Celebrity Dance Coach Sky Bautista Encourages Self-Expression Through Movement | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Celebrity Dance Coach Sky Bautista Encourages Self-Expression Through Movement
Celebrity Dance Coach Sky Bautista Encourages Self-Expression Through Movement
Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso
Published Mar 22, 2024 04:25 PM PHT
Leave the tall legs and the skinny body to the stigmas of the past. Sky Bautista is redefining performance in her own terms. Starting as a dance member of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe in college, Sky’s movement from collegiate competitions to the professional dance scene was the dream path for her. As someone who has since been drawn to dance, becoming a dancer is no doubt her calling.
Leave the tall legs and the skinny body to the stigmas of the past. Sky Bautista is redefining performance in her own terms. Starting as a dance member of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe in college, Sky’s movement from collegiate competitions to the professional dance scene was the dream path for her. As someone who has since been drawn to dance, becoming a dancer is no doubt her calling.
“How did it start? I was literally small but my family would always tease me that I was already born a dancer,” Sky claimed with conviction. “When my mom was about to give birth to me, I actually turned upside down [at] the very last moment. So they said, ‘Oh, you’re already like a dancer in your mom’s womb before you came out.’”
“How did it start? I was literally small but my family would always tease me that I was already born a dancer,” Sky claimed with conviction. “When my mom was about to give birth to me, I actually turned upside down [at] the very last moment. So they said, ‘Oh, you’re already like a dancer in your mom’s womb before you came out.’”
Growing up, Sky learned to love different dance genres. She acclimatized herself to an array of forms and techniques, finding refuge in opportunities and risks. She shepherded dance crews and prevailed in competitions despite her studies on the side, becoming a success in her own right. Often, she would coach and lead her colleagues, weaving her magic in every mesh.
Growing up, Sky learned to love different dance genres. She acclimatized herself to an array of forms and techniques, finding refuge in opportunities and risks. She shepherded dance crews and prevailed in competitions despite her studies on the side, becoming a success in her own right. Often, she would coach and lead her colleagues, weaving her magic in every mesh.
Now a household name in the dance industry and the director and founder of Sky Dance Avenue, Sky finds it an allure to chase after two of her top fantasies—her dual foray—dancing and teaching. Tracing back to how her dreams began, Sky noted what her non-negotiables were: “I knew that it’s my calling to really dance and teach. I knew it in my heart because that went hand in hand. I wanted to dance; I wanted to perform. But also, I wanted to teach.”
Now a household name in the dance industry and the director and founder of Sky Dance Avenue, Sky finds it an allure to chase after two of her top fantasies—her dual foray—dancing and teaching. Tracing back to how her dreams began, Sky noted what her non-negotiables were: “I knew that it’s my calling to really dance and teach. I knew it in my heart because that went hand in hand. I wanted to dance; I wanted to perform. But also, I wanted to teach.”
ADVERTISEMENT
With the likes of Scarlet Snow Belo, Dahlia Amélie Heussaff, and Thylane Katana Bolzico learning under her tutelage, Sky’s unparalleled expertise as a dance educator proves what power she holds. A merit-heavy talent with The Loop Hong Kong’s 30 Under 30 title under her belt, Sky is undeniably the favorite go-to of families.
With the likes of Scarlet Snow Belo, Dahlia Amélie Heussaff, and Thylane Katana Bolzico learning under her tutelage, Sky’s unparalleled expertise as a dance educator proves what power she holds. A merit-heavy talent with The Loop Hong Kong’s 30 Under 30 title under her belt, Sky is undeniably the favorite go-to of families.
“It’s amazing to be given the trust from the celebrities here in the Philippines when I started my school here, but to be honest, it’s no different from teaching other kids,” she reiterated. “I think these kids come in as very innocent. They don’t know the star power that they hold, actually. But yeah, it’s no different from teaching other kids. They come in as somebody who’s innocent who wants to dance, who wants to move, who wants to make friends.”
“It’s amazing to be given the trust from the celebrities here in the Philippines when I started my school here, but to be honest, it’s no different from teaching other kids,” she reiterated. “I think these kids come in as very innocent. They don’t know the star power that they hold, actually. But yeah, it’s no different from teaching other kids. They come in as somebody who’s innocent who wants to dance, who wants to move, who wants to make friends.”
