Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Toumani
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started dancing when I was four years old. I used to take ballet classes in a private school, which I continued until I turned 18. During my teenage years, I developed an interest in contemporary and hip-hop dance styles and started improvising a lot. After finishing high school, I auditioned for professional dance training at the James Carles Choreographic Center, where I studied dance intensively for two years. During an international workshop held at the school, I met Solomon Dumas, who is a principal dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. I was fascinated with the school and decided to audition for it. I got accepted and moved to New York City two months after celebrating my 20th birthday. Upon graduation, I was granted a work visa which allowed me to work for various contemporary and hip-hop companies, as well as TV and different types of artists. It’s been nine years now since I started working as a professional dancer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During the initial phase of auditioning and before I got into a company, one of the major struggles I faced was to earn a steady income. Additionally, it was mentally challenging for me to handle everything on my own without any support from my family, who lived on the other side of the ocean, especially when I had to leave the school dorms and look for my own place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as a professional dancer for companies, TV, and artists. Even though I’m a versatile dancer I tend to work a lot in the contemporary world. I also choreograph my own pieces and shows, which are a mix of theater and dance. My new work ‘FREE WOMAN’ is currently in production and will premiere this fall. And whenever I go abroad, I teach masterclasses, which is something that I love. I’m very proud that I never stopped believing in my dreams, and I think that what sets me apart from others is my impeccable sense of authenticity and meaningfulness in everything I do.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I was fortunate enough to have a mentor in my life when I wasn’t even looking for one. This person is Solomon Dumas, whom I met during my professional training in France. Over the years, I have come to realize that networking is extremely important in this industry. To me, networking means not being afraid to connect with people who you believe can help you grow – be it your teacher, a choreographer you’ve worked with, or even someone you admire. I landed one of my jobs by simply asking the director if he would consider hiring me because I loved his work. Not every job opportunity is listed on an audition website; many come through word-of-mouth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sarahtoumani
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/sarahtoumani
