Today we’d like to introduce you to Tianna Holly-Haynie.
Hi Tianna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started dancing at four years old in my hometown Chico, California. I started off in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and I was in Musical Theatre. I basically trained in all styles but it wasn’t long before I fell in love with Hip-Hop. I began dancing competitively at age eight and that’s when my passion for dance grew stronger. I loved performing! I would study the “older” teens routines and go home and practice them in my room for hours. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a professional dancer. As a young child, I knew the choreography to every music video on TV and I remember thinking “That’s going to be me one day!” I would make up routines in my room and not just quick fun routines, I would choreograph to the whole song, rehearse and then perform it for whoever was around.
In High School, I attended Inspire School of Arts and Sciences and it was there that I found my love for teaching/choreography. That same year I started teaching at a nearby studio in Paradise, Ca. Throughout High School I was balancing teaching at the studio, choreographing routines for school, the school dance team and work, and my own rehearsals for the competitive company I was on. And then, to make things more hectic, I started traveling to San Francisco, Ca, a 3.5-hour drive from Chico to further my dance training. Because I couldn’t drive to LA to train, I would just learn choreography from YouTube from my favorite choreographers and I remember thinking I couldn’t wait to be in LA to train.
Right after graduating High School in 2013, I knew I needed to make the move to LA but that was easier said than done. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but somehow, someway I would be there. I would make the 7-hour drive just for agency auditions and would make it to the last round but never got a callback.
In August 2017, I finally made the move to LA to follow my dreams. After auditioning year after year for different agencies, I finally got signed with Bloc Talent Agency in December 2021. I have done music videos here and there and some stage work but I still have a lot of goals to check off my list. I LOVE to be on stage. That is where I thrive and feel the happiest! My dream is to be on tour and I know my time is coming soon! Right now, I am just very thankful to be able to live here and continue to go after my dream every day!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up, I didn’t really realize how hard my parents were working so that I could do what I love. I definitely didn’t understand the amount of money they were spending to even keep me in dance. Even though it wasn’t easy for them, they didn’t show me the struggle if that makes sense. So in my mind, I was living a pretty charmed life and everything was smooth. Now that I’m an adult, I can look back and I actually understand now that it was definitely not a smooth road for them and I know the sacrifices they made to keep me in dance.
I thought my biggest obstacles as a child were balancing school and dance but as an adult, there are so many more obstacles you face especially trying to chase your dreams.
I didn’t think it would be easier once I moved here but it wasn’t until I got here that I really started facing obstacles. I didn’t have any money saved or a job lined up when I moved. I did thankfully have my parent’s full support in the beginning but as you know, this city is not cheap and they have their own bills to pay. Once I started working, balancing work and dance was a struggle. Finding a job with flexibility but also one that I can actually live off of and maintain my lifestyle was hard. Finding financial stability has been the biggest struggle.
Another obstacle that I am constantly working through is self-confidence. In this industry, it may take 100 no’s to get to one yes. It’s very easy to start over-analyzing everything and nitpicking every part of myself and thinking “Why not me” or “I wish I could’ve book that job”. It sounds so cliche but there really is power in knowing there is only one you and no one else is like you. I do believe that what is for me will not pass me and God’s timing is always right.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I still have so much I would like to accomplish and so many goals to check off but I am most proud of my perseverance. I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life and I have never questioned that no matter how hard it gets.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say optimism, my compassion, and kindness. I feel like these three qualities will always guide me through success at any point in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tiannamonae
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tiannamonae
Image Credits
Alissa Roseborough
