Meet Work N Days | Professional Ballet Dancers & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Work N Days and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Work N Days, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As full time dancers with Miami City Ballet, we’ve had to redefine what “balance” means and looks like. Opportunities presented themselves that tested our capabilities but allowed us to discover a newfound sense of confidence that translates in the studio and onstage. Our perspective and mindset changed through trial and error. To adapt became our strength, rather than hindering our performance resulting in careless efforts. Most recently, we had the privilege of dancing in a new ballet choreographed by Ricardo Amarante, “Delight” for Miami City Ballet with tights we produced. Our two passions met for the first time yet not one step of the way did it feel like “work”. We love to laugh, lean on each other in times of need, and are realistic each day with what we are able to put in in order to maximize our efforts in pursuing our careers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We wanted to have the ability and understanding to express our personal style in the studio and have the capability of producing it ourselves. As dancers, when you wear something you’re confident in, it enhances the quality of your performance. All of the pieces we design are those that we would wear, we take inspiration from ballet style throughout history. Our goal is to make something that allows the artist to be genuine in expressing themselves. What’s done with authenticity shows, the garments we create are extensions of our creativity. Being able to simultaneously improve upon on our interests fulfills us and fuels our art. This relationship intrigues us, we’re excited to push our boundaries and share our vision with others. The lessons of discipline and commitment we’ve learned from ballet translates to sewing, the confidence we feel wearing our pieces is tangible when we dance. Work N Days is labor of love; through trials and tribulations we are striving for excellence in ourselves that is reflected in the quality of what we put out.

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?
If we had friends in town, their trip would be centered around the sun. There’s something so tranquil about Miami Beach before the sun rises, starting the day by the ocean can be more energizing than a cafecito. We frequent XO espresso bar in the Lincoln Eatery, their coffee is essentially Work N Days’ fuel. While most of our days would be spent going to the beach enjoying the sun and swimming, the evenings are for grabbing dinner and a sweet treat from Fireman Dereck’s. We love the red velvet cake and key lime pie! We also love up-cycling, American Thrift up in Hollywood is a treasure trove of pieces just waiting to be combed through.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Work N Days was conceived in a time where we were both unable to dance due to injuries. Fortunately, we had the time to express our creativity in a new form under the guidance of the wardrobe department at Miami City Ballet. One of the seamstresses we bond with, Julia Villalobos, took an interest in our efforts and has acted as a mentor through this process. Julia brought our ideas to life; with her help we were able to materialize our creative vision. She saw this vision and continues to inspire us through her exquisite craftsmanship and generous spirit. Working with Julia has instilled a new appreciation for costume design and the work that goes into ensuring we look and feel our best when we hit the stage. This is a long term goal, she reminds us that the seeds we’re planting will bloom and flourish in their own time. When making new pieces we always fall back on the advice Julia gave us- passion drives progress. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank her again, for all of her support and help in bringing Work N Days to life.

Instagram: @workndays

Image Credits
Juliet Hay Alexander Iziliaev