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

Hi Omarion , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally at a young age. I was about nine years old when I performed in my first off broadway show downtown in Manhattan and just something about the stage excited me. Having the opportunity to dig deeper into a character and find new ways to do a show over and over without losing sight of the show’s intention. Now I dance at The Juilliard School, but still having that same fire and excitement about the arts is why I keep going.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was introduced to singing at the age of four, where I was singing at my church. My aunt saw how much I loved it so she decided to enroll me in musical theatre classes at eight years old, where I had the opportunity to sing, dance and act and develop my skills. By the age of ten, I knew that the arts was something that I definitely wanted to do for the rest of my life, and so I auditioned for the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, where I was one of thirty two kids in my middle school class and one of 6 black kids. While there, I had the chance to continue to build upon the tools that I was taught prior.

When I was there is when I realized that I really loved to dance and it spoke to me more than singing and acting. I started taking dance classes at a local dance school called Mind Builders Creative Arts Center where I learned tap dance and hip hop. I later attended Harlem School of the Arts under the direction of Aubrey Lynch where I was immersed in all styles of dance. In addition, I attended AileyCamp, in partnership with the Alvin Ailey Foundation for two years. After two years of attending, I left HSA and was awarded a four year full scholarship to The Ailey School where I received the bulk of my dance training.

Then when I went into high school I was fortunate enough to have heard of an organization called “MOVE|NYC|” where their goal is to greater diversify the dance field and beyond through the arts and social justice. Their organization is split into many different programs, one of which is the Young Professionals Program, where they help young aspiring dancers to reach their dreams and obtain admission to the top colleges and conservatories around the county. They provide resume building classes, personal development, mentoring, free headshots, and masterclasses. They were a big part of my high school career and assisting me to getting into my dream school, The Juilliard School where I currently attend. I am one of twenty two kids in my class from all over the country.

I think that being a young black man from The Bronx, New York where the world expects me to fail is what keeps me going. I have been through a lot of difficult hardships and life experiences at such a young age that seeing myself at twenty years old, proud to be at the top performing arts college in the world is a testament that you can turn your tragedies into triumphs. Knowing that I deserve to be here and take up space in the most unlikely places, standing firm and confidently in my power and uniqueness is what makes me different from others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I feel like the most rewarding thing about being an artist is knowing how much time, effort, and sacrifice it took to get there. It is not easy to be an artist. It costs lots of money, time, and discipline to be able to do this profession. I think another thing that is rewarding is knowing that you touched someone with your art. Being an artist is such a selfless act. Being able to connect, and share your art with someone and for it to be received is when you know you have done a good job developing your craft.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Some goals of mine that I definitely want to hit are: performing on Broadway, being in a television show or movie, performing at the Super Bowl, performing on a world tour with an A-List Artist, and opening up my own school.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @omarion.r.burke

Image Credits

Jacob’s Pillow photo: shot by Jamie Kraus

MOVE|NYC| Photos: shot by Matt Karas

Nature Shots by Matthew Channer

Headshot by John Chappall