We sat down with Tutu School Teacher and Professional Dominique Franceschi to talk about
her training, her career, and why she loves twirling with Tutu School.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a professional performer born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, I am the youngest of 5
siblings, (whom I absolutely love), and for some cosmic reason I don't like chocolate.
How were you first introduced to Dancing and Performing?
Performing has always been a part of my life. I first made it to the stage to sing twinkle twinkle
little star in a preschool recital, complete with an oversized cardboard star costume. I just
remember being very happy. It was love at first bow.
And your training?
I was always performing in school plays and dances while growing up, so naturally I chose to
continue studying Performing Arts after graduating High School. I completed this wonderful 4
year Conservatory program at MISI in Bogota, and then moved to San Francisco to earn my
degree in Dance and Communications. After graduating Summa Cum Laude, I relocated to LA
where I completed my BFA in Performing Arts with Honors at AMDA: College of the Performing
Arts.
Very impressive! What have you done since then?
It’s been a wonderful adventure. I’ve been cast in T-Mobile (which was extra special since I got
to work with Ariana Grande), Captain Morgan, and ESPN commercials as well as featured in
shows like “Fresh Off the Boat” (with Randall Park and Constance Wu), “Insecure” (Issa Rae),
and “Penny Dreadful”. A few music videos too, including “The Fun In Life” by TFIL (which broke
ten Guinness World Records). I also love creating my own projects, and of course, teaching.
That’s amazing! And that's when you found Tutu School?
Yes! I first started teaching in 2015. It was supposed to be a short internship but I absolutely fell
in love with it. It’s one of the most unique schools I’ve encountered and I love that I get to share
my knowledge with the next generation.
What makes Tutu School so unique?
When they say it's a magical place, they're not putting it lightly. It’s a combination of the space
they have created where any young dancer of any experience level is welcomed with all the
skills they learn that will help them in other areas of their lives.The youngest class is for 18
month toddlers, and it’s the first introduction they have to a classroom setting. Getting to be part
of that, to watch them grow and fall in love with dance, and above all else their parents get to be
part of the journey; now that’s where the magic happens.
How do you feel your experience as a professional has helped you become a better
educator?
It’s night and day. While I was on set with Nathan Lane, right after the director yells “cut” after
one of his scenes he said, “Let’s do that again and try something different.'' And so he did. I
thought both takes were great, but I understood he was finding what the truth of that scene for
his character would be, not for himself. It works similarly in everyday life.
Having an idea of what the world is asking of you right now creatively and professionally is
definitely a very important tool. We are lucky enough to be living in a time where self love and
expression of the self are popular topics, and that could not be more in line with the Tutu School
values. We don’t ask them to be perfect, that’s boring. Our main goal is to get our dancers to be
they very best and joyous selves.
