We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Toumani recently and have shared our conversation below.

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

The most meaningful project I think was working for Sony Music Entertainment in collaboration with the Michael Jackson Estate for the 40th anniversary of the Thriller Album!

I got picked to dance for a “client”, and I had to sign disclosure contracts agreeing that I wouldn’t say a word nor take any pictures and videos from the process I was about to jump on. It was very mysterious and exciting. The first day of rehearsal, it was a choreographer, the producer and producer assistant in the room along with us, the dancers. They made us sit and that’s when they told us that “the client” was Sony Music Entertainment for the Michael Jackson Estate. I’m glad I was sitting because dancing for Michael Jackson was my absolute dream as a kid. Unfortunately he passed away, but to dance for the Michael Jackson Estate made up for that, because it carries his legacy, and its his team, and his family managing it. I felt honored, blessed, and incredibly grateful. Thriller is one of the first albums I got as a kid, I would spend hours watching his concerts on Youtube as a kid, and I would even watch his interviews even if I didn’t understand a word of what he was saying back then, as I didn’t speak English yet! When I was waiting for the approval of my artist visa, every evening I would watch one of his concert too, I see it as a sign!

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

I’m Sarah, I’m 27 and I was born in France. I come from the indigenous tribe called Chaoui, located in Algeria, North Africa. My family relocated to France during the war. I grew up in a very artistic family, and I started dancing at the age of 4. I immediately knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I’ve been dancing for almost 24 years now; I was in private schools doing ballet until the end of high school, then I joined the professional dance training under the direction of James Carles in Toulouse. Then I auditioned for the Official School of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and I moved to New York. I toured with James Carles in France, and in the US my first contract was for the Grammy awarded violonist Miri Ben Ari. I had the chance to dance for many contemporary dance companies in America since then, to dance for films, music videos, TV, and to present my choreographic work as well. I’m a versatile dancer and I also dance for hip-hop/house companies, and teach workshops abroad when visiting other countries, sharing what America taught me. I was proud to be a finalist of New York’s Got Talent season 4 with a solo representing my roots in Algeria, and to represent Algeria as a soloist for the opening ceremony of the Danone Nations Cup at the Red bull Stadium in New Jersey.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think to know your art can have a positive impact on people and the society we live in is a very great motto to keep going. It’s a form of medicine, for ourselves and the people connecting with our art. I see my art as a life duty. I’m an artist and I don’t feel myself, I don’t feel like I am fulfilling my purpose if I am not expanding myself through my art. To know your art can elevate and make a change is a reminder that possibilities are infinite.

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

Yes. After graduating from the Ailey School I traveled to Mexico. I was feeling overwhelmed and lost by the amount of possibilities that New York had to offer, and by the cost of life here. I read this book called “The Power of the Present Moment” by Eckart Tolle, and it changed my life. I recommend this book to absolutely everyone. It made me realize that thinking too much, and fearing what’s to come was only a waste of time, because in the end we only have right now. I felt a thousand time lighter in my head after that.

Contact Info:

• Youtube: youtube.com/sarahtoumani