SAMUEL COLINA
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Hey There!
Thank you for checking out my biography & wanting to get to know a bit more about me! When asked to describe myself, I always return to my love of learning new things & being curious about the world around me. This has led me to become a multi-faceted performer with a ferocious drive & passion.
A few facts about my life... I was born in the mountains of Caracas, Venezuela, with my early childhood cultivated in the colourful streets of the small village I grew up in called El Junquito. My earliest memories are looking out the window & smelling the mountain air, hearing monkeys howl & birds chirp overtop the painted buildings. Ever since I could remember, my parents have always been artistically inclined, with my father's talented voice & my mother having a love for dance. Their admiration of human expression allowed me to feel creative freedom in whatever I put my mind to. We later left Venezuela to pursue a safer life in the U.S., finding refuge in South Florida.
While I was flipping and tumbling, another passion was bubbling up – marine biology. Documentaries became my go-to, opening my eyes to the mesmerizing wonders beneath the ocean's surface (I ended up with a minor degree in it). But, oh, sitting still was never my strong suit. So, alongside the flips, I joined my older sister and delved into the world of theatre and performance in high school.
Growing up with two sisters, our living room doubled as a spontaneous theatre. We'd put on plays, magic shows, dance concerts... (you name it) for our parents, written programmes on napkins, jotted in pen. I was always a hyperactive curious kid who climbed trees and watched Animal Planet. In an attempt to put my energy to use, my parents threw me into gymnastics, hoping it would turn into something. Nine years later, I had soared above and beyond expectations and advanced to the pre-Olympic level. It was during my time working as a gymnast that I learned the importance of discipline and also how I gained my signature athleticism in my movement.
Now, let me tell you about my post-grad life. It's been a whirlwind of non-stop performances and a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. Since graduation, I have been part of countless productions, donned the Dance Captain hat many a time, Indie films, commercials, equity shows, industrial dance performances, an opera, a ballet, and three national tours (my latest being 'A Chorus Line' in Tokyo, directed by original cast member Baayork Lee. My work ethic is my compass; it drives me to pursue excellence and true understanding and explore the depths of my talents as a multidisciplinary artist. The stage is my canvas, and I paint it with passion and dedication.
The stage felt like my playground, and I revelled in the blending of acting and music. I was seriously driven to learn more and more about this shiny new world of music. Self-taught, I dived into piano and music theory, driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge. It was a crazy ride, but it led me to the desire to continue training at New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, where I pursued acting with a music theatre emphasis. Summa cum laude? Yep, that happened.
Giving back is important too! I've been doing the teaching thing on the side and leading the bright and bushy-tailed young pros in their academic endeavours including private voice, music theory, and piano. A majority of my mentoring has been at South Broward High School, where I've spearheaded a master class series, tackling everything from song prep to Shakespeare. Alongside, I made my guest-teaching international debut 2022 in Osaka, Japan.
Currently in my journey, I am vibing in Queens, New York, teaching voice and piano and guest teaching ballet and jazz on the regular. Future collaborations tba.
From the sandy shores of Venezuela to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, I'm Samuel Colina – a name synonymous with drive, talent, and a voracious appetite for knowledge; My story is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the boundless potential that unfold when you follow your heart onto the stage of life. And trust me, the show is just getting started!
