10 Questions with Alexandra Gosiengfiao: First Pinay Soloist with U.S. International Ballet Company

Alexandra Gosiengfiao- a ballet dancer since an early age- has had that special experience of always knowing exactly what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Originally from Temecula, California, Alexandra has danced with various companies throughout the state before deciding to make the cross country move to Wilmington, North Carolina to dance with U.S. International Ballet. She has gone on to become the company's first Pinay soloist! Continue reading to find out about her connection to dance, as well as what her Filipino roots mean to her.

1. How long have you been dancing?

18 Years 

2. Tell us about your experiences with U.S. International Ballet. You are initially from

Temecula, CA. How did you decide upon travelling across the nation to come to

this company? 

My experience has been wonderful. I was so ecstatic when I received the emailed that I was getting hired to do what my dream has been since I was a young kid and that was to be a professional ballerina. Immediately, I accepted the offer & moved across country that summer after my trainee season ended in 2017 with a previous ballet company. It was a long journey to get to where I am now, but I feel like this is just the beginning as my professional career is just getting started. I joined as a company member in 2017 during its first season and was promoted to Soloist my second season, which I just completed the 2018-2019 season most recently. It’s honestly been such a wonderful opportunity to be part of the beginnings of a brand new company with so much potential. I am so excited to see where my journey goes with USIB. It’s an honor to be their first female Soloist and an honor to be representing my culture. I have amazing directors that have given me a myriad of performing, teaching and leadership opportunities that have developed me into quite the professional dancer. I am so grateful to God for placing all of the people, coaches, teachers, and directors in my pathway to help mold me into the dancer I am today and that have helped me get to where I am with my career. 

3. What does it mean to you to be a filipina dancer of color?

It’s such an amazing feeling to be representing my culture and heritage in one of the most technical, traditional, elite art forms out there. My grandparents came to America from the Philippines pursuing the “American Dream”  - the hope for a better life and the hope that their future generations would have the best life possible. It’s really an honor to continue their legacy and be doing what I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid and to basically be manifesting what my grandparents’ hopes and dreams were for their future offspring - they created the best opportunities possible for their future generations.

4. How connected were you to your Filipino roots growing up?

I feel that being a third generation Fil-Am I still am pretty close to my Filipino roots. Although my parents never spoke the language they understood the culture and language being that they grew up under my grandparents’ roof; they really got to experience it more directly. I believe my parents did an excellent job still connecting me with my roots and instilled a lot of the culture in me. Also I am so close to my grandmas on both sides so I believe I was very connected to my culture. I am still so fascinated by all of my grandparents’ lives back then, I always enjoy talking about what all of their lives were like in the Philippines back then. It allows me to not only be in touch with my culture but also because I believe I am a vintage soul.

5. If you were to choose one Filipino traditional dance to try- would it be Tinikling

with the bamboo sticks, or the folk dance with fans?

That’s too difficult being that I am a dancer already, I’d want to try it all! I definitely want to try Pandanggo, the traditional candle dancing. I’m am so fascinated by the fact that you dance with candles. My mom has shared with me the stories of Pandanggo as a kid; my grandparents were heavily involved with the Filipino Associations over the years, so my mom had the opportunity to try it out. 

6. What do you do to de-stress or take a break from rehearsing?

I live by the ocean, so I love to walk the pier/beachor even just sit outside on my balcony and gaze out at the beautiful view outside my apartment; there is something refreshing about being in nature, it’s like a recharge for your mind. I also love to take my mind off the studio by doing either things with friends over the weekend or just relaxing at home. It’s important to find that balance of everything in your life, especially due to the profession I have chosen for myself; it’s so demanding physically and mentally. You have to really take care of yourself physically and mentally. 

7. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

I see myself with the most amazing & fulfilling ballet career.  Then maybe doing something where it’s a mixture of my passion for ballet, fashion, & beauty - I could totally see myself owning my own brand, business and empire.

8. What’s one advice you can give to up and coming dancers? 

I would say to keep going, ballet is such a tough career. The work never stops and you always have to continue pushing yourself everyday you can never get too comfortable you always have to go above and beyond every single day so that you see the results you want to see from your dancing career technically and artistically . When you go out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there that’s when big things come your way. It’s also important to be a collaborative & moldeable artist, be open to the many different directors, teachers, coaches and dancers you cross paths with. The knowledge they pass on to you and what you decide to take from them is what creates a unique dancer and artist. 

9. Who’s your inspiration and how has their advice helped you? 

I believe I’ve been inspired through the years by the many dancers and teachers I’ve crossed paths with over the years through my training, summer intensives, workshops,  traineeships and now professional experiences. This goes back to my previous answer about how crucial it is to take all that knowledge and inspiration over the years and humbly take  that and continue to store that under your belt because that’s what makes you unique as an individual in this competitive & technical art. You have to know and be aware of what makes you unique from all the other dancers out there. 

10. What is your favorite Filipino food?

It’s definitely too difficult to pick just one, so I’m just going to list all of them- LOL: Pansit, Pinakbet, Chicken Adobo, Sinigang, anything with Ube, my grandma’s famous Sumon, my auntie’s famous Bibingka bites, and my auntie's famous Cassava recipe!

Meet Alexandra Gosiengfiao, soloist with U.S. International Ballet