Kayah Bey

Degree: B.A in Dance with a Performance, Choreography, and Theory Concentration and B.S. in Marketing
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Charlotte, NC

How did you first get interested in dance?
I was born into dance, I’ve been surrounded by music and movement my entire life. My dad started an African drumming and dance troupe with my mom as a dancer before I was born, so my mom was performing with me in the womb. My parents taught me African drumming and dance, and I started to learn other styles when I was 3 years old. I started college off as a marketing major, but after growing up surrounded by the arts, I couldn’t stay away from dance. Performing on stage has always been where I feel most comfortable which is funny, since I’ve always been a shy and quiet person. Through dancing, singing, and playing instruments, I’ve found a kind of expression that fills me in ways nothing else can.

What kind of career do you hope to have?
I will have a career surrounding the arts, my goal in life is to preserve culture. I want to continue to spread African diasporic dances and connect the future, present, and past through art and movement. I want to create more spaces for this connection to culture and bring knowledge, messages, and shows to the public for people to both learn and enjoy. 

What is your favorite thing about the College of Arts + Architecture?
My favorite thing about UNC Charlotte’s CoA+A is the sense of community. My peers are all open minded so I never feel like anything is impossible when we talk about our goals. Between the faculty and students, everyone is always willing to help each other inside and outside of the dance studio and I’ve never felt unwelcomed. 

Do you participate in any community activities or work in the Charlotte arts/design community?
At UNC Charlotte, I am a marketing intern in the Community and Leadership Engagement office which allows me to creatively express myself through media while also gaining experience in one of my interests. Outside of the school, alongside my family, we bring drum circles to the community for collectiveness and hands on healing. We go to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, parks, and more.

When you are not in class, studying, or working, what do you like to do for fun?
In my free time, I love to play guitar, go outside, do puzzles, write, and I love spending time with my family.