We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tay Zavala. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tay below.

Tay, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have always been my biggest fan and support my goals. I’ve always been an ambitious person even as a young girl. If there was something I wanted, I figured out a way to get it. I remember really wants a Blackberry phone way back in high school but of course my parents said the phone I had was perfectly fine but I could save up if I really wanted another one. With their permission, I went through the garage and collected old tech items my parents were no longer using and sold them in 48 hours. I had enough money to buy my Blackberry. Neither of them were surprised when I found success teaching and performing because they said they always know I’ll find a way and they’ll be right there cheering me on.

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?

My name is Tay Zavala and I am a professional bellydancer and instructor. I have been dancing since I was five years old and was classically trained as a studio dancer. In 2001, my family relocated to Brownsville, Texas, where I began dancing at a local studio and was introduced to bellydance. One day, while attending dress rehearsal, I saw a group of ladies wearing colourful costumes with coin bras and belts. As soon as the music started and they began moving their hips, I knew I needed to be a part of whatever it was they were doing. The next year, I started taking classes and quickly learned that I had a natural ability to isolate my body and catch on to the traditional moves. I was all in from there.

As a black bellydancer, I am proud to say that I am one of the few professionals in the industry. Despite facing challenges due to my full-figured frame, I have never let it hold me back. When I dance, I am completely in my element. Nothing can shake me – not the judgement, hate, or bad energy. My passion for the art form is like an impenetrable shield that protects and strengthens me.

Through bellydance, I strive to inspire women, especially black women, to embrace themselves and their bodies, regardless of societal pressure. I know it is easier said than done, but I am confident that I can help them achieve this through movement.

At the end of my classes, whether in-person or virtual, I ask my fellow dancers to bow, not to show respect to me or the studio, but to give thanks to their bodies and the loved they poured into themselves.

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

I moved to Minnesota to teach dance at a competition studio. Like I literally packed my family into our 2008 Ford Focus with a 4×8 trailer and dipped. From the Lone State State to the North Star State, I chose to bet on myself and make dance my career like I’d always wanted before I had my first son. Little did I know, the studio would not be the picture that was painted for me. I was hardly making any money, I felt like an outsider and I spent so much time at the studio, it was taking a toll on my mental health. So there I was. I moved my family to a predominantly white town where I hardly knew anyone, I was work two jobs while I finished my degree and I felt like a complete failure. After I received my diploma, I began working as a special education teacher which I loved, but I still didn’t feel complete. Then COVID happened and evertyhing changed. Distance learning became the new norm for my SPED students and soon the dance studio closed it’s doors without warning. Just like that, dance was gone. But then I found Tiktok. I decided that I didn’t want dance to wither away from my life and I would make a place for myself on my own. Slowly but surely, my views and followers increased and I began teaching class virtually and built a community of students that still continue to support me.

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

The connection! I have made three of the greatest friends I could ever ask for through my art. Connection and collaboration is a more valuable currency than money is several scenarios but especially as an artisit. I’m able to share ideas, receive feedback, vent, and share weight when things get too heavy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tayzavalaraqs.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tay-zavala/