I have a double treat for you on Motherhood Full of Dreams Inspirational Corner this month. Do you love to dance? Do you know someone who wants to be a dancer and is trying to break into the field? Let me tell you about Choreographers and Creative Directors, Sakinah LeStage and Kiki Ely. They’ve collectively been in the Entertainment Industry for over 16 years. Together they started The AtLA Takeova three years ago and are the first female Black owners to own a dance convention. AtLA Takeova offers dancers the chance to work with some of the top choreographers in the world and a variety of other services from Dance Training, Artist Development, Live Stage Performances, Dance Workshops, Film and Television, Commercials, World Tours and more. Kiki and Sakinah have been able to dance & perform all over the world. They’ve been on stage, on television and in films with so many amazing artists. Their vision for AtLA’s dance convention is to share their knowledge with others from aspiring dancers to artists who are pursing a dream in the professional entertainment industry. They shared that when they started out in the dance industry they had to fly to LA for auditions. They wanted to bring opportunities to young talent here in the Southeast. Let me introduce you to these lovely ladies who say: “DANCE IS OUR PASSION… OUR CRAFT… OUR LOVE… OUR DREAM!
A little information about Kiki and Sakinah: Kiki’s most recent work include Drumline 2, Tamar Braxton, Janelle Monae, August Alsina URX Tour and a new reality show on UpTv titled Dancing The Dream scheduled to air September 12,2015. Sakinah’s most recent work includes working with Reginae Carter, Ne-Yo, T-Pain, NAACP Festival, 2015 Grammys and 2015 Bet Awards.
Check out the interview with these talented ladies below.
Questions with Sakinah LeStage:
- I read online that you’re of Cuban and Trinidadian Descent, wow, what a lovely mix. Growing up, how much, if any influence did your culture have on your love for dancing?
Yes I am mixed with Cubano and Trini. I find that it helps me in choreography because of how I hear the music. Caribbean music always plays on the upbeat rather than the down beat like American music. I can flow between both which I find creates a unique musicality and style to my work. Not to mention that the hip movements of West Indian (Caribbean) movement offers fun variation to what Americans call “twerking” which we know Africans and Caribbean folks have been doing since the beginning of time.
- How did you get into artist development and build a name for yourself for record labels to want to look to you for help?
I started doing artist development with TPAin in 2005. He had released his 1st single “I’m Sprung” I was hired as a dancer and in the rehearsals noticed that I had some knowledge about stage performing that could be helpful. I politely gave up my suggestions and he was receptive. From there I went on to be hired by Nappy Boy to develop all his talent upon signing. That later lead me into opportunities to do movement coaching and more development with new and well known artist such as Musiq Soulchild (DefJam), Austin mahone(Universal), Wynter Gordon (Universal), Reginea Carter (YMCMB) and several other labels like Motown, J Records, etc. Several people can choreograph but it really is a different thing to understand how to help an artist be an artist and deliver their overall music and style to an audience. I created a curriculum that I follow and it has helped me master the artist development. I of course employ a team when doing so and that really makes all the difference.
Questions with Kiki Ely:
- I came across your website iamkikiely.com and read you received your BS in Chemistry, woah! But Dancing pulled you in, when did you know that you’d continue down the path of choreography?
I knew that I would continue down the path of choreography when I was blessed with the opportunity to co-choreograph Drumline Starring Nick Cannon & Zoe Saldana. That was ironically my first job in the entertainment industry that sort of fell in the palms of my hand, but also gave me my foot in the door to move to Los Angeles and get signed to Bloc Talent Agency. I got bit by the bug doing that movie and really became passionate about dancing and pursuing my dreams. That was a very pivotal point in my career and when I realized I could do this for a living. Still One of the best decisions of my life 14 years later.
- It seems like you’ve danced everywhere and with everybody, what were your top 3 favorite dancing events?
That’s really hard as there are so many to choose from and I’ve been blessed to perform all around the world but My top 3 favorite dancing events I would have to say are:
- The Oprah Winfrey Show performing at Radio City Music Hall with Christina Aguilera for a huge Mother’s Day Special. I flew my mom to New York to be a guest and she got to meet Oprah. That was pretty amazing.
- Performing in South Africa, Durban, & Mozambique with Ciara in a stadium full of people that were so incredibly grateful to have us there. Being in another country like Africa really made me feel extremely blessed to be doing what I love.
