Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Marie.
Hi Lena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts with dance. I remember the first time I walked onto a stage — bright lights shining warmly down on me while the audience faded into the background. I could barely see the chairs in front of me, but none of that mattered. In that moment, I felt something I had never felt before: purpose. I knew this was where I wanted to be and what I wanted to pursue. Ever since then, I’ve continued dancing, chasing that same feeling every time I step onto the stage.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, I’ve definitely faced challenges, but I believe challenges create growth. Failure is growth. Learning is growth. Failing over and over again but continuing anyway — that is growth too. We all go through difficult moments, and I think those moments shape us into stronger people.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced recently was being in a car accident in 2025 and losing my 2018 Honda Civic. It may sound small to some people, but that car meant everything to me. I depended on it to get to auditions, dance gigs, jobs, and training opportunities in Atlanta. Losing it left me feeling hopeless and in a really dark place for a while.
During that time, I had to lean on my community, family, and friends more than ever before. Their support helped me get back on my feet mentally and emotionally.
Honestly, that moment became a turning point for me. It forced me to ask myself if I truly wanted to continue pursuing dance — and the answer was yes. Absolutely yes.
Even after everything, I still drive to Atlanta for classes and training. I still audition, send emails, network, communicate, and put myself out there because I genuinely love dancing. No matter how hard things get, I’ve never given up on my passion, and I never will.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I’m most proud of my ability to share my art everywhere I go. I love dancing in grocery stores, outdoors, at festivals, and honestly anywhere music and movement exist. Dance has never
been something I keep only on a stage — it’s a part of who I am in everyday life.
I’m also proud of the opportunities I’ve had to travel, teach, perform, and connect with different communities through festivals and dance events. Being able to inspire people while continuing to grow as an artist means a lot to me.
What makes me stand out from the crowd is my storytelling. No one can tell the story I have except for me. Every experience, challenge, and lesson I’ve gone through shows up in my movement and in the way I express myself. I don’t just dance to perform — I dance to communicate emotion, passion, struggle, joy, and growth
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I never really thought of myself as a risk taker, but I have always been determined to go after what I want in life. If taking risks means stepping outside of your comfort zone for something greater, then yes, I would say I am.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken is fully committing myself to dance and trusting the journey even when things felt uncertain. I’ve driven long distances for auditions, classes, performances, and opportunities because I believe growth comes from putting yourself out there.
Even after setbacks and difficult moments, I continue to chase opportunities that can help me grow as an artist. To me, taking risks means believing in yourself enough to keep going, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
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