Daily Inspiration: Meet Shaniece Brazwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaniece Brazwell. 

Hi Shaniece, 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?
My journey in dance began in church when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I don’t have a very traditional beginning as I began dancing in church learning liturgical, west African, and step dancing. I gradually learned about more styles of dance as I took dance classes in high school to avoid having to take P.E.! I briefly danced at a local dance studio for 6 months when I was 15 years old then decided that was not the best route for me. Upon graduating high school, I took a 2-year hiatus away from dance until I took a dance lecture course at Estrella Mountain Community College that revived my passion for dance leading to my transfer to Glendale Community College. I danced with the Verve Dance Company at GCC for 1 1/2 years prior to transitioning to the University of Utah to study modern dance leading to my graduation in 2018 with a BFA in Modern Dance. Upon returning to Phoenix, I have continued performing and choreographing throughout the valley as a solo artist and in collaborative efforts. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey in dance has been an uphill battle. Having to navigate through this field without having had the training that most of my peers have had has been incredibly difficult as I have had to play catch up. I did not receive formal training in codified dance styles until I was 20 years old whereas a majority of my peers began their technical training when they were 5 or 6 years old. Although I started dancing in church, I lacked a lot of the vocabulary, proper technical execution, and experience that most of my peers have had. This presents unique challenges because I have had to be strategic to figure out what I could do to get into certain dance spaces to create quality work or be part of quality dance projects despite lacking the training most choreographers look for in dancers. This is something I am still navigating through and probably will have to as long as I’m dancing. Another obstacle was feeling as though I was the oddball out being one of the few black women in the dance spaces I entered into. I never knew if I really belonged or if I would be taken seriously. I have been blessed to find established connections that value my talent and potential rather than viewing my complexion as a setback. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work as a customer service representative for a financial company but my goal is to transition into the creative field full-time dancing and performing. I am most proud of my accomplishments as a selected performer for the Blaktinx dance festival in which I performed a solo work I choreographed titled “one” that premiered in Phoenix then was selected to be performed in LA. Having the opportunity to also set work on Glendale Community College’s Verve Dance Company was a huge accomplishment especially as a former Verve dancer. It’s amazing how things come full circle. My goal is to continually get more Work choreographing and performing in and outside of Arizona. 

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about my city is how big my city is. I enjoy the fact that Phoenix is slowly but surely becoming more diverse and with that comes the experience of learning about new cultures. I love that downtown Phoenix is beginning to embrace various art forms and that’s helped to encourage young professionals to relocate here making Arizona livelier and enjoyable. 

One thing I like least is that although the arts are beginning to be embraced, it is still not supported in way that enables a majority of artists to pursue their craft full time. While there are talented artists making a full-time living in their artistic craft in AZ, it is not common. Along with the local arts not really being made as visible as they could be here in AZ, it seems as though there is not a common tendency to engage in risk through collaboration between artists that go outside of the mold of art commonly seen in Arizona. There is so much stunning talent here in AZ but it can only be fully expressed, strengthened, and groundbreaking when artists are willing step outside of the box. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/shaniecebmovement

Image Credits
@erica_maclean
@rozotadi