicians I’ve seen live. It’s intimate, unassuming, and literally only serves drinks and baked potatoes… perfection.

– The Spare Room
This is one of my favorite spots to get a drink in one of my favorite hotels in LA, The Roosevelt. The Roosevelt is probably one of the most iconic hotels in Hollywood. It’s bursting with old Hollywood glam, and I’m a huge fan. Hidden inside though is a bar that you have to know about or find on accident, as it’s in an unmarked room and not really advertised at all throughout the hotel. Complete with vintage board games, amazing cocktails (I highly recommend the Drag Queens Gambit), and its very own 2 vintage bowling lanes, it’s the perfect spot to take someone who wants an old-meets-new Hollywood experience.

– Universal Studios Hollywood
Okay I know this is a main attraction that I said I wouldn’t list, but I have to add it because I’m obsessed with the Jurassic World ride here. The last half of the ride gets me every. single. time.

– The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle is a private club that has multiple magic shows every night. The only way to enter the club is by invitation. Ways to get invited are knowing a magician, knowing a member of the club, or being someone’s +1. It’s the type of place you go to when you want to dress to the nines, sip a martini and attend a private party like a Hollywood star. The magic shows are great and the vibe is fun. Definitely something worth doing if you get the chance.

– Sparrow

A restaurant inside the Figueroa hotel. Amazing drinks and delicious food!

– Drunk Comedy

A weekly improv show in an intimate theatre where you can bring your own snacks and drinks! Oh, and each week one of the actors is chosen to take 5 whiskey shots in a row before they begin.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I ultimately owe all thanks to God for the blessings He’s given me. Many of which are the following people.

My parents, Mark and Lydia. My mother is the cultivator of my artistic nature. She understood my need for expression and encouraged it. In addition, she is the most loving, selfless woman I know. She is my role model. My father truly dedicated his life to providing for my mother, myself and my five siblings. All six of us are performer/teacher/choreographers now. Not only did he believe we could succeed in such a challenging industry, but he worked fiercely to support us and ensure we were never left in want of an opportunity. He’s since passed away and I dedicate every time I perform onstage to him.
With my parents, there was never a question of if we could succeed in doing what we loved. We weren’t pressured to pursue a “real career” first, in case dance didn’t work out – something I had heard from so many of my peer’s parents. There’s something to be said about going for what you want full force, without a doubt on if it will happen. It was always “when” it will happen with my parents. Thanks to their belief and support, I’m among the few who earn a living doing what they love.

Sam Averbuck, my constant, selfless rock and my strongest source of grounding.

Eric Bumb, the most incredible best friend anyone could imagine. His generosity and support not even I can fathom, and played a big part in getting me to where I am today.

Donna Shepherd, for her dedication to developing me as a dancer and teaching me so much in our years together.

And my siblings, who have helped me improve in my craft by sharing their experience, expertise and connections with their baby sister.

Instagram: ashleychavarria

Image Credits
Lindsay Rosenberg, Jason Niedle, DreamsinDetail, Erin DeLaney, Alexa Lampe.

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