Meet Jazi Kat

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jazi Kat. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jazi, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I have been in the performance world for over 20 years, and when I was in dance and theatre as a teenager I really struggled with having confidence in my work. Everyone who has worked with me knows that I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I used to be much worse back then. I think for a while that the demand I created for perfection held me back from developing my skills. Then once I hit my early 20s, I ended up having several health issues that led to a degree of skill regression, but through dealing with that I believe I’m in a better place than ever before with my confidence. I have learned to work with my body and mind rather than against them, and I truly believe that mindset is vital to anyone with similar struggles. Rather than focusing on the things I can’t do, I focus on the things that I can. I continue to have gratitude for those things, because one day I could lose them and I want to utilize these talents as long as I can.

Through this process, I have also strived to be more comfortable with the imperfect stages in my various projects, including sharing more works in progress with peers. Surrounding myself with other creatives that share in my personal goals and values has also improved my confidence greatly, and the past couple of years I’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to mentoring others as well.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a pop artist and music producer with inspirations from all over the world. I am most known for the Japanese pop influences in my work, with a focus on lyrical storytelling. I like to experiment with a variety of EDM genres from Eurodance to future bass, and perhaps more in the future. I also run my own production company, LuvULink Productions, through which I mentor and make music for other talents in my niche as well as host music and dance events. In the near future, I would love to share my music at events across the country and beyond.

My next single “Infinite” should be coming out later this summer. The title track is about some of the adversities I’ve faced, and I hope it can encourage others to believe in themselves.

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?

Organizational skills: I have always made an effort organize everything, and have a personal rule to never assume that someone else is going to do that part. This extends into a lot of areas in my life, but as it relates to my creative endeavors I have a system for basically everything. I have full spreadsheets for performance setlists and organized notes for every project, so that when I collaborate with others I can present things in a way that makes it easy to understand. Having this habit has solved a lot of problems that arise when planning things, and it has made me into a reliable leader that others can trust. It was a bit difficult to get started, partly because I have ADHD, but now I can confidently say that keeping your endeavors organized is vital for good leadership.

Assertiveness: I definitely had to learn to be more assertive over time, but I don’t believe I would be on an upward trajectory with my art if I didn’t have this skill. I was very shy growing up, because I cared too much about what others thought of me, but in building my confidence I also gained the ability to pitch my projects better and communicate more effectively. I have no regrets about cold emailing events that I think I could contribute positively to, and have gained some amazing opportunities in the process.

Technical foundations of dance: Even though most of the dance and chorography I do now is simpler than what I used to do, I credit my strong foundation in dance training with what I’m able to do now. I believe it’s the reason I’m able to be in tune with my body, even when I’m recovering from an injury and struggling a bit to adapt. I think many people in my niche, which is tied to the J-pop dance community, assume that since the dancing is “easy” that the foundational technique doesn’t matter that much, but it truly makes such a difference. Proper technique can help prevent injuries and even build stamina in a healthier way. It doesn’t mean you have to take 17 years of ballet or anything in order to dance onstage, but dedicating some time to the foundations of dance is something I’d suggest to anyone who aspires to do the sort of thing I do.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Since my music and performance work has become my only job, it can definitely get hectic at times. Whether it’s the scheduling, or a pile of unfinished projects building up, I am no stranger to overwhelming anxiety. It can be especially hard to practice true self-care in these times, especially with my disabilities that can and will force me to slow down sometimes. When you dedicate your entire life to your craft, I think it’s extremely important to have some hobbies outside of your work as well. For me, it’s tabletop roleplaying games, which also happens to have given me an amazing social circle outside of my performer and artist friends. The routine of a weekly game is also invaluable to me, because I need the consistency. Knowing there are others involved also holds me accountable to take these much-needed breaks. Ultimately, I think everyone could use something that’s just for fun.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Lyco
Alyx Wijers

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