We had the good fortune of connecting with Grinneli Sandoval and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grinneli, why did you pursue a creative career?
My creative career started at a young age, I have many memories of being a child, dancing, acting, using creative costumes and committing to the character. Later I discovered that I didn’t do it just for fun, but to entertain my audience at parties and family gatherings. It all started there in my childhood. Growing up I kept active in dance but at the same time studying a business degree for the peace of mind of my parents, which I also recognize contributed a lot in my life to be able to make a bridge between my creative and dreamy part and my rational and realistic self.
Definitely, being involved and developing myself within an artistic and creative career gives me freedom, makes me feel alive, it is my passion… Yes! It gives me the freedom to do, to explore, to manifest things in different ways, to exchange and allows me to touch the fibers of others even if we are not shoulder to shoulder or even if a distance apparently separates us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I express my art through my body, it is the instrument that I use to interpret music, a poem, a feeling, an emotion. It is the language with which I communicate to dialogue and connect with the public regardless of their language. One of my characteristics is that I am devoted to finding the perfect wardrobe for the character I am going to play. For me, during the elaboration of each part of the costume, the construction of my character is conceived, how it will move inside that new skin, how the magic will be created on the stage.
I am fascinated by the choice of details in each costume because this communicates something to the viewer: the color, the headdresses, the accessories, the stones and feathers, etc. Once I have a new costume I want to sleep with it… seriously!

What excites me the most is seeing the paths that dance have taken me through. Having won international competitions, having toured various stages around the world, being hired to give workshops outside my country and having the opportunity to continue my legacy, sharing my knowledge through the creation of “RED IADA”, a Network of Oriental Dance Instructors who have the purpose of preparing professionals to teach classes, with a great team of colleagues whom I admire and appreciate very much.
It has been a long journey of experiences, hard work, sacrifices, cultural clashes, language barriers, discrimination, rejection, being constantly learning and updating. Over the years I have learned to see those setbacks and mistakes, as part of life, necessary to cause a revolution, learn and seek new paths and incentives to continue, to transform.

Some of the most outstanding lessons that my career has taught me are: 1) That nothing is forever, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that arise and enjoy those gifts to the fullest; 2) We must break prejudices because they limit us and prevent us from growing; 3) I am the only responsible for my health, which is why I decided to start my studies in trophology, to be more aware of my diet and have a better quality of life during while I am aging; 4) That art liberates, heals, change, this motivate me to create the “Laboratory of Ritual and Trance Dances”, in which the presence of ritual African trance dances and psychomagical acts and also my project “Infinitum ARTS”, where the creation of pieces originates interdisciplinary art with the purpose of sublimating emotions.

About what I want the world to know about me, that will be that I take a risk! From the moment I decided to follow my passion for dance above everything else. With this I would like to motivate you to follow your dreams, to work as a team, to create, to love, to enjoy those moments that will be unrepeatable… life flies by and sometimes it slips like water through our fingers, we must learn to enjoy ! Oh and a friendly wise advice: wear sunscreen!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Without much thought, I would receive them at one of my favorite places in Tijuana, which is also like me home “La Caja Arte y Cultura”. There, outside the building, I would welcome them while we could taste a surprise mixology or a glass of wine from the region. We would go through the different rooms knowing about the contemporary art that hangs on the walls while we learn about the way in which this place was built full of secret passageways and recycled materials that make this space unique in the region. Tijuana, has interesting gastronomic proposals, so it would be difficult for me to decide since there are tasty places to enjoy. We could go see a play or a concert that is on the doorstep, or live with musicians, artists or dancers from the region.
Then we would also have to go to Tecate to walk through the “Pueblo Mágico”, eat at my favorite restaurant “Amores” and of course, get into the best bakery in the city.
Rosarito would also take them just to get to know the tourist part, and some secret places to go to take some pictures on the beach, and then go south to the Baja towards “El Valle de Guadalupe” and Ensenada for some delicious fish tacos.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my personal history, there have been a great number of people, artists, books, films, artistic expressions and also situations that caused an important and unexpected impact on the course of my career. With each and every one I am very grateful. My parents, for example, at the beginning of my life motivate me to include dance as a life discipline. My mother Marí Azuara, have been always helping me in every stage supporting my dreams. My different teachers, who, in addition to technical aspects, have also made me reflect on the type of teacher I would like to be, or I do not want to become.
And of course, all my friends and students for supporting my career, with each participation in my projects, not only dance, showing their love and commitment, which allow us to continue to witness together the growth and construction of our paths, enjoying every moment they bond.
To my husband Arturo Rodríguez, who supports me with his example and love. Whenever I have a doubt, he tells me: “come on! Do it! If you fall, I’m here to catch you.“
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grinneli_sandoval/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grinneli

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/grinnelitv

Other: https://www.facebook.com/rediada1/ https://www.instagram.com/red_iada/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044120234347

Image Credits
Manuel Cruces Camberos Scott Blending Jesus Lopez Gorosave

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