Today we’d like to introduce you to Taisha Monique Clark.
Hi Taisha Monique, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in a small town called Portsmouth, in good old New England, New Hampshire to be exact. From as early as I can remember, I was super active, loved music and dancing, and I used to act out scenes for my stuffed animals and perform monologues for them as a kid, all foreshadowing of what was to come in my adult years. I was blessed enough to get the opportunity to dance professionally, for some amazing artists, for almost a decade, and I got to travel around the world, doing film and television, and got to experience things that very few can say they’ve done! And I am so incredibly blessed and grateful for that. After my professional dance career, dancing for artists as missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne. Shakira, and on tv shows like GLEE … I decided to take my acting journey and training seriously. Amidst this, I was blessed and able enough to establish my own brand and my own company, in which I focus on teaching dance, mentoring up-and-coming professional dancers, ages 5 to adults- as well as just working with kids and adults who want to use movement as a form of exercise. I started about seven years ago at a bunch of dance studios, with a bunch of classes, all over the place.
And now I’ve managed to run my business based solely on my own private classes and clients and making a name for myself as an instructor, and mentor for dancers, and people who want to use dance for fitness. My passion is to see people glow and grow, to see people evolve, to see people learn how dance can be therapy for their minds and their bodies, and I just love seeing people win! So during this amazing journey as an actor, I am super grateful to be able to make a living- living my passion while pursuing my other passion! I’m looking forward to reaching a wider audience and helping more and more people embrace their inner sensuality, their physical fitness, and their mental and spiritual health and growth.
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?
As everyone knows, life is never completely smooth sailing, there were a lot, a lot of obstacles and getting to this point, and I assume there will be more going forward, but I’ve always believed in myself, and I know that my path is already written, and in my heart and soul I know what my purpose on this earth is, whether it’s through dance and fitness, through acting, or through storytelling in any other way, I intend on fulfilling my life’s purpose through art and love And sharing my light however, and wherever I can!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been in the industry for a while, dancing behind some of your favorite artists, as well as on TV and film. I have taken in all of this knowledge and experience, and I’ve started teaching the next generation of dancers, and performers, not just how to dance but how to dance and make it their business. I was blessed to have a ten years career as a professional dancer, so in my mentoring program that’s what we focus on. I also, like I mentioned, teach individuals who just want to use different kinds of movement for their fitness goals or to add to their fitness routines. I work with people who are on weight loss journeys. I work with people who are already super fit and want to loosen up, and I also have an extensive background in conditioning, as far as calisthenics go and stretch goes. I was trained as a ballerina majority of my life, as well as in modern dance techniques so I also incorporate those elements into a lot of what I do. I know there are a lot of dance teachers, and mentors and instructors out there, but the thing that I know sets me apart is that I actually really, really enjoy seeing people grow and achieve their dreams.
Almost so that I sometimes put my dreams on the back burner, I am working on that. But, at the end of the day I again know my life‘s purpose and completely 100% know that helping others achieve their goals is part of it. I am super proud of the fact that I was able to start a dance company two years ago, and I have over 20 members who actively are involved in the company, obviously due to the recent pandemic, we aren’t able to meet in that capacity, but, I found ways to keep my company working, creative and busy during this time of course—safely and in small numbers. I also choreograph and artist direct for musical artists, so singers and rappers that are putting together music videos and projects, I’ve also done a lot of work with that. I’m also always looking forward to reaching musicians and artists who are looking for creative direction and choreography as part of their vision.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people when they meet me, don’t think that I grew up in a super small town, with very limited options, up until the age of 18 years old. Especially as a woman of color, you don’t get a lot of people from where I am from pursuing their dreams and goals in the capacity that I have in the last 15 years. So I love to tell people that even if you are in a small town for majority of your life thus far, and you have goals and dreams of whatever it is, you can make it happen, just keep focused on your part, and God or the universe, or whomever you believe in, will do the rest.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @imtaishamonique @dfnladies @dfnkidz
Image Credits:
@sirabisnapped @electricaesthetic