- Definitely performing in Abu Dhabi, Dubai with Christina Aguilera. Incredible experience performing in that country. The show was amazing.
Questions with Kiki and Sakinah:
- You have many hats, as director, choreographer, and artist developer, tell our readers how the AtLA Takeova Dance Convention was born and why it’s important to you?
(KiKi) The AtLA Takeova Dance Convention was born in November 11, 2011. (11.11.11)
It was extremely important to us being able to actually see the vision come to fruition. Seeing so many dancers come from all over the country to share this experience with us as well as these amazing choreographers was incredibly surreal. It definitely lit a fire under us and made me especially realize how significantly important my journey has been to get this point and why I have experienced all that I have. To share what I’ve learned so that others can follow in the same footsteps I have followed of so many amazing dancers, choreographers, & most of all inspirational leaders that have helped me in the pursuit of “Taking Ova” My Dreams.
(Sakinah) It is important to me because I was a convention kid growing up. I told my mom and dad at 13 yrs old that I would be the owner of a dance convention some day. I did all I could in high school and college to make that dream a reality. I interned with LA Dance magic convention, I studied with Emmy Award winner Mia Michaels and was selected for her dance intensive and most of all I learned the business. When Kiki and I teamed up I had a previous dance workshop company by the name of Shoskillz and was happy to hear that our vision and plans were in line with each other. AtLA was born out of passion and hard work of two women with big dreams to share what they learned in the pursuit of them. I can honestly say that AtLA is my dream come true.
- You’re doing so much and it’s amazing. I know how passion fuels our fire, but share with us, how do you juggle your life, career, family, the choreography and other hats you wear?
(Kiki) This past year has definitely been a huge adjustment in juggling life, career, family, choreography, business ventures and so much more. Having a 2 year old and just getting married 5 months ago to my amazing husband has been a blessing in my life. It makes me go even harder for everything I believe & have faith in. AtLA has allowed me to focus on my goals and vision for the future of my family. With family especially children, there is always a balance that has to be implemented. Because I have the tendency to be very passionate about dance and my career, I always have to make sure my family, husband, & daughter are at the top of my priorities. They matter the most & they are the reason I go hard for my dreams. Even when we are all extremely tired at times, the sacrifice to do what we love so that I can spend time with family is all worth it. Thankful for my mom & sister who definitely help me & support me in the pursuit of making my dreams come true!
(Sakinah) Juggling is something I think we both have gotten really good at. LOL! It is hard to maximize the potential in all areas but once you find the formula it gets easier. We often times laugh because we have to schedule friendship time to just talk about life and not work. (Secretly we still end up talking about work. lol) Family has been huge for me to stay focused, my parents support is incredible and I am so thankful for them. Kiki and I are so fortunate to have family that backs us up all the way. It is definitely a blessing and a motivation.
- What are you most passionate about and how does it fuel you?
(Kiki) I’m most passionate about AtLA & my daughter Kennedy-Dream. AtLA fuels me because it allows others to pursue their dreams. It has created so many doors & windows of opportunity for so many dancers. Even to the extent of a television show which airs Sept. 12th on UPTv featuring 8 of the top elite young dancers in Atlanta as they pursue their dreams through our company ATLA Takeova. There are so many success stories from AtLA and it just continues to fuel Both Sakinah and I with excitement as we watch the dreams of others come to life. My daughter Kennedy-Dream fuels me so much because she places so much purpose in my life. She is such a blessing to our entire family and so incredibly smart. I get excited thinking about how awesome she is and going to be when she gets older. I work hard so that she can do and be anything her heart desires. I will go to the end of the earth to make sure she fulfills everything she ever dreams of. She is my greatest performance yet!
(Sakinah) AtLA is a major passion of ours. Knowing that for most of my life I have wanted to have and offer what was offered to me as a young dancer. Being able to give that to dancers is a passion. Helping them navigate through the intimidating world of dance and entertainment. Being a successful business owner and example in our community is definitely the fuel. Kiki and I are always saying that AtLA is bigger than us. Making sure we are not only professionally equipped but spiritually responsible and ready for God’s ultimate plan keeps me fueled. There are so many things in life that suggest selfishness. AtLA is not one of them so that in itself is a fire that stays lit. It’s always better to do things for others; in turn you will get the things that are for you.
