Meet Alexandra Alampi | Dancer & Dance Teacher

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

Hi Alexandra, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic or creative career in Dance. Since I was a kid, I knew I was a performer. I have committed more than 20 years to dancing and I don’t quite see my life without it. When you are younger, every adult asks you what you want to be when you grow up and my answer was right somehow. Most kids say a firefighter or an astronaut but for me, I always said I would want to be a professional dancer. As I have gotten older, I have realized the true responsibility of being an adult and all of the baggage it comes with. But for me, Dance has never been a heavy weight on my life. If anything, it has given me a breathe of fresh air on a hard day or an opportunity to show how I am feeling through my movement.

Being a performer is unlike any other job. I have always said to my family that I would never have a nine to five job. There are restrictions with jobs like that and most people would say that money is more helpful at the end of the day, but it is not about the money to me. I would rather be happy doing what I love and inspiring those around me instead of being unhappy and making a lot of money.

Dance is what you see in commercials, music videos, live television and so much more and no one truly realizes how essential and unique dancing and performing is in our life. It gives me the opportunity to be myself while playing a role in any situation. I am still doing a job and getting paid just like every desk job but instead, I have the freedom to be me. And that is far more important to me than having a lot of money with a secure job.

Dance is second nature to me and I am thankful I get to do what I love everyday, without being told what I can and cannot do. Thats why the entertainment industry is thriving and so successful and I look forward to continuing my craft and progressing in this industry. Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been a dancer since the age of 3. I am now going on 24 years of age and I honestly cannot believe how far I have come. In the past several years, I have made a lot of big decisions, ones I was not fully confident in but I know everything happens for a reason and I know all of these decisions, past or present, are going to lead me to the right place.

I have lived in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles and even though I moved a lot, I was always chasing the same thing I am today. There are many variations of success in this industry and for so long, I felt I was at the bottom of the rankings. But it is truly because I never felt fully confident in who I am as a dancer but also as a human. Over the last several years, I have taken a lot of time to reflect and grow into the person I know I am destined to be. This does not mean I am at the peak of my career but to me, this means I know how to take on any challenge that gets in my way and there is always room to grow and progress.

I like to think about my career more as a human rather than just a dancer. I am human first and every battle I face hits me as a human and then a dancer. I take what I have learned from my day to day experiences and put that into my dancing. I feel as though every person should take time to appreciate and respect themselves and if you do that, it will show in the work you put in. I have noticed recently that if I am more confident in my movement while keeping a supportive group of people around me, I can take on any challenge and put my best foot forward with every opportunity,

The dance industry is constantly changing and I feel sometimes that I do not fit in with what is new and popular. But I tend to be negative about it instead of embracing what is different and unique about me and creating my own path in this industry. There is room for every type of dancer and any genre. I look forward to seeing where my efforts bring me and how I can slowly start to change the dance industry and branch out of the normal.

Any person knows that getting to where you want to be is never easy. But if you love what you do, it will feel so much easier and once you book that job or get that big promotion, all of that stress, hard work and time put in will all be worth it. I tell myself that everyday and it has pushed me to continue and never give up on my dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I have a friend visiting, I know I want them to feel like they live in this city rather than visiting. I am not drawn to toursit attractions and popular food spots. I feel as though it is not as authentic.

Each day to me revolves around food. I feel as though each city across the globe has a different flavor to experience and something unique and special that defines that city.

Monday
-breakfast at home duh
-go out on the town- I love downtown marietta (shopping duh)
-head home, have a snack
-start making a classic home meal

Tuesday
-lets have breakfast out today (my favorite in Atlanta is Egg Harbor Cafe)
-go to a coffee shop, chat, take some pictures
-go take a dance class with me

Wednesday
-sleep in
-make tea and breakfast
-go to my favorite lunch spot (Flower Child)
-go to a bar for happy hour
-make plans with some friends for dinner

Thursday
– GYM (we ate so much we gotta do something)
-have some tea and read, do some work
-go out and take care of some errands
-get ready for more dance classes
-pick up dinner on the way home

Friday
-Pilates class (who doesnt want to end their week with hard work!)
-go to a coffee shop
-relax and hangout at home
-go out with family and friends for dinner and drinks !

In Atlanta some of my favorite spots are,

-The Beltline
-Downtown Woodstock
-The Virginia Highland Bars and Restaurants
-Piedmont Park
-The Battery (Go Braves)

Food and drink spots

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?
When someone asks me to shoutout someone for my success and being supportive, I always say the same thing. I am fortunate enough to have the most supportive and encouraging family. My parents and my two sisters have been with me through every phase of my dance career. They have seen the highs and the lows and no matter how bad things get, they are always right there behind me.

My mom has sort of been my right hand girl since I started dancing. She has been to every competition, live performance and audition and has never once complained in all the years of traveling and spending a lot of money. I honestly do not know where I would be without her. My mom is my best friend and knows exactly what to say to me in all situations whether they are good or bad.

My dad has always been around when it came to my performances. It was not his favorite activity, spending 10+ hours watching kids dance but he was always so supportive and still is to this day. I honestly have never seen my dad smile as much as he does when he watches me dance and it overwhelms me with joy and I know he is proud of me everyday.

My sisters, Nicole and Danielle, have been nothing but role models and pure guidance throughout the years. Although they do not fully understand everything about what I do, they still find a way to give me advice and set me up for success. I could not ask for a better team behind me.

Lastly, my boyfriend Kevin. Although he has not been around since I was kid, he has been for the last 7 years. And in those 7 years, he has changed the way I go about everything. He has helped with my confidence, my work ethic and has always told me to stay true to myself. There is no better number one fan than him.

Mom, Dad, Nicole, Danielle and Kevin, thank you for everything you do. Your love and support never goes unnoticed. I love you all with all my heart.

Instagram: alex_alampi