Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvana Romelus.
Hi yvana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a multidisciplinary creative, educator, and community builder originally from Long Island and raised in Elizabeth. I grew up loving dance, storytelling, and creating things from nothing — whether that was choreographing, filming videos, or finding ways to bring people together. Creativity has always felt like both my outlet and my responsibility.
I started by teaching myself everything. I didn’t come from elite studios or perfect training — I learned through experience, community programs, school spaces, and a lot of trial and error. Over time, that turned into teaching dance, mentoring youth, and eventually building my own platforms online. I’ve now been creating content full-time for years across multiple YouTube channels, using media as a tool to educate, document culture, and amplify voices that don’t usually get the spotlight.
But the deeper “why” behind everything I do is impact. I’ve always cared about creating spaces I wish I had growing up — especially for Black and Caribbean kids who are talented but under-resourced. That’s what pushed me to start Lakayro, my dance nonprofit focused on cultural dance, confidence, and real pathways into education, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities.
So today, my work sits at the intersection of dance, media, and community. I teach, create, organize, and build — all with the goal of helping people feel seen, skilled, and empowered. What started as just loving to dance has grown into a mission to create opportunity through culture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even a little bit smooth, if I’m being real.
I grew up between Long Island and Elizabeth, and I didn’t have the “perfect” dance kid story — no fancy studios, no private training, no industry connections. A lot of what I know, I taught myself or learned the hard way. I was always piecing things together, watching, practicing, messing up, trying again.
For a long time, I dealt with feeling like I wasn’t “trained enough” or “qualified enough,” especially in dance spaces where everyone seems super technical or comes from conservatories. I’d compare myself a lot. There were moments I almost didn’t start things — like my nonprofit — because I kept thinking, maybe I’m not ready yet.
Money was a struggle too. Taking underpaid jobs, being overworked, pouring so much into students and programs without much support back. Building my YouTube channels, classes, and community from scratch meant long nights and a lot of unpaid labor people never see. Burnout hit more than once.
But honestly, those struggles shaped me. They made me resourceful and forced me to create my own lanes instead of waiting for someone to invite me in. Now everything I build — my classes, my content, Lakayro — is rooted in making sure other kids and creatives don’t feel as lost or unsupported as I did.
So yeah, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been real, and it’s mine.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few hats, but at the core of everything I do, I’m a multi-disciplinary creative. I’m an Influencer, a dance educator, and a community builder.
My work really sits at the intersection of dance, media, and youth development. I teach dance classes and programs, create content across multiple YouTube channels, and build spaces where people — especially Black and Caribbean youth — feel seen, skilled, and confident. I also do social media consulting, helping small businesses, schools, and nonprofits figure out how to actually tell their story online and show up consistently.
Dance is my foundation. That’s where everything started. I specialize in cultural dance, foundations, and helping people feel strong and grounded in their body — not just learning choreography, but building stamina, technique, and confidence. I’m big on “train with intention,” not just vibes.
At the same time, media has become a huge part of my lane. I’ve spent years teaching myself how to film, edit, market, and grow platforms from scratch, so now I use those same skills to amplify my work and help others do the same. A lot of people can dance. A lot of people can make content. Not everyone can bridge both worlds and turn it into community impact.
I’m probably most proud of building Lakayro. Starting something from nothing — and watching it slowly become a real space for culture, training, and opportunity — means everything to me. It’s the kind of program I wish I had growing up.
What sets me apart is that I’m scrappy and self-made. I didn’t come from elite training or big funding. I learned by doing. So when I teach or build something, it’s practical, accessible, and real. I know how to meet people where they are because I’ve been there too.
At the end of the day, I’m not just trying to create good dancers or good content — I’m trying to create opportunities and open doors. That’s always the goal.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Honestly, resilience.
Not the glamorous kind — just the very unsexy, “keep going even when it’s quiet, hard, or nobody claps for you” kind.
So much of my journey has been building things from scratch with no roadmap. No big funding, no gatekeepers opening doors, no one saying “here, this is how you do it.” Whether it was teaching myself dance foundations, growing my YouTube channels, or starting Lakayro, everything came from trial, error, and trying again.
I’ve had moments where things didn’t take off, jobs underpaid me, programs fell through, or I questioned if I was even good enough to lead. And honestly, the only difference between me and people who stopped is that… I didn’t stop.
I’m not always the most trained or the most connected person in the room, but I’m consistent. If I say I’m building something, I’m going to show up for it every day until it exists. That persistence has carried me way further than talent alone ever could.
So yeah — resilience, and maybe a little stubborn faith in myself. Even when I’m doubting, I still move. And that’s made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theemlle
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theemlle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/theemademoiselle
