*The interview for this text was restricted to Reagan To’s work outdoors of movie and TV, in help of the SAG/AFTRA strike. For extra details about her onscreen profession, go to her IMDB.

Reagan To is a busy, shiny, guffawing child with countless power. However don’t let her sunny persona idiot you into pondering she’s not fiercely centered. She would possibly solely be 12 years outdated, however To has a couple of burgeoning profession beneath her belt. All smiles, with some severe talent and an unbeatable work ethic, she is a phenom for positive.

Begin the depend. To is an award-winning Latin ballroom dancer (performing jive, samba, cha cha, rumba, and paso doble). She additionally dances customary ballroom (waltz, Viennese waltz, tango, foxtrot and quickstep). She trains in ballet, hip hop and jazz funk. She has modeled for manufacturers like Nike, Previous Navy and Perpetually 21. She performs piano and flute. Oh, and did we point out her voice performing profession? You could have heard her voice on the hit Korean Netflix present Squid Sport – To voiced the viral large doll from the red-light green-light scene, in addition to the principle character’s daughter, within the English dubbed model of the present. Or, for those who’re extra of a Pixar fan, you’ll have heard her because the voice of “Massive Child Ember” within the latest animated film Elemental. That brings us to, what, 16 totally different skills? Conservatively?

So how does a tween change into a jack of all trades? “My mother was once a ballerina for a few years,” explains To. “I began taking ballet after I was 4, then took just a little break to concentrate on Latin dancing, and now I’m again in ballet. I’ve been doing Latin dancing since I used to be 5 years outdated.” This interview happened three days earlier than To’s 12^th birthday. She seemingly hasn’t wasted a second since she was a toddler.

Along with her expertise in so many alternative dance kinds, you possibly can’t assist however surprise if she has a favourite. “I’ve been making an attempt to discover various kinds of dance. I like all of them for various causes. For instance, waltz is admittedly gradual and flowy, whereas in Latin, cha cha is fast, and sharp, and upbeat. However my private favourite is unquestionably jive, as a result of it’s the final dance, it’s the quickest, and it has a number of power.” When put that manner, it looks like an apparent match.

That’s lots to maintain up with. What does To’s coaching schedule appear like? “I dance just about each single day.” We caught her at her dance studio for this interview (she had a second earlier than her classes). “I practice day by day for a minimum of three hours in my totally different kinds. It’s fairly enjoyable.”

To began center college this 12 months, and has had to determine how one can steadiness her intensive coaching together with her teachers. However with expertise like To’s, colleges are likely to discover a method to work the curriculum round her schedule. “This 12 months, I’m doing half the time at a public center college, and half the time doing homeschool. My college is versatile with me. I’m actually grateful that my district helps me with that.” She additionally performs piano, flute and a little bit of guitar. On prime of being yet one more talent, studying devices helps her perceive the musicality of the totally different genres she dances.

“I’m in degree six in piano. I began after I was actually younger. My mother additionally performs piano, and my brother performs violin. We all the time follow collectively. I’ve additionally began flute, as a result of I’m within the college band. I did it for enjoyable, as a result of I all the time like making an attempt one thing new.” She must take pleasure in making an attempt new issues, to bop 13 kinds and play three devices. “My brother is the full-time musician. He’s a degree 10 violinist. He’s fairly cool. He can play a full track immediately if he simply reads it. So he bought a guitar and began to study to play it, and I used to be so I began to study to play a bit, too.” Curiosity is one other secret superpower of To’s. She’s all the time able to have her curiosity piqued.

It may possibly’t be understated that To comes from a household stuffed with artists. From her mom’s expertise as a ballerina, to her brother’s aptitude for music, she is surrounded by artistic endeavors day by day. To typically even dances to her brother’s music. If she ever wished to tack choreography onto her record of skillsets, he may very well be her very personal composer.

In all the things that she does, whether or not that’s performing, music, or her schoolwork, To says she’s realized from dance to all the time do her greatest. “Whenever you put all of your work and energy into it, you’re going to get the consequence that you simply actually need. And you may by no means hand over. When you’ve got a dream, you must go for it.” To goes for each dream she’s bought.

So what’s this dreamer wanting ahead to? An entire roster of dance competitions to beat, together with the US Dance Championships, the Embassy Ballroom Championships, and The Worldwide Dance Pageant. “USDC is mainly nationals, and Embassy is world championships. The Worldwide is definitely within the UK, in October, and it’s one of many largest competitions on the planet,” explains To, bouncing in her seat. USDC has handed because the time of this interview, and To gained each the Nationwide Latin Champion and Nationwide Ballroom Champion titles.

To has competed within the UK earlier than, together with at the UK Dancesport Championships this previous January. “It was my first time competing internationally. I used to be a bit nervous, however I ended up inserting third.” Her most up-to-date journey was to the Blackpool Dance Competitors (in Blackpool, England) contained in the Empress Gardens Ballroom, which To says was “attractive. I positioned seventh on the planet, and I had an incredible time.” To was lately invited to be part of Staff USA at Blackpool, which is famous as being one of the prestigious ballroom competitions on the planet.

You possibly can comply with Reagan To on Instagram: @reagan_to.

By Holly LaRoche of Dance Informa.