We were lucky to catch up with Kiana Renae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kiana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As a child I was constantly spending time with my imagination through dancing, writing, singing. What’s magical about being a kid with a dream is that it felt like I was the only one, like I was destined to be the “artist of our time.” That dream was kept alive all throughout my teen years and at the age of 17 I made my first EP. The honest and simple answer is ADHD. There was absolutely no chance I could survive a 9-5. I learned quickly and painfully that I needed 3 things to survive: Constant change of scenery. Movement (whether traveling or hands-on work), and Creativity. At 18 I decided to pursue a career in dance. I spent nearly every waking moment waiting tables or at the studio, training and teaching. It became my life. I started traveling, performing, growing in my artistry. The money I made dancing was little to none so I began teaching more and more. Before I new it I was able to let go of waitressing because I was teaching so much. Better money in my passion was the obvious way to go and the moments I had any time to myself I would work on music and told myself that one day I would come back around to it.

5 incredible years, several dance studios and milestones later… I was starting to make extra cash singing as bar gigs. The cash flow was getting better and I started to reignite my passion for music. As you grow older you realize maybe you’re not as special as you thought you were, but as we discover people just like us, we start to see more value in our communities and take pride in sharing your dreams with people just like you! I realized I can teach or gig anywhere! So in 2022 I moved to Nashville to pursue my next chapter. Dance will always be a part of me and I’m still teaching today! I’m now in a place where I have the all the resources I’ve ever wanted to pursue music. The biggest lesson in all of this for me is that the greatest resource artists have will always be community.

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

I was born and raised in a small town called Barnstead in New Hampshire. After highschool I dance professionally for 5 years and today I struggle to label myself as just one thing, as I am many things! I am an artist, musician, songwriter, storyteller, dancer, choreographer, teacher, writer, and so much more. The root of all of this for me is music.

Music is my first language. Its the first way I found my higher power. It can be related to any emotion, it helps us heal and most importantly for me, it gave me the path to express and help others. Whether it be through movement, singing or playing instrument it grounded me quicker than anything on earth! I knew I could marry music and that it would guide me. So I found a way to make it a part of my every day life. I thought if I made music part of my career that on days where I didn’t want work, I could trick myself to believe it wasn’t work. This is where the discipline comes through. I wake up every day and trust that the task I’ve given myself is always worth it is there is music involved. I began teaching dance during the week and playing music gigs on the weekends and before I new it it was my entire life! I officially became Kiana Renae, where I launched my site KIANAREAE.COM in 2021 and decided to pursue my music career. I took notes from people who inspired me and honed in on my strengths. I took my shows all over the North East!

I currently hold open dance classes for dancers and private lessons for some musicians to work on movement or choreographer for music videos. I have choreographed for music videos and recorded some as well! My greatest focus though is the most important thing to me as an advocate for mental health. I work for and play my music in Mental Health Songwriter Nights in Nashville. This is currently something I’m passionate about because I’ve overcome so much pain and dysregulation in my past and I want to inspire others to take care of their minds. Mental health awareness and education will always be at the forefront of what I do. Its what helps me keep going!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

There’s no such thing as “making it” and the reality is you’ve already made it.

Usually by the time I get to accomplish my goals, my perspective is totally different and I feel the same as I started. That’s because were always growing. The beauty of life shouldn’t revolve around only thinking of the future! The new lesson I’m learning: The present moment is the best and ONLY place to be. It holds hope, wonder, truth, opportunity and so much possibility! Success is whatever you want it to be but make sure there’s wiggle room for change. Whatever people ‘seem to have’ that you ‘claim to want’ isn’t everything

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

The mission of what I do as an artist will always be about helping and inspiring others. My goal is to be someone people want to listen to go to a better place, and feel less alone. Another goal I have is to get younger generations excited about music and help them explore their creativity!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kianarenae.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kianarenae.music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kianapmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kianarenaemusic1171
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kianarenaemusic