We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anthony Patrick . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anthony below.

Anthony , appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From the moment I started walking, I just remember walking and moving to the rhythm of music. I remember watching the elder adults in my family at parties and functions and thinking to myself, “I can’t wait until I am older enough to join in on the fun.

However, we I was 5 Years old, my parents took me to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a 5 year old boy, I was sitting on the edge of my seat, fully capatived on see Black Men like me dancing on a huge stage and doing something that is not “hiphop” dance. But to make it even more mindblowing, They asked for volunteers to come on stage and dance. I ran up to that stage so first. When I got on stage, the warm bright lights made me feel like I was where I needed to be. They turned the Music On, and I started dancing like I have never danced before. Between my adrenaline, the audience cheering, and my passion and love for Movement and dance, I couldn’t stop dancing. Once I came off the stage, I told my parents, “I want to be a dancer”. Then a couple weeks later, I was in my very first dance class.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My full name is Anthony Jamar Patrick. I was born in a small city name Saginaw, Michigan. But in 2004, my family moved to Long Beach, California. Currently, I reside in Memphis, TN, where I serve as a 3rd Math -Science Teacher for Memphis Shelby County School. Growing up, I played all kinds of sports: Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, and even Floor Hockey (In Michigan, floor hockey is a thing). I started dancing when I was 5 years old. I remember my parents took me to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and once the show began I immediately fell in love with their outstanding performance. This, created in me a passion for dance and a dream to one day dance on stage as a member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.
Even though I loved the arts and dance, I still loved sports. I started to run track, played Pop Warner football, and continued to dance. Although in school, I still trained continuing training in Ballet and Modern Dance technique. I expanded my dancing abilities by learning: Hip-hop, Tap, African, Jazz, and Contemporary dance. I auditioned for my high school dance team. I graduated high school in 2012 and went to San Diego State University. I am currently graduating senior year and will be receiving my Bachelor’s Fine Arts degree in Dance with a minor in Communication. With my dance degree, I hope to become a dance professor that teaches in colleges and universities, I participated in various student Organizations at San Diego State, but name a few: Afrikan Student Union, and the University Dance Company.

After graduating from San Diego State, I moved to Memphis, TN, and joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Epsilon Phi Chapter. Once I got in, I started the Memphis Omega Lamplighters Program. Which is the Youth Leadership Mentoring Program. Once that was started, I then incorporated the art of stepping into the program. Our step team is one of the only step teams in the City of Memphis.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is you can use any element of creativity to make up something. Also, As an Artist, you get to share your thoughts and ideas and have a conversation with others in the usual ways.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in the work that I create is to always make sure the audience receives a message after they are done watching.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://memphisomegalamplighters.com/
• Instagram: ayesirpat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.patrick.52

Image Credits
Anthony Patrick