Ren Hall shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Ren, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Creating, I completely lose the concept of time when Im creating art, especially music. Its an escape and I remember being a kid practicing just out of the sake of love. Also when working with choreographers or in class.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Ren is a multi-hyphenate artist whose work bridges concert dance, original music composition, and live performance. Based in Houston, he is a company dancer with Uptown Dance Company, a contemporary ballet company. He also teaches at multiple dance studios across the Houston area. Since relocating, Ren has been working towards becoming an integral part of the city’s creative community, offering a fresh perspective rooted in resilience and expressive storytelling.
As a musician, Ren’s catalog reflects his versatility, spanning instrumental piano works, cinematic soundscapes, and introspective songwriting. Ren released his debut album ‘Resurgence” May 2024, and just released an EP titled ‘Organic Chemistry’. With a Holiday EP scheduled for Fall 2025 He isn’t letting up, reaching a total of 150,000 total streams so far, his growing audience speaks to the authenticity and evolution of his artistry. Whether composing at the piano or moving across the stage, Ren creates work defined by clarity, depth, and heart.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I would say one of my biggest challenges when I was younger was people-pleasing and constantly seeking acceptance. I cared far too much about what others thought of me, and I would go above and beyond—sometimes exhausting myself—just to earn their approval. The only exceptions were my close friends and family, who I always felt loved me unconditionally, simply for who I was. Over time, though, I realized that chasing external validation was draining and left me feeling empty. Now, my main focus is cultivating inner peace, happiness, and authenticity. I want to live in a way that feels true to me, rather than shaping myself to fit into someone else’s expectations. I mean, can you believe I used to hide the fact that I danced ballet to friends at school.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Simply put, yes—I recently thought I had reached the end of my dance journey. Any dancer knows how elusive this career can be. Joining a company, or even just being consistently employed as a dancer, is rare. So many talented artists end up stopping or changing paths altogether because of how competitive and unpredictable the field is. No one can fully explain what it takes to nail an audition and secure a contract—honestly, I think luck plays a role alongside skill and preparation.
When I moved to Houston two years ago, I had the opportunity to train with one of the city’s top contemporary dance companies. After two incredible seasons of growth and performance, I was unexpectedly told it was time to move on. That news hit me harder than I imagined. For weeks, I felt lost and in a dark place, because I had poured everything into my art and even uprooted my life in hopes of earning a permanent spot. It wasn’t about entitlement—I just believed that hard work, commitment, and passion would naturally lead to that outcome.
But life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect. After sitting with the disappointment, I eventually pushed myself to get back into class. That’s when I walked into Uptown Dance Center and met Beth Gulledge-Brown, the artistic director. She had been looking for male dancers earlier in the year, and at first I thought I had already missed my chance. I was simply there to move again, not expecting anything to come of it. But sometimes the timing we least expect ends up being the right one—what started as just showing up for class turned into a full company contract offer.
In the craziest way, it all worked out. It reminded me that talent, resilience, and the willingness to keep going—even when it feels like the road is ending—can open doors you didn’t even know were there.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Aside from some good code-switching here and there (IYKYK), I believe authenticity is what truly makes us unique. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. As an artist, I feel privileged to be surrounded by so many incredible creatives, and what strikes me most is the beautiful variety of voices, perspectives, and experiences that shape an organization. That diversity isn’t just important—it’s what makes the community thrive.
Of course, everyone has a personal life and people they feel comfortable enough with to let their guard down. But I don’t think that makes someone’s “public” version any less authentic than their private self. Both are real, both are valid, and both reflect different aspects of who we are. For me, authenticity is about honoring those layers while still staying true to the core of who you are.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel that I am doing what I was born to do, which as stated before isn’t easy. If I could give myself an earlier start to this career path I would but I mean I ended up doing what I loved either way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ren.ballerino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenBallerino
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqYgTN6Erj1whD7tMzH4kdw?si=bYEHnC_VIGB4ELGY
Image Credits
Uptown Dance Company
Captured By Michy
Organic Chemistry Artwork
(Charles Davis Design)
