Meet Karina Bromberg | Professional Dancer, Choreographer and Director

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

Hi Karina, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Over time, the way I balance my life has changed and evolved as my responsibilities and pursuits have grown. Juggling a professional dance career, directing and producing shows, being a full-time university student, holding a 9-5 job, and prioritizing gym and mental health requires thorough planning on my part. To manage it all, I plan everything. I write all my deadlines, meetings, and other commitments in my phone, computer, and a planner that I write in.

Seeing all my commitments helps me figure out what’s most important and when to do things. It makes me feel less stressed because I know what needs to be done and when, and instills a calmness, knowing that I am organized and prepared. Given the diversity of my daily tasks, each demanding different aspects of my skills and focus, I allocate specific time slots for each thing. I prioritize based on importance and urgency, while trying to keep the activities that make me feel good (like working out and training) first, as I always feel strengthened and inspired afterward, and I find myself better equipped to tackle the remaining tasks on my schedule.

I think everyone’s balance is unique to them, based on individual priorities and responsibilities. Practically, scheduling a time for every aspect of life has helped me alleviate stress, foster empowerment and turn what could be overwhelming responsibilities into managed, structured tasks. As my responsibilities have expanded, particularly in the production of “rishon.1” and “rishon.2,” where the cast and crew increased from 30 to 40, along with more complex visuals and creative direction, my time allocation has adapted accordingly.

I keep checking and adjusting how I use my time to make sure I find the right balance for me. It’s an ongoing process, considering work, passion, free time, and taking care of myself. I also schedule in my fun times and make sure I leave time to see friends, go watch a movie or a show, etc. The goal is to keep finding the right balance and feeling good on the journey there.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up in a place with many cultures, I was surrounded by different kinds of music, languages, and traditions. The world around me felt lively, colorful, and special. I always enjoyed performing, making dances for my family, telling stories, and acting out scenes from my favorite TV shows with friends.

My dad and grandma were both gymnasts, and my grandma taught physical education at an elementary school. Being active was always a part of my life, and I learned discipline from it. When I was around 5, my grandma signed me up for competitive aerobics and even taught me how to do a cartwheel! I competed around the country, and by the age of 11, I started taking hip-hop lessons at the same studio. I loved it so much and quickly became known in my small city as Karina the dancer. I spent most of my time at school, the dance studio, or outside with friends. I competed in hip-hop competitions like HHI Israel and traveled to Europe for performances with my home studio.

At 14, I moved to Vancouver, Canada. It was challenging because I didn’t know English and wasn’t familiar with the culture. Without a dance studio to train at, I learned routines from YouTube tutorials and danced in my living room. After a year and moving to another city, I found a dance studio where I started training and teaching young kids. In my personal life, I went through many changes as I adapted to the new culture and language, moving from home to home, but dance remained a constant. Even during times when I questioned my identity, being a dancer and music lover stayed strong.

In Vancouver, I became part of the dance community, attending auditions and participating in anything to gain experience and grow as an artist. In 2020, without an agent, I booked my first commercial job in Netflix’s “Christmas Chronicles 2.” My dream of being in movies became more specific. I wanted to experience the rehearsal process, the feeling of being on set, and hearing “action.”

COVID-19 shifted things, leading me to join “Motus The Company” in LA, a significant part of my dance journey. I appeared in Nickelodeon’s “Monster High: The Movie 1 & 2,” Sony Entertainment’s “Honey Girls,” and CW’s “Riverdale.” In 2023, I signed with a local entertainment agency.

I also ventured into choreography, becoming the main choreographer and dancer for the artist “TRS.” We worked on music videos and directed festival performances. In 2023, I founded the “rishon” art showcase, set to hold its second show in November. “rishon” spotlights local talent and has become a platform for my wildest creative ideas.

Coming from a multi-cultural country and becoming open-minded to so many more cultures, it feeds my art daily. Anything I do, and anyone I meet, is a source of inspiration to the never-ending pursuit of my art becoming a direct and raw reflection of me.

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?
First thing on the list would be grabbing some Israeli food, and then we’d head to the beach, probably in Malibu. I enjoy the drive there, and I love the sun, Israeli food, and water.

I usually stay in North Hollywood because of dance studios, so we’d definitely explore the area, walk around the neighborhood, and try to act like locals!

On my bucket list would be to take them to downtown LA and the fashion district. We’d stroll around, check out some stores, and taste different kinds of foods. My favorite thing is bringing friends together, so we’d visit my friend’s house in Burbank, dance together, eat, and laugh.

I’m not big on shopping, but most of my friends are, so I would take them to Melrose market and also walk the street, going into different stores and finishing up with ice cream. “Afters Ice Cream” is one of my favorites!

One evening we will definitely go skating at Moonlight Rollerway and will go see the view from Griffith Observatory when it’s darker out.

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! My mom, dad and brother and I all became really close in the past couple of years. Since the rest of our family is still back home, we have became a unit and really worked on creating a home for each of us within our little family. They truly are my rock and supporters, that I credit for my independence and drive to pursue my dreams.

They provide the raw, honest opinion I need and search for often, as well as the unwavering support and love to continue pursuing my dreams. Our home life and closeness to each other are a huge part of how I manage my everyday life and how I keep my motivation alive.

I also want to shout out “Motus The Company.” It was founded in 2020 by Diana Matos, and since day 1, has been an inseparable part of my life. I learn so much about myself through this training company, and it was the opportunity to perform with 9 other members in a showcase in LA in 2021 that has shifted something in me. Ever since, the drive to pursue my dreams hasn’t ceased.

Website: https://www.karinabromberg.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karina.bromberg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-bromberg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzFofhKKYiG-_nvj1MU3yw

Image Credits
Albert Normandin Mikeayes Terefe Ashley Ross