We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nadia Maryam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nadia, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am happy as an artist because I am able to define my career. In this, I have agency in every job I take. I am able to prioritize the desires of my spirit and in doing so, the jobs I take align with my standards. May it be in terms of my heart and its fulfillment, the choreographer, collaborating artists, or payment, I am almost always satisfied with what comes my way. I don’t limit myself, but I do have boundaries in any space I tend to. I value my time, energy and company deeply. I don’t often wonder about a regular job because I know I will never have one. I am grateful to be able to fuel my passions in dance & writing whilst diving deep into entrepreneurship. Beyond dance, I am a business owner. I trade daily in the forex market, I sell products via e-commerce, and most graciously, I am a mentor to a community working to define financial freedom. Blessed is truly an understatement. I love that I am able to define so many different parts of myself given the many avenues I have chosen to accept into my journey.

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 graduate of California Institute of the Arts with over fifteen years of technical dance training and performance experience. Under the umbrella of commercial and concert work alike, I work as a performer, choreographer, filmmaker and collaborator in order to fulfill my current interest in researching the use of the body as a personal archive. I started dancing at Nevada Ballet Theater at the age of four, and later took part in a pre-professional company at Bunker Dance Center. In continuing my focus on dance in high school at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, I found that I most enjoyed training in ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques. I have also trained in jazz, tap, ballroom, and hip-hop styles.

Since graduating CalArts in 2020, I have had the opportunity to live out many dance dreams. I am grateful for my dance mentor, Spenser Theberge, and his guidance throughout my career. With his encouragement, I have been able to travel internationally falling in love with new countries & cities like London. And, I was introduced to world renowned choreographer, Aszure Barton – performing in LA Opera’s ‘Tannhauser.’ This was justly my favorite process within the concert realm. Beyond this, I am grateful to have indulged in the commercial world as well. In 2022, I was part of Tyler the Creator’s national tour, performing as a background dancer for Kali Uchis. And most recently, I was featured in Halle Bailey’s music video for her very first single – ‘Angel,’

While my passion & first love is dance, my heart thrives in many spaces beyond dance. My greatest form of expression is writing. I am looking forward to publishing my first book next year, ‘New Red.’ The best part about being a creative is what it has led me to. Because I graduated in 2o20, I experienced an initial uncertainty about the trajectory of my career. I was thankfully led to entrepreneurship which has allowed me to dwell within the expansion & realization of the greatest version of myself. I partner with a company called, ‘Jifu’ where I am able to monetize via passive income streams such as day trading, e-commerce, & real estate. I am graced with financial literacy courses & even travel discounts. But the best part about this endeavor is the opportunity to share with others. I have been blessed to touch the vision of financial freedom at such a young age. I am extremely passionate about the opportunity to continue building New Visions Collective – a community rooted in faith, working toward the truth within generational healing & wealth.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My favorite personal development book that has supported my journey thus far is ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. Transformational is an understatement. This book has forced me into the greatest revelation of the power of presence. And beyond that, it has allowed me take responsibility for my ego – which I am more often recognize as fear. In moments that require endurance & perseverance as it relates to my career & spirituality, I am grateful for the cue to be still. This book has taught me that stillness and more specifically peace, is a constant hum in my life if I allow it be. It is in our nature to be overwhelmed in the motion of all things. But believe it or not, the most powerful thing is the foundation of presence, stillness, and peace within the motion. It eliminates the reasons to be afraid – it eliminates the choice to procrastinate. And, it keeps us in touch with our great power.

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

My goal in everything that I do, is to get closer to God – to be a vessel of love & faith in order to bring inspiration & encouragement to anyone & everyone in the midst of my presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: nadiamaryam.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nadiamaryam/

Image Credits
Kim Zaldana Marissa Mooney Josh Rose Lee Gumbs Nikk Rich