We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nya Christian a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Joining Step Afrika! in August 2023 marked the remarkable “official” beginning of my professional dance career, highlighting the incredible journey that has led me here. I began dancing at the age of three and trained in various styles, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, West African, Zulu, Modern, Hip Hop, and Musical Theater.
In high school, I began dancing semi-professionally with ELEVATED Crew in Cleveland, Ohio. Dance has always been my dream, but being a professional dancer wasn’t always a guaranteed avenue for my future. In 2019, I faced a pivotal choice: continue my education solely focused on dance or pursue another field. At this point, I chose to pursue a degree in Political Science while still hoping to keep dance in my life.
While on Howard’s campus, I joined an organization called Quad Stroll during my freshman year. This allowed me to dance and learn the art of strolling on an HBCU campus. Following the pandemic, in my last two years of college, I focused on refining my craft by studying dance at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. In addition, I was able to choreograph for Howard’s Springfest Fashion Show, Howard University Homecoming Step Show, The White House HBCU Initiative program, Pageants, and more
In May 2023, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Minors in Sociology and Dance Arts. A week after graduating from Howard University, I auditioned for the Washington, DC-based dance company Step Afrika! and was thrilled to later receive a full-time offer.
Nya, 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?
My name is Nya Christian and I am a Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Dance/Step Instructor, and Political Scientist. I believe that my true purpose lies in using artistry to spread messages of social justice to uplift underserved communities. Dance has been a part of my life for 20 years, and throughout this time, I’ve been honored to train with incredible mentors and achieve many milestones.
Some early highlights of my dance career include being a member of ELEVATED’s award-winning first-place championship team at the World of Dance Nationals competition. My experience with ELEVATED also provided me with amazing opportunities, including performing on Cleveland’s FOX 8 News and in front of my hometown audience during the Cleveland Cavaliers halftime show.
Another career highlight was representing my sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Howard University National Panhellenic Council on Good Morning America in February 2023, during the “Story of 9 Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities” segment for Black History Month. It was an incredible experience to not only perform but also to speak about the importance of stepping as a historical form of Black art.
As a current company member in Step Afrika!, I’ve had the privilege of performing on tour, nationwide in “Step Afrika!101”, “The Migration” Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, and Step Afrika!’s Theater Show Tour. I even traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, and performed at the Soweto Theater as a part of Step Afrika!’s 30th-anniversary celebration, my biggest accomplishment thus far. Additionally, I’ve appeared on various TV features including FOX5DC, 1011 News in Lincoln, Nebraska, Chicago’s WGN9 News, FOX32 Chicago, and The Today Show! My journey has also allowed me to work with students in the DC community and nationally through teaching step workshops and residencies. I look forward to continuing my work in the arts and contributing to programs that emphasize the significance of historical African-American artistic entertainment as a vehicle for social change.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I knew that pursuing a professional dance career would be challenging. As a creative and artist, I understand that there are often limited opportunities in the dance industry. This is evident in the audition process for gigs, jobs, and tours. Talent must meet hard work to earn those spots. I faced many trials in dance while pursuing dance as a college student. In, 2020 I auditioned for the Howard University Dance Minor Program and was not offered admission. At this point, I was sad, but not discouraged. Dance was my passion and I was determined to keep training and pouring into my community through utilizing the Arts.
During the pandemic when all studios were closed, I made myself available to teach dance lessons virtually and outdoors. My clients/students ranged from preschoolers to young adults, and I even taught families. My clientele grew significantly in 2021. During this time I was teaching at least 4 privates a week, and teaching in person at my former dance studio, Mayne Attraction Studios, all while working 2 additional jobs and intensely training to audition for the Howard University Dance Program again. Talk about “Booked and Busy”! I was often tired but happy that I was able to dance everyday. Everything paid off when I was accepted into the dance program in April of 2021.
Although it was not always easy, I feel eternally blessed and grateful, after the journey I have had to get to this point. Overcoming these trials while having faith in God’s plan for me, has allowed me to become the professional dancer I am today.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
As a young dancer, I noticed a scarcity of resources on platforms like YouTube and social media that addressed how to become a full-time performing artist. In 2024, I began creating content to share my daily experiences in this incredible career and to make dance career advice more accessible. I’m thrilled to invite my supporters into my life as a professional dancer through content creation. My hope is that these videos will inspire the next generation of dancers and artists to follow their passions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: nya_iman
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nya-christian
- Twitter: nyaimanxo
- Youtube: Nya Iman
- Other: Tik Tok: Nya Iman
Image Credits
Photo 1: Jati Lindsay (@jatiphoto)
Photos 2 & 7: Anson Tong (@ansonjtong.jpg) and the Auditorium Theatre (@auditoriumtheatre)
Cover Photo and Photo 3: Nepri James (@neponthelens)
Photos 4 and 5: Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications (@unkintercultural, @unk_lpac, @unkstudentengagement)
Photo 6: J. Christopher (jchrxstopher)
Photo 8: Ariel Dykes @aribrinae)