Naiya Graham
Degree: B.A. in Dance with a concentration in Dance Education
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
How did you first get interested in dance?
I started teaching myself how to dance by watching videos online when I was 3-4yrs old and would perform them in front of my parents. When I was 5yrs old, my mom enrolled me in my first dance class and I have been dancing ever since.
What kind of career do you hope to have?
I am interested in potentially becoming a professional dancer specializing in hip hop styles, especially commercial hip hop. After I finish with professional work I want to move into to being a choreographer working for different artists or opening up my own face studio that offers all genres of dance for both kids and adults. One goal I have is to dance for Parris Goebel or a backup dancer for Kendrick Lamar.
What is your favorite thing about the Department of Dance?
My favorite thing about the dance department is the sense of community and inclusivity I feel from my classmates, teachers, and friends. My favorite memory of this is the hip hop cyphers we had in our street dance class with Professor Ashley Tate.
Do you participate in any community activities or work in the Charlotte arts community?
I am a OUR Scholar for the Office of Undergraduate Research and as a scholar I get to conduct research within the Charlotte arts community, specifically with dance education.
What have you gained from the Arts + Architecture Honors Program?
I have gained many opportunities to work on different research projects with different professors both nationally and soon internationally, I have gained leadership and professionalism skills that have helped prepare me for presenting and collaborating with others, and better preparation for graduate school.
When you are not in class, studying, or working, what do you like to do for fun?
Anything that is arts and crafts I will do like painting, drawing, funny pictures in Canva or Adobe.