Meet Claudia Gomez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Gomez.

Claudia is a dancer and teacher that comes from a lineage of professional dancers (Grandmother and Mother were both professional dancers in Mexico. Mother was a professional Ballet Folklorico dancer and had a regular gig performing every weekend at the Rosarito Beach Hotel in the late 60’s and &70’s). She began with Mexican Ballet Folklorico, tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. In furthering her studies, Claudia drew inspiration from tap dance legends such as Bunny Briggs, one of the original “Hoofers” who danced with Duke Ellington’s band. She is thankful to have also learned from tap teachers such as Pam Thomson, Jason Samuels-Smith, Dianne Walker, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Derick Grant, Mable Lee and many more.

Claudia teaches and performs in nightclubs and theaters throughout Southern California, New Orleans and New York City. And is currently teaching dance at Keiller Leadership Academy, a K-8 charter school in Encanto. In NYC, she taught for Hospital Audiences and was part of Mable Lee’s “Dancing Ladies” chorus dancers. Claudia also performed at “Tap Extravaganza / Flow Bert Awards” and “Tap City”, NYC tap dance festivals. In New Orleans, Claudia tap-danced with jazz bands such as “Smoking Time Jazz Club”, “Tuba Skinny”,”Royal Frenchmen” and more. She performed at the 2011 “Big Easy Music Awards” with Meschiya Lake and “Dem Lil Big Horns”.

Claudia was a dancer and choreographer for Brick-or-Treat Halloween Nights at LEGOLAND California from 2011 through 2015. She is one of J Company Jr. Theatre’s dance instructors and choreographers and was nominated for best choreography by National Youth Arts in 2012 for J Company’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie”.

Other highlights in Claudia’s dance, choreography and acting career include choreographing and playing the role of “Tijuana” in Richard Montoya’s “Federal Jazz Project” at the Lyceum Theatre in spring 2013. She was also a choreographer and featured dancer, and played the role of “The Muse” in Culture Clash’s anniversary/reunion show at Segerstrom Center’s “Off Center Festival 2014” in Orange County and at Arts Emerson in Boston.

Claudia can be seen performing regularly around town with Gypsy Jazz band Trio Gadjo and Besos Trio. She recorded an album with“Besos de Coco”, an all-female, eclectic jazz, world and chamber trio. Album was produced by Gilbert Castellanos and can find it on iTunes, Spotify and cd baby. You can also purchase CDs at her shows. She plays monthly at Panama 66 San Diego Museum of Art and is curator and booking manager of Bistro Dinner Jazz Series at Cafe Madeleine where you can catch her tap dancing and playing drums with Besos Jazz Trio and friends. The weekly series starts Thursday, June 14th 6-9pm and will be adding Fridays in July.

Claudia is also an event organizer and founder/director of Olio The Show, The Cherries Jubilee San Diego, and the San Diego Tap & Jazz Dance Festival. She teaches public weekly tap dance classes for youth and adults at Culture Shock Dance Center, Othentik Gym at Grossmont Center, and San Elijo Dance & Music Academy. Because dance is demanding on the body and wants to help herself to prevent injury and help others heal themselves, Claudia has been furthering her studies in Kinesiology and Reiki energy healing. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification and guides weekly yoga practice for children (Kidding Around Yoga certified) and adults at Bonita Pilates & Yoga and Namaste Fitness in Eastlake.

Hobbies are making candles, travel, singing and letting out her inner child once in a while.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely been a roller coaster ride and there has been failure and success throughout my artistic public and personal journey. I feel could not live up to what some may consider cultural family standards when I was not able to work a daily, “regular” 9-5 job. Marriage of over 10 years came to a crumble. I made mistakes and learned hard lessons after choosing to work with people that I should have never trusted with my visions.

The love of dance and music, and the need to put it on the stage in San Diego is what has kept me alive. The embrace of San Diego’s jazz music community (I can actually call family) and venues such as Panama 66 in Balboa Park, Cafe Madeleine and others, has allowed me to carry out my vision and fulfill my dreams as a tap dancer/musician in San Diego.

I’m still learning and taking a more holistic, spiritual and mindful approach to what I do. The need to be present has never been so present. Passing down the artforms in all aspects and helping others to heal themselves with what I do, is part of my current journey. I intend to dance through a much smoother path.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Claudia Gomez story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m proud of getting my students from Keiller Leadership Academy, a charter school in Encanto (South East San Diego/Skyline area), passionate about dance and giving them the opportunity to perform all over San Diego and beyond. To help others heal themselves through music, dance, yoga, and Reiki.

I tap dance and play drums professionally with live bands. I practice yoga. I’m a teacher. I’m a healer. I’m proud that I don’t feel the need to compete with others as there is plenty for all. And that I can do this in my hometown. I’m proud to be a San Diego native.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is trusting my intuition and working with people that I trust and are encouraging and passionate or share the same passion.

Pricing:

• $15

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sdtapjazzfest.com
• Phone: (619) 869-1663
• Email: sdtapjazzfest@gmail.com
• Instagram: cgomeztapintoyoga
• Facebook: claudiagomeztap
• Other: www.cherriesjubileesd.com

Image Credit:
1000words.photography, Othentik gym val Dolstalek, Juia Hall McMahon, Urakphotography

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.