Meet Louie Yanez | Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Teacher.

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

Hi Louie, why did you pursue a creative career?
This is kind of hard to answer but I believe I was born to be a dancer. I grew up hearing the saying “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” When I heard this, there was a click in my head and it made me want to pursue professional dancing as a career. I always saw dancers working in music videos, award shows, tv shows, etc. and thought to myself that’s going to be me one day. I also started to pursue dance as a career because I saw the ways it helped me find myself in different aspects of life. For example, I grew up being very shy about dancing because of the stereotypes that came along with being a boy that likes to dance. However, I started to realize that when I danced it didn’t matter what anyone thought of me. Dance brings out a side of me that makes me feel fearless and empowered. I started to slowly merge this into my life and it really helped my find myself and discover who I am as a person. The biggest gift that dance has given me is confidence. When I teach dance classes, my biggest goal is to help people feel empowered and confident the way that I do when I dance. I like to see them express themselves in ways that they never thought they could.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’ve never been afraid to reach for my goals and fully dive in the process of what it takes to achieve them. The thing that I’m most proud about is the fact that I have been able to build a platform that I can use to lift others up. It gets me excited when I get to help someone break out of their shell, because someone broke me out of my shell. This is my personal way of always being able to pay it forward, because I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I would’ve still been that shy boy. I have always been told to view every opportunity as a stepping stone to get closer to my dreams. There was times where things have been difficult, but I’ve always continued to push through in order to achieve those dreams. I’m still currently working towards some of the dreams I haven’t achieved yet, and it’s not always easy, but I always tell myself to remember why I started chasing the goal in first place. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never think about how for you have to go, but to look back at how far you have gotten. Enjoy the journey, trust the process, and if you fall get right back up and continue pushing towards that goal. The thing I would want the world to remember me by or my classes by would be that I always wanted people to be their unapologetic selfs and feel empowered in doing so. Life is to short to not live your best life, so might as well do it while you have it.

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.
My best friend lives in the area, so this one is a little tricky lol. Our favorite spots that we often eat at include Ricebox, Jinya Ramen Bar, Pluckers, Spaghetti Western, La Hacienda Esperanza, Velvet Taco, and taco stands in the neighborhood. We usually go to el taconazo or taqueria mi Jalisco on Rittenhouse. We like to go to the movies every now and then, and go to places like Cidercade or Dave and busters. We also recently went to PostHtx, which is a new addition to Houston and it’s nice to go have food, hang out and enjoy and amazing patio section. There is a lot of great photo opportunities there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s is so many people I’d honestly like to Shout-out. My journey has been filled with the presence of so many that have helped be where I’m at right now. My main shoutout’s have to go to Jaike Baldwin, Joshua Mendoza, Aaron Medina and my newest home away from home Garage713 Dance Studio Owned by Khalil McNeil and Emily Figueroa. These people have all either seen things in me and believed in my talent enough to help me grow, give me a space to continue evolving, or who have been there through thick and thin. I also have to give the biggest shoutout to my mom because without her support I don’t how much I would of achieved with dance. She has truly taught me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. Please follow these people’s instagrams and discover how talented and hard working they are.

@jaikebaldwin
@yasaaronyaaaaas
@joshuamendoza_
@garage713studio
@khalilmcneil
@emilyisabelfigueroa

Instagram: Shadesoflouie

Youtube: Shadesoflouie