A risk-lover at heart, Sky listens to the beat of her drum and braves what others can’t. Her offer extends not only to newcomers and early beginners in dance, but to special needs students, too. She takes underprivileged kids under her wing as well through the Project Pearls Foundation, where scholars are trained to be part of Sky Dance Avenue’s biggest productions.
A risk-lover at heart, Sky listens to the beat of her drum and braves what others can’t. Her offer extends not only to newcomers and early beginners in dance, but to special needs students, too. She takes underprivileged kids under her wing as well through the Project Pearls Foundation, where scholars are trained to be part of Sky Dance Avenue’s biggest productions.
Popping in the happiest place
A shape-shifting virtuoso, Sky’s versatility in her craft comes in ballet, jazz, ballroom, gymnastics, cheerleading, and her greatest core—hip-hop. She sets the stage ablaze with her every performance, entitled to the audience’s collective cheers and standing ovations. “I speak on behalf of all the performers in the Philippines,” she said. “It has always been everyone’s dream to work for the happiest place on Earth.”
A shape-shifting virtuoso, Sky’s versatility in her craft comes in ballet, jazz, ballroom, gymnastics, cheerleading, and her greatest core—hip-hop. She sets the stage ablaze with her every performance, entitled to the audience’s collective cheers and standing ovations. “I speak on behalf of all the performers in the Philippines,” she said. “It has always been everyone’s dream to work for the happiest place on Earth.”
As the former captain of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Hip-Hop Show, Sky has flourished from being a performer to being a leader. Her potential to lead a pack started to surface as she thrives in the foreign terrain, with a dream on one hand and determination on the other. “I vividly remember, the audition took place in Halili School of Ballet in Quezon Avenue,” she recalled.
As the former captain of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Hip-Hop Show, Sky has flourished from being a performer to being a leader. Her potential to lead a pack started to surface as she thrives in the foreign terrain, with a dream on one hand and determination on the other. “I vividly remember, the audition took place in Halili School of Ballet in Quezon Avenue,” she recalled.
“I came there with a hip-hop outfit. I didn’t know that it was like a very strict ballerina [dress code] and [a] very jazzy outfit to audition. Everybody was wearing tights and I was like, ‘am I in the correct place?’ ’Cause I was literally in my baggy, hip-hop clothes!” Sky revealed, still in awe of how her Disneyland stint came about. “If I remember it right, we were almost 100+ who auditioned. And then, they only chose eight for that year.”
“I came there with a hip-hop outfit. I didn’t know that it was like a very strict ballerina [dress code] and [a] very jazzy outfit to audition. Everybody was wearing tights and I was like, ‘am I in the correct place?’ ’Cause I was literally in my baggy, hip-hop clothes!” Sky revealed, still in awe of how her Disneyland stint came about. “If I remember it right, we were almost 100+ who auditioned. And then, they only chose eight for that year.”
“For me, that was really my turning point as a performer and as a professional dancer,” she continued, quoting the quintessential performer’s proverb. “‘Dance for your life every time you audition to be part of something like a cruise or Disneyland.’”
“For me, that was really my turning point as a performer and as a professional dancer,” she continued, quoting the quintessential performer’s proverb. “‘Dance for your life every time you audition to be part of something like a cruise or Disneyland.’”
Staying for almost three years in what they account the “happiest place on Earth,” Sky was able to hone her performing arts skills. She was breaking, popping, and locking like every show and event is the last performance of her life, bringing her A-game alongside a host of dance heavyweights. “All the principal ballerinas were there; all the amazing choreographers were actually there!” Sky shared, beaming with pride.
Staying for almost three years in what they account the “happiest place on Earth,” Sky was able to hone her performing arts skills. She was breaking, popping, and locking like every show and event is the last performance of her life, bringing her A-game alongside a host of dance heavyweights. “All the principal ballerinas were there; all the amazing choreographers were actually there!” Sky shared, beaming with pride.
Besides her string of shows in Disneyland, Sky also served in some international schools in Hong Kong. Performance institutions have picked up Sky’s talent, and from there came her choreographing chops for plays and productions.
