Life & Work with Kira Takei of East Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Takei

Hi Kira, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up with the arts as if it was my sibling – from music playing in the kitchen while my family made dinner, to dancing in the living room while watching ‘Dance Moms’, I was surrounded by the arts for as long as I can remember.

When I was middle school, I was enrolled in competition dance and I became a part of a cover band; from there, I would also join a Pre-Professional dance program, and meet my producer and artistic collaborator Kevin McNoldy. Kevin and I worked together to release my first single ‘Wildfire’ in 2022! Since then, I have released 5 songs before graduating high school.

After graduation, I continued to use my passion for dance and began teaching all ages and styles throughout North Carolina, all while continuing to work on new music. This year, I am now the co-artistic director of the Pre-Professional dance program I was once in, and am interning and training under Blake McGrath in his online mentorship program!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up with the arts as if it’s my sibling; and anyone with a sibling knows as much as you love them, there are times they frustrate you beyond belief.

So much of what I create is inspired and comes from my personal feelings and experiences. The past few years of my life have been some of the most formative of my life so far; I’ve graduated, I’ve had to grieve, I began working, I got a dog, I’m getting ready to move out into my own apartment, I’ve fallen in love, I’ve had my trust broken, and from all of that, I’ve learned so much about myself. Now how am I supposed to translate those feelings and experiences into music or movement??

It’s such a vulnerable process to allow yourself to fully indulge in your feelings; whether they’re happy or sad. My creative process feels like a conversation with myself on honesty; and that conversation isn’t always easy. Due to the way I experience and handle my emotions and experiences, my mental health has been affected. It’s hard for me not to notice the little things, and not to over analyze everything; it’s those traits that serve me in song writing or dance, but mentally, they’re hard to carry.

It’s a frustrating, magical, annoying, incredible process to take all of my feelings and observations and translate them into an art form… and, releasing that art into the world is beyond scary. But, when I feel nervous to release, write, or process something, I remember that I am 100% not the first person to feel/experience it. If I can create something other people can relate to and heal from, my life purpose is fulfilled.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When it comes to dance, I would say I ‘specialize’ in Jazz Funk and Contemporary! I have had the opportunity to learn from, and be in pieces choreographed by incredible dancers in the industry such as Blake McGrath, Robert Green, Kirsten Russell, Al Blakestone, Andrew Winghart, Ethan Colangelo, and many more. Since highschool, I have used my training to teach classes, and choreograph pieces and solos for dance studios! It is very important to me to create a space where dancers feel safe to mess up, and learn to trust the process. I always say if you’re not being challenged, you won’t grow!

In music, my genre is alternative pop, but, I love to explore other genres of music. I grew up listening to everything from Metallica to Taylor Swift, and I can definitely see it reflected in my work today. For example, my song ‘Tonight’ is heavily inspired by pop/dance music, while ‘Journal Entry’ in inspired by modern indie music – I hope to explore genres while still maintaining an undertone of me, and my voice. I feel like life has so many different sides, emotions, and experiences, and it would be hard to stick to one genre of music to express all of it!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For anyone wanting to dive into the arts, I have a surprise for you… you already are!

“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” – Helena Bonham Carter

I really do believe every choice you make requires you to be creative, and those choices become a work of art that is your life. You don’t need to take dance lessons or learn to paint to become an artist; if you’re intentional with the way you speak to your loved ones, you are an artist.

And, for those who perhaps do want to begin taking lessons but there’s something holding you back, my best advice is to GO FOR IT. There’s no wrong or right answer to any kind of art – anything that you create is uniquely, perfectly you. Of course there’s always room to grow, learn, and work on your craft, but that is all part of the process. Allow yourself to have fun, to mess up, to laugh, to be open, and trust yourself. Art is a very vulnerable process, and I completely understand how it may be daunting; but the only thing stopping you, is you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kiratakei.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiratakei/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078823046576
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kiratakei7588
• Other: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Tps1ur5bGtnvywqaEiJJQ?si=MqwDv8GPTTml0WjhGkuNlg