Meet Corinne! Professional Dancer Both in the Studio and on the Court.
For this week’s edition of MTP we are exclusively featuring…
Corinne Baldwin
NBA Dancer for the Los Angeles Clippers – Clippers Spirit Member
Professional Dancer represented by Go 2 Talent Agency
National Adjudicator for Groove, BravO! and Kids Artistic Revue
National Convention Teacher for Groove
NBA Dancer for the Memphis Grizzlies – Grizz Girl
Collegiate Dancer for the University of Memphis Pom Squad
Competitive Dancer for Hermitage Dance Academy
1. First things first, please tell us your exciting news and the process of it all - how you made your choice to audition, the audition process, and when you found out you made the team!
I’m so excited that I’ve been selected as a 2022-2023 member of Clippers Spirit for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA!
This team has always stood out to me as hard-working women who bring versatility and innovation to the court without ever letting their grit back down.
When I moved to LA a little over a year ago, it stuck in the back of my mind, “should I audition?” So I gave myself a chance and went to the audition clinic. Immediately, I knew I had to make it happen. I attended the preliminary audition and made it through to finals, where it was announced that I made the team!
2. Now, let's rewind. Walk us through your dance journey and how you got to where you are today! Unpack the adversity you have experienced moving to new cities to chase your dance dreams.
I started dancing when I was itty bitty. My parents couldn’t get me to stop moving and grooving in the house and even in the grocery store, so they put my energetic tail into ballet and tap classes at the age of 3. When I turned 7, I moved from Trenton, New Jersey, to Nashville, Tennessee, where I decided I wanted to take dance to the next level. I trained and competed with Hermitage Dance Academy until I was 17 years old, winning several group and solo national titles.
Then, I went to college at the University of Memphis where I was a member of the Memphis Pom Squad and took classes in the dance program. While in school, I decided to audition for the Memphis Grizzlies dance team, the Grizz Girls, which I was a part of for 3 seasons!
When my lease was up in Memphis, we were mid-pandemic, and I was looking for a change of scenery, so I picked up and moved to my dream city: Los Angeles. I drove across the country with one of my closest friends and immediately started the industry lifestyle. Auditions, classes, agencies, photoshoots…you name it!
I got signed by Go 2 Talent Agency within 2 months of moving, and since then I have worked with renowned choreographers including Phil Wright and Gary Beauford, while also being a member of Lume Dance Collective, directed by Monika Felice Smith and MaryAnn Chavez. In my spare time (yes, I still have that!) I also adjudicate for 3 national dance competitions and teach at any given chance.
And believe it or not, I also have a full time job as a social media manager of a major Disney media outlet! I find myself trying to go after every opportunity in front of me. I only have one life and I want to live it to the fullest.
3. How different was it to prepare for this most recent audition versus your college dance team audition, NBA Grizzlies audition, and your numerous gig auditions?
Every audition is different. On that same note, every audition is basically a job interview. I think it’s important to study the job that you’re after and figure out what qualities you have that could make you a good match for the role.
If it’s an audition for a collegiate dance team, work on cleanliness and performance.
If it’s an audition for a tour, study the artist and their previous tour footage.
If it’s an audition for a professional sports team, see what sets them apart from other teams in their league.
Research is key, and you can never do too much of it.
4. Do you have any advice for those trying to make their dance dreams come true?
Just GO FOR IT. When you go to an audition, the worst thing that’s going to happen is you’re told no. And quite honestly, I’ve learned that every “no” that comes my way is for a reason, and you’ll eventually find your “yes!”
Have faith in your gut instincts and do what feels right for you. It’s okay to take time to explore and to soul-search…I’m still doing that as we speak.
Identify what you need to work on and understand that corrections/critiques are NOT a bad thing; they’re given to help you grow. In that, remain confident in yourself. You bring things to the table that others don’t, and vice versa.
Most importantly, find a strong and uplifting support system – they will make the world of a difference.
Phew…. WHAT AN INTERVIEW, right?!!! There are WAY too many golden nuggets to take from this piece. Corinne out here giving us huuuuge pieces of advice for success in the dance world! Yasss queen! Thank you for sharing your journey, wisdom, & exciting news with the MTP fam!
Corinne is full of ambition, exudes positivity, and is insanely talent. I can’t wait to watch her new journey unfold with the Clippers! You heard it here first! Corinne Baldwin — taking L.A. by storm!
Thanks for reading!
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