We recently connected with Anthony Tagliavia and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is the development of my Kids Breakdance program. The name of the program is IllStylezCrew. It is a kids breakdance crew from Brooklyn, New York. During Covid I lost majority of my breakdance program and once things started to open back up I thought it was a safe bet to take a job as a teacher in the Public school system. Little did I know there are no safe bets as I lost that job due to my refusal to be vaccinated. As this was one of the most challenging parts of my life I did know God will see me through this circumstance. As a believer I prayed deeply on a path and this incredible hardship led me right back to teaching this beautiful art form to my amazing talented students. With the parents support and the breakdance community our program is continuing to grow and develop a strong foundation of creativity and movement skills.

Anthony, 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 fell in love with this art form in my late teens. I learned this art form through my older cousins who are first and second generation Bboys/Bgirls. One thing I pride myself on is the ability to progress on my areas of weakness and strength. I do feel each chapter and phase requires a different version of yourself and you need to be in a constant state of evolution and change. As we all know the most constant thing in life is change. As an artist it’s important to bring new ideas and abilities to the table as a competitor and teacher. I believe one of the most important things I can show my students is my ability to improve and inspire them as a dancer as well . I do my best to continually work hard on different areas of my craft. I do believe my greatest attribute is my gift to communicate and relate to my students . Going through specific hardships in my life taught me a lot about perspective. I feel I have learned how different we are as dancers and people . As little as they are they have emotions and different ways of communicating . It’s my job to be able to understand them and make sure they are in a safe space to grow and improve themselves.

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

In the business of teaching, I realize that all the students I may impact don’t usually end up doing this art form as a future career. As beautiful as that may be that is not the true reality for majority of them. But the reality is that in this moment of time I have with them my goal is to impact them in a way that inspires them to follow whatever goals or dreams they have themselves. As a teacher it’s important to show them and teach them that through discipline and belief in themselves they can accomplish what they set their heart on and put their mind too!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Early in my dance career I had a stretch of several injuries. As this impacted my ability to perform and improve it weighed heavily on my mental and emotional well being. It created a loop of depression/ anxiety and injury reoccurrence. It led to weight gain, more injuries and heavy depression. Through the guidance of my Lord and Savior I overcame depression with a multitude of his teachings in the Bible. One of the most important things I learned as a Christian is you have to take accountability for your actions and be honest before God. The more honest I became about my strong holds the more I was able to develop mental and physical disciplines that have helped me dramatically turn my life around and receive the blessings from my creator. Wherever there is fear love cannot exist and wherever there is love fear will not exist. So this phrase has truly led me to remain faithful and always know that God is in control of my ship no matter how stormy the waters may become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anthonytagliavia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDELHBj1q3/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
@markmannphoto @jalevy7