Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen Tayam.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eileen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started dancing when I was about four years old in the typical tap, ballet, jazz and more ballet type of studio. In 2011, I was about 12/13 years old I started dancing with a studio, now known as Soundbox Studios in the Galleria area. And then quit my ballet studio a year afterwards so I could pursue competitive dance and hip-hop. I had no idea I was falling n love with dance until I was about 15 years old, even though I had been doing it my whole life I just saw it as an after school thing my parents put me in. Dancing after school, into the night and waking up every day just thinking about dancing really helped empowered me to start choreographing for small projects and teams I was on. It really helped me discover who I was, how I love, how I hurt, you get what I mean. Dancing felt so much more than just movement to me, it was a conversation, it makes me feel the most human when I’m moving and using my body.
At 18, I began to teach contemporary at Soundbox which was also a really big turning point in my life; college, first heartbreak, thinking I was an “adult”… it was crazy. But this was the REAL beginning, my emotions and dance started to really work together at this time because feeling so overwhelmed and alone at that age is not something you want to tell people. You want to front, or act like everything is under control so dance was the only way I could express it and feel good about it afterwards. I started choreographing more and more, being hired more and just creating more in general. I finally felt like I was able to convey what I felt just I didn’t have to talk about it, I could just move about it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Hmm, it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t definitely not smooth. My parents are pretty conservative, immigrated from the Philippines and dance was just a distraction to them. They definitely appreciate my skill and craft and are probably proud of me on the inside but it all is a give and take, just different types of environments. I didn’t drive until I was 18, so in high school, I had to always get rides with my friends and sometimes had to lie that I was studying but really practicing for a show. Which of course puts your heart and mind at war, lying is NOT okay, and the guilt would really tear me down. I hated the feeling of being trying to be free but you’re getting held back. So growing up, I was also really empathetic which put my head in a difficult places sometimes. I would be trying to make myself happy but my family wasn’t happy with me. So, that made me feel so crazy, especially in low times where it’s like I couldn’t dance for myself, or felt suppressed but things outside the studio. But honestly, thank goodness for dance. When I am finally able to dance for myself, it feels like a weight has been lifted, like I don’t need to say anything at all. I literally forget the heaviness of stress on my heart, and I’m able to feel free for a moment. It’s so therapeutic. But just like everyone else we all have our own shit going on too so.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
So, I work with two studios; Soundbox Studios and Imperial Athletics. Soundbox is a Houston hip-hop studio that I grew up in so it’s very close to my heart and really has molded into who I’ve become as a dancer. I started this team called WyldStyl JRS which soon turned to “Riot Squad” with 6 of my best friends. We started with 7 and now the numbers go up to 30 or 40 members, and they just keep getting better and better. But Soundbox was my safe place, where I could be sad, crazy, nice, or whatever it is, and still be accepted by people who are my soulmates. I met my best of friends here and started a legacy at Soundbox so it will forever be in my heart, for real. My kids will go there. I had a proud moment, when I directed them a couple of years ago and won first, it was like a full circle, ya know? This studio definitely has the most genuine heart and fulfilling love.
The other studio I work with is Imperial Athletics, and let me tell you… never did I EVER thought I’d end there. Five years ago, I was interviewed as a teacher to teach an hour hiphop class a week, and someone I’m there every single day after school if I’m not at Soundbox. It’s an all-star hip hop studio, and I grew up training in hip hop but was not a hip hop choreographer actually. I specialize in contemporary, yet this studio has nurtured me and supported as there hip-hop choreographer. And I mean, this studio means the world to me, I would die for them. We spend all our weekday nights with them, just molding them and pushing them to be the best and they absolutely are. We took a gold world medal this past spring at the Dance Worlds competition, which the biggest competition for All-Star dance ever. So, it was a huge accomplishment, and it keeps us going to aim for better our past selves. Working with these kids was the most pleasant surprise of my entire life.
Both these studios play a huge roll in my growth as a choreographer, I’m a hiphop choreographer/director at Imperial, but at Soundbox I’m the contemporary teacher. So, each studio fuels my work wherever I am. I’m a full-time college student as well (graduating in December!!!!) so I’ve been very focused on that and private training for clients, so I would love to travel to teach before the year is over.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh man, this will make me emotional:
MY FAMILY. I love y’all so much, there’s nothing that means more to me than having my family’s unconditional love.
Ash & Mini. Thank you for going to the end of the world and back with me. Especially being there for me, dealing with me, but loving me in the hardest times and better times.
Steven. After my car wreck you took me to rehearsals late at night, to class, and then even to work between Houston and Richmond, for almost three whole years. While you also had your own job and school. You sacrificed a lot of your own time to help me nurture my craft because you believed in me that much. It was the most selfless love and support someone could ever give to me ever. Thank you so much.
Riot Squad, Cliff Ledesma and Andrew Ngyuen. For molding me into the competitive dance brat I am now.
Aaron Medina. Thanks for never ever letting me settle.
Nat the Brat. I would’ve been…
UHFSA. IYKTYK
Pricing:
- Drop In Contemporary Class @ Soundbox (10$)
- Privates start at 75$/hr + studio rental
- Choreography rates – solo, duets & groups. vary on # of participants!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @soundboxtx @imperialathletics @s0u1surf
Image Credit:
@khoadratic
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
