The Student Lens: The Charli Interview

 

Hello Everyone, and welcome back to the Student Lens. Today, I will be featuring a dancer who has truly defined strength and courage through their dance journey, Charli!.  Charli has been going to Elemental Studios for 9 months now and recently started spreading their wings into joining the diverse and loving community that Elemental Studios has to offer. Charli, like many new students who come to Elemental Studios, has had their fears and self-doubts, but they have come and jumped so many hurdles to pursue a dream for themselves that they never dreamed of being possible. 

So, before we get into the interview, let's learn a little bit about Charli. 

"I started dancing in my 30s. I identify as non-binary, and dreamt of being able to do something like this for years (nerves be damned). I grew up in a very poor household with a single mom of 3, and we didn't have the funds for me to pursue dance. 

After my childhood years, I was diagnosed with a rare illness that kept me wheelchair-bound, so I let go of the idea I'd ever be a dancer or have any real mobility. I kept at physical therapy for many years at home and finally learned how to walk again, run again, and now to dance. 

Now that I'm older, sober, and more able-bodied, I decided it was time to put myself out there. I might be a little bit older, but I have no doubt I've still got it in me to grow and learn. I'm so grateful for Elemental and all the instructors I've been able to learn from. This community feels like magic."

Here's our Interview!

1. You recently came to Elemental Studios as a new student; What initially drew you to the studio?

Charli: "I'd been wanting to take lessons for sooooo long. I had previously looked into studios in the area, but they were too expensive or didn't offer the adult classes that I was looking for. And randomly, I decided to look up classes again to see if any new studios were opening. I saw Elemental was just opening, and everything about it looked amazing, offering the inclusivity I'd been craving from this kind of space. I was getting ready to take my first Tuesday hip-hop class, and then I broke my foot skateboarding. I knew the second I was back in motion, I'd be joining the studio. My first class was 3/24/25, and I haven't skipped a week since. I'm now a monthly student member, and I keep a running list of all the dance moves I learn, I practice at home, and I try to film even if I don't feel confident with the choreo." 

2 . What is a fun fact about yourself that you would like for us to know about you?

Charli: "I spent many of my high school years wheelchair-bound and hospitalized from an illness. I never thought I'd be able to use my legs, but I always dreamt of skating and dancing. So, now, I help co-organize a queer community skate group with some dear friends called Queer Skate Denver, and I spend a ton of time at Elemental, fulfilling my childhood dream of dance. If you ever want to learn how to quad skate or skateboard, hit me up."

3. What do you look forward to the most when coming to Elemental Studios?

Charli: "Getting to see all my dance friends show up for one another, push it together, and release the pain of the outside world when we're all on the dance floor. I love this community, the support that I've been shown and that I get to offer, and the teachers are so damn good at what they do. Dance communities are great, but this particular community is magic." 

4. Since you started recently, can you tell us about your very first class at Elemental and what that experience was like for you?

Charli: "I was fresh off of a broken foot and feeling pretty nervous to try something I'd wanted to do since I was young, but never had the ability to do. I felt so unsure that I'd be able to keep up with everyone; the nerves of thinking people would know I didn't know what I was doing were strong. Daniella's 5:15pm Fundamentals hip-hop was my very first class. She taught a choreo to "Not Like Us" by Kendrick. Yella's teaching style was something I really connected with right out the gate, and I could feel her kindness while she shared her knowledge with us. Not only that, she taught in a way where everyone could lock the choreo down, and you could see the confidence growing as the class went on. I felt so accepted and seen for exactly who I am in the space. I felt pretty scared to be doing something so vulnerable around so many strangers, but luckily, Aasa (twerk teacher) was in that class too, and showed me so much hype and kindness. Meeting Daniella and Aasa is a huge reason I came back, and being so wrapped up by everyone made me feel so confident in the work we did that day. I was so excited to tell my friends after, and I haven't missed one of those classes since."

5. What keeps you motivated to keep going through classes that challenge you?

Charli: "Knowing that those challenges are ultimately where my growth gets to thrive. Staying in my comfort zone will never have my body moving in the ways I always dreamt it could. Not to mention, when I attend challenging classes, I get to see how experienced dancers approach the choreo. So I learn from my peers too. My instructors are so kind and express that they see in me what I can't always see in myself: a dancer who has it all there if I'm willing to push and grow." 

6. If you were to describe Elemental Studios to someone who wants to come and try out, but wasn't sure, how would you describe it?

Charli: "I do this all the time lol, and I always talk about how welcoming and warm all the instructors and students are. How there are so many different bodies and skill levels. We're all here, working on our singular craft together, and what a beautiful experience it's been for me thus far. There's really nowhere like it."

7. What class/classes have been your favorite so far?

Charli: "This is such a hard question, and my answer will be all over. Since I'm a newer dancer, I haven't had the chance to try all the instructors, but I plan on getting there. I haven't taken a single class that I haven't enjoyed. I've been absolutely blown away by all the hip-hop classes I get to take and each instructor's approach. Yella's (day one forever) fundamentals class has given me the building blocks to step into Armanni's (love her so much) hip-hop classes, and then Armanni's classes in turn gave me the experience to start taking Yella's intermediate class (we love a full circle). I've just started taking Paige's class to squeeze in what I can before she moves, and I am sooooo happy I stepped into her class. Hip-hop and reggaeton are definitely my favorites so far, but I love challenging myself with femme and jazz (movement that doesn't come naturally to me). Special shoutout to Nikki and Jake for pushing my ass into those classes. Also, we gotta recognize Rocio's beginner reggaeton class; her classes will instantly have you feeling like a part of this community. If you're seeking a home, I recommend starting here. All of my favorite classes are so incredible at fostering a safe, vulnerable, kind, loving, and creative environment."

8. What is your advice for new dancers like yourself who are just starting out?

Charli: "No one is thinking about your dancing as much as you think they are. Be brave, try the thing, step into the cipher. You're doing great, and we're all here to root for you. I'm proud of you, and I'm always here to meet you at classes if you're scared to go home."

9. Do you have any dance goals for yourself?

Charli: "I look forward to honing my craft enough to potentially try out for the new dance squad Elemental is starting. Not even to get on the squad, but to have the confidence to try out would be amazing. I'm definitely not there yet, but I know my teachers have my back every step of the way."

10. What do you look forward to in your dance journey with this studio?

Charli: "Just to continue showing up for myself and others. No matter the day I've had, no matter how heavy the world gets, I just want to show up and support this community." 

Thank you to Charli for interviewing with me and taking the time to showcase yourself and your journey through this interview. If you would like to support and follow Queer Skate Denver, you can follow them on Instagram at @queer.skate.denver to look into community events, skate lessons, and support the organization at many other events. 

If you happen to see Charli at the studio, make sure to tell them hi, and I will see you guys in the next Student Lens interview!