Meet Kashi-Tara Barrett

We recently connected with Kashi-Tara Barrett and have shared our conversation below.

Kashi-Tara, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My purpose found me. I was born into the arts. My mom is a singer and my biological father is a percussionist and writer so creativity has always been in my blood. From a young age, I was drawn to the stage. I sang my first solo in kindergarten, won talent contests, and performed in countless school plays. By first grade, I was touring locally in a singing duet with my sister. Growing up, I continued to perform in dance and theater troupes, and in high school, while working in recreation, I started a youth performance troupe. That experience helped me discover my love for choreographing, directing, and writing.

What truly fulfills me is seeing my students find confidence, strength, and joy through the arts. Watching their growth, their passion, determination, and pride touches my heart and feeds my soul. I love making people happy, and the stage is my vehicle for emotional connection. Whether I’m singing, teaching, writing, choreographing, or directing, I use performance as a way to express myself and to connect with others, even those I may never meet.

I live with fibromyalgia. A chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue that currently has no cure. This is challenging, but when I’m creating or performing, something incredible happens. My adrenaline takes over, and my pain no longer consumes me. In those moments, I’m reminded why I do what I do: the exchange of energy between artist and audience is pure magic. It’s where I feel most alive, most whole, and most in purpose.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I wear many creative hats. I am a singer, songwriter, performer, teacher, writer, choreographer, and director and I’m grateful that each one allows me to express different parts of who I am. Currently, I’m a solo artist signed to the independent label WIAW (World Inside A World Records), owned by Grady McCain, and I regularly perform throughout the DMV area with Bruce Gardner and the BGX Band. My sound blends elements of neo-soul, funk, Go-Go and R&B. My sound has sometimes been compared to Erykah Badu, influenced by my love for Billie Holiday and my background in theater.

Beyond the stage, I’m a Creative Movement and Dance teacher at a prestigious private school in Potomac, Maryland, where I have the privilege of nurturing the artistic spirit of the next generation. Watching my students discover their voice and confidence through movement brings me immense joy.

As a writer, I create across many forms. From original songs and plays to monologues and jingles. I’ve trained as an actor with Susan Batson and Joi Lee, studied acting at The New School for Performing Arts and I’ve written, directed, and choreographed numerous productions while teaching acting as well.

What sets me apart, I believe, is my instinctive ability to complement the musicality of a beat with heartfelt lyrics and melodies, and to visualize a performance from concept to full realization. I pour my authenticity, passion, and joy into every moment on stage. My performances are more than entertainment, they’re an exchange of energy, emotion, and truth. I want my audience to walk away not just entertained, but uplifted and connected.

As a mother of three sons, I’ve learned to balance the demands of art and life with grace and gratitude. While navigating motherhood and my career is definitely a challenge, everything I do, whether teaching, writing, or performing — comes from a place of love and purpose. My hope is to leave a lasting mark on the world of entertainment and to inspire others to live boldly in their creativity.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The first is trusting myself. Believing in my own instincts and creative voice has been essential. As an artist, it’s easy to second-guess yourself, but trusting your vision, even when it doesn’t look like anyone else’s, is what makes your work stand out. My advice: know WHO you are, believe in your gift, and don’t be afraid to take up space with your art.

The second is the ability to genuinely connect with people, from children to elders, students to audiences. Connection is at the heart of everything I do. When you listen deeply and meet people where they are, you create art and relationships that feel real and lasting.

The third is the ability to be fully present and listen to inspiration in the moment. Whether I’m writing, choreographing, performing, or teaching, I let the moment guide me. I listen to the characters as they speak to me on the page, let the music tell me how it wants to move, and read the energy in the room while performing. Being present helps me adjust, respond, and create authentically. It’s also how I gauge what my students are capable of in that moment so I can challenge them just enough while setting them up for success.
My advice for others: slow down, tune in, and trust what the moment is offering you. That’s where the magic and the truth live.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I knew I only had a decade of life left, I wouldn’t waste a moment sweating the small stuff. I’d live with intention and joy, fully embracing the truth my mother always professed, that this too shall pass. I’d spend more time creating beautiful memories with my children. I would laugh more, dance more, sing more, and soak up every shared moment. I’d pour more of my heart into my art, my teaching, and my connections, finding meaning in the everyday and gratitude in the simple things. Most of all, I’d make sure everyone I encountered felt seen, heard, and knew that they mattered. I’d keep creating, loving, and celebrating life for all its beauty and imperfection. I would squeeze every drop of joy from each precious day.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Grady McCain

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