Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyrese Starling
Hi Tyrese, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I personally have always loved to dance but I would say my story started at the age of 17. In my junior year of high school Versa Style Dance Company came to recruit dancers for a UCLA dance intensive, and I was lucky enough to be one of the chosen few. This dance intensive was the place I first witnessed street dance styles, and was taught the foundations and histories of them. This knowledge quite literally changed my life, as I was quickly hooked to the culture. After the intensive I continued to work closely with Versa Style Dance Company joining their next generation program from 2018 – 2023. During this time I continued to fall in love the culture diving deep into my own craft. With countless hours of conversations, sessions, and community events I began to find my own style within my chosen styles. I began to make a name for myself as a participant within the street dance community, transitioning from Tyrese to Taktic. Addicted to the battle culture within the street dance community Ive gone toe to toe against the same people who’ve both inspired me and taught me. I began to give back to the culture through teaching, working for several non profits from Versa Style, Inner City Arts, Everybody dance, and AHJN. At this current moment I teach dance in Juvenile detention centers aiming to make any positive impact possible. I continue to perform with Versa Style making my way on to their new B company Versa Style Legacy. In this company I perform educational school shows weekly, hoping to inspire different youth the same way I was found. We have had many gigs in LA, and beyond, performing in Canada, and Mexico just this year. I now go to school at the same place my inspiration was birthed being UCLA. Im currently a senior on path to graduate as a dance major this fall. My goal is simply to continue, I never expected I could be here but I am truly living my dream. I aim to triple everything Ive done before my time as a participant is over.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I honestly can say it’s been a smooth road. I believe I was meant to be here. I asked my mother in middle school if she felt I could be a dancer when I grew up, and she answered “of course you can” and brought me application papers for Ramon C Cortines the next day. Before I knew it, I met Versa Style, soon after that I met my community. Ive never questioned the love I found for street dance as nothing else in my life compares to the passion I have for it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say as a street dance practitioner I am most in love with the battles within the community. I have always been competitive so the idea of a battle has always been exhilarating. I work hard to be able to a participant in these battles and competing is never guaranteed as you must past preliminaries before you can participate. Before this year I had only won two battles in my life. This year I won five battles. Ive also made it to the finals a total of nine times. This growth / accomplishments is what I am most proud of. I specialize in HipHop this is my main style and the style I feel separates me from others. I feel comfortable representing myself in the same space as anyone else within this style. My secondary style is House. Out of the five battles Ive won they’ve all been open styles battles meaning you can do any style you want. Ive used both HipHop and House to achieve these wins. Within my movement I would say my energy, groove, and the way I listen to music makes me special. These are the three things I keep in mind when battling or performing. My energy represents my excitement to be in the space, my groove represents my embodiment of the foundation of a style. and my way of listening represents my intense love for the music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: taktic__
Image Credits
NA
