Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanishq Joshi.
Hi Tanishq, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My dance career didn’t start off until much recently but how I got into dance definitely goes back a few years. Almost seven years ago, I was in my hometown in India where I got run over by a car which caused multiple fractures in my left leg. I had to undergo surgery because the only way the doctors could fix my leg was by inserting metal rods and screws in it. After a year of long recovery, I had been advised by the doctors to also undergo physical therapy. Instead of signing up for a traditional physical therapy session, I joined a dance class in the area and that’s where I discovered my passion for dance.
I decided to travel to the United States for higher studies in Finance at Drexel University and luckily, I even bagged a full scholarship thanks to my academic record and performing arts scholarships. I even earned $25,000 from Live Mas Scholarship by Taco Bell Foundation for showcasing my outstanding leadership in dance. Once I was in the US, I trained as much as I could. I financially supported myself by doing a 9-5, a part-time job as a barista at Starbucks, and taking a full course load in the university. I traveled on the weekends to New York to attend dance workshops and even joined a dance team “Creative Reaction” to train more. My perseverance started paying off when I choreographed and danced for my team at World of Dance, Philadelphia and won 2nd place. I performed with my team for Pharrell Williams for his music festival “Something In The Water” in Virginia in front of an audience of 100,000.
When I graduated, I decided to establish my own e-commerce business to provide creative dance and choreography services for advertisement to brands across all platforms. I worked as a choreographer and director for a social media ad campaign for Fanta, The Coca Cola Company. I eventually started teaching across the globe due to my increasing social media presence. I featured in multiple dance conventions in India, Dubai, London, etc. Even the pandemic couldn’t stop my hustle! I trained at home and taught online via Zoom in multiple countries. I posted dance videos that got reposted by artists like Missy Elliott, Teyana Taylor, Shakira, BEP, Tiger Shroff, Nora Fatehi, etc. I also became one of the first South Asians to teach at globally renowned dance studios like Tmilly TV, Snowglobe Perspective, West Coast Dance Theatre, etc. I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for me. There’s a million things I haven’t done!
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all for me considering I’m not a US citizen. I initially came into the US on a student visa so by default, I was prohibited to work anywhere else except school. I knew I couldn’t earn money through dance, so I took this to my advantage and hosted free dance classes. I would hold open sessions and call all dancers in the city to come, learn, and share. I trained as hard as I could in Philadelphia and New York and learned foundations from the best these cities could offer. I made myself socially present, but unfortunately I was stereotyped at every single turn I took along this journey and as a matter of fact, I still am. I was always seen as a good dancer “for an Indian”. This notion bothered me until I started making this my strength. I would now reach out to brands, choreographers, collaborations, and talent agencies showcasing my skills and how I fuse that with my cultural heritage. I teach at the biggest dance studios in LA and across the world online but I make sure I teach to a Bollywood song fusing that with street styles like Hip Hop, Popping, House, etc. that I was trained in.
This way, I’m challenging the stereotype in the baddest way I can. I’m proud to be an Indian and it runs through my veins. That being said, I still dance in the same music videos and big projects as other LA industry dancers without letting go of where I come from because I’m not just a really good dancer “for an Indian” I’m skilled and my craft speaks for itself. Period.
Unfortunately, another hurdle that I’m facing currently is my application for an artist’s visa in the US. Because I started dancing and training professionally after I came to the US, I am unable to show major awards received in my home country, or TV show deals to back my application up. Everyday does seem like a step closer though especially now that recently I got signed by MSA which is one of the top dance agencies in the US. However, even after getting recognized by major newspapers and magazines back home, it is still not enough and needs more work. Nevertheless, I believe in myself and know that everything is going to work out in the end because I’m not going to stop at any cost that’s a fact.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the CEO of my e-commerce business “Asha Creative, LLC”. It’s a creative service where we offer dance, choreography, visuals, etc. to brands and businesses for advertisement purposes. I’m a professional dancer and my heart lies in entertainment so I want to bridge the advertisement needs of a brand with skills that an entertainer has to offer. For example, if a brand like Coca Cola reaches out to my business for services, I’d sub-contract dancers through my roster, videographer, lighting director, location manager, etc., make a visual according to the needs of the brand and submit it to their marketing team for review. This way, I’m giving jobs to dancers that need representation and more work and at the same time doing what I do best: create!
In addition to all my past accomplishments which I’m proud of, I’ve recently been an instructor for the world-renowned Shiamak Dawar’s USA team, and taught at several other dance conventions across India virtually. I also got the opportunity to dance and feature in Josh Killacky’s “Talk Body” music video, Ar’mon & Trey’s “Get Back” music video, World of Dance Fitness Visual, and work with several brands like Zee5, Bumble, Champion, ZinApp, SweatCoin, Sharkys, etc.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support me by connecting me with people that work for major brands. I want to represent my country and dancers in general to push the idea of dancers advertising products, dancers performing on stage and on tour not behind artists but by themselves, dancers hosting shows and getting awards and credit for what they deserve. The more diverse connections and projects I work on the better it is for the community. I’m also always down to collaborate on unique projects. All I ask for is a vision!
Pricing:
- IG Story: $50
- IG Post: $100
- IG Video: $150
- Music Video (Solo): $300-400
- Music Video (Group): $600-800
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://taneesky.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taneesky/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tanishq/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHxzbIpRUPYI9xZW8P7hJRg
Image Credits:
Personal Photo: Zara Alina Photography
