Lauren Quiroz's day job and after-work pastime are about as different as hip-hop and country music, literally. The cowboy boot-wearing marketing coordinator for Justin Brands moonlights as a member of Airheadz hip-hop team, dancing in professional competitions on stage. We chatted with Lauren to learn more about her out-of-office gig.
You're from Chicago originally. How did you end up in Fort Worth? I was recruited to attend Texas Christian University as a member of their equestrian team. I loved Fort Worth so much I just stuck around after I graduated.
Tell us about your day job. I'm the marketing communications coordinator for Justin Brands and help develop their online presence. I never thought I would be working for a Western boot company, but the equestrian background did lend itself well to adjusting very quickly and easily to the market here. I've completely adapted. I love going to rodeos; I now love country music; and I love everything about the Western industry.
What motivated you to start hip-hop dancing? After I graduated, I didn't get to ride as much because the horses I have are retired from competition. I needed to find something else to fill my time. So I started going to a local 24 Hour Fitness and saw there was a hip-hop cardio class. I've always loved dancing. I started going and hung in the back row at first, but slowly moved my way closer to the front. I got to know people and started to make friends.
How did you become a member of the Airheadz hip-hop dance team? The instructor told us he was going to teach a dance workshop in Dallas. I thought, I am going to do something brave. So, by myself, I went to his class. I loved it. He said, "You picked up on that really well. I'm putting together a team for the World of Dance competition in two months. Would you like to join my dance crew?" I made a kneejerk decision and told him I would love to. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into.
What was your first competition like? I was a little bit shocked at the whole situation. I honestly don't remember much of anything when I was on stage. But ever since then, I have settled in. We have done five or six competitions now, mostly in Dallas. We're talking about taking a trip to Atlanta for a competition soon.
What did your friends and family think of your new hobby? They were a little surprised at first. Everyone knew I loved dancing, but they did not expect me to take up hip-hop and performing with a dance crew. It's a completely new world to most of them, but they now come to shows and can't wait to see the videos of our performances.
How often do you practice your hip-hop dancing? I'm still at the gym five days a week. It's good cardio, and it's a good workout. We'll practice routines sometimes after cardio class.
Do you still like to go out and dance at clubs? I love going out dancing. But when I'm with my friends, I'm just the same as everyone else. I'm not jumping out in the middle of the dance floor saying, "Watch this!" There's no circle forming around me at the bar at night.
Any plans to pursue a dance career down the road? It's something that I've truly come to enjoy. But I don't quite foresee myself taking dance on as a professional thing. I love my day job.
How has being a part of a hip-hop dance team changed your life? Spending so much time training for something isn't new to me, so life hasn't changed in that manner. However, in dancing, I have made so many new friends and even found a whole new level of confidence.
