Last Updated on August 9, 2024
From the early days of competing in World and European Championships in Dance to making waves on Spotify billboards and crossing into the realms of modeling, acting, and more, Aleksandra Nalepa’s story is one marked by a relentless drive and diverse talent. A professional dancer at heart, Aleksandra’s roots are deeply embedded in her native Poland, where she carved out a name for herself across a myriad of artistic and athletic fields.
Her shift to the USA to chase her dreams saw her not only attaining a BFA in Dance from San Diego State University but also expanding her horizons into choreography, film direction, and beyond. With experiences ranging from teaching dance to performing on the musical theater stage and dignifying stages with her presence in Los Angeles, her narrative encapsulates the essence of global versatility and cultural adaptability.
It’s great to have you here, Aleksandra. First off, your story begins with impressive athletic and artistic roots in Poland. Can you share what it was like representing your country at World and European Championships in Dance and how it shaped your initial artistic vision?
Competing in world and European championships is an incredibly influential experience for a young dancer. It serves as excellent preparation and offers a taste of the professional dance industry. Once qualified, we went through weeks of intensive rehearsals and training, ensuring that every detail of the choreography was executed perfectly, every formation was clean, and the performance was on point. Following those weeks, we would travel to different countries to compete in championships held in Finland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and others.
The competitions typically lasted one or two weeks, with multiple elimination rounds. They took place in large concert or sports arenas in front of thousands of people. These experiences taught me discipline, work ethic, and confidence. Artistically, I learned how a vision transforms in spaces where the audience sits far from the performers and recognized the importance of lines and formation setups for large shows.
As a multifaceted performer, you transitioned to exciting opportunities such as dancing for the Polish NFL league and teaching across Poland. How did these experiences contribute to your growth as a dancer and a choreographer?
Dancing for the Polish NFL helped me become more versatile and flexible regarding dancing conditions. In the entertainment industry, there is a lot of unpredictability on set or stage; sometimes, you have to dance on platforms hanging from the ceiling or on a wet floor. Dancing in stadiums, outdoors during football games, helped me become more comfortable in challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, teaching was a great experience because it was one of my first opportunities to bring my choreographic vision to life. I got to teach and choreograph my own pieces and then see them performed across the country.
You’ve achieved notable success in the Polish entertainment industry, such as performing on the musical theater stage in Wroc?aw. How do you think these early experiences in musical theater influenced your later performances?
Musical theater is one of the most demanding forms of art, requiring one to sing, dance, and act. The unique intersection of these diverse skills teaches a dancer how to control their breath while dancing and use it to their advantage, such as singing while dancing. Having to portray the story of the musical helps a dance artist develop the acting skills necessary to enhance their performance. This acting adds authenticity to my dance and overall performance.
Your journey brought you to the United States to further your education and career. What was the most pivotal moment during your BFA studies at San Diego State University, and how did it prepare you for the challenges of the professional dance world?
I think one of the most crucial moments during my BFA studies occurred while doing my Senior Capstone project. I decided to create a dance film featuring a solo performance of mine. It was one of the first times I worked with a camera. I learned how crucial the camera is in dance films, and that its position and movement must be choreographed to fulfill the vision properly. I learned the importance of angles and perspective.
An additional challenge was that I was the dancer, choreographer, and videographer all at once. I had to execute my vision with my movement and be critical enough to make important adjustments. This project sparked my interest in dance on film and pushed me toward the LA commercial dance industry and dreams about creative directing.
Could you tell us more about the piece you choreographed for the NACHMO Dance Festival and your role as an assistant choreographer for “Evita”? What did these opportunities teach you about the creative process in dance?
The piece I choreographed for NACHMO was a portrait of a relationship that is extremely toxic but addictive and codependent at the same time. It depicted people who cannot live with each other but also cannot live without each other. It explored the longing while apart and the intensity when together. The choreography captured the push and pull and the everyday struggle through extensive partner work, moments of solo parts showcasing the individuality of the characters within the context of the situation, and unison sections.
Being an assistant choreographer was an incredible experience. I learned how dance can be incorporated into a larger project and how to choreograph to enhance the storyline. Working with actors who were not all dancers was challenging but pushed me to create new ways of explaining movement, giving me a solid foundation to work later as a movement director.
Working with renowned groups like Diavolo Dance Company is no small feat. What was it like participating in their Veterans Project S.O.S and how did it impact your perspective on the power of dance?
Dance has healing powers. I knew this already, as that is what dance has always been for me. However, working with veterans and seeing how participating in a beautiful project alongside dancers forced them to open up, become vulnerable, and feel needed and supported again was truly enlightening. Being on stage, working with the dangerous equipment that Diavolo typically uses, requires a great deal of trust and effective teamwork. It brought us extremely close and created lifelong friendships.
How do you keep reinventing yourself across diverse projects, from Spotify billboards to working with stars like The Weeknd and Mark Tuan?
I do not let anyone put me in a specific box. I treat myself as a brand; I am the owner of my own business—myself. The way I present myself must reflect who I am as a person, and because I work across many fields, I make sure that is known.
For example, on social media, I include all the different styles of dance, post my own choreography, and showcase my work as a model. That way, if someone comes across my visual media resume, they can see that I am extremely versatile. Additionally, whenever I show up to different projects, I make sure to portray someone’s vision properly while still being myself instead of trying to change myself to fit the vision.
Lastly, how do your roles from principal dancer for El Jay to model and dance team captain, shape your identity as a global artist and athlete?
I think all these different roles are gradually guiding me toward my goals. I am confident that they will help me become the artist I aspire to be. I plan to move in a creative direction, and having experiences like these will make me unstoppable. As a model, I understand the importance of presence, the simple things like walking, and how much they can add to a show. Being a principal dancer taught me what resonates with larger audiences, what excites people, and keeps them engaged. As a dance captain, I learned how to work with and connect different personalities while creating a show. All these experiences will contribute to my future work and success.
Aleksandra Nalepa’s journey is a remarkable testament to the boundless potential of combining athletic prowess with artistic creativity. Her story, from the rigorous stages of European dance competitions to the spotlight of Los Angeles and beyond, serves as an inspiring beacon for those aspiring to make their mark across the globe. Her multifaceted career not only highlights her skill and versatility but also her ability to adapt and excel in a myriad of environments.
As we look forward to witnessing the continued evolution of Aleksandra’s career, let her journey motivate us to explore the intersections of our own talents and passions, challenging the boundaries of what can be achieved.
