Born to Dance: Eugenia’s Timeless Journey

Eugenia’s love for dance has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. From bouncing to music as a baby to performing on pointe shoes at 45, her journey through dance is a testament to resilience, passion, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue what sets your soul on fire. This is her story—a story of finding joy, community, and purpose through movement.

A Dance That Began at 40 Days Old

Eugenia’s dance journey began even before she could walk—her grandmother loved to tell the story of how she would start bouncing to the music at just 40 days old, cradled in her arms. Born and raised in Málaga, Spain, Eugenia’s connection to dance only grew stronger as she did. Now 47 and living in Wilton Manors, Florida, after moving from Las Vegas in 2021, being near the beach reminds her of her hometown, keeping her connected to her roots and the rhythm of life.

Childhood Dreams and Resilience

As a child, Eugenia was mesmerized by musicals and classical ballet, spending hours creating choreographies with her best friend rather than playing with dolls. But her dance journey took on a new level of meaning at the age of 12. She auditioned for the conservatory in Málaga to study classical ballet, a dream she held dearly, but was rejected due to her lordosis—a curve in her spine. Despite the heartbreak, she didn’t let that stop her. Determined to keep dancing, she joined a local dance studio where she took ballet and flamenco lessons. This resilience shaped her future, but it was an unexpected turn of fate that sparked a true passion.

Inspiration from a Mentor

Her mother, who was taking jazz classes at the same studio from a former Broadway dancer named Dolores, was an inspiration. Eugenia, captivated by what she saw in her mother’s classes, begged to join. After watching her audition, Dolores allowed her to take part. Dolores was tough, like Coco from the series Fame, but Eugenia thrived under her mentorship. There was one particular moment when Dolores chose her to dance with her during class, a gesture that made Eugenia feel seen, recognized, and truly embraced as a dancer.

Dancing as an Outlet for Self-Expression

While academics never came easy to her—she believes she had undiagnosed ADD—dancing always did. Choreography was second nature, a language her body effortlessly spoke. Her peers and teachers often praised her for this, giving her confidence when school wasn’t her strength. Dance became more than a pastime - it was a source of physical fitness, mental sharpness, and emotional joy.

Reconnecting with Dance After a Tough Time

But it wasn’t until after a difficult divorce that Eugenia truly reconnected with herself through dance. At 31, she found the courage to audition for gigs and landed her first job as a Go-Go dancer. From there, opportunities opened up, leading her to perform as a backup dancer and singer for cover bands, even taking part in EDC festivals. For nearly a decade, she made a living doing what she loved—until 2020, when everything changed.

Dancing Later in Life

Like many dancers, Eugenia had to find another way to make a living during the pandemic. Yet, in 2021, the universe seemed to bring dance back into her life when she found a ballet studio close to her home. By 2022, the studio asked her to perform on pointe shoes—a dream she never thought possible at 45. Stepping into that role was a moment of triumph, one that she never expected but that filled her heart with gratitude.

Dance is for Everyone

Today, Eugenia continues to dance for the joy it brings her and the community it creates. She believes dance is for everyone, regardless of age. "All it takes is showing up to one class,” she says. “You’ll realize everyone is just focused on picking up the choreography the best they can. And most likely, you’ll meet someone who’s there for the same reasons as you. It’s never too late to start, and it will keep you young.”

Dreams for the Future

As for the future, Eugenia dreams of returning to her hometown in Málaga to open her own dance studio, not only to share the beautiful art of dance with others but to ensure that dance remains a permanent part of her life.

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