MALIBU LOCALS ONLY: THE DANCING MOTELIER

Eric Rochin, who today runs the Malibu Motel, began his career as a ballet dancer with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet Company.  After retiring from the dance world, Eric and his wife Deborah Collodel (also a former professional dancer) settled in Malibu with their two children.  Tastybaby caught up with Eric, whom we affectionately dubbed “the dancing motelier,” to find out what enticed him to make such a drastic change in his career, only to find that being a ballet dancer and a “motelier” are not all that different!

- Eric Rochin, Contributing Writer

I became a “motelier” by way of the design facet of my character.  I have always designed and built things, even when I was dancing.   I am always creating something.  I bought the Malibu Motel as a redevelopment project, initially – I had no experience running a motel.  Before I completely renovated it, while obtaining permits, I ran the Motel and really enjoyed it.

I’d never really had regular income given my previous artistic lifestyle, and having a business with regular income was appealing.  The biggest challenge I face is making people happy.  Performing [in the ballet] is very similar to the motel business: you are constantly working to please people.  When you do make them happy, they reward you for all your hard work has attained.

I was very fortunate to have made my living as a dancer, and to have my first experience with the Joffrey Ballet.  I worked with many great artists, from Placido Domingo to Mark Morris.  Throughout my career as a dancer, I pushed myself as an artist to try new things and never to get comfortable.  I continue this philosophy in everything I do. 

Eric and his wife on the dance floor

The discipline needed to be a dancer is beyond belief, and if you can make it as a dancer, you can do anything.  Dancing will always be a part of my life – it is in my DNA.

I have traveled all over the world and tried to find another place as wonderful as Malibu.  So far, I have not.  The ocean, mountains, people and spirit of Malibu are unique.  There is a special spirit here which insulates us from the rest of the world; this spirit protects us.

Every day is the perfect day in Malibu!  The rain, fog, wind and sun are all welcome changes, but being in Malibu is the perfect day.