Oh, Lisette. She’s the gorgeous gal to your left and the ‘other half’ of last week’s BTS with Chonique Sneed. The two are creating opportunities together, but today, you get the Bustamante inside scoop.
How did it all begin for you, Lisette?
I was about four years old and recall asking my mother to take me to the record store to buy my favorite song that had been playing on the radio. We brought the song home and I danced to it for my family for about seven hours straight. At about age six, my mom decided to put me in a ballet class. I didn’t vibe with the discipline of it and asked to learn breaking. She found me a private breaking instructor and I began competing with my crew at age seven.
No way, age seven! That’s awesome. Back then, who were your mentors?
I had a cousin who was a B-Boy who I was heavily influenced by. I’d also have to say Michael and Janet Jackson.
Who are your mentors now?
Tina Landon and Jamie King are huge influences of mine and I appreciate their thought process when it comes to dance and movement.
Do you get star struck at all?
I was star struck two times in my whole life. The most recent time is when I got a call to meet Prince. The other time I was star struck was when I worked with Madonna.
Nice. Prince and Madonna. We’d be sweating bullets too. So you must have a stellar performance career. Tell us where you are and where you’d like to be?
Presently, I see myself continuing to teach. If I could have it my way, in 5 years I would be traveling internationally, directing, and consulting for shows and artists that inspire me.
What about your singing career? How has it affected your life being a double, triple threat?
My singing career is something I do because I love it, just like dance. I would never tell anyone that you have to pick one thing in life and that’s it. As far as being a triple threat, I believe we [must] have the courage to step out of ourselves and try new things. Honor who you are.
What’s your advice for dancers who want to go from choreographer to director?
My advice to dancers who want to direct is to think outside the box and play. Use a video camera and be open to other forms of art and media. Explore and experiment.
What is your proudest moment in the performing arts so far?
That’s a double whammy. One is directing Paulina Rubio’s world tour last year and the other is having one of my songs getting radio play on a major pop station.
Congrats... and after that double whammy is your new workshop. What is “it” that gets you about inspiring others?
I am completely inspired by the Creating Opportunities workshop because it offers dancers and artists a new perspective on this business and their life. It goes beyond movement and into your soul and has you ask yourself what legacy you want to leave in your life as an artist.
How did the workshop idea come about?
Chonique and I wanted to create something new, to fill a void, and to help answer the many questions dancers have. It came to us that we should give them leadership and we wanted to be the ones to take on those roles.
What’s the most common audition fluke?
Comparing yourself to others and getting in your head. You won’t book every audition you go for because sometimes that job is just not for you. Stand on who you are and bring THAT to the audition.
What has been your biggest obstacle to overcome?
Getting out of my own way.
What news do you need to tell the gendance audience?
Creating Opportunities is up and running, so check it out at www.creatingopps.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback so be in touch with us.
We look forward to hearing more from Bustamante in the future. Her Creating Opportunities workshop will undoubtedly inspire generations of dancers to come. For this triple threat, nothing stands in her way. Don’t forget to check out her weekly journal today, too. She’s on a mission. Get the real deal now.
