Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Belin.
Hi Todd, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As an inspired artist with the passion to move, feel, and heal others, I started a small business. Moves In Motion LLC was created in 2017 to impact, inspire, and motivate creative individuals to be expressive! I came from a small town with huge dreams of being a professional dancer. Growing up in poverty with little to no opportunity to be creative, I was forced to create my lane. This allowed me to stand out in my community and become the artist I am today. I grew up in a population of less than 5,000 people in the small town of Hampton Arkansas. After graduating high school, I chose to go to college to escape the small-town culture. I wanted to be able to dream big with no limits.
I received my BFA in dance performance at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After studying styles such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap Dance, I was able to combine my street Hip-Hop creds with the new information learned which helped create my particular dance style. This set me apart from other dancers. After completing my undergraduate studies at UALR, I moved to Atlanta Georgia, and began to focus on commercial dance. There, I began taking classes from industry dance professionals like Kiki Ely, Sean Bankhead, Jeremy Copeland, Yanis Marshall, and more. This allowed me to dive into a more adventurous lane and book professional jobs.
After living in Atlanta, I moved back to Arkansas to share the knowledge I had learned throughout the years of studying commercial dance. I pioneered structured dance classes and services for my community that they had never been introduced to. This influenced other dancers to begin sharing their art, and as a result, it cultivated a dance community. I am now curating programs in education, working with major corporations such as Walton Arts Center, and frequently traveling nationally and internationally doing what I love to do, which is dance.
This small business is relevant in that it aims to provide clarity and a road map for visionaries who want to develop as creative. To pursue their dreams despite any limiting circumstance that might hinder them from being the artists they are destined to be, I encourage independent artists to drive toward their happiness to continue to be innovative trendsetters.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This road has not been smooth for sure! There have been several obstacles. I have experienced doubt, ran into financial hardships, and felt lost in instances where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue being an independent artist. Life has its way of “Life-ing” if that makes any sense. Of course, we have that question “What are you going to do with dance”, “How will you make a living” etc.
Somehow I have mastered the phrase “You are a solider” which has pushed me to fight my way through all the things that may have seemed impossible. I remember one thing in particular. When I moved back to Arkansas, it felt like I lost access to all of the beneficial opportunities of performing and booking major jobs. Failing to realize, that was my reason for returning, that the mission was to create ways to possibly book profitable jobs in and out of Arkansas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently working in education, servicing hundreds of students, and instructing them through the art and movement of dance. I specialize in all things entertainment, providing services such as Artist Development, Private Dance Classes, Creative Directing, Choreography, Parties and Events, and more. People know me for my contagious, positive energy!
I love to motivate individuals to be their own creative and to have a voice that speaks unforgettable volumes. Not one human being was created the same. What sets me apart is my dynamic personality to be genuinely vulnerable to others who are receptive to learning and growing with other creatives. I learned that collaborating is the key to creating magic!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
My advice to creatives who are embarking on their creative journey, STICK TO THE PLAN! Know how to revisit the drawing board and re-work things that seem to create an impediment. Know that throughout the process there will be moments that seem impossible.
Everything starts as a thought, but you have to do the proper preparation to prevent poor performance. Something I wish I had known when I started was properly knowing how to create and execute a business plan! It’s more than just having an idea!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @TheToddBelin
- Facebook: Todd Belin
- Twitter: Stag3Danc3Combo
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Thetoddbelin
Image Credits
Nelly Hernandez, Cary Clayton, and Media Trendadd
