Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LiviJanae. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

LiviJanae, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Since I began my journey as a movement artist, every project that I have done has been extremely meaningful to me because I often create choreography in response to my reality. If I had to chose a work that has been most meaningful to me, I would probably choose my dance work entitled Relations.

Relations is a dance work that I began conceptualizing in September of 2021. The work is something that I wanted to be made by a black woman, for black women. My goal was for the work to be successful in that an audience would be able to absorb and form an interpretation of the work, but only a black woman could fully grasp the intention behind it. Relations is about the relationship between black women in America, and the emotional response to that relationship. Relations is about strength and hope, but also understanding our reality as black women. It was important for me to stay true to myself and my experience as a black woman when creating this work, so every movement, every glance, and every breath had a purpose.

What was beautiful about this process is that I was working with two amazing black women Isabella Grady and Jasmine Caffee. I was also being mentored by another amazing black woman Cyrah L. Ward. Having Cyrah in my rehearsals really pushed Relations to what it is today because of her thought provoking questions, and her honesty.

Relations was originally choreographed to be auditioned for a choreographers showcase in PG County Maryland. The work did not make that audition, but within the next few months it was commissioned to be performed at 4 different venues/ events, and the work is still traveling today. It’s so meaningful because I am really beginning to see how the need for the message in this work is so great, and the message continues to spread as doors continue to open.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I am a movement artist that finds my passion in creating choreography in response to my reality. I began dancing in my churches dance ministry. I would occasionally take dance classes, but the majority of my dancing was done in church. I actually spent the majority of my time outside of church studying music and theater. As I got older, I was allowed more opportunities to choreograph, but I felt like I was lacking the knowledge and the language to be able to fully articulate my visions. So, I began officially studying dance at the age of 15 in my high school dance program. In the dance world, starting at 15 meant you were late to the program, and sometimes left behind. I felt so behind a lot of the time, but I kept pushing. I have a blog post about this journey on my website, but it was definitely a tough one. The fact that I didn’t start sooner is something that used to constantly effect my confidence, but what I am able to visualize, and how I am able to move, shows me that this is where I am meant to be.

In the fall of 2020 I began studying dance at the University of Maryland where I have had the opportunity to choreograph for the 2021 and 2022 Spring Dance Concert, and the American College Dance Association Conference. During my time at the University of Maryland, I have performed in works by professors, graduate candidates, and guest choreographers. Before my time at UMD, I choreographed for, and performed in, several productions across the DMV, and served as the production manager, and partial choreographer for the 2022 dance production External Influence. Keeping in mind that I started at 15, and I am now 24, this was a lot to accomplish in nine years.

What I believe separates me from other artists is the fact that my passion and my drive lies in storytelling, often in a literal sense. I believe my knowledge of music and theater allows me to hear and see things that can develop a plot line through movement. When working with dancers, I encourage an emotional connection with the work that allows for a deep expression within the movement. We talk about the story, the characters, and the plot. We talk about our own experiences and relate them to what we are trying to portray. This makes every process so meaningful to me.

In my free time I enjoy teaching AfroFit, which is a contemporary African dance fitness class. I am also constantly developing new artistic works. Occasionally I work in dance administration, production management, and write for my blog “Liv4theJourney: Road Diaries”.

I was born as Olivia Perkins, but I have taken ownership of the name LiviJanae when referencing my artistry. I developed “Liv 4theJourney” (my website) as a brand and business platform to share the growth journey of myself as an artist. Liv 4theJourney is also a brand and business platform for booking and networking opportunities.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I recently premiered my first 30 minute production entitled FIXED: A Dance Drama by LiviJanae. This was a production based on a New York times article about opioid addiction. The entire production was a story about ones experience with addiction and codependency.

I was given the opportunity to present this production in June of 2022. I could only start rehearsals at the end of September, and the first show was October 28th. This meant that I had less than 2 months to teach my choreography. I felt like this was definitely enough time, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the trial that was going to come.

While I was choreographing and teaching this production to a cast of 11, I suffered from a meniscus injury, severe stress reactions in both of my tibias, I got covid, was diagnosed with arthritis in my big toe, and had a few stress induced panic attacks.

First of all I have to say this production would not have happened if I did not have a solid, committed, and talented cast. If I had to sit down during rehearsals, I sat and talked through the choreography. If I couldn’t come to rehearsals, I held them on zoom. I was so determined to make this show happen, I was constantly researching, creating, and teaching despite the circumstances.

The audience was packed for all of the shows and I couldn’t be more proud of FIXED.

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

The blurb that is always listed with my brand name Liv 4theJourney is “Artistry. Honesty. IMPACT.” In whatever I do my focus will always be on the movement art form, developing artists, and my artistry. I choose to lead with an honest approach. I am always very clear about the premise behind my work. Any artist that ever works with me will be aware of the intention behind everything we do. This will encourage growth in collaboration and emotive movement artists. Lastly, IMPACT is the biggest thing. I want everything I do to impact people in a positive way. I want those who see my work to be moved, and to continue conversation about my work for years to come. I want those who work with me and beside me to be positively impacted by the beauty in our collaboration process. In everything I do, my promise and my goal is Artistry. Honesty. IMPACT.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/liv4thejourney/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liv4thejourney/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqe8KZWItZe2udvwiZvklGA

Image Credits
The photos in brown costumes are done by JHsu Media. The rest are done by Dylan Singleton. Tthe photos of dancers in the brown costumes are of my work “Relations”. The rest of the photos are of my work “FIXED: A Dance Drama by LiviJanae”