Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen MiKayla.
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Through the past 18 years, Kristen is continuously gaining and created dynamic works in her truth and discovery as an artist. Kristen graduated with her BFA in Dance at the University of Florida with a minor in Mass Media communications in the Spring of 2022. She received prior training as a dual-enrolled student at Santa Fe College where she was exposed to her true identity and desired pathway as a dancer.
During her childhood, Kristen competed in National Clogging Championships while training heavily at the studio with an emphasis on modern, jazz, and contemporary practices. During undergrad, her journey as an artist has been about self-discovery and her place as a Black woman in the dance industry. She has directed a few works on topics concerning black femininity and created a space in her community for her love of hip-hop.
She has been a light through the arts in her community through dance workshops, events, and various shows. Kristen is currently working as a creative director, teacher, designer, and choreographer. Not only is Kristen a dancer but she is a graphic designer and has a clothing brand called IAM in which she is aspiring to expand to the name into bigger things concerning dance, making fashion and creativity collide.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, not at all! Being in the position to create you face opposition within yourself and the world. You have to work to be seen but also keep in mind it’s okay to not be accepted. Being creative always comes with challenges, especially being multifaceted.
I feel like as a creative it’s SUPER easy to box yourself in because of fear and the opinions of the world… the constant fight is to overcome that and simply know that you’re creating because you’re you, not the next man. It’s also easy to compare instead of running the set pace God has for you.
The constant thoughts of feeling “accepted” or “approved” have to crush by the mindset of your why. My why and knowing God placed made me in this way is what brings me the most peace as an artist when challenges arise.
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?
So I do a little bit of everything! I am a dancer, a choreographer, a graphic designer, and the CEO of I AM the brand that I am currently rebranding to implement my dance projects and artistry. Dance is and will forever be my first love and I am so thankful that it has allowed me to discover creative avenues.
I do the editing and design for the majority of my dance projects as well as provide for others through my graphic design business, KM Digital. I love to challenge myself and I love to dance films and concepts so that’s how I tapped into these other creative avenues expressing that to others and them actually grasping it makes me the proudest.
The thought of people being able to digest and commune through your art is so beautiful to me. Where I am located right now I am also a dance teacher and I give the youth opportunities to create through dance film and dance as well.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The two most important things I’ve learned on my journey are to know that there are seasons for everything and two enjoy the ride. Ecclesiastes 3 it talks about seasons and how there’s a time for and occasion for every activity under heaven.
I constantly have to remind myself there’s a time for everything, hardship, and experience that comes my way. Know that there may be dry seasons but there are also seasons for rain and the sun to come out and blow your mind in ways you can’t even imagine. Two, enjoy the ride! Like literally it’s the details that make you into the person you are so take it to grasp it and get all you can out of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kristenmikayla.squarespace.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kristen.mikayla
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.mikayla.7
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_kristenmikayla
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KristenMikayla
Image Credits
@mgmmedia, @Xotic Certified, @thaiz.png, and @byKikipanini
