Meet Lu Arrospide: Dancer and Choreographer

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

Hi Lu, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am a dancer and choreographer from Lima, Peru. My country and my culture have definitely been important factors in the process of finding who I am as an artist. I believe we all see some things differently, depending on our backgrounds and how we grew up, and that is why I find it so beautiful to connect and share with people from different parts of the world. It can bring up some things we would’ve never thought about. Growing up, I was very lucky and privileged to have a good education, lots of training opportunities and the support of my family. However, a lot of times I found myself surrounded by many friends and peers, who did not live in the same situation. If they wanted to live from what they loved, they had to work twice as hard as everyone else, because they knew they were in this on their own, with absolute no support. The odds were stacked against them, however their passion was so strong they kept doing it. And this is something I don’t only see in the dance industry here, but in Peru in general with many other aspects in life. I think that being surrounded by all these stories and experiences made me appreciate enormously any opportunity that came into my way. Whenever I take class, I audition or I get a job, I know I am doing it not only for myself, but also for the hard working peruvian dreamers.

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

I always try to become one with the music and the words when I’m dancing or creating. I like to incorporate a variety of techniques and dance styles into my movement, depending on the song and the context, but always adding that latin flavour to it.
I have been using this time in quarantine to train a lot, discover new artists and movers on social media, work on my craft and create new concepts and choreographies which I always share on my instagram profile and I am really happy with the outcome.
Currently I am working as a choreographer in a Peruvian movie, which is REALLY exciting. Such an amazing experience to be surrounded by this group of incredibly talented artists, and get to work with them specially at my young age. Every minute I spend on set is a blessing.
As I always say, the journey hasn’t been easy, I don’t think it will ever be. And that’s part of the magic of being a professional artist. It’s been a rollercoaster so far. There’s been ups and downs. This is a very physical and mental challenging career so It’s really easy to get frustrated with yourself but those are the moments when you have to work extra hard and believe in yourself more than ever, cause if you don’t, no one else will. Finding what makes you special and using that to empower yourself.
Some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way are trusting the process, losing the fear of making mistakes and letting go everything that holds me back from my dreams and goals.
I am excited to see where life takes me, and share it with all of you and with the people who have been there since day one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I dont consider myself an expert on touristing friends around LA cause I still dont feel like a local, however there are two musts on my list whenever a friend visits me.

1: Go to the Hollywood Bowl. If you are lucky you can go to a concert or to watch a show, but if theres nothing going on you can still go and just visit the place, maybe have a picnic there during the sunset. I think it´s a cool spot to disconnect from the rush of the city without going too far away.

2. Rent bikes and go all the way from Redondo beach to Manhattan beach. Then, go back to Hermosa to spend the day there at the beach and then you can finish your trip with a nice and cassual dinner at the pier.

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: I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now without their unconditional love and support.

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJqY5Uxd0AzQlHa3XbEpiA?pbjreload=102