KISHA VAUGHAN
Dancer, Choreographer, Fashion Maven, Model & Mother
Photos by ROBERTSEN ASHMAN
FNHH: Tell me a little about yourself i.e. family, brother, sisters, where you grew up, etc.?
I was raised in Sacramento, CA where my parents still live. I have two sisters, one older one younger. We had a middle class upbringing. Overall raised to be hard workers and responsible for our actions.
FNHH: How long have you been dancing? How did you get started?
I have been dancing for 12 years now. I always wanted to dance. I knew as a child that I could dance. I never took lessons as that was just financially not an option for us. I would watch music videos and copy the movements. I remember using our coffee table as a stage often a performing for my family. I would even try to teach my friends and sisters how to do certain dances or moves.
It wasn't until I moved to Seattle that I actually took a class for the first time. My girl Anna was a dancer and she told me that she knew I could dance and that I should come take a class. Finally I did, and I was terrible. But with persistence and dedication I got better.
FNHH: What are your specialties? Hip hop bboy, etc.
Hip Hop is my boo. I love grooves and lyrical adaption of music.
I was raised in Sacramento, CA where my parents still live. I have two sisters, one older one younger. We had a middle class upbringing. Overall raised to be hard workers and responsible for our actions.
FNHH: How long have you been dancing? How did you get started?
I have been dancing for 12 years now. I always wanted to dance. I knew as a child that I could dance. I never took lessons as that was just financially not an option for us. I would watch music videos and copy the movements. I remember using our coffee table as a stage often a performing for my family. I would even try to teach my friends and sisters how to do certain dances or moves.
It wasn't until I moved to Seattle that I actually took a class for the first time. My girl Anna was a dancer and she told me that she knew I could dance and that I should come take a class. Finally I did, and I was terrible. But with persistence and dedication I got better.
FNHH: What are your specialties? Hip hop bboy, etc.
Hip Hop is my boo. I love grooves and lyrical adaption of music.
FNHH: Who are your favorite dancers and why?
Tessandra Chavez is AMAZING! She really has a way of making me feel what she feels, and see what she sees. Parris Goebel, I mean...she is just filthy!! I love Kevin Maher and Luther Brown as well. Those dudes just push me for the details and the feeling of movement.
FNHH: What are your goals as a dancer?
To never stop. Give in to the reality that the experience will grow, evolve, and change.
FNHH: Is there a saying/quote u live by?
A body in motion stays in motion. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Relax, relate, release. But my favorite is:
“The greatest tragedy of the family is the unlived lives of the parents.”
― C.G. Jung
FNHH: What has been the most challenging in your career?
I think having kids has really been the tug at my heart strings and reality. I sacrificed being with my son at times to be on tour, which was tough to do. And then I sacrificed my career to have my daughter. Both were hard, but both were absolutely worth it.
Tessandra Chavez is AMAZING! She really has a way of making me feel what she feels, and see what she sees. Parris Goebel, I mean...she is just filthy!! I love Kevin Maher and Luther Brown as well. Those dudes just push me for the details and the feeling of movement.
FNHH: What are your goals as a dancer?
To never stop. Give in to the reality that the experience will grow, evolve, and change.
FNHH: Is there a saying/quote u live by?
A body in motion stays in motion. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Relax, relate, release. But my favorite is:
“The greatest tragedy of the family is the unlived lives of the parents.”
― C.G. Jung
FNHH: What has been the most challenging in your career?
I think having kids has really been the tug at my heart strings and reality. I sacrificed being with my son at times to be on tour, which was tough to do. And then I sacrificed my career to have my daughter. Both were hard, but both were absolutely worth it.
FNHH: Tell the readers something about yourself they would be surprised to know?
I didn't start dancing until I was in my twenties!! You do the math.
FNHH: What music are you currently playing on your iPod?
Right now I love Fleetwood Mac, Jhene Aiko, and YG
FNHH: What is your favorite movie of all time?
The Color Purple...typical sista response!
FNHH: What is your favorite food?
Cheese
FNHH: What other talents or hobbies do you have?
I can throw down in the kitchen
FNHH: What has motherhood brought to your artistry?
A new meaning for the word WORK. Being a mom is hard, but wanting them to know that their mother was a hard worker, a dreamer, a mover a shaker. They make me want to always be someone they can be proud of.
FNHH: What do you foresee in the future for the Kisha Vaughan brand?
More visual adaptions of my work, more connection to our community...more surprises!
FNHH: What insight about dance would you like to share with the readers?
You have to want to do it for yourself first and for your audience just as much. You owe it to those who want to watch you to give it your all. You never know how your performance can change someones life.
FNHH: What kind of music moves you?
Soul music is and will always be my first love. Any music that makes me feel something, that makes me want to be there inside the song. Living. That can be house, rock, rap, folk...anything.
FNHH: Final thoughts?
Encourage each other to strive for the best. There is room for all of us to create and to be.
I didn't start dancing until I was in my twenties!! You do the math.
FNHH: What music are you currently playing on your iPod?
Right now I love Fleetwood Mac, Jhene Aiko, and YG
FNHH: What is your favorite movie of all time?
The Color Purple...typical sista response!
FNHH: What is your favorite food?
Cheese
FNHH: What other talents or hobbies do you have?
I can throw down in the kitchen
FNHH: What has motherhood brought to your artistry?
A new meaning for the word WORK. Being a mom is hard, but wanting them to know that their mother was a hard worker, a dreamer, a mover a shaker. They make me want to always be someone they can be proud of.
FNHH: What do you foresee in the future for the Kisha Vaughan brand?
More visual adaptions of my work, more connection to our community...more surprises!
FNHH: What insight about dance would you like to share with the readers?
You have to want to do it for yourself first and for your audience just as much. You owe it to those who want to watch you to give it your all. You never know how your performance can change someones life.
FNHH: What kind of music moves you?
Soul music is and will always be my first love. Any music that makes me feel something, that makes me want to be there inside the song. Living. That can be house, rock, rap, folk...anything.
FNHH: Final thoughts?
Encourage each other to strive for the best. There is room for all of us to create and to be.