Meet Ana Lorenza | Choreographer & Dancer

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

Hi Ana, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind any type of success that has happened within the dance crew and with us getting booked, is only because of God. I have dedicated my whole life to God, and that included anything related with dance. So, I thank God for all the business and success that my team and I get to share with each other. I truly believe I would not be where I am today without the help of God.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The title “choreographer” is so much more than one thinks it is. Not only do I need to create a piece relevant to the sound/music and looks well collectively as a group, but I need to be a whole director! Setting up group chats, time slots, finding shooting locations, finding color schemes/outfits, hiring a videographer, and making sure everyone is on the same page… is a LOT of work. But, it is the most fun type of work and type of job to have, because once the final product is complete, everything is so worth it! Because I have dedicated my whole dance career to God, I only (and my dance crew) dance to music that is Christian/with a positive message. Does this mean we would never dance to anything else other than something that is labeled “Christian Music?” Of course not! There are often trending sounds on TikTok that are instrumentals and aren’t considered “Christian” and there are often sounds that when one goes back to look up the full song, is clean and contains a positive message!
I would say that music choice sets me apart, but also movement choice. I have a special hashtag that goes “#KillitToClean” and it represents that whenever someone is dancing with me, we have movement where it is completely fine for all ages to see. I believe moves should be kept modest, and it challenges me to choreograph in so much more creative ways that is still dope to see and experience! I always want to create a safe space for other dancers, men and women alike, and let them knw that they can get down and “kill it to clean” music without having to shake their behind or get “sexy.”
To be where I am today, I truly had to get over the fear that people would judge me for dancing and posting on the internet. It took a very…very long time to get over that fear. I remember one time in high school, I believe it was my freshman year, I was the opening act to a local dance and step competition. When I got t school the next day, a classmate recognized me and laughed right at me and told me that he could have done better and that literally anyone could have done what I did. That messed me up so bad mentally. It took me until my late teens/early twenties to get over that fear of people making fun of me. It was not easy. I had to pray. A lot. But I knew I wanted to show other young adults that they can also be a leader in their community and enjoy the love of dance/movement together. So I would save up money, and hire professional videographers and hire bomb dancers and create something super professional and fun and FIERCE!
I had to learn a lot of lessons. I learned pretty early on, that not everyone is for me or truly supporting me. I had to learn that not everyone’s intentions were to be close to me only because of my personality or loving me for who I truly am. It was a very sensitive situation when I saw that more people wanted to be around me only because the numbers on social media were going up. I had to pray for God to show me who to continue to let be close to me, and who I had to stay away from. It was never easy. Ever. I have love for everyone, and through that I learned that I needed to protect my heart a long the way as well.
What I want people to know is, whenever you are dancing with me and my dance crew, that you’re so loved. That you are worthy and precious, and have real value and purpose. I want others to feel the love of God. I want others to be confident in themselves and find their inner fierceness and fire and let it run through their veins while dancing their hearts out. I want others to know that they should keep dancing and to never give up on the gift that God has given them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, goodness!! I feel as if I am a homebody, BUT, the few places I have visited since moving to the surrounding area of Atlanta Georgia have been beautiful and such a great experience! We are DEFINITELY kicking off the week on a beautiful sunny Sunday with gong to church at Victory located in Norcross!
Right after, were getting tacos at El Indio not too far from church! We, OF COURSE, have to eat these tacos picnic style at Piedmont Park!
On Monday were enjoying a nice evening at the Halcyon and getting some of the best hot dogs of all time there!
Look, were not worried about diets no this best friend week, okay? We got to go get some Ramen on Tuesday at Jinya located in Alpharetta!
And on Wednesdays, we will skate at Skate Along USA all night!!
Thursdays are relax days, going to any local Waffle House, and taking a stroll at Sims Lake Park.
Chicken wings at Sumo are phenomenal, and dance classes at Divine Dance Studio are always fun!

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?
Where do I even begin with shouting out the people in my life who have supported me through it all? I am going to try and write this without tearing up… (wish me the best). My parents are people of prayer. When I used to live with them, I would hear them pray for my siblings and I every single day. They never missed a day. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would not be where I am today if they hadn’t prayed for me the way they did.
I also want to shoutout my two older siblings. My oldest sister, Lily, is the one that encouraged me to start getting paid for choreographies on TikTok and Instagram. I TRULY did not think people would pay for that. And now because of all the positive words she has spoken over my life, it’s actually happening! Thank you, Lily!
My older brother, Fernando, is the one who taught me that I needed to start addressing myself as a professional dancer and choreographer. I used to get so nervous and shy about it. But, he would always introduce me as his “little sister, the professional choreographer and dancer.” And from then on, I got over that fear, and I know that helped me tremendously, because now I am living it.
I of course want to shoutout Juanita Wilson. She is the owner of Wilson School of Dance in Charlottesville, VA, my hometown. I was technically trained there starting at the age of twelve. She and her instructors believed in me so much. They always believed in me. I thank Mrs. Juanita and her wonderful team (especially my favorite teacher Lindsay Collins).
I would like to thank all my friends who believed in me, and have stuck it through with me, even dancing in the garage days. I thank my church family for always praying for me and checking up on me.
I also thank the man God placed in my life, Juwan Shields, for always picking me up when I fall, and pushes and encourages me to go further and to never give up dancing!

Instagram: @analorenza6

Other: Tik Tok : @analorenza006

Image Credits
Lily Graciela