Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaqueline Joseph.
Jaqueline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
There are two things I’m passionate about dancing and weddings. My dance obsession started when I was a little girl and my aunts would teach me Bollywood dances to perform at any and every family party. I would jump at the opportunity to perform anywhere I could. In college, I joined Texas Bhangra at UT Austin. I fell in love with the energy and excitement of bhangra and just felt like a natural when performing. After my freshman year at UT, I spent the summer planning and choreographing for my brother’s wedding. I loved the idea of getting to tell a story through dance.
Aside from that, I realized that I was a really great teacher too! There were people in the bridal party that had never danced before, let alone done a choreographed Bollywood number, who loved dancing by the end of the wedding! It was there that I found my love for teaching dance. I got to prove myself again at my sister’s wedding a few years later, and that’s when I officially started Gulabi Dance Co. I have had an absolute blast meeting new people and learning new cultures along the way. I’ve choreographed a number of first dances, a beauty pageant talent piece, an Afro-desi piece for a bridal party, and am currently planning a full-scale wedding skit for a 20 person entourage! I work full-time as an electrical engineer, so this side hustle definitely keeps me busy. I offer in-person and online dance lessons, so I’m able to provide services nationwide. I’ve definitely had so much fun since starting this business and I can’t wait to see how it grows in the future!
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?
I’ve learned that the biggest obstacle is often yourself. The greatest struggle for me was actually getting the courage to start the business! There’s a fear of rejection, of not being good enough, and of not being relevant. I spent a few months “planning” to start but never actually did it. Finally, I just had to bite the bullet and publish my website! I am so glad I decided to start Gulabi Dance Co. I’m definitely still growing and learning new things, but I would never have been in this position if I hadn’t started.
Please tell us about Gulabi Dance.
Gulabi Dance Co. is a Bollywood dance company specializing in desi wedding entertainment and choreography. We can tackle your biggest dance needs from first dances to bridal party performances and flash mobs. For those extra-filmy couples, Gulabi Dance Co. can curate a personalized skit performance that will leave your guests amazed. We will choreograph, direct, and train your closest friends and family members to recreate your unique love story through song and dance and make your wedding unforgettable. I also provide audio mixing services for parties that love a good melody of dances.
I’m passionate about clean, high-energy performances. I want the performers to feel confident and excited to perform their dance. I’m known for my simple choreography style and great teaching skills. I’m able to break down moves in a way that can turn even the least experienced dancer into Katrina Kaif for an evening. I’m proud of my ability to create a routine that reflects the wedding couple. I like getting to know the couple and choosing songs that really highlight their love story. I like creating a relationship with my clients and helping them feel confident and happy when they perform.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m able to conduct in-person or online lessons for my clients. I like to be as flexible as possible for them, even if it means jumping on a FaceTime call occasionally. I take wedding entertainment seriously but also emphasize the comfort level of the performers. At the end of the day, they’re performing at a huge celebration and the dance should reflect that!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very creative kid. I was very hands-on with arts and crafts and loved to cook. And of course, I was obsessed with Bollywood. I watched all the movies with my mom and would get up and dance whenever a song would come on. I’ve always been a performer because I like making people smile! I still remember dancing to Rihanna’s Pon de Replay for my fifth-grade talent show and singing Jiya Re for my senior year show choir concert.
Contact Info:
- Website: bit.ly/gulabidc
- Email: gulabidanceco@gmail.com
- Instagram: @gulabidanceco
- Facebook: facebook.com/gulabidanceco
Image Credit:
Allison Bolin Photography
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
