Meet Camila Morena | Professional Dancer

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

Hi Camila, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Brazil, and my upbringing has profoundly shaped who I am today. Dance has been a part of my life since day one—it’s a huge part of our culture and has always been my passion. Growing up in Belo Horizonte, one of the main cultural centers of the country, I started dancing at four years old. In 2021, I moved to São Paulo to pursue my dance career, and in February, I came to Los Angeles to study with the best in the world. With the unwavering support of my family, I’ve been able to chase my dreams and grow into a stronger person who believes in the power of hard work to make dreams come true. My parents and sister have always gone above and beyond to help me reach my goals, instilling in me a deep belief in the power of community and the difference a strong support system can make.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a Latina woman, pursuing a creative career path has always been challenging. In Brazil, it is incredibly difficult to make a living from dance, and many people don’t succeed. However, I have always believed that no dream is impossible. I have worked tirelessly to make my career a reality, taking on jobs outside of dance and studying in every way I could. One key factor in my growth as a dancer was taking advantage of the pandemic in 2020; I trained every day using every online resource available.

My discipline and strategic planning have always been crucial. Every January, I set a list of goals for the year and map out a plan to achieve them. This has allowed me to gain recognition and be noticed for my work. Every class I take, every social media post I make, it’s intentional and directed towards my life goals. I’ve learned to put myself in environments where I am valued and not to take it personally when I am not. I always return to the reason I started and why I dance. The quote that keeps me grounded is, “Starve the ego, feed the soul.”

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 definitely plan a well-organized itinerary. I love LA, and the city offers so many exciting things to do. For food, I would take her to brunch at The Breakfast Club in Hollywood, where they make the best matcha I’ve ever tasted. For burgers, my favorite place is Burger She Wrote—they have the best fries ever. Hanging out at Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier is always a must, with a stroll along the Third Street Promenade. I’d also take her to Booth By Briant in the Dolls Kill store to snap some cute photos. For drinks, the rooftops at Mama Shelter and LP&P are my favorites, with great music and incredible views. And we can’t forget Riozonas Açaí, for a little taste of home with the absolute best açaí in town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family is my biggest support system. My parents and sister go above and beyond to help me achieve my goals, and I am incredibly grateful for their unwavering dedication, knowing that not all artists are as fortunate. From the age of four into my twenties, I grew up in a dance school that nurtured my passion and supported me in countless ways. Primeiro Ato Centro de Dança was my second home for many years, and I owe so much to my amazing teachers there. Gustavo Durso was the first teacher to introduce me to hip hop and was my company director for 4 years. Without him, I never would have believed it was possible to pursue a career in dance. I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by incredible choreographers in Brazil, such as Jo Cardoso, former director of Millennium Dance Company Brazil and a leading competition choreographer; Jessi Muller, choreographer for one of Brazil’s top artists, Pablo Vittar, and founder of the Jessi Project at Millennium Dance Complex; and Pedro Reis, one of the most in-demand teachers in the country, currently touring Europe to teach and a former assistant to Yanis Marshall. In LA, I was mentored by JoJo Gomez, who went above and beyond to make sure I became a better dancer because, in her own words, she saw my passion, my drive and my professionalism and wanted to help me take it to the next level. I also want to thank Brian Nicholson, who is currently the person responsible for most of my growth as a dancer. I’ve been taking their class every week for about two months now and their support has made a huge difference and I’m forever grateful.

Instagram: camilamorenasc

Image Credits
Bia Metidieri (for studio photos)