Today we’d like to introduce you to Anissa Knight.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey has been a blend of service, creativity, and coming back home to myself.
I spent 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Diagnostic Imaging Technologist. During that time, I built a meaningful career in healthcare and service, but like many people, I also placed some of my personal passions on hold while I focused on duty, stability, and raising a family.
Dance was always in me, it was a lifelong love, but it became something I carried quietly in the background for many years.
After retiring from the military, I moved to Charlotte in 2019 with my husband and our two children. It wasn’t until 2022 that I finally gave myself permission to return to dance fully, not just as a hobby, but as a form of healing, expression, and creative purpose.
That return opened up an entirely new chapter. In 2024, I went back to school to study Digital Cinematography, because I became deeply interested in the intersection of movement and film, how dance can be captured, elevated, and preserved through the camera.
In 2025, I released an eBook to encourage other veterans and creatives to reconnect with their artistry after life transitions. That same year, I founded the Charlotte International Dance Film Festival, which will launch its inaugural season in March 2026. Creating CIDFF has been one of the most fulfilling ways to merge my love of storytelling, community, and dance on screen.
Today, I continue to build a creative life rooted in both artistry and connection; whether that’s through filmmaking, festival leadership, or teaching my monthly heels class, Sirens After Dark, which is all about empowerment, confidence, and joy through movement.
At the heart of everything I do is family, community, and the belief that it’s never too late to begin again, or to become who you’ve always been.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
This journey has required a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to start over in many ways. Transitioning out of the military after 20 years and stepping into a creative career path came with its own challenges. There’s excitement in reinvention, but there’s also uncertainty, financial pressure, and the emotional weight of building something new from the ground up.
Going back to school for digital cinematography has been incredibly demanding. Balancing academics, creative projects, family life, and entrepreneurship has pushed me in ways I didn’t always expect. There have been moments of doubt and exhaustion, but also deep growth.
Returning to dance was another major hurdle. Getting back into the dance world later in life was honestly scary at first; physically, mentally, and emotionally. It takes courage to step back into a space where you’re learning again, being seen again, and challenging yourself in a new way.
Building the Charlotte International Dance Film Festival has also been a major undertaking. Launching a brand-new festival from scratch has meant navigating fundraising, planning, partnerships, and the constant behind-the-scenes work it takes to create something sustainable and impactful. It’s been incredibly rewarding, but it has definitely come with long nights, big responsibilities, and a lot of learning as I go.
To stay grounded through it all, I’ve had to be intentional about caring for my whole self. Yoga has become a weekly practice for me, and meditation has been a daily anchor , helping me balance the scales and stay connected to my purpose.
The road has been far from easy, but I’m deeply committed to the work, to my own evolution, and to creating something meaningful. The challenges have shaped me, and they’ve made every milestone feel even more rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of dance, film, and empowerment. I’m a choreographer, filmmaker, and creative director, and I specialize in using movement as a form of storytelling and self-expression.
One of the core things I do is teach a monthly heels class called Sirens After Dark. While it’s definitely a fun, high-energy class, it’s also deeply rooted in confidence-building, body positivity, and self-empowerment. I’m proud of creating a space where dancers can show up exactly as they are, without judgment, whether they’re beginners or experienced performers. For me, it’s not just about technique, it’s about helping people feel free in their bodies.
Alongside teaching, I’m currently pursuing my degree in Digital Cinematography through Full Sail University. This is actually my third degree with the school, and I genuinely love the learning process and mentorship I’ve received from the professors. Studying film has allowed me to expand my creative language and explore how dance can be captured cinematically, especially through dance films and visual storytelling.
In 2025, I also co-founded the Charlotte International Dance Film Festival (CIDFF), which will launch in March 2026. CIDFF is especially meaningful because it is the first dance film festival in Charlotte, created to celebrate movement artists and filmmakers from around the world while building a strong creative community here in the Queen City. It’s one of the projects I’m most proud of because it brings dance and cinema together in a way that honors both art forms and opens doors for new voices.
Artistically, my style is grounded in hip-hop-based movement with an emphasis on sensuality, intention, and emotional presence. I’m drawn to work that feels bold, expressive, and human.
What I’m most proud of is leading with love and respect in everything I create, whether that’s in the classroom, on set, or through the festival community I’m building. I believe artistry thrives in environments that are safe, supportive, and rooted in care.
What sets me apart is my authenticity. I don’t try to fit into a mold, I bring my full self into my work, and I think people feel that. My journey, my aura, and my purpose are all deeply aligned, and I’m committed to creating spaces and stories that inspire others to return to themselves.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is something I’m still defining in real time.
For a long time, success can feel like it’s supposed to be measured by money, titles, or external milestones, but the older I get, the more I realize that’s not what fulfills me most.
To me, success is feeling full in my heart. It’s waking up knowing that I’m living in alignment with who I am, creating work that matters, and showing up with love and integrity.
Success also looks like impact. If the spaces I create, whether through dance, film, or community events, help someone feel more confident, more seen, or more free in themselves, that means everything to me. I want people to know that loving themselves exactly as they are isn’t just a concept, it’s a pathway to joy and healing.
I may not always have a perfect definition, but I know success is rooted in purpose, connection, and leaving people better than I found them. That feels richer than any number.
Pricing:
- eBook: From Uniform to Unapologetic: A Veteran’s Guide to Reclaiming Creativity — $17
- Sirens After Dark Heels Classes: Typically $10–$20 per class (depending on the monthly theme and event format)
- Choreography Services: Starting at $75/hour (rates vary based on project scope and needs)
- Cinematography / Video Production Services: Starting at $75/hour (pricing depends on event type, content, and deliverables)
- Sirens Merch: Apparel and accessories starting at $32 (shorts, caps, cropped tees, and more)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nissa-by-nature.printify.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nissthebaddest?igsh=MWl6bGxkbjBzZnY3dQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://anissaknight.gumroad.com/l/rlobyi
