Meet Matisse Azul Rainbolt | Professional Ballet Folklorico Dancer & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matisse Azul Rainbolt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matisse Azul, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have always been one to work until I physically and mentally can’t anymore. It’s exhausting, but I love what I do and it was what I thought I needed to do to be successful in life. I was working 16-22 hour days, filled with practice, rehearsals, filming content, going to photoshoots, doing homework for school, being on set, etc., and it got to the point that I couldn’t do it anymore because I became so physically ill that I couldn’t even walk. I had to learn how to balance work and life the hard way because I basically forced myself into it. I learned that although it’s important to work hard and be determined, you have to take breaks and give yourself time to rest no matter how much you have to do. You can’t put out your best work if you aren’t feeling your best. At the end of the day, if you’re getting the point I was at, you’re not going to be able to work at all. I am now much better about giving myself time off throughout the week to hang out with my family and rest so my body can recover. I schedule rest periods into my day so I can take a nap or sit down and relax for a bit. I feel like I am the healthiest I have been in years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a professional Ballet Folklorico dancer and content creator. Ballet folklorico is traditional Mexican dancing, and I love to share the dances, dresses, and music on social media so other people can be inspired to learn more about the Mexican culture or their cultures, too.

I have been dancing since the age of four, so seventeen years total now. I am currently in a professional dance company where we train 3 days a week for 3-4 hours each day. I also have my own projects and performances outside of the company that I have to rehearse for at home. On top of that, I film and edit videos for TikTok and Instagram, have to be on set some days, teach dance lessons, and I’m in my master’s program. Needless to say, it’s not easy to have so many things going on at once, but what has helped the most is being organized, using my phone calendar, and using a physical calendar at home so I can see what my entire month will look like.

I am most proud of the risks I took and sacrifices I made to get where I am. I am not one to take risks at all. I usually play it safe and I have a hard time making difficult decisions. Being a full-time dancer and content creator is nothing but sacrifices and risks. It has made me more confident in myself.

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.
One of my favorite places to go is Disneyland. I’m there almost every week, sometimes two to three times a week. When my friends come out here to hang out with me, we will usually plan a Disney trip for a couple of days.

Another place I like to go to is Laguna Beach. It’s pretty calm and there’s a spot a little ways away from the boardwalk where not too many people go. After we hang out at the beach, I usually go to the BJ’s restaurant and look in the stores across the street from the boardwalk. It’s a good way to relax and get some sun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe much of my success to my family and dance partner.

My mom and dad took me to my first dance class and every other one after that until I could drive myself. They have always supported whatever I want to pursue and are there to encourage me every step of the way. They still come to my performances as much as they can because they know it helps ease my anxiety.

My siblings are my stress relievers and are always there to make me laugh when I need it. They help me out when I need to take photos, film videos, or go in the carpool lane when I have photoshoots 3 hours away. They never complain, even if they are helping me out for hours.

My dance partner and best friend, Joey, who has been there since the beginning of becoming a content creator. He’s always down to do anything and will always encourage me when I feel like giving up.

And finally my great-grandparents, Lucy and Manuel Hernandez, who have continued to teach me about my culture and showed me what it really means to be proud and confident.

I love you all. Thank you for everything.

Website: matisseazul.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matisseazul/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matisse-azul-rainbolt-6209231b0/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/matisseazul

Facebook: facebook.com/matisse.rainbolt

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/matisseazulrainbolt

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@matisseazul?lang=en

Image Credits
Sandy Altamirano Louis Felix