Meet Ivana D’Souza | Movement Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivana D’Souza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivana, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Sometimes I like to believe I control every aspect of my life. Yet there is always this force that pulls me in specific directions. I never knew I’d be doing what I’m doing now while I was growing up. I was exposed to the arts late in high school. There is where my teacher planted a seed in me and told me I can do anything I want and be anything I want. He was a theatre major and had accomplished so much in that world and transitioned to the theatre department head at my high school. There is where I started to learn how to perform dances and skits. I felt so much joy and excitement being in front of an audience. During that time we’d be the ones making up the routines and the plays so to be in full creative director mode at 17 was pretty awesome. No one telling you this is wrong or that’s ugly, it’s just pure expression and a creative outlet. I gained so much confidence in my dancing but it wasn’t until I met professional dancers where I believed this could be real. I knew I loved to dance and be in the world of creativity but everything in my environment growing up didn’t consist of that so it was tough manifesting a creative career at first. The more I surrounded myself with people who were doing it the more I felt it was possible. I didn’t find my “why” until later on in my journey. I was so fixated on “making it” that I didn’t realize this whole time I was in fact doing it and pursuing it. The journey alone has been so exciting and so diverse I wouldn’t trade this for a regular job. The world of art is very mystical and it connects my mind to my heart and body so In other words i feel aligned in this career. This is why I can’t stop doing it and why I’ll stay in this world and transition to other creative realms when my body can’t be as athletic as it is right now. An artist is not just one who creates pieces of work. An artist creates there life, there day to day, there environment, it’s much bigger than the actual piece, and being tapped into that frequency is very enlightening for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I had it rough growing up in many ways and I didn’t have the emotional support a lot of kids had at my age. I never had someone taking me to dance classes or putting me in extracurricular activities— although I love my parents dearly they just didn’t have the capacity to give me that attention. At 17 I was driving myself to dance classes with the money I made from working my own job. My entire journey is self driven. Although I would’ve loved my mother to have taken me training as a little kid, I’m actually proud that I did this on my own. I have extreme devotion and dedication. I took my first class and not even a year later I was on America’a got talent with my friends and then booking professional work straight out of high school. The turnaround was pretty crazy and I found myself working with dancers that trained their entire life.

I’ve learned so many styles that when i dance I feel so free because I have so much to pull from. Tap, jazz, ballet, modern, house, waacking, vogue, hip hop, etc. I listen to everything and I love to dance to everything. Keeping my palette wide has set me apart from many people. I have a crazy obsession with footwork, yet I can also slow it down and be sensual in a pair of heels. I love tapping into different energies and no one can really put me in a box. Being called “great” has been best compliment I can say because I don’t like to be labeled. I love to dance and perform and that’s that.

Nothing about this was easy, especially if you’re not mentally prepared. The biggest challenge I faced was believing I was enough and believing that I could continue after each job I did. It’s easier to focus on the obstacles then it is to get up and go train or go meet people or go create. So keeping my mind sharp has gotten me just as far as my training has.

For anyone reading this, I want you to keep dreaming. I want you to know it’s never too late to get up and start from zero. I’m considered late in my training and I’ve accomplished way more than your average dancer – and that I never take for granted- DO THE WORK, pray, and surround yourself with those who will elevate your mindset. If you ever feel lost, the goosebumps that you feel, the happiness and fire you feel in your heart when you’re in certain places – they’ll lead you along your way.

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?
I would take them to some of my favorite bars for good music and immaculate vibes — COYO TACO – Sunday nights have the best mix of r&b and old school joints
DANTES HIFI – a vinyl listening bar dedicated to music lovers and the vibe is just so cool
1-800 LUCKY – tropical Afro house Vibes on certain nights that get you moving
LAGNIAPPE – for a more chill vibe, wine night & charcuterie in a beautiful vintage style backyard spot

Day vibes we’re definitely hitting the beach!
My favorite local spot which is more north is Hollywood Beach, away from the hustle and bustle and the boardwalk is nice to walk through and grab a bite while you’re there or even ride bikes down from Hollywood to Dania Beach
For more lowkey vibes we’ll go to Virginia Key! There we can have a little nook by the rocks and bask in the sun and can rent kayaks for more fun.
But if we’re really thinking physical activity I would go to Oleta State Park in north Miami and kayak there!

We’re gonna be hungry and so my favorite Go to spots are
Lung Yai Thai Tapas in Calle ocho
La Natural for gourmet pizza in Little river
Over under – for amazing burgers and dance vibes after!

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?
I give much credit to the John Battle Theatre Ensemble at Hallandale High School, this is where all my exposure to the arts began. I give so much thanks to the teachers in Miami that helped mold me and my college professors in San Diego that taught me discipline and knowledge of my craft. I spent many years training with the organization Culture Shock San Diego and they really prepared me for the big leagues more than anything. I will always always always shoutout Paulo Coehlo author of the Alchemist. I read his entire collection of books and they changed my view on following my dreams. Any one wanting a spiritual jump in there creative journey should read his book.

Instagram: @ivana.dsouza

Image Credits
Desiree (Didi) Prieto Marco Perretta 90thshooter