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Tiffany Davis – Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Afro Puffs and Ponytails present Ms. Tiffany Davis, an African American Entrepreneur who provides choreography and dance services in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

mstiffanyupclose1I look upon dance as a friend, even a sister of mine. We have our ups and downs, good days and bad days, agreements and disagreements; but through it all I can’t live without her. My dance journey began at the age of 4 in Indianapolis, Indiana. I began to train in African Dance, under the direction of Sandra Holiday, who had a dance troupe by the name of FIRE. After training with her for 2 years, I was allowed to perform with the troupe. At a young age I was put into a performing atmosphere. FIRE performed all over the state of Indiana and the surrounding states. After performing with the group off and on for about 8 years, I grew anxious. I knew there was so much more dance had to offer. I chose to move on.

I started ballet around 14. It was very difficult for me to grasp. I was used to the free flowing and energetic African movements, but ballet was quite different being so tightly held and rigid. I remember being so confused at first, but after a while the movements became routine. I was getting older and entering high school and decided to give up dancing for a while, only after 1 year of ballet. I called myself giving dance a break, but you can’t take a break from something you crave. I found myself memorizing every dance routine in every music video. I was involved in anything dance related at my high school. Dance never left me for a moment.
 
mstiffanyMy dance experience in college was very difficult. I left home to go to school in Alabama, as a dance major. I was thrown into a ballet based dance program with girls who had taken ballet since the age of 3. With my 1 year of ballet experience, I had to play catch up. On a daily basis I felt intimidated and inadequate. I felt like all eyes were laughing at me as I struggled with steps. I was picked on by my instructors about everything from my weight, to the way I wore my hair. There were days I went to my dorm room and cried, but there was no way I could change my path. I believe dance chose me, not the other way around, so there wasn’t an option to be without it. I stuck it out in the dance program for 4 years. I worked, practiced, and improved, and realized that I was catching up with the same girls that laughed at me. I saw that they made the same mistakes I did. I realized that we were all still learning and no person was better than the other. When I felt like I had gotten what I needed from the dance program, I moved on.
I started Ms. Tiffany’s Dance in 2007.  My business is all about providing private dance lessons.  I know how it feels to be embarrassed in a public dance setting, and no one should feel that way, as it takes away from the learning process.
 
Hold on to your dreams.  Hold tight to the things you crave the most, because you’ll find that the harder you try to stray, to more your dreams will follow you.  Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something.  It doesn’t matter how old you are or how inexperienced. You are the deciding factor of whether your dreams only happen while you’re sleeping, or if they become a reality. 
 
Tiffany Davis
Instructor/Choreographer

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11 Comments

  1. Tameka, 7 years ago

    Hi Tiffany, I am looking for an assemble of dancers to perform 1-2 African inspired choreographed dances for my wedding. I have not set a date yet but wanted to know if you offered this service.

  2. Ash, 12 years ago

    Are you still performing? If so, how might you be contacted?

  3. Adedayo, 12 years ago

    Are you still doing African dance? If so where?

  4. Kristen, 13 years ago

    I am so proud of you! You are truly an inspiration to all. Please continue to do this and bring some honor back to our women and to hip hop dance in general. Love you

  5. Anna H, 13 years ago

    Your story is so inspiring to me. I searched google: become a dance instructor at age 25″ and this page popped up. I do struggle with embarrassment because I have no prior dance training, so I can relate to that. I fully support what you’re doing! I wish I lived close enough to get training from you. I tried ballet in our local studio, but felt like an idiot, because I was in the class with the 8 year olds and needed to be in class with the 5 year olds. I only tried for a month and gave up. I, too, would like to change the way things are done around my area, but i need to learn dance first. So, if you know anyone in North Louisiana that could help me, please let me know! Thank you and good luck with all that you do!

  6. Christy Holley, 14 years ago

    You are truly a role model for all women of color. Continue to strive for excellence and good luck in all endeavors.

  7. Lula Holley, 14 years ago

    Its nice to hear of Black women making the most out of their life. This should be a motivational story to all that determination will help you be a success.

  8. kayla, 14 years ago

    Very inspirational. I hope you continue to do well.

  9. Christy H., 14 years ago

    This is an inspiring story. You have held tight to your dreams and did your best. Keep it up!

  10. Sujai, 14 years ago

    How inspiring! The message to young girls and to all of us really is that we must never give up the hope of living out our dream and that indeed later in life may turn out to be right on time..

  11. Njideka Karmo, 14 years ago

    Tiffany- You’ve come a long way lady. Sounds like “Fire” play ed a foundational role in your journey of dance. Love your tenacious spirit…it will surely inspire others. Peace.


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