Rising Stars: Meet Dominique Battiste

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Battiste.

Hi Dominique, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing at the early age of two years old in Oakland, CA and began my training under the direction of my mother, Kim Sims – Battiste, and her company Culture Shock Oakland. The next 16 years of my life were filled with conventions, competitions, classes, and everything that you can think of that comes with pursuing a dance career, LOL. I knew my passion was to become a professional dancer so after graduating from Oakland School for the Arts in 2014, I was off to LA to pursue my career.

Shortly after my arrival to LA, I was blessed with the opportunity to dance for the legend herself Janet Jackson. THAT was the moment my life completely changed FOREVER. The woman I am now is grateful for the young lady I was back then and I will always express my feelings about my journey in that way. I tend to remind myself not to be regretful about things in life because I’ve learned especially now that a lot of things happen for reasons unknown nine times out of ten. Gratitude has sincerely become an emotion I find myself expressing more than other emotions lately and is something I hope to inspire others to express more often, just for the simple fact it raises your vibrations.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
If everything we wanted in life was easy to get or have, we would have had it a long time ago or gotten it right at that moment. So to answer your question HELL NO there was no smooth road, lol. Overall with this being such a competitive industry by nature and with everyone’s mindsets not on the same page, it is bound to get overwhelming for everyone, especially in the beginning.

I am a very friendly person and tend to connect with people easier than others may, but I QUICKLY found out that not everybody has the same mentality as I do, in realizing that there is room for everybody to eat. I truly believe in healthy competition and keeping each other on our toes to put our best foot forward at all times. Not everyone thinks like that and at first, it genuinely did hurt my feelings. However, as I began to progress throughout my journey I surrounded myself with the energies of those who I resonate with on a higher level both inside and outside of my artistry.

I was also not the slimmest thang growing up so I battled with finding a steady diet to keep me in good shape consistently. I got counted out by a lot of people, talked about by a lot of people, and mistreated by a lot of people.

But the one thing those moments taught me is to NEVER let the actions of others allow you to compromise your character.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would have to say as an artist and creative overall, I’m most proud of honestly staying true to me. It is very easy to look right and left and let the paths of others deter you from your own. I would have to say I’m also proud of how level-headed and grounded I am because that allows me to remain balanced in life when I’m creating and dancing. I honestly just do what my body does and what feels good. Forcing things is beyond draining and can unconsciously drain you of your passion to create or passion to dance.

When I choreograph, I want you to feel something. When I dance, I want you to feel something. Dance is a feeling! Periodt.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I will always show love and give credit to MY MOTHER KIMMY!!!!!!! She is the definition of MY ROCK! Every step of the way, she never missed a beat or misled me in any phase of my life. She is my best friend and my biggest supporter in any and everything. I could not have asked for anyone more exceptional than my Mother to guide, support, protect, and love me. I love you, mom!

Now…The LIST of people that deserve credit also is truly a long one but YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE REALLY! What’s understood does not always need to be said, but please KNOW that whether it was a small or big influence you had or still have in my life. You gave me thing(s) to carry with me throughout my journey and for that, I am forever grateful for you.

Last but not least…God. With all my heart I have to THANK YOU for choosing me even when I didn’t know to choose you. For being the source for it all and still allowing me to claim the victory as my own, lol. For loving me unconditionally even with all my flaws. For believing in me more than I believed in you at times. For giving me the power to walk this earth with a purpose.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @minitiste