How many people can honestly say that they are living their dream by the age of 21? Truthfully, not many people; but this Jerezana can! This lovely dancer has lately been spending quite some time traveling all around the world showing off her boricua moves. Balancing college life and work isn’t always easy; but her smile never falters and she makes it seem like a breeze. Read on to meet the wonderfully talented Griselle!
Name: Grisselle AgostoAge: 21 Hometown: BayamónMajor: Advertising and Public Relations, with a Entrepreneurship CertificationClaim to Fame: Professional dancerHobbies: Photography and dancing
HCUPR: Tell us a little about your development as a dancer.Griselle: Ever since I was a little girl, my dad took me dancing, and at the age of 11 I started salsa lessons. I had the opportunity to be around the best instructors in Puerto Rico. In 2009, I joined a dance team that took me to big stages. Then, in 2010, I began participating in Escenario Latino. Two years later I joined the Raza Dance Company. With both groups I got the opportunity to travel and represent my island, and they were an important part of my development as dancer. Currently I’m training in new rythms such as bachata, rumba, kizoma, and salsa. I’ve performed at plenty of salsa, bachata & kizomba festivals. My travels have included appearances in the Bahamas, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Panamá, Puerto Rico and many cities in the U.S. I’ve even accompanied several salsa stars on stage, such as El Gran Combo, Cano Estremera, Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, N’Klabe, Tito Nieves and many others.
HCUPR: Which city in the world is your favorite and why?Griselle: Los Angeles. First of all, L.A is the land of the dreams! It’s an amazing city; very beautiful. But what I really love is that everything around you is related to show business. It really is the city of dreams. Everyone in L.A had a dream of making it big and becoming a star. I love it!
HCUPR: What is the best experience that you have had as a dancer?Griselle: My trip to Texas last August. It was my first time travelling on my own, without a group. I didn’t know the people that I was going to work with, so I didn’t know if I would have any chemistry with them! I knew that I would have had to be secure and confident. It would be the first time Griselle Agosto would perform on an international stage… and that was a lot of pressure! Without a doubt, that was the trip that marked the beginning of my career. I kept telling myself: “Griselle you have to be strong, you can do this! You only have your own support here, nobody else’s.” I danced with well-known salsa singers Adalberto Santiago and Jimmy Bosh. I did my very own Lady Style Workshop and learned my choreography two hours before the show! On the plane back to Puerto Rico, I was feeling grateful of everything that I was able to do and learn. It was an amazing performance, and everybody loved it.
HCUPR: What is your biggest accomplishment?Griselle: Performing on my own. I was extremely nervous. It was the biggest moment of my life! It was a mix of salsa, plena and rumba. Basically, a cultural show about my beloved island, Puerto Rico. Above all, I felt super excited about the fact that I was going to perform my art to a different culture. I was representing Puerto Rico. And that was the most amazing thing!
HCUPR: Who is your inspiration?Griselle: Beyoncé! She is an entrepreneur, an amazing dancer and powerful woman. All her success is 100% her own. I love her!
HCUPR: What are your goals?Griselle: Make a living off something that I’m passionate about. I love to be onstage and do my thing. I would love to mix my passion for dance with advertising, which is my major; combine art and business administration.
HCUPR: Where do you see yourself in five years?Griselle: A graduate, traveling, dancing. I see myself working in something that I love. I’m sure I’ll be doing something that makes me feel complete —inside and out— in Puerto Rico or the States.
HCUPR: Do you have any advice for any aspiring dancers? Griselle: During my first years as a dancer I was in three situations that put me in tough do-or-die spots. Two out of three times I made the right choice and paved my way to success. The third choice was harder to make: I had to choose between being an independent dancer in the States while living on the Island, or staying with the dance troupe that helped me develop as a dancer for three years. It sounds like a simple decision, but I’ll assure you it wasn’t. With my group I felt at home: they were my family, they saw me grow; it was three years of unique experiences, and we shared the same passion for dance. So, yeah, it was a very hard decision to make. After mulling it over for some time, I just closed my eyes and felt that it was my time to go. I needed to take the risk of exploring the unknown, mysterious, and challenging world that was out there for me. I left both my dancing groups. I understood at that point that the people that wanted to be in my life were going to be there for me, no matter what.
My advice to all of you is the following: close your eyes, listen to your heart and let go! In a moment of doubt or difficulty, try it. That would be the only way to understand what is really inside you. Not your mind, not what everybody says; you are the only one that knows what the best is for you. You need to listen and belive in yourself to know what you really need and that would be your best choice. Choose for youself, be genuine and real.
Be sure to watch her dance!