Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Roberts.
Riley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started dancing when I was three years old. My mom put me in a tap and ballet class and you could say that the rest is history. I grew up dancing competitively at age seven at a competitive dance studio; oddly enough I got a little burnt out of the fake eyelashes and red lip after six years and decided that I wasn’t going to pursue dance and venture out into other things. However, dance got the best of me again and I wound up on my high school dance team which then lead me to audition for another competitive company.
I found my passion again and in such a way that I recreated myself as an artist. From there I started auditioning for college dance programs. I never really knew or understood that college wasn’t an option. No one ever took the time to explain to me or give me the option of not going to college. So from that decision, my life was affected more than I could ever imagine it would. Ironically once again my head won over my heart and I thought it would be best to go to school for business at Westmont college over getting an art degree in a conservatory.
I feel that we tell ourselves that we may be happier with financial security and a guarantee of employment after college as a coping mechanism to advert from the fact that we may lack the confidence to go for our dreams. After realizing this I transferred to Chapman Univerisity where I truly discovered my first love all over again. This cat and mouse game finally ended when I decided to major in dance. From then on I have been creating, performing, and collaborating with artists to create a voice for myself and others.
I graduated with a BFA in dance performance in 2017 and moved to LA to pursue a dance career. It’s been one year out and I think the most I can say is that from what I have learned, success is one thing to you and different to another. I also understand the importance of patience and trusting the process to get to where you want to be. I am currently starting a new chapter with my soon to be husband. My goals are to go on tour with Justin Timberlake, produce my own album, and create my own show.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My art comes from a variety of different inspirations. I am mainly influenced by Bob Fosse, Michael Jackson, rock n’ roll, and abstract art. I create pieces of movement stranded together by one idea, combined with athleticism and performance quality. I think I mainly create to release emotions that I can’t necessarily keep to myself. For example, I created a piece to ACDC’s “Shoot To Thrill”, and though it’s not poetic or means to be taken literally, there is something about the “vibe” of the song that turns your alter ego on.
Creating a piece to a song like that or to any rock n’roll song to me is a chance to play a character, a role in which I was never brave enough or smart enough to play in real life. I create for joy, I create to inspire, and I create as a way of empathy. Creating a piece doesn’t need to always be about heartbreak, though those are very therapeutic. Dance is such a strong and powerful tool that can be used to discuss politics, equality, culture, senses, the earth… the list can go on. I feel that if anything people should always take away from my art what they need.
Sometimes I hope they watch my art and find what they didn’t even know they needed. I think that people should know about my art that it is purely me. I think dancers are so strong because they show vulnerability. I feel like when I am performing or creating a piece there is some relief in knowing that at the end of the day, what I produce with my art is beautiful because it comes from my individuality and fulfills my passion and my purpose, not anyone else’s.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Defining success is still a very hard thing for me to do. After moving out here to Los Angeles, I think the biggest thing I had to deal with was the comparison with other dancers and how to not let that affect my own definition of success.
I feel that success will possibly be having the confidence and knowledge to sustain and have longevity. I think that a characteristic of a successful dancer is the actual commitment to your dream.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Mainly on social media for now. I post a lot on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Contact Info:
- Email: rileymarie1953@gmail.com
- Instagram: rileyroberts
Image Credit:
Kyle Castellanet
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