Meet Helen Ortega | Dance Instructor and Choreographer

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

Hi Helen, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
As a dance teacher, the values and principles that matter most to me are discipline, creativity, and respect. Dance is both an art and a practice, so I encourage discipline and consistency in my students—showing up, putting in effort, and striving for progress over perfection. At the same time, I value creativity and self-expression, because dance should allow students to tell their own stories and feel confident in who they are. Respect is also at the core of my teaching—respect for the art form, respect for the studio space, and respect for each other as dancers and individuals. Above all, I want my students to feel supported and inspired, knowing that hard work and passion can take them far, both in dance and in life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Dance has always been such a big part of my life, and being able to turn that passion into a career is something I’m really proud of. What I feel sets me apart as a teacher is that I don’t just focus on technique, I care about developing confident, disciplined, and expressive HUMANS who feel supported both inside and outside the studio. We dance because we love it and we work hard because we love it. Before they are dancers they are humans with real feelings, experiences, and hardships just like me. What I am most proud of is when my students grow not only as dancers but as people who learn dedication, teamwork, and self-expression through movement.

Getting to where I am today definitely was not easy. There were moments of doubt, setbacks, and times where balancing school, work, and dance felt overwhelming. In college, I was apart of the Florida State Univeristy competitive dance team, the Golden Girls. For two years I was forced to grown in aways I didn’t know my body and mind can be pushed to but so grateful I was. I pushed through by leaning on my team, family, friends, coaches, who reminded me why I started, and staying consistent even when it was hard. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success takes both patience and resilience and that success looks different for everyone. Being a dancer, it is easy to compare yourself to others around you. We’ve been doing it all our lives, my main goal is to let me students know that they are all individuals and together they are stronger. Growth will come when it comes, and to those are all different.

What I want the world to know about me and my story is that my work comes from a place of passion. Dance has been a constant in my life that has very weavered under the pressure of life and it’s adversities. I truly value the connections I make with my students, their families, my co-workers, owners, and I see dance as a way to inspire confidence, creativity, and joy to those around me. My job is about making dance accessible, encouraging, and empowering. Everyone deserves to feel the magic of dance that I am so fortunate to feel every day.

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?
Eat
Cuban: Isla’s Canarias
Mexican: Taco’s and Tattoos
Sushi: Masturi
American/BBQ: Apocalypse
Drinks: American Social, Earls, Broken Shaker, the One Hotel Miami Beach

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?
First and foremost, I want to give my shoutout to my family. They’ve been my foundation from the start, always believing in me and pushing me to keep going. I also have to thank my friends for encouraging me and reminding me to chase my dreams, even when things felt overwhelming. My boyfriend has been a constant source of support—always standing by me no matter what I’m doing, and that means the world. And finally, a huge shoutout to Elevate Dance Company, especially my amazing owners Erica Martin-Hidalgo and Celione Sena, for their endless love, support, and the opportunities they’ve given me. Of course, I can’t forget the girls and families I get to work with every day—they’re the reason my job feels so meaningful and joyful.

Instagram: @helenchoreo

Image Credits
Headshot: Karina Hidalgo
Dance pictures: UDA