Besides her string of shows in Disneyland, Sky also served in some international schools in Hong Kong. Performance institutions have picked up Sky’s talent, and from there came her choreographing chops for plays and productions.
Stepping into the spotlight
Not long after, though, the pandemic trampled on the academe where Sky launched her new career as an educator. “That performing arts school actually closed down, so I was on the verge of coming back home to the Philippines or coming back to Disney or putting up my own,” Sky caught us up on how Sky Dance Avenue, her dance studio, darted through her headspace. “Not everybody knew but how I started Sky Dance Avenue was really from the ground up.”
Not long after, though, the pandemic trampled on the academe where Sky launched her new career as an educator. “That performing arts school actually closed down, so I was on the verge of coming back home to the Philippines or coming back to Disney or putting up my own,” Sky caught us up on how Sky Dance Avenue, her dance studio, darted through her headspace. “Not everybody knew but how I started Sky Dance Avenue was really from the ground up.”
“So there’s this one parent who actually said, ‘You know what, Teacher Sky, if you want to continue, even if the school is closing down, I’ll be happy to have my kids to dance with you,’” she trailed back to her humble beginnings.
“So there’s this one parent who actually said, ‘You know what, Teacher Sky, if you want to continue, even if the school is closing down, I’ll be happy to have my kids to dance with you,’” she trailed back to her humble beginnings.
“During that time, I was like: ‘Okay, how would it affect me? Because living in Hong Kong is really expensive but I have to work my way around there.’ So I started with those three kids, I remember. I still remember their names and they’re now very good dancers,” Sky told Metro.Style, taking delight in how dance and a parent’s trust powered her first forays into kicking off an international dance school.
“During that time, I was like: ‘Okay, how would it affect me? Because living in Hong Kong is really expensive but I have to work my way around there.’ So I started with those three kids, I remember. I still remember their names and they’re now very good dancers,” Sky told Metro.Style, taking delight in how dance and a parent’s trust powered her first forays into kicking off an international dance school.
“I was juggling, actually—teaching those three kids to start and teaching in public schools as an English teacher in Hong Kong, just to get by every day,” Sky declared, narrating how there were narrow chances of stability and survival on the cusp of lockdowns and layoffs.
“I was juggling, actually—teaching those three kids to start and teaching in public schools as an English teacher in Hong Kong, just to get by every day,” Sky declared, narrating how there were narrow chances of stability and survival on the cusp of lockdowns and layoffs.
“It was hard for me but I didn’t tell my parents about it, only because when you’re already working abroad, you’re on your own. And I wanted to prove something to them,” Sky harked back, hinting at having to live independently with less help and guidance from home. “And then from there, it was basically the referrals from amongst the parents in HK [that helped me]. “So they were like, ‘Okay, I’ll book you, I’ll book you.’”
“It was hard for me but I didn’t tell my parents about it, only because when you’re already working abroad, you’re on your own. And I wanted to prove something to them,” Sky harked back, hinting at having to live independently with less help and guidance from home. “And then from there, it was basically the referrals from amongst the parents in HK [that helped me]. “So they were like, ‘Okay, I’ll book you, I’ll book you.’”
“And then finally, it grew bigger and I was able to put it up,” the Sky Dance Avenue founder added. She had it all figured, answering for her own needs while opportunities assemble. From after-school activities to private classes, her busy calendar paid off.
“And then finally, it grew bigger and I was able to put it up,” the Sky Dance Avenue founder added. She had it all figured, answering for her own needs while opportunities assemble. From after-school activities to private classes, her busy calendar paid off.
With at least 80% expatriates and 20% locals enrolling in her dance sessions, Sky was able to sustain the demands of living in a luxurious city that is Hong Kong. “It was actually that one parent who believed and trusted my teaching skills. And then, I was able to tap 16 locations. I was doing all those when I started my Sky Dance Avenue Hong Kong. There will always be somebody who would believe in you.”
With at least 80% expatriates and 20% locals enrolling in her dance sessions, Sky was able to sustain the demands of living in a luxurious city that is Hong Kong. “It was actually that one parent who believed and trusted my teaching skills. And then, I was able to tap 16 locations. I was doing all those when I started my Sky Dance Avenue Hong Kong. There will always be somebody who would believe in you.”
