Meet Lindsey Sandri | Professional Dancer & Digital Marketer (CDMP)

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

Hi Lindsey, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
It’s not so much of a favorite quote or affirmation per-say, but I do have a little saying that I’ve used to recenter myself since my high school dance competition days that I’ve continued to repeat whenever I find myself in a high pressure situation. It goes “I’m only here to be better than my best self” or “my only goal is to be better than my best self.” Some variation of this that is usually followed by a deep breath before heading out to what it is I was about to do. Back when I was competing and about to go out for a solo performance, I would think of this phrase over and over as a way to calm my nerves and get myself in a more focused mindset. I was already so hard on myself in my craft that it just reminded me that the competition is always going to be with your own personal growth rather than the outside noise at the end of the day, and everything else that followed was a blessing that came from all that work you put in for you. Now of days this phrase still stays relevant for me because wether it’s in an audition for my next dance gig, going out for a performance, or working on new entrepreneurial endeavors like offering my digital marketing background to manage companies social medias or expanding my travel page, it’s easy to get lost in looking at how the rest of society is doing compared to your own progress. For me, my little phrase reminds me to stop and remember what I’m there for, what my purpose is, and it takes the focus from outward self worth comparisons to inward motivation. It’s not always easy when you’re in a room surrounded by hundreds of other dancers to keep the negative self talk and nerves at bay, but when I feel that energy creeping in and catch my mind wandering, this phrase works as a reset for me to get back to what matters and many times, has saved me in that moment from being my own downfall. It’s something that can definitely apply to everything in life, no matter what you’re doing or going out for since we are never done learning, growing, failing and improving and thats why it will always be a keeper in my book!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an artist and a creative in multiple avenues, I am a dance teacher and choreographer, I am a newly certified digital marketing professional venturing into roles of social media management and more, I am an avid traveler, but of all the hats I wear, first and foremost I am a professional dancer. I’ve trained to be as versatile as possible so I can adapt and step up to whatever task and opportunity comes my way. I absolutely love learning, challenging myself, experiencing all, and growing any chance I get. From heels to old school jazz, hip hop to ballroom, Broadway to contemporary, onscreen work or live performing, athleticism to expression, choreographing and gymnastic ability, it brings me incredible joy to keep creating a foundation that will allow me to pursue a wide range of possibilities. I’m excited for what’s to come as the industry slowly reemerges and cruising begins to relaunch, but I’m also looking forward to the new endeavors in the digital world that I’ve started to create for myself as well. The goal and hope is to combine my passions and livelihoods with traveling, dancing, and managing social media all into one, which I am currently working towards creating an avenue for myself in everyday, but as I get there I am grateful for the companies that have let me bring my strategies for them to life already, and for the dance gigs of any scale that keep my flame alive as I navigate this spontaneous and challenging life.

From the feedback I’ve received over the years I’d say I’m known for being efficient and receptive in my movement ability, as well as expressive and versatile. When it comes down to it, I like to be solid as a dancer and consistent in my performance because when I’m confident and on top of what I’m doing, I can perform and give over fully to the piece which makes everything enjoyable for not only myself, but I think for the audiences perspective as well. In a world where theres hundreds of dancers to one spot, I really believe that being reliable and meeting the task at hand are key. However, It has most definitely been anything but a smooth road. This life that I’ve chosen for myself has come majorly at the cost of my own body and mentality at times which just comes with the territory, but that being said, I wouldn’t change or give it up for the world. Even now that we are all facing major losses and industry closures that are now slowly coming back to life, it just reminds me that life happens wether we like it or not. There will be injuries, there will be losses, there will be both success and failure in new endeavors, but equally there will also be joy and happiness and new opportunities and constant change because the only thing constant in this world and life is change. This time has certainly pushed the point across to me that it’s important to slow down and take care of myself, which then allows for the time to refocus on seeing where I’d actually like to go and how my goals might be changing as I get older. It’s taught me the art of letting go to what might have been in order to see the full potential of the here and now, endings really are just new beginnings if we choose to see what can be instead of what isn’t. It’s all in your mindset at the end of the day, and thats something you have to constantly work at as life ebbs and flows which I’ve had my fare share of time to fully realize. Either you sit back and let it pass you by, or you finally get up and take charge. Not every day is a good one, but I hope that with my good ones I am able to carve my path forward and keep working hard for what I want while collaborating with others along the way. In the end really this is my story, dance is my calling, and I have so much passion and creative still yet to give.

If you would like to connect/collab, have any inquiries, or would simply like to follow my journey, my email & instagram are the best way to get in touch!

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 travel a lot for work and when I’m here in the city I tend to have my nose to the grind with most days consisting of training either at the gym or in the dance studio, or I’ll be behind a screen managing social media for various dance companies, BUT when I do get a moment to explore I’d have to say a place I’ve come to love around Burbank is a breakfast spot called EAT on Magnolia Blvd, absolutely delicious! If someone came to visit and they wanted to workout with me I’d take them to Pure Barre North Hollywood, have loved going there on the daily myself. We would definitely have to hit Universal Studios too since it’s right down the street from me and is a must for first time visitors. If they were up for going on a trail hike I’d take them to the Burbank Peak to see the famous wisdom tree, but if they were more so in the mood to shop we would go over to the Americana mall which is just a super gorgeous and fun environment to walk around by itself in general, especially with the lights and the large water fountain at night! You can definitely find me up on the third floor of Barnes and Nobles finding my next read on days off, love it there. The last spot I’d suggest would be The Black Cat on W Sunset Blvd for a chilled drink outdoors with friends on picnic style benches, everything there has gone mobile since covid so you can just walk up, find a spot, order from your phone when you’re ready and hang 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?
This has to be one of the toughest questions to answer properly since I’d dedicate where I am today to multiple individuals and organizations that have come into my life along the way. First and foremost I wouldn’t have lead the life I have without the constant love and support of my parents Lance & Michelle Sandri. They really let me take my passion and run with it and always instilled in me that if it was to be it was up to me to make it happen. Thank you for being my cheerleaders and biggest supporters always, I love you guys and am grateful for all you’ve done for me and continue to do. In the same spirit I’d like to shoutout Brian Brooks, Sara Fugate, Jia Huang, the United Spirits Association, Chapman University (and all the professors that helped me find who I am as an artist), and all the physical therapists I’ve encountered along the way who have helped me keep my career moving forward all these years. Just thank you for the pivotal conversations, the tough love and pushes that brought about growth, and for giving me the space to discover, fail, and work through it all. THANK YOU for never giving up on me (and thank you to all the friends and family I didn’t get the chance to mention), I hope always to make you all proud.

Instagram: @lindseyannsandri

Other: email inquiries: Lindseysandri@gmail.com

Image Credits
@lnzyrosephoto @jademoanimua