Meet LaTissa Davis

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTissa Davis.

Hi LaTissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I found my passion for dancing at a young age, singing and dancing around the house mimicking Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and anyone I saw on MTV. I distinctly remember breaking a chair trying to do the choreography from Janet Jackson’s “Pleasure Principle” music video. Throughout middle and high school I channeled my love of dance and music into orchestra band and cheerleading, and I finally took my first dance class as an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina. From that moment I was hooked!

I joined Blank Canvas Dance Company where I could not only learn ballet, jazz, and modern dance technique but also explore my own style of hip hop choreography. After graduating, I started teaching dance workshops at community events and performing with semi-professional dance teams in the Triangle, and people started asking me to teach classes.

Now I’m blessed with the opportunity to share my passion for dance through performing with musical artists and in theatre productions, teaching people of all ages, choreographing wedding dances, and everything in between!

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?
I’ve definitely dealt with the struggles of imposter syndrome and self-doubt along the way. The dance industry can be cutthroat and full of the pressure to win competitions, book a big gig with a major artist, or create the next viral dance sensation. According to the industry, I started my dance training “late in life” and lacked training since I didn’t grow up dancing in a studio like others in the field.

So I always felt like I wasn’t good enough or had the credentials to teach others. Now, I turn that doubt into my testimony to show others that there are many paths you can take to achieve your goals and dreams, and my experiences bring a unique perspective to my choreography and teaching style. It makes me unique!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a dancer, choreographer, dance educator, and fine arts advocate. I am known for teaching hip hop and street jazz all over the Triangle. I currently teach various levels of hip hop at City Ballet Raleigh, Pirouette Dance Company, and Ninth Street Dance. I also teach masterclasses for public schools, universities, and community events, in order to make dance assessable to anyone that wants to move. I strive to set my hip hop classes apart by not only teaching technique, but explaining hip hop culture, the history and complexities of street dance, and why hip hop goes beyond the latest viral videos. I also love to explore other dance styles in my free time, especially belly dance and contemporary.

I currently serve on the Board of Directors for VAE Raleigh, a nonprofit community cultural arts organization in Downtown Raleigh that produces, funds, and exhibits socially-engaged art through community collaboration. I am most proud of my work with VAE and my previous years as chair of danceSPARK, a division of the annual SPARKcon creativity festival, which provided open-sourced dance classes, dance events, and performance opportunities for the community.

The work that I’ve done with these two organizations has provided a tangible social change in our community, whether it’s supporting underrepresented artists or advocating for dance styles of marginalized cultures.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I absolutely love podcasts, whether educational, inspirational or pop culture-based. I listen to dance podcasts like Yallah Raqs and Anything But Routine to learn more about dance pedagogy and get coaching tips.

I also listen to Weekly Motivation, Therapy for Black Girls, and Professional Troublemaker to keep me inspired and motivated to be my best. And for my pop culture and nerd moments, I listen to American History Tellers, The Read, Backseat Drivers, The Wrasslecast, and Dishin Days.

Contact Info:

• Website: latissachanelle.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/latissachanelle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaTissaChaNelle/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaTissaChaNelle/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/silvershyne