Meet Tierra Strike of Los Angeles, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tierra Strike.

Hi Tierra, 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?
Who is Tierra Strike ?

Tierra Strike, aka Coach T, is a native of Los Angeles (Inglewood, Ca). an artist who storytells through the lens of dance, theatre, and acting. My love for performing began at home—dancing in the kitchen with my mom while listening to 102.3 KJLH, and running back and forth to catch Soul Train on Channel 5. I would mimic the dancers’ moves, act out scenes, and soak in every bit of rhythm and expression. My aunt, cheering, “Shake what ya momma gave you!” gave my mom the final push to place me in performing arts programs.

I attended Bancroft Middle School, where I studied dance for three years under Ms. Dina Van Minnen, who introduced me to the Pioneers of Modern Dance—Dunham, Graham, Duncan, Tharp, St. Denis, and Alvin Ailey. Under her guidance, I learned to blend modern dance techniques with my hip-hop freestyle background, which became the foundation for developing my own authentic style of storytelling through movement.

Inspired and eager to grow, I auditioned for dance placement at Hamilton High School, where Karen McDonald conducted my audition and further broadened my artistry.

As my artistic palette expanded, so did my passions. I began exploring theatre and acting, eventually auditioning for the musical “What’s Going On,” written and directed by Mark E. Swinton, where I was cast in the ensemble. That opportunity led to a lead role in the play “Mrs. Dottie’s Holiday.”

After graduating, I continued my dance training, touring, and performing. I later auditioned and was cast in Season 7 of Motivating Excellence under Rhapsody James and Nicco Annan, an experience that ultimately led to my appearance on ALL AMERICAN.

One of my many proudest moments was choreographing for KJLH’s Tammi Mac one-woman show “Bag Lady,” which went on to win three NAACP Theatre Awards and receive multiple additional honors.

In addition to my ongoing creative work, I dedicate my time, energy, and knowledge to communities across Los Angeles County, coaching and mentoring youth by collaborating with various nonprofit organizations.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The entertainment industry is not a simple or easy road. There have been hiccups, challenges, and countless moments of growth along the way. I don’t like to call them mistakes — I call them lessons. One of the greatest lessons I carry came from my acting coach, the late Dustin Felder. He taught me that there are no mistakes, only lessons, and from those lessons come your wins. That mindset has carried me through every season of my journey.

Navigating this space as an actor, dancer, creative artist, and storyteller is not for the faint of heart. This lifestyle isn’t mechanical or neatly organized — you build it as you go. You learn to be courageous one step at a time because there is no paved road ahead of you. Unlike other industries, this one requires you to create your own path, redefine yourself often, and trust the unknown. And through all of it, the most important thing you can do is be kind — kind to yourself and kind to others.

I’ve learned so much from the people who have poured into me: supporters, friends, family, acting coaches, directors, dance teachers, choreographers, and creative directors. Whether the experiences were great or simply okay, they all shaped me. I remain a student of life, always absorbing, always evolving.

What has truly grounded me — what has given me the resilience to keep going despite industry pressures, despite the doubts, the “did I book it?” or “am I good enough?” moments — is my faith in Jesus Christ. My faith in God has been my anchor, my foundation. Without it, I would have broken. With it, I know this path is part of my purpose. Not just to be seen on stage or on set, but to give back, to connect, to uplift. I love being a destiny helper — someone who creates pathways and connects people with the opportunities meant for them.

One of the most beautiful truths about this industry is the power of community. In dance, in theatre, in film — community is everything. It teaches you how to support others, how to receive support, and how to grow together. And beyond being an artist, community is essential as a human being. That is where strength comes from. That is where support multiplies. And that is one of the greatest gifts this journey continues to give me.

( Book Reference – The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest)

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known for bringing joy, depth, and authenticity into any space I step into — whether it’s a set, a stage, or a studio. I naturally like to have fun when I’m creating, but that fun comes with intention. When I collaborate — in dance, in acting, or in my own creative work — I want people to experience something grounded, open, kind, colorful, and deeply human. Whatever the tone of the piece is — beautifully tragic or beautifully astonishing — I want it to feel alive.

That same intention extends to the youth artists I work with, from preteens to teenagers. With them, the expectations are the same, but the approach includes more structure because they need it. After COVID, many youth have become less engaged and less rooted in community, so for me, the first priority is connection. We check in. We play a game. We see how everyone is doing. And sometimes, we don’t make it to the choreography or the scene work — because in that moment, that isn’t the real work. The real work is the young person in front of me.

My mentor and choreographer, Rhapsody James, said something during Motivating Excellence Season 7 that I carry with me everywhere: “It’s about the dance, but it’s not about the dance — but it’s still about the dance.” That philosophy lives in everything I do. It’s revelation. It’s confirmation. It’s affirmation. It reminds me that artistry is about people first.

When I create a space — whether for professionals or for youth — I want it to be safe. Safe for their feelings. Safe for their process. Safe for who they are in that moment. There so much muchness going on that for may be that one hour session or class they can have their defenses down.. and thats when the real begins..

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
To navigate this industry, you must have a foundation — something you are anchored in. For some, that anchor is faith; for others, it may be values, principles, or self-knowledge. Whatever it is, you have to be grounded. Without that anchor, it’s easy to be swayed, to say yes to things that might shake your integrity.

It starts with yourself. You have to check in with yourself, do the internal work, and build the resilience to sustain your journey. You can dream of mountaintops, you can aim for the destinations, but if the foundation isn’t strong, those peaks can crumble. Being open to the internal work — understanding who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re willing to give or not give — ensures that when you reach your goals, you do so without compromising yourself.

Your growth also depends on your community. Show love. Give support. Receive support. Those connections feed back into you and help you grow. But alongside that, you must learn to pivot — to know when to let go, when to receive, when to step into the spotlight, and when to exit gracefully. Understanding your role in your season, your position in your journey, allows you to be authentically and vulnerably yourself.

All of this stems from knowing yourself, being rooted, and remaining open — open to correction, open to learning, and always a student of life. With a firm foundation, you can navigate the highs and lows of this industry with integrity, courage, and grace.

READ- READ- READ, STUDY , And be in your field and play a lot, be uncomfortable. BE A KID AGAIN!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @TierraStrike

Image Credits
WES KLAIN