Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Colbert.
Haley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in high school. Attended Booker T. Washington HSPVA. In high school I sold myself. That’s my business as a dancer/choreographer. No project is a small project to me, I keep all my connections from middle school till now. If anyone calls me to dance for their school or students, I make it my mission to show everyone something different. When I really started to develop myself (my business) more, ninety-nine percent of my work was probono. I still do probono work because I appreciate the opportunities to show my art form regardless of when and where. I try not to say no to any job, and I make sure I am versatile in anything else that is connected to my business. I do makeup, I have acute knowledge in costuming, photography/videography and editing, and I have acute knowledge in working a lights and soundboard. Anything I don’t know how to do I ask someone else or I learn, Right now I am juggling other factors in my life like school and trying to get a degree, but I do teach dance with my current job and here recently I participated in an event for Black History month with an organization local to Dallas. In the future, I am hoping to work with them again, but my goal is to choreograph/commission a piece for a group/company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like anything, it’s been a very difficult road. I was always told that dance is an expensive hobby, but I always received support from my family. I must put myself in the mindset that it does cost money to make money. At one point in my life, I was working three jobs to support my dancing and my education. It was hard, but I didn’t complain because this is something that is important to me. I also didn’t have a car just starting out, so I was up in the early hours of the morning and the late hours of the night catching the bus to get to work and rehearsals. To me, this is something that was necessary. If I couldn’t handle and put in the extra work and effort, then that meant I couldn’t handle something bigger and better on down the road.
Colbert and Co – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a dancer, choreographer, and instructor. That’s my company. My main styles are hip-hop, African and contemporary. I am skilled in other dance forms, but these are what I am most known for especially being a female hip-hop dancer. I am most proud of the effect that I have on my audience. I get told often after my pieces that I have moved or encouraged someone in a positive way. Lots of young girls and their parents of my demographic really appreciate seeing me perform. I’m set apart from the others because I am underestimated often. My two main objectives are to incorporate different artforms to balance or connect in my dancing and that I want the viewer to feel what I am trying to demonstrate or how I’m feeling when I’m dancing/performing.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me isn’t about fame or fortune. Although those are beneficial things, success is about doing what makes you happy and putting yourself in a position where you can do whatever that makes you happy every day. I don’t go by a specific criterion I do what I can and what needs to be done. If I’m not satisfied with where I am or where my company is, I adjust and make changes. If I’m not satisfied, that means I have done something in the process beforehand that wasn’t given all that I had.
Contact Info:
- Email: haley.colbert@gmail.com
- Instagram: HaleyAngel549
- Facebook: Haley Colbert
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXjxskbTD7NzvQGTZtjQ8tw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
123 Media Productions and AlyssaaskewPhotography
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