Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cheriyah King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cheriyah, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Honestly, I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in dance. I just never knew it was attainable, until a couple years ago. I decided to attend a dance intensive in California that 100% kicked my ass in the best way possible. I went there with no consistent background in dance training, so easily I was unable to keep up in any of those classes. I felt extremely embarrassed and i even cried because I felt judged for it.
That was the weekend I decided that I would never put myself in the position where I could not keep up in a space where movement was involved. I always want to be challenged but never defeated like I was back then.
So for those next 3 months I started busting my ass, going to any class I could find around STL and I eventually landed my first job as a dance instructor at Consuming Kinetics Dance Company (CKDC) in October of 2021 and the rest is history!

Cheriyah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I landed my first job as a dance instructor at CKDC in STL. This is also the company that I currently perform with and have been performing with for the last few seasons. Over this time I have had the opportunity to learn so much about the art of dance. The language, the culture, the purpose, my purpose. And I’ve found beauty in so many forms of movement. I do want to give a special shoutout to my friends Theron Steele, Mary Meo, Carly Lucas, and Callie Bratsch for giving me so much constructive feedback when I needed it and helping me find myself in this world.

I am most proud of three things. 1. Choreographing for local artist Joa Ra for her very first project. 2. My project “Unconsciously OVRDOZD” where I raise awareness about the drug epidemic in teens, and 3. choreographing for CKDC’s upcoming concert “Desensitized” where we address gun violence. I get to see my vision get expressed in such a beautiful way. I’m not only proud of myself but I am proud of my dancers and what they bring, they are amazing.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s rewarding to find out that differences are okay. My friends and I are so beautifully weird, but we are also talented as heck! And the best part is none of us are the same.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to do the absolute most that I can at all times no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Cherthislove
• Youtube: Cheriyah King

Image Credits
Joa Ra Katt Witt