We were lucky to catch up with Rhapsody Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rhapsody, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My name is Rhapsody Taylor and I from New Jersey/ Philadelphia region currently pursuing my career in dance, choreography, acting, modeling and personal training in Los Angeles California. The performing arts has always been something I enjoyed and a passion throughout my journey. I grew up in a household full of artists which were my two parents that are dancers, choreographers, teachers actors, and my two sisters that did the same. My parents introduced me to the arts at a very young age ie Dancing, Acting, Singing , Costume Design. They also taught me how it’s very important to learn and never forget about my African American history and respecting my ancestors. When I was 6 years old I would watch my parents dance, teach dance, and act and that inspired me to do the same thing. I was ready at a young age to perform and be on stage in front of an audience. I was soo ready that when my parents took me to their show for their finale on stage, I jumped out my mom’s arms and started dancing. The audience was soo amazed to see a little small black girl tapping her feet with the rest of the adult tap dancers. I was born to do this! Over the years of me growing up I would choreograph with both of my sisters for small shows that we would have in the living room and eventually my parents trained us in dance and also signed us up for talent shows, dance classes, competition team, church ministry, dance companies, summer intensives, and many local community performances. I researched and was introduced to many famous black pioneers and performers in the performing arts which inspired me as an artists and dancer like Alvin Ailey, Pearl Primus, Josephine Baker, Katherine Dunham, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Laurieann Gibson, Debbie Allen, Celia Cruz, and The Nicholas Brothers. These are the top artists that still inspires me till this day and because of my talent, drive, ambition, I knew that anything can be possible to someday experience dancing, touring, performing on major stages as well as dancing, acting on television. After high school I wanted to continue to take my dance career even more seriously by attending The University of the Arts for 4 years to receive my Bachelors Fine Arts degree in Dance during 2020 so that I could have more knowledge and preparation for the dance world. Even the drastic shut down of the pandemic could not stop me in my mission. I knew during the pandemic that I wanted to officially make my breakthrough and get booked right after college but I had to face hard reality and learn patience throughout the shut down, not being able to come outside as much. So instead I started to sit down and think about what kind of dancer that I want to become and how I was able to handle myself financially as an adult. During that time I was continuously working on my craft creating choreographic concept videos, taking photos, teaching classes virtually and in person, working on my technique with the ballet barre in my room, and also taking classes in my room and in person with a mask on. I also, found a new love in fitness working on my certification with NASM during my time and eventually started training in local gyms and virtual. I always told myself and even other people ” Never stop Moving” and “Dreams only work if you Do” , and that was my motivation. When everything was opening back up again I eventually start going to more Broadway auditions and casting calls in New York. Unfortunately I never got chosen for any of the shows but I was chosen to be part of a prestigious black dance company called “Forces of Nature Dance Theatre ” and that was the beginning of my breakthrough. After a year performing with the dance company I then eventually decided to move to Los Angeles California to do more commercial dance work, modeling, and acting. I realized before I made my decision in moving, I really wanted to get into the commercial dance industry. Till this day I am so grateful and happy for my decision and all of my family and friends supporting my new journey. With that I trusted God’s mission for me and the blessings he has for me being out here in LA. I’m currently still working on my mission taking classes, being part of a famous choreographer Kiira Harper’s Mentorship Program, and auditioning for many opportunities praying that one day I will receiving all the blessings that are ready for me in the right time. In this process I also realized God wanted for me to do soo much more than just dance, now I am working as personal trainer, an upcoming working choreographer/ teacher, actress, and an influencer. Finally, my biggest mission after I achieve my goals as a professional dancer/ performing artist, I want to someday invest and open up my own center for the arts and to give back to many communities and black professional artists especially who wants an opportunity to pursue their dream just like I will. I would provide dance, acting, musical, theatre, photography, fitness, an agency to book jobs, performance opportunities, and soo much more. Not only do I want to have a professional dance company and arts company but I also want this to be a training school for younger and older kids to pursue their passion through the arts after school. I feel in my heart that God has a mission for me to flourish, guiding me through my purpose and I will always trust Him walking with me on my journey, continuing to inspire and motivate the entire world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am currently a professional Dancer, Choreographer, Actress, Dance Teacher, and Personal Trainer. I started at a very young age becoming a dancer and choreographer. Coming up I trained with my parents then potentially had the experience to be part of dance companies, and getting my Bachelor’s Fine Arts Degree in Dance at the University of the Arts Summa Cum Laude. I then after college continued to work on my brand as a performing artists such as choreographing and continuing to work on my technique in each style of dance . I am trained Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African, Hip Hop, and Heels. What makes me different as a dancer / ARTIST is that through my movement I love to tell stories, emotions, passion, and excitement through my movement. In times I can be like FIRE and in times I can be like a cool blue FIRE. I AM DYNAMIC and I AM A FORCE. Any dancing that I do I am always grounded, giving respect to my ancestors who paved the way. When. I dance or when you see me teach a class or even choreograph, you will feel and see the passion that I have inside, my LIGHT is contagious. I am soo proud of all of my accomplishments so far, graduating, performing in New York at the Apollo with a black dance company, modeling, moving to LA, and also stepping out my comfort zone! I am also proud to have my own official first dance business in 2022 called RHAPSODYNAMIC which includes dance opportunities for dancers. dance classes hosted by me, Personal Training, and also private lessons for those wishing to learn more about dance.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect being artist, creative, and dancer is being recognized by the work you have done and also seeing the growth in what you have become after all the long nights, rough times of doubt, and that extra push that made me move out of my comfort zone. Thats how I became the strong black woman that I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rhapsodiva and @_rhapsodynamic_
• Facebook: Rhapsody Taylor
• Linkedin: Rhapsody Taylor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5hrPdx0JIcKwXXNtb-knQ
• Casting Networks: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/profile/250316989

Image Credits
Photographer: Michael Gray