The lady movers in Sky’s life
In celebration of Women’s Month, the dance maestro describes what a “superwoman” looks like to her. She is strong, beautiful, and generous. She is the best friend that we are forever inclined to summoning at the peak of our struggles. She is indeed Sky’s mother.
In celebration of Women’s Month, the dance maestro describes what a “superwoman” looks like to her. She is strong, beautiful, and generous. She is the best friend that we are forever inclined to summoning at the peak of our struggles. She is indeed Sky’s mother.
“My mom has always been the epitome of strength and beauty. You know, not only did she dedicate her life to her family and her children, but the support that she gives me kept me grounded for years—ever since I started,” Sky mused.
“My mom has always been the epitome of strength and beauty. You know, not only did she dedicate her life to her family and her children, but the support that she gives me kept me grounded for years—ever since I started,” Sky mused.
“Fun fact: her Instagram name is ‘stagemom.’ It’s ‘stagemom,’ yeah! So she has always been behind me in all the tough decisions that I have as a business owner, as a performer, as her daughter. And I just admire how her strength is in supporting all her children.”
“Fun fact: her Instagram name is ‘stagemom.’ It’s ‘stagemom,’ yeah! So she has always been behind me in all the tough decisions that I have as a business owner, as a performer, as her daughter. And I just admire how her strength is in supporting all her children.”
Sky may have been a monumental figure in her own field—a woman of substance and worth herself—but nothing beats what her mom can make out of her. She is the daughter who felt she mattered more.
Sky may have been a monumental figure in her own field—a woman of substance and worth herself—but nothing beats what her mom can make out of her. She is the daughter who felt she mattered more.
“It’s really tough seeing her juggling her personality and being present in all our milestones, and it’s just very special to me that I have somebody that I can easily call. ‘Mommy, I need you here,’ and she would always be present.”
“It’s really tough seeing her juggling her personality and being present in all our milestones, and it’s just very special to me that I have somebody that I can easily call. ‘Mommy, I need you here,’ and she would always be present.”
While dancers form a special spot in Sky’s heart, she also holds a space for someone whose mindset endeared her to everyone she meets. “The other woman that I look up to is actually Dra. Vicki Belo. Her unique perspective in life and experiences are such an inspiration to many.”
While dancers form a special spot in Sky’s heart, she also holds a space for someone whose mindset endeared her to everyone she meets. “The other woman that I look up to is actually Dra. Vicki Belo. Her unique perspective in life and experiences are such an inspiration to many.”
Embracing who a person is or empowering the person to be bold for changes is a classic Vicki Belo habit. It is through her that Sky harnessed important lessons of individuality, beauty, and business, so she gives gratitude to the star dermatologist and beauty doctor.
Embracing who a person is or empowering the person to be bold for changes is a classic Vicki Belo habit. It is through her that Sky harnessed important lessons of individuality, beauty, and business, so she gives gratitude to the star dermatologist and beauty doctor.
“She is the most generous person I know and she has been an important vessel in helping me kick off my school here in the Philippines—in Manila. It’s just inspiring to know that a woman can actually build an empire with all those life experiences.”
“She is the most generous person I know and she has been an important vessel in helping me kick off my school here in the Philippines—in Manila. It’s just inspiring to know that a woman can actually build an empire with all those life experiences.”
It takes two to tango
“The energy that you give is always the energy that the kids will receive. So if you come in very unenergetic and lethargic, that’s the energy that the kids will get,” Sky asserted. Being animated, to her, is the essential character of every great dance guru.
“The energy that you give is always the energy that the kids will receive. So if you come in very unenergetic and lethargic, that’s the energy that the kids will get,” Sky asserted. Being animated, to her, is the essential character of every great dance guru.
“I also tell the kids that, ‘If that’s the energy that you want to put up on stage, that’s the energy that the audience will get.’ So the energy that you give is what you’ll receive.”
“I also tell the kids that, ‘If that’s the energy that you want to put up on stage, that’s the energy that the audience will get.’ So the energy that you give is what you’ll receive.”
Sky may be a movement coach to children—instrumental to these wunderkind’s wildest dreams—but her being a dancer tells important stories, too. The minute she takes on the stage, she becomes her own brand.
