Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayauna Latrise.
Hi Ayauna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
From a very young age, I’ve always felt like I had a big purpose in this lifetime. I hadn’t known what it was, but I made sure to be the best at everything that I took an interest. I would find myself saying, what I now know as affirmations, things like – I will be successful in everything that I do. I am successful in all that I do. I am meant to be known around the world.
I am first generation. I am the first to do it all. However, I am the experimental child, as well. I like to look at it now as having first-hand experience and being able to be a resource to others.
My creative journey started at the age of five. I attended Uptown Arts – Cincinnati. I studied Ballet for a short period of time, yet this is how I got my start in dance. I’ve been dancing for over 19 years (almost two decades)! My family has lived all over Cincinnati. We have lived in Kentucky, as well. It was my 8th-grade year, we lived in Kentucky, and my cousin had just graduated from Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts. I then knew what I wanted to do. It was perfect timing, being that I was going into High school.
I got accepted into the school for Dramatic Arts in 2012 and graduated with Dramatic Arts in 2016. During my high school career, I’ve been casted in multiple plays and musicals as a lead actress and in the dance ensemble. Fun Fact: I was the ONLY non-dance major to be casted in the dance ensembles!
In college, I wasn’t too sure about academics and what I “wanted to do for the rest of my life”, but I did know that I needed to find a dance team. Wright State’s Emerald Jazz welcomed me with open arms. There, I learned technique, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and a ton of other genres. I’ve competed nationally at NDA in Daytona, Fl, placing 7th nationally.
After college, I became a dance fitness instructor, I’ve choreographed for a music video, hosted various dance classes, taught private lessons, and I am now a part of a burlesque group – RUDE Burlesque (Respectfully Utilizing Dance and Entertainment).
Dance has always been a constant in my life. I love it with all my heart. It has opened doors for me in ways I could never imagine.
Now – I am looking into my higher purpose with my creativity. I am researching innovative ways to use my talents and to bring my community together.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I am first generation. A ton of the things I know today is because of many mistakes and failures that I have gone through.
Some struggles along the way…
First-generation
Being alone at college away from my decently big family (depression, separation anxiety)
The doubt of not being as classically trained as other dancers
Going into college and not truly knowing why I was there
Lack of transportation
Lack of funds
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to call myself the CREATIVE EXTRAORDINAIRE! I am a jack of all trades. I am an innovator, a creative. I am a dancer, a makeup artist, and a model!
I am most proud of my journey and talent as a dancer! My years of experience have paid off and continues to do so. When people hear Ayauna Latrise – they think TALENTED! Of course, dance has been my priority, but I am the definition of talented.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to be innovative, my intuition to find the things that will bring an idea to LIFE! I will hear an idea and think of all the different ways to execute it. I dream BIG! The bigger the better. I do it with a charisma, a beauty, a luxury, a joy!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mom deserves the most praise! I’m not dramatic when I say she is my backbone. She has continued to support me in whatever decisions I make! No matter how big! My brothers have played a role. They are the reason I continue to push and go for bigger. I want bigger. I need the biggest for my family.
My fiancé, Aleighia. She is the most supportive, yet realistic. Sometimes I can dream TOO big. She is my sanity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ayaunalatrise
Image Credits
@snappedphotography
@RUDE Burlesque
