Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Acosta.
Hi Jesus, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first moved to the United States from Mexico when I was six. My mom and I moved here in search of my biological dad. At the time, I didn’t understand but my dad didn’t want anything to do with us. I grew up in a very traditional Mexican household where the only thing that equaled success was hard work and making money. Since I can remember, I recall always having a love for dance. At parties and Quinceañeras, I was always the first one on the dance floor. My family never understood why I loved it so much and never allowed me to get any classical training while growing up. Part of it was because of monetary issues but most of it was because our culture didn’t really value arts as a career. I first discovered my love for performing in high school when I joined the Color Guard at my school. At that age, it never crossed my mind that someday I’d be pursuing a career in dance and much less did I think that I’d be going into my 16th year of dancing professionally here in Houston.
I went on to study at Sam Houston State University where I had the honor to learn from so many great teachers. The professors there really care about the students. They saw something in me and poured their passion into me even though I had a lot to learn. I finally understand now that I’m a teacher as well that I can relate to them. Going to college for dance was what made me become serious about dance and ponder the idea of pursuing a career in dance. My sophomore year, I started dancing professionally for a company that one of my professors directed. Since that moment, I knew that I would try to make this work. My love for dance was too strong for me not to give it a shot.
I remember growing up and wanting to be a teacher. I was inspired by one of my 6th-grade history teachers. I think I looked up to him because not only was he an openly gay man but also a very fun, outgoing, and inspiring person to be around. As a young impressionable boy, it was the first time that I experienced being around a person like Mr. Kelley. I wish I could go back and tell Mr. Kelley that the boy who stood in front of him would go on to be a teacher himself. Through dance, I found so much; I am a dancer, dance teacher, and competition judge. I like to think that I am the person that I am because of every one of the people that have taught me along the way. I take every day as a new lesson.
Now as a 35 years old man I know that I am the artist and man that I am today because of everyone that has poured a bit of themselves into me. I’m a big believer in passing along what others have given to you. I hope that one day my students have the same to say about me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There definitely have been lots of challenges that I have had to endure in my life. Although I agree that moments have been challenging, I don’t necessarily think of them as bad. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason and that challenges we face only make us stronger.
As a kid, the first thing that I remember was challenging was having to learn English. I immigrated here illegally and that came with another set of challenges. I remember feeling ashamed of being from Mexico because I heard the awful things that were said about my race. Even though it wasn’t my choice to come here, as a young boy I didn’t understand that being illegal was not my fault or my guilt to carry.
My dad leaving my mom and I in Mexico when I was a child was also a challenge that was a lot to deal with, especially for a child at my age to understand.
Another obstacle was trying to find my true identity as a gay male. It was hard being from a catholic background and a very Mexican household where masculinity is so important and instilled in boys from such a young age. Luckily in high school, I surrounded myself by people that accepted me for who I truly was and felt very comfortable being myself. That has continued through college and now into my professional career. In the arts community here in Houston there is lots of compassion and love.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently am a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and dance adjudicator that resides in Houston.
I have danced for Kista Tucker Dance Company, Dangerous Lorraine’s Dance Theater, Recked Productions, Aimed Dance, Hope Stone Dance Company, NobleMotion Dance, The Houston Met Dance Company, and currently dancing for Houston Contemporary Dance Company. I think that it’s my wide range of performance experience that I’m most proud of.
I teach across the United States for high schools and studios. I have worked for MA Dance for 17 years. It’s through that company that I crafted my teaching techniques. MA Dance specializes in high school dance camps and competitions in all areas of the United States. I have worked my way up to being a director with the company and running my own events.
Through all of the people that I have connected with I have been honored to judge The Utah State Championships multiple times, Iowa State Championships for five years, Colorado State Championships, and The prestigious Dance Worlds in Orlando Florida for USASF. I have also choreographed for The Houston Texans Cheerleaders and have been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine.
I am not proud of just one thing; I am proud of everything that I have achieved thus far. To think that the little boy from Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico would be doing everything that I am doing feels like a dream come true.
What sets me apart from others is my optimism and positive outlook. I will never let my success make me forget where I came from. It’s our pasts that truly shape us into who we are.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I don’t have too many memories from my childhood but one that is etched in my mind that I will always hold close to my heart is one of me living in Mexico and riding on my grandfather’s shoulders. He was the man that was like a father to me. Of course, he would get tired of carrying me on his shoulders and would do anything to get me to walk on my own. I remember him betting me that my shoes couldn’t run fast. Being the competitive person I have always been, I would take on the challenge and prove him wrong. I still remember his laugh to this day.
I think about it now how even though we didn’t have much money growing up, I never felt unhappy at that age. I was always happy and always felt so much love from my family.
Contact Info:
- Email: jacosta901@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/justjesusdancin
- Facebook: facebook.com/dancinjesus
Image Credits:
Lauren Berthelot Lynn Lane Ben Doyle Captured by Michy
