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

Jacob, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I began my journey as a performing artist at a young age (nine years old). I remember learning how to sing when my family would attend sweatlodge’s and sundance ceremonies. This is where I would practice using my voice and developing my love for Native American singing. When my family moved from our home in Tsuut’ina Nation to Utah, my father wanted to ensure that his children stayed culturally connected, so he formed a drum group called Eagle Rib Singers. From there, we would practice singing every week and attend we would attend powwows in the Southwestern United States and Canada.

In those early days, I’ll admit, I was probably one of the worst singers on Turtle Island (North America). I faced a lot of teasing and criticism from other drum groups as I struggled to find and refine my voice. It took years of dedication before my drum group and I began earning any income from singing and drumming. At that time, there was a strong emphasis in the singer community on creating original music. My father, a musician during his university years, encouraged us to compose our own songs. We started recording our music and selling CDs at powwows, and to our surprise, we found early success. Over time, we released more than ten albums, which resonated with our community. However, the music industry has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, teaching us the importance of adapting to change.

I stumbled into dancing during my time at Utah Valley University in my early twenties. Joining the Cultural Envoy Dance Troupe gave me the opportunity to explore and express myself through dance. It was then that I discovered performing was part of my family legacy—my father and grandfather were also performers. In many ways, it felt like I was continuing a tradition that was already in my blood. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to share my talents in dance and singing while traveling to places like China, Fiji, Australia, Canada, and across the United States.

If there’s one piece of advice I could share, it’s this: embrace who you are and what you have to offer. I wish I had realized that earlier in life, as it would have aligned me with my career path much sooner. Dedication to honing your talents can open doors to incredible opportunities and introduce you to people and experiences you never imagined. Trust the process and don’t be afraid to take risks.

Today, I am grateful to have started a dance troupe called Cultural Fire Event Dancers, where we showcase Native American dance through performances. My passion has become a significant part of my livelihood, and I feel fortunate to share it with the world.

Jacob, 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 come from the Tsuut’ina Nation, a small community on the southwest side of Calgary, Alberta. My journey into the world of performing began with attending various cultural events during my childhood and teenage years. These experiences introduced me to Native American singing and dancing, sparking a passion that ultimately inspired me to pursue a career as a performing artist. It took years of dedication, surrounding myself with the right mentors, and immersing myself in the community to refine my singing voice and strengthen my dance movements.

I vividly remember practicing daily—singing and dancing were a constant part of my routine and trying to stay in shape. In the early days of learning to dance, I relied heavily on YouTube for inspiration and to master new footwork techniques. I would record my practice sessions to identify areas for improvement and fine-tune my movements. Immersing myself in the dancer community by traveling and competing at every opportunity helped me grow, both as a performer and as an individual. Networking played a crucial role in this journey, as it opened doors for me to book paid performances and other events. Over time, I realized I wanted to take this passion to the next level by forming my own dance troupe.

Launching the troupe required creating a strong online presence. I developed tools such as a website, social media pages featuring photos and updates, and a profile on Gig Salad to connect with potential clients. I also collaborated with photographers and videographers, offering trades that benefited both their brands and mine. These efforts helped build the troupe’s portfolio and showcase what we had to offer. Word of mouth and consistent branding were instrumental in establishing our reputation during those early stages.

Through hard work and a commitment to growth, I’ve been able to turn my passion into a thriving venture, sharing my culture and art with audiences far and wide.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In my early days as a dancer, I took a leap and started my own dance troupe, but it didn’t work out as I had hoped. I underestimated the challenges of balancing the troupe with other commitments, and eventually, everything came crashing down. That experience was humbling, and it kept me from revisiting the idea for nearly nine years.

The difference now is that I’ve grown. I’ve built a supportive community, established a strong network, and gained the confidence to try again. Resilience is part of who I am—it’s in my blood. Failing taught me valuable lessons and, more importantly, that failure is okay. It’s not the end; it’s an opportunity to learn, adapt, and come back stronger. Now, I’m ready to embrace this journey with the wisdom and determination that only experience can bring.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Supporting performing artists can make a significant difference in their careers. Always ensure they are fairly compensated for their time, and create opportunities for them to showcase their talents. Word of mouth and cross-marketing are powerful tools that can generate future opportunities for them. Additionally, leaving a kind review or sharing positive feedback can go a long way in boosting their visibility and credibility. These are small but impactful ways to support performers at your next conference, summit, gathering, or work event.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://culturalfireevents.org
• Instagram: @culturalfireevents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culturalfireevents
• Other: Gig Salad account – https://www.gigsalad.com/cultural_fire_event_dancers_provo

Image Credits

Adam Conte