Sky may be a movement coach to children—instrumental to these wunderkind’s wildest dreams—but her being a dancer tells important stories, too. The minute she takes on the stage, she becomes her own brand.
“If you want to be in the professional dancer world scene, you really have to know everything. “It was literally ‘what can you do?’ And then I had to show them everything.”
“If you want to be in the professional dancer world scene, you really have to know everything. “It was literally ‘what can you do?’ And then I had to show them everything.”
Just like her juniors, Sky was once a wishful thinker. She waited for occasions where she can showcase her craft, seeking solace in self-expression. Today, she is an exemplar of her truth, radiating it across the room.
Just like her juniors, Sky was once a wishful thinker. She waited for occasions where she can showcase her craft, seeking solace in self-expression. Today, she is an exemplar of her truth, radiating it across the room.
“You know, it’s always the proud moment of a teacher when you see how that child is in class, but when that child steps on stage, he or she transforms into a different person through dance.”
“You know, it’s always the proud moment of a teacher when you see how that child is in class, but when that child steps on stage, he or she transforms into a different person through dance.”
“So that is something that is very powerful for us and for that kid also. I guess that’s always the best part of being a dance teacher, being a teacher in any way—when you see the progress of that child.”
“So that is something that is very powerful for us and for that kid also. I guess that’s always the best part of being a dance teacher, being a teacher in any way—when you see the progress of that child.”
Coming in her classes prepared, Sky’s everyday party trick is like this: she lets her students observe, see what’s happening around, hover as long as they like to, but tells them to be bold and brave to try new things. “That’s what I always tell them. When you’re ready, you come in.”
Coming in her classes prepared, Sky’s everyday party trick is like this: she lets her students observe, see what’s happening around, hover as long as they like to, but tells them to be bold and brave to try new things. “That’s what I always tell them. When you’re ready, you come in.”
“I think most of the kids have their walls put up and what the challenge for us then was for them to bring out that joy and that confidence in standing up in front of a lot of people and just socializing with other kids. So I let them sit down first, sit in the class, and once they’re ready, they can come in.”
“I think most of the kids have their walls put up and what the challenge for us then was for them to bring out that joy and that confidence in standing up in front of a lot of people and just socializing with other kids. So I let them sit down first, sit in the class, and once they’re ready, they can come in.”
To encourage a safe environment amongst kids, Sky also sets the tone for her sessions. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, it pleases her to know that a kid—no matter her name or her parent’s—feel protected.
To encourage a safe environment amongst kids, Sky also sets the tone for her sessions. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, it pleases her to know that a kid—no matter her name or her parent’s—feel protected.
“You know, we really have to let the kids know that the teachers are in command of the class. And all of them can be their own little leaders in class but when they step in, we practice respect. And for us, we do it in a way that it’s still in a positive reinforcement,” Sky persisted. “So we encourage a lot of yeses and to be honest, I discourage the word ‘don’t’ and ‘no’ in class.”
“You know, we really have to let the kids know that the teachers are in command of the class. And all of them can be their own little leaders in class but when they step in, we practice respect. And for us, we do it in a way that it’s still in a positive reinforcement,” Sky persisted. “So we encourage a lot of yeses and to be honest, I discourage the word ‘don’t’ and ‘no’ in class.”
Empowering young entertainers in class is a lifetime commitment for Teacher Sky. Her ambitions come along with it, and as a woman who fascinates, she wields her strongest weapons: service and compassion.
Empowering young entertainers in class is a lifetime commitment for Teacher Sky. Her ambitions come along with it, and as a woman who fascinates, she wields her strongest weapons: service and compassion.
“It’s very important for me for kids to feel safe every time they enter the class and not enter the dance class with fear,” she concluded. “‘Oh no, the teacher is there.’ ‘Oh no, my classmate is there.’ Every kid, every child, should feel that wherever they go is a safe space for them to be whoever they want to be.”
“It’s very important for me for kids to feel safe every time they enter the class and not enter the dance class with fear,” she concluded. “‘Oh no, the teacher is there.’ ‘Oh no, my classmate is there.’ Every kid, every child, should feel that wherever they go is a safe space for them to be whoever they want to be.”
Lead photo courtesy of Sky Bautista
Lead photo courtesy of Sky Bautista
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
