Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Ja Farr.
De’Ja, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My journey began in Texarkana, Arkansas, at the age of 2, when I told my mother that I wanted to be a professional dancer. She was shocked because no one in our family had ever expressed interest in the arts, but I was persistent at that age, and luckily for me, she enrolled me in dance classes that following year. I took ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary classes well into college, but ultimately stopped dancing and decided to graduate with a Bachelors of Nursing degree in 2015 from the University of Oklahoma. The decision to stop dancing changed the course of my entire life. I fell into a really dark place and couldn’t find happiness for years. I was so torn because I loved nursing, but I knew something was missing. I decided to move to Dallas and go for my dreams. Dance saved me. I’m 26 years old now, and I can truthfully say dance is still my biggest passion! I can’t imagine dance not being apart of my life in some capacity. I’m a Registered Nurse, Professional Dance Artist, and Dance Teacher in the DFW area. Most recently, I spent my summer dancing in Israel with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company training in Gaga, ballet, modern, contemporary, and improvisation. I’m eager to keep dancing professionally and teaching. It’s not always easy, the dance world can be harsh, and I have experienced rejection because I’m a woman of color and I have felt ostracized due to my lack of a “dancer’s body.” I’m working hard to break stereotypes. Overall, I’m an artist that dances and choreographs, and my goal is to have inclusion and representation in my work.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a freelance dance artist, and my latest project is an Improvisation Workshop Series called Impulse Improv. My goal is to bring inclusion and representation because dance is for everyone. Class is held outside in the fresh air or in a studio. I facilitate tasks that help the dancer create movement. My classes are a judgment-free zone and a safe environment to learn, play, and work on healthy dance technique. I know improvisation can be scary, but it encourages creativity and self-discovery, which is a key to the development of a dancer. I believe that when you take away the pressure to perform, it brings emotional healing and a sense of community, and that’s all I want for my fellow dancers. I’m also a participant in class, and I use what I come up with to choreograph pieces, that I plan on entering into dance festivals around Texas.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
Keep going. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when the people you thought would support you don’t. It’s okay! Find new ways to market yourself and network, but stay true to yourself and hold on to why you started in the first place. Oh! And always be teachable, and once you learn something, share it with others. There is enough room for everyone.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Impulse Improv classes are on Sundays. My next class is on June 23rd from 2-4pm. I really like to get creative with site-specific work, so places, dates, and times vary. Class is $15 and 2 hours long. The most up to date info will be on my business FB page.
Contact Info:
- Email: dejanaefarr@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dejadances/
Image Credit:
Debbie Ruegsegger Creative
Jasmine Gonzales -ailaniphotography
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