We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sydney Tyra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sydney, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
As a dance major at a top public university, UC Irvine, I am surrounded by colleagues pursuing majors such as biology, chemistry, math, computer science, and more. Many people who are unfamiliar with arts and dance especially would argue that these majors are far more useful than something like dance or theater.
When I tell people I’m majoring in dance, it’s often met with a variety of responses; “Oh wow! That’s different!” “So you just twirl around all day and don’t do any work? I wish I did that.” Sometimes people simply laugh. I am pursuing a double major with psychology as well, and sometimes I feel the need to blurt that part out as soon as possible and brush off dance so I am able to feel some respect. This is disappointing because dance majors have an incredible work ethic and dedicate so many hours to the craft. While it’s true we are not sitting in math lectures or chemistry labs which are certainly highly challenging, the physical and mental strength it takes to spend 20+ hours in a studio is not something anybody can do either. On top of the physical movement classes we take, we have academic requirements as well including kinesiology, performances, dance history, health, arts management, etc, not including general education classes as well. Most dance majors I know take at least 20 units per quarter.
Many extremely talented dancers might even dismiss the art form altogether and pursue something that society may consider more “marketable”. It is true that dancers and creatives in general do not have very high pay. I believe art is so crucial to our world and life would be so dull without these creatives. The tenacity it takes for one to push through when society is looking down their nose at them should not be overlooked.
Even though I feel misunderstood as a dancer at times, receiving validation from others has become the least of my concerns. This is not easy because it’s human nature for people to seek appreciation for the hard work they dedicate to something. But as long as I know deep down that I am working hard at something I love, it makes it all worthwhile. And every now and then I’ll tell someone my major and they respond with great respect, acknowledging that dance is also not just twirling around all day. Everyone is on their own path. Take the power back. Letting comparison or comments from people who don’t know any better will no longer derail me.
Sydney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a dancer and student pursuing a double major in Dance and Psychological Sciences at UC Irvine. I have I have been a dancer since I was 8 years old. Growing up in the studio provided me with mental and physical strength, unshakeable tenacity, unbreakable bonds with friends, and lessons that follow me beyond the studio. The pathway I’m following is wonderful for me because it allows me to have a variety of options after I graduate. I could pursue dance professionally, go to grad school, or do something in the field of psychology, and maybe even all of the above at one point or another! I’ve always had a passion for both dance and academics and this opportunity allowed me to continue with both. I’ve learned more and more how to be okay with the discomfort of not having everything figured out yet. It’s easy for me to feel overwhelmed at times when I don’t know what my “purpose” is – but then I remember, this journey I’m currently on is a beautiful experience in itself!
Alongside my studies, I am working on building my modeling portfolio as well as as crafting a social media presence, with lots of help from the amazing photographer Oliver Endahl of Ballet Zaida as we shoot in Los Angeles often. I could not be more grateful for all of the support from my parents, my ability to dance, and the honor it is to be studying at UC Irvine.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
In my creative journey as a dancer, I wish I knew about the importance of resources surrounding mental health and wellness. In society, the stigma surrounding mental illness is significant. While we have made great strides to break down this stigma and prioritize education and accessible treatment, I still feel we have a long way to go. As I explore the psychology pathway in my studies, I am learning more everyday about how mental health needs to be prioritized. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to access a therapist, and I hope someday I can contribute to reforming this system because I believe therapy is important and can be highly useful to anyone.
As a young dancer, I grew up in a high pressure environment; as a person predisposed to perfectionism and anxiety, the nature of a ballet class fed the cycle that ended up becoming nearly toxic to someone growing up in a studio. I feel that my artistic journey was hindered by my mental battles, whether it be comparison, anxiety, self-doubt, or a debilitating mixture of it all. Learning that asking for help is not a sign of weakness is a lesson that I am relearning all the time. Accepting my journey of cultivating more confidence and happiness has not been easy, but I have grown so much from the work I have done. I’ve learned so much about myself and how to rewire thought patterns that has ultimately contributed to my work as an artist in such a positive way. It’s important for me as a dancer to feel connected to my inner self; learning how to deal with the “noise” of anxiety in a healthy way has made a world of difference in my artistry.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the magic I feel when I dance or see others dance. Dancing feels like a meditation; I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. The euphoria of a performance, a fun combination in the studio, or even watching others dance is such a specific feeling that I’ve known since I was little. My soul feels at ease when I am in the zone with my art form.
Part of what also makes this feeling so rewarding are the difficult moments that inevitably come with it. As stakes increase, being a dancer is never easy; this is true for most things with great rewards. When I dance, I must push myself out of my comfort zone in order to improve, and some days this is the most frustrating thing ever. It’s easy to get caught up in a spiral when I feel like I’ve plateaued. However, after a number of dance classes that felt frustrating, there will be a specific moment where I let go and get lost in the movement. Learning to let go of the stories surrounding my “improvement” I’ve attached to my dancing, and simply appreciating the process of growth is where the rewards truly blossom. The routine of coming into the studio day in and day out has given me so much peace and a sense of self-discipline that I feel is most rewarding of it all, because when the magic moments do happen, I remember it is a feeling that I can find any time if I simply tune into it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sydney.tyra
Image Credits
Oliver Endahl @BalletZaida