Today we’d like to introduce you to Deneil Bell.
Deneil, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started dancing with Tap and Jazz when I was three years old, I did stop for a while to do other activities like playing piano, basketball, cheerleading and running track, but I started up dancing again when I was 9. I didn’t get into Hip Hop until I was ten and that love started with Step Up 2 the Streets. I spent a summer ordering it on demand every day and learned every bit of choreography (it was very difficult trying to hit everybody’s parts by myself lol), but led me into doing more research online.
I learned who the dancers were, then the choreographers and that got me into learning Hip Hop choreography through YouTube, I ended up taking my first hip-hop class October of 2011 at FLY Dance Studio. I would walk there every Thursday after that to take classes and eventually auditioned to be a part of their showcase team FLYght School and performed at World of Dance for the first time in 2012. I eventually moved up and began to travel with the varsity team FLY/First Class performing and teaching in after-school programs around the Houston area for three years.
During that time, I also got to experience my first convention, Monsters of Hip Hop from New York to Florida. In the summer of 2015, I joined Soreal Dance Studio’s varsity team The Sandlot and began an entirely new chapter in my life. I never had any specific goals when it came to dancing, I just knew I loved everything about it. Around this time and being surrounded by people with different dreams and goals helped me understand a lot better of where I was and where I wanted to be.
Over the next four years, I’ll go on to perform at a Patriots Super Bowl party, be in multiple viral videos with social media influencer BlameitonKway, won Best Choreography with the first elite team I directed alone (I cut all music, helped pick costumes, formations, etc.), began directing a training team as well as subbing at Soreal, was nominated for the first time at Monsters of Hip Hop, performed with numerous artists including award-winning Nigerian artist Davido and Gloria Prince an upcoming Houston artist. And now, I have an interview with a magazine!
I’ve definitely been blessed and grateful for the life Dance has given me, it’s been more than hard, and I’ve had to step back a few times to collect my life, but I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. I’m thankful for everyone that has mentored and been supportive of me throughout this journey: Ms. V, Wesley Holloway, Chris and Andrew Baterina, Aaron Callegari, Franky Lam, Guero Charles, FLY/ First Class, Soreal Dance Studio, Centerstage Dance and Gymnastics, and so many more! Thank you for giving me this opportunity Voyage!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most of the struggles throughout this process have been internal to be completely honest. I’ve always been pretty shy, and I had to fight myself a lot to get out of my shell to be able to perform the way I wanted to. I was staying up until three or four in the morning just practicing old dances and things a learned that week which began building up my confidence and memory. It was also a process getting my parents around to the idea of me pursuing dance a lot more since it was all I wanted to do.
I gave up a lot of traditional high school activities. But the main issues I’ve had were fear-based, as I got older I began comparing myself to what was around me which put me back into that shy shell, and I’m currently in the process of working myself out of it again. But it’s all just another challenge that will make me stronger after I get through it.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a teacher, choreographer, and dancer. I specialize in Hip Hop and am mostly known for my full-out, fast-paced dances. I am most proud of my elite competition team, I direct them alone, and it was only my second time choreographing, cutting music and doing formations/costumes since 2013.
And last season, we placed first overall at almost every competition including the Showstoppers Nationals on Galveston Island and I also received the Best Choreography award. What sets me apart is my genuine love for teaching and dance, as well as my quirky/ awkward personality. But that’s what makes me, me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would push myself even harder. I would fight through those moments I wanted to quit, and I wouldn’t let other people’s opinions bring doubt.
Contact Info:
- Email: deneildances@gmail.com
- Instagram: @deneilsimone
- Other: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCsVeaLNxxJMmpeGaHG1nLEg
Image Credit:
Roger Kisby, Jay Clark
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