Today we’d like to introduce you to Amya Chanel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey of developing my dance career is pretty different than what people may assume. I didn’t grow up in the studio; I didn’t start my training as a kid or throughout grade school. My journey began just a few years ago in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. Shortly before I began my spiritual healing and dance journey, I was a regular college student attending the University of Houston. Emotionally and mentally, I knew being in school wasn’t fulfilling my true desires or goals I had for myself as a young adult. I realized deep down; I was no longer doing it for me anymore. It was exactly where I didn’t want to be. Little did I know I was in that space at that time for a specific reason. While living in Houston. Which I like to call the home of the hustlers; I somehow ended up in a space with the most amazing people I’ve ever interacted with in my life. Being in such a high vibrational environment, learning from such talented business owners really opened my eyes to endless possibilities of what success really meant for me and how I can achieve it. Fastback forward to when Covid-19 shutdown came around. I began to brainstorm thousands of business ideas, but nothing was truly aligning with my spirit and passion. I began to slip into a depression thinking that I had no more hope in making a living in this world all while being genuinely happy with my career path. A very random night during one of my many breakdowns I went back to what has brought me true happiness since I was a baby, which was listening to music. I spent hours listening to all my favorite songs, new and old. There was one song in particular that made me pick myself up, dust myself off, and just started moving my body. (Song: A** like that x Victoria Monet). I made up a few eight counts for fun, and I immediately knew, regardless of how crazy and random the idea was, that this is exactly what I was meant to do. I had unlocked a hidden talent I never knew I had until that moment, and I’m forever grateful. Everything in life, regardless if it may seem like the end of the world, has purpose and everything always happened exactly how it’s supposed to. Fast forward to now. I’m running a successful business while doing what I love to do with my weekly classes, private lessons. Also traveling around the country, performing on stage as well as my biggest accomplishment, performing at the Super Bowl LVII with Rihanna. These are all in my opinion amazing accomplishments for someone who “started late” and is self-taught. Regardless of your age or when you start, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Anything you are truly passionate about is hardly ever a walk in the park. It is earned by any means.
The first and biggest struggle I experienced throughout the beginning of my journey was the pandemic. It made it extremely difficult to begin my training because just like our grocery stores, gyms and restaurants etc., all dance studios were shut down. I had no other choice but to teach myself what I could about dance with no experience.
When doors finally opened back up, I knew I wanted to create and share my talents and share what I’ve learned with other dancers in my community. It can be hard to build that trust with potential students when you don’t have much experience. My first few classes I taught not many people wanted to come. Taking class from an instructor with no background in dance turned many people away unfortunately. Regardless I was extremely grateful for the dancers who did come to class and wanted to support me not just as an instructor but who I am as a person really kept me going.
With any profession there will always be highs and lows. It’s important that we appreciate both. It’s extremely significant to our growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My favorite thing to do is to create. To be a creative is to express yourself in the most divine, spiritual, and beautiful way. I create choreography to my favorite music, artist, and genres that feed my soul. I have weekly dance classes open to all dancers or non-dancers to give them a space to be their most authentic beautiful selves. Providing a well-thought-out creation to my students that feels great on the body with the goal to make them feel the most empowered and confident. Training them on stability, performance as well as self-love. Although I am an instructor, my purpose is to serve my people and help out however I can physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t necessarily believe in “luck”; I believe in blessings. We all are blessed with what we are truly ready for. My hard work, heart, strength, and my faith have brought me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amyachanel?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amyachanel4858
Image Credits
@shotbyevan
@7.24_shots
