Meet Makayla Gordon | Professional dancer & Creative

Hi Makayla, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I think of risk taking it’s excites me. I feel like when you take risks you have a willingness to grow. I believe the greatest moments come from risk taking and sometimes it’s necessary to reach a certain goal. My whole life screams it, I started pursing a career in dance at the age of thirteen and took the leap and moved to LA fresh out of high school, at only eighteen years old. Thus far I’ve had to use this strategy to keep pushing myself to new heights in order to get myself to the place where I know I’m meant to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a professional dancer and aspiring choreographer in the entertainment industry. I specialize in movement artistry, and am known as a commercial dancer, performer and creative. What excites me most about my career is that it’s so unknown, your dreams can happen at any given moment and until then you’re doing what you love everyday. It’s so much more than just dance for me, it’s my life and what’s truly shaped me into the person I am today. Dance has taught me more about resilience and the power of mindset more than anything else. I believe I am where I’m at today because I’m never really satisfied, I’m always working towards bettering myself in any way I can. It’s a blessing and a curse, I’m quite the perfectionist but I try to allow myself to enjoy the moment I’m in as much as possible. I’d say the thing that sets me apart is the experiences that shaped me, resilience and learning to be so grounded in myself that nothing can really shake me. I prioritize being myself every step of the way. It honestly hasn’t been a smooth road for me at all, it’s honestly been setback after setback. In June of 2019, I had to undergo double jaw surgery due to my joints deteriorating and airway closing. I was recovering for months on end and it was the first time I had ever been super down on myself. I just couldn’t stop obsessing over all the experiences and opportunities I was missing out on I had even booked my first tour and had to decline. Since then these moments have taught me a lot in life, one being not to question your circumstance and just take things for what they are. Even though the few years since then have been filled with obstacles due to health complications, I refuse to give up on myself. Nothing can stop me from my dreams except for me. Through self perseverance and my own stubbornness I know I’ll be successful. What I like to tell myself is that it’s all just meant to build me into the person I’m supposed to be. I’m no where close to where I want to be yet, but eventually I want to build my own brand and be remembered for something greater than myself. Be known for who I am not just what I do.

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.
First things first, I’d take them on a drive through the Hollywood hills, Who doesn’t love a good drive? We’d start our days by going on a morning hike or straight to brunch depending on what we were feeling that day. I’d take them to Malibu to eat at Malibu Farms and a day at the beach. I’d take them to Universal Studios to see The Wizarding world of Harry Potter and the studio tour, definitely a must see. We’d obviously have to go take a dance class or two at Playground LA. I’d also take them to the Melrose Trading Post, I love to see all the cool vintage items think it’d be a fun Sunday outing. As far as food and drinks go, I’m still trying to find my favorite places in LA, but I love food and am down to try anything. So, I’d take them all over town to try new places and we can decide our favorites. Lastly, We’d end it with going to see one of our favorite artists in concert at the Hollywood Bowl or heading to a low key bar with live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is an easy one. Diana Matos, professional dancer, choreographer and mentor. It’s hard to put into words the impact she’s had on me in just a small period of time. Not only has she created her own company, Motus The Company, over zoom during the pandemic back in May 2020, but she’s carving her own niche in the industry. I joined right off the bat and knew how much I could learn from her, but what I didn’t know was the a** whooping I was about to get. She has brought something out of me where it’s unexplainable and I’m able to push myself and my body way past it’s limit. I can’t really figure out if it’s a good or bad thing yet. When I say she’s taught me far more than dance, I’m talking finding myself as a person digging far deeper than I knew was even possible. I truly can’t thank her enough for the new perspective she’s brought me and the very reason of my growth. She’s been there for me in some of my most difficult moments and I’ll never forget it.

Website: www.makaylagordon.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makayla-gordon-ba84b1225/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/makaylagordonn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makayla.gordon.923

Youtube: https://youtu.be/mOvLx16pXlM

Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13109070/?ref_=tt_ov_st

Image Credits
Studio photos: Claudio Robles City photos: Bobby Dacones