Michele Soulchild Talks Passion, Doing Things Your Way, and Shares Her Networking Guide
Teaching and choreographing for over 15 years, some of Michele Soulchild's credit includes Anderson. Paak, City Girls, Nicki Minaj, Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, Snoop Dogg, and Toni Braxton. From Morro Bay, California, Soulchild grew up craving diversity. It can feel challenging, almost as if you don't fit in when the city you live in can't creatively support your interests and talents. Soulchild explains, "It's a beautiful beach town and I'm connected to nature due to growing up by the beach. However, the only way I could connect with my passion was through music and television".
"My mom was my biggest support system. She raised my brother and me to do something productive with our passions every day, even if it's something small or simple. She taught us to follow our passion and make it happen. I didn't grow up with money so I had to get creative with how I could pay bills and pursue my passion. I was working at Starbucks and realized I was good at making the drinks but wasn't making enough money. I started waitressing at a strip club, and the dancers taught me how to make the drinks". Sometimes support can come out of nowhere. Other times, it can lack from the people you least expect. This discernment will build up your emotional intelligence. Soulchild's father wanted her to go to college and she tried it. She enrolled at community college. Then she ditched finals to do an audition in L.A. College is not for everyone and it's important not to feel pressured to do something that your heart is not into. Sometimes that pressure can come from family and loved ones and deep down they just want what they think is best for you. This creates the opportunity for you to teach people how to love you and how to best support you.
Some people wait their whole lives for their "I made it moment". People pray for it, hope for it, and work hard to make it happen. "The project or moment in my career when I knew I made it was when I was in Vegas working with choreographer and mentor Rosero McCoy. I was assisting him for Toni Braxton's opening night at The Pearl theater. We went to soundcheck and he told me to walk him through the whole show. It felt almost like a quiz or test! Once I passed he said, 'Okay, I gotta go. I have another gig. You got this right?' I was shocked and immediately felt a lot of emotion and questions come to mind. He asked me again if I got this and I said yea. Fast forward to the end of the show, Toni Braxton is in a beautiful gown and singing Unbreak My Heart. I was in the sound booth crying my eyes out. Never did I imagine the cassette tape of Toni Braxton that I use to listen to on my walkman on the school bus would become my reality".
When practice meets opportunity, that is when fate takes over. Thankfully Soulchild didn't allow people, including family, to take her off her course. In her "made it moment" she was prepared. This is the kind of discipline and nurturing everyone should be depositing into their passion. The key to being successful in your field, in your passion is to align yourself with the right people. Soulchild transitioned through a few mentors throughout the years. Suzy Miller taught her how to let go and become sound, become the universe while dancing. Johnnie Smith saw my fire and taught me real-life scenarios that choreographer deals with. Rosero McCoy is a no-bullshit type of person and intimated Soulchild at first. He has become her father figure and provides an immense amount of support and attention to her journey.
It's easy to grow when you know your weak points, areas you wish you were stronger in. Get comfortable with asking questions and start noticing who is naturally excelling in the areas you deemed personally weak. Once you figure that part out and become okay with change and growth, it becomes a smooth process. Soulchild also advises people to network effectively. Below is a list of her Dos and Don'ts:
Do be genuine.
Do treat others how you'd like to be treated.
Do take classes and thank the teacher afterward - EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Do be a leader. You are responsible for your success. Surround yourself with positive like-minded people.
Don't put a time limit on your success. Enjoy the journey.
Don't get drunk around people you admire and want to work with.
Don't take advice from other people that don't have the career you want.
Don't be afraid to go after what you want. (I love it when dancers hit me up in my DM's to work. I've hired a lot of dancers that way).
What's next for Michele Soulchild? More dancing, more choreographing, more bags to be made! Also, she is challenging herself this year to say no more. "It's so hard for me to say no. Even to this day. I spread myself thin and my personal life ends up suffering. I plan to start incorporating the word no into my life to help my mental health and nurture my personal relationships".
