This week’s #FriendsOfTheStudio photo shoot & interview is with Meli Valdez, professional dancer, performer, movement coach and fitness instructor from TrillFit! Stay tuned all week on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about Meli!
“While being the full time Director of Talent and Cardio Dance instructor at TRILLFIT, I also teach private dance classes and love to create with other creatives. I love when we can all get inspired by each other’s talents. I also love to entertain and am now exploring opportunities in hosting for different events. I am not afraid of the microphone and love to see people smile and get hyped!”
“The more I think about my journey, the more I can say that I was born for this and it's not a mistake that I am where I am today. I come from an artistic Latin family that loves music and dance, i think it's in my blood. I was always surrounded by entertainment and would naturally dance. I transitioned into fitness after being an adult when i discovered that dance fitness was becoming more popular and knew it was the perfect fitness style for me to be a part of.”
“I’ve always had big dreams—ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved the arts. My Mom didn’t have a lot of resources at the time, so I didn’t have access to a lot of technical training, but she always inspired me to aim for stars and make it happen, no matter what. Anything I was involved in, my mother would support me. I remember being in local arts & crafts camp, dance groups and the drama club in school. In middle school, I made up choreography to songs and would teach my friends. My house was always the designated rehearsal space a.k.a. the living room! We would perform during lunch in the cafeteria and I would participate in talent shows. I remember my step-sister and I recording our "radioshow" on our boombox and I would act like I was a singer. My Mom always thought I was going to go the singing route but I low-key had a fear of singing in front of people—dance just felt more natural. I kept dancing throughout the years and then after high school, I started to audition and booked jobs. I transitioned into fitness years later and really found a passion, inspiring other people to prioritize being active in a fun way. I was able to combine my love of dance and fitness to change lives.
“I started dancing professionally when I was 19 years old and gained a lot of experience throughout the years. I worked multiple jobs to survive and to be able to afford traveling back and forth from Boston to New York for auditions. (I've always been a hard worker). I was also going to school to get my business degree at the same time. I booked different dance jobs back-up dancing for different artists.
I toured the world with Elvis Costello. I learned so much about different cultures and music genres during this time. It was an honor to be in the presence of such talented music artists and the team genuinely appreciated my talent. I also used to do background film work and was booked as the main dancer in the movie Black Mass, filmed in Boston. It wasn't until I returned from tour and that production wrapped that I transitioned into fitness.
I was introduced to TRILLFIT when it was first starting and fell in love with the concept of making fitness fun, but most of all—inspiring people while promoting diversity and inclusion. I was able to stay authentic and just be myself. Five years ago, we had a pop-up experience and now we have a studio and a full schedule and team of instructors.
“I’m inspired by my family, community, music, movement, culture, nature, energy—and inspiring change.”
“My favorite part of my job is inspiring my students to step out of their shells and be fearless. I love that I can use dance to help others feel empowered!”
“One thing that is a very important element of my job and requires constant growth and care is how to be an effective leader to a full team. Every day, I think about different ways I can help the rest of our team grow and feel successful. Our community of students is a huge priority to me and I feel I have a responsibility towards the experience each person has when they enter the TRILLFIT space. As an instructor, I prioritize the feeling any of my students have when they first come in contact with me to how they feel after any of my dance of fitness classes. Everything I do is done with the intention to make an impact on others.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to connect with my students and being able to share energy where they are not afraid to open up to me. I always prioritize taking the time before and after classes to check in with students and conversations often lead to them being vulnerable and sharing testimonies on how TRILLFIT has changed their lives. I get very emotional thinking about it. There are two founding members that have supported us for many years now and it has been beautiful to see their evolution in their fitness journey. 4 years later, they shared that they became best friends through TRILLFIT and they are no longer afraid to shine and be comfortable in their own skin. I have also heard stories about women who have battled depression and use TRILLFIT classes as their stress reliever and have felt empowered to overcome tough times. I am really proud of what we have created and most of all proud of our students!”
“To me, dance is a form of expression—it's my medicine and what keeps my heart happy. Being able to use movement to inspire others is a blessing. I was born to do this.”
“My outfit style is a mix of edgy and phunky for the most part. It depends on my mood! I love to be comfortable cute. I love accessories and of course my big hair is a big part of my image. However, confidence is the sexiest accessory. I don't have a favorite designer at this moment but I love to see others create outfits out of simple things—all the way from how it is styled and how you carry yourself.”
“Something that most people do not know about me is that I was born in the Dominican Republic and Spanish is my first language. Shout outs to all the immigrant families who came to this country for a better life and are thriving... Hi Mom!”
“My dream is to continue to grow, not only in my career, but internally—where I can continue to transfer great energy to others. I always aim big, so I hope the movement goes global. I desire for the brand to be a staple in the fitness industry and I want to make my mark here. Longevity is important—we don’t want a fad but a lifestyle goal that causes a lifetime of positive energy.”
