Clara Ruiz Linaje is a social impact manager that chronicles her dance journey on social media, allowing her audience to follow her experiences living in and traveling to different places.
Clara was born on June 19th 1996 in Madrid, Spain. She studied Business and International Relations in Madrid, while doing exchange programs in Montreal, Canada and Mumbai, India.
She has danced with icons such as Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, Tanzanian dancer Angel Nyigu and many Kenyan content creators such as Flirty Carlos, Tileh Pacbro, Shiksha Arora, Barack Jacuzzi, Voda Salano, Nduta Mwega, The Ragz, Ayomar, Chilubatheone, Kendi Christine and many more.
Who is Clara Ruiz Linaje and where were you born and raised?
I am known for being a social media content creator, sharing my dance journey and my travels, but that is actually only part of my life. Additionally to that, I am a social impact project manager in an education and technology startup, so that is my 9 to 5.
I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain!
What kind of student were you at school?
Overall I was a good student. I had rebel phases here and there, especially as a kid, but overall I actually enjoyed learning and I was good at studying. My last years, G10-12 I was very focused on my studies and even tutored other younger peers in Language and Math.
What did you want to study after you had completed your Grade 12? Did you manage to do that? If not, why not?
I knew I wanted to understand the world, how it worked. I was interested in how politics, society and money made the world go round. So I found a perfect combination: I studied Business and International Relations.
The love for the Arts, where did it all begin?
Probably when I was 5 or 6. I used to go to ballet and flamenco classes. When I was at home and we had guests, I used to dress up as a flamenco dancer or a pop star and perform for them. I also loved singing. LOL, I was a very extroverted kid. Then it faded away. As a teenager and an adult, I liked playing instruments and singing with my dad, and I was always very dancy and liked to go out dancing with my friends. But none of it was serious or consistent.
It was only when I moved to Nairobi in September 2021 that I started seriously learning to dance. I joined Chiluba’s afro dance classes and attended them consistently. I saw crazy growth! If you saw me back then and compared it with how I dance now, you would be surprised! That is why I like sharing my dance journey on social media. I find it very inspiring for myself so I hope it can inspire others too.
How often do you dance? How long does it take you to learn a choreo?
I used to dance around 3 times a week when I was learning more intensively. Now, I dance 1-2 times a week. Some weeks I go without dancing :’( but I try to not do that too much. I am actually a very fast learner when it comes to learning choreos! Of course it depends on the length and the difficulty of the moves, but a short choreo I can learn in 10-20 minutes. A longer choreo might take 30-45 minutes 🙂
What are you currently working on?
In terms of my content creation, I want to continue creating amazing content related to dance and travel.
I will continue to do dance choreographies from the classes I attend, I have some music videos coming up, and I hope I can travel more soon and share it with you guys. I am also working with brands that I admire and I support. I also want to create more content talking to the camera. I want to share more about myself and start a conversation with the people that follow my journey, especially youth and women. I would love to know what is in your mind and how I can provide tips, experience and inspiration to help you reach your personal goals <3
What can you say to someone who wants to Dance?
I would say go for it. You don’t need to know to start. You don’t need “have it in you” to start. Dance can be for you, and it doesn’t matter how you look doing it. There are amazing teachers in Nairobi, like @chilubatheone (also offers online classes), @itsayomar with her @afrosassy_ classes, @amuna_kenya with his @artika_dance classes and many more.
Even if you don’t want to attend classes, you have free online resources on youtube that you can get started with! Pro tip: ask yourself what do you want to get out of dance, what do you expect to get as benefits. Once it is clear for you, you will enjoy it much more and feel much more committed!
