Meet Kashi-Tara

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

Hi Kashi-Tara, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence
Firstly, I am blessed with a loving, nurturing, creative, free spirited mother. Secondly, I am selective about my inner circle. I only allow those who truly support and uplift me to be a part of it. Being an artist is fragile. There is lots of self doubt and negative self talk that has to be balanced out. By carefully choosing who I surround myself with, I can create a positive and empowering environment that helps me thrive, grow as an artist and keep things in perspective. I value trust, authenticity and kindness above all else. Surrounding myself with people who truly understand and value me for who I am is essential for personal growth and happiness. I have a support system that believes in my abilities and encourages me to reach my full potential. By surrounding myself with positive, like-minded individuals, I create a small but strong network of friends who uplift and inspire me to be the best version of myself. On my journey I was counted out after becoming pregnant with my 1st son, counted out after being shelved by Atlantic Records, counted out after leaving my management company and counted out after taking a hiatus from writing, singing and performing. But when you are truly a creative, the fire never goes away. Fortunately I was encouraged and had the opportunity to join forces with WIAWRECORDS, Grady McCain and Bruce Gardner. With a shared vision, “age ain’t nuthin but a number,” we found our fire again. Perseverance.

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

Born in New York and raised in Maryland, my musical journey has taken me on a grand adventure! I had the incredible opportunity to be signed with Atlantic Records, where I began making my mark as a singer, songwriter, and performer. Music is in my blood. Drawing inspiration from my roots, my mom (K. Shalong) is a jazz singer, and my dad, a percussionist of Honduran descent, I infuse rhythm in everything I do. I sang background for the iconic duo Salt-N-Pepa and had the honor of performing with renowned artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Michelle Indigoicello, and Cheryl Crow on the Lilith Fair tour.

My educational journey in the arts led me to study acting at The New School in New York, where I honed my craft and took classes under the guidance of renowned mentors such as Susan Batson and Joi Lee. I also served as a resident actor for Arena Stage’s educational outreach troupe where I performed a one-woman show by Dael Orlandersmith “The Gimmick” under the direction of Ralph Remmington. I had the privilege of performing at Arena Stage in August Wilson’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ directed by Tazewell Thompson and at Columbia’s Rep Stage in ‘The Piano Teacher’ directed by Kasi Campbell. I combined my love of teaching with my passion for theater by being a resident actor for the New Theater of Medicine, a new kind of theater under the direction of Jeffrey Steiger. This innovative theater is based on real stories of health professionals, allowing me to use my artistic talents to create impactful and meaningful performances.

In the world of film and music, I appeared in the movie ‘Kazaam,’ starring Shaquille O’Neal, contributed to the soundtrack of ‘Space Jam,’ and sang background on Patra’s album ‘Scent of Attraction.’ In addition to these achievements, I’ve written and directed several plays, including ‘A Change Gon Come,’ a powerful portrayal of the life of Harriet Tubman, which was performed at the Atlas theatre in DC, the Arts Festival in Berlin, Germany and many other venues. One of my proudest achievements, aside from being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, was receiving the Montgomery County Executive Community Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities for my work with the Finest Performance Foundation (my family’s non-profit organization).
Currently, I am a solo artist with a local independent record label WIAW (World Inside A World Records) owned by Grady McCain and I frequently perform throughout the DMV with Bruce Gardner and the BGX band. I am a Creative Movement/Dance teacher at a prestigious private school in Potomac, Maryland, where I get to nurture the artistic spirit in the next generation.

In my multifaceted career, I’m a proud mother of three sons, balancing the roles of artist and parent. I bring authenticity, personal connection, and the joy of life to the stage, infusing my performances with a unique and heartfelt touch. My passion for the arts continues to inspire with the hope of leaving a lasting mark on the world of entertainment.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Patience, Passion, Perseverance
Opportunities and magical moments happen all the time, but if we don’t have the Patience to live in the moment, we miss them. So live in the moment.
Once we realize our Passion, we have to continue to feed it in order to live a happier life. Your Passion is your Art! If you’re not Passionate about it, don’t do it!
Keep going! Keep pushing! Keep creating! Keep growing! Keep laughing! Keep living! Create because you love it! Perseverance

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Time & Technology. Technology is evolving everyday. Because I am such a “personal in-your-face artist “, keeping up with all the different social media outlets and providing content consistently poses a challenge. My first thought when expressing myself creatively isn’t to pick up my phone and record my process, but it should be. That’s what people/supporters want to see. Viewers love the “how” story and I need to be more consistent with letting everyone “backstage.” I am becoming more conscious of identifying what can be shared and how to put a creative spin on it which is unique to me. Being a single mom, managing all that comes with raising 2 boys and holding down a full time job is a challenge, but I can’t not create. The willingness to not give up, my passion for writing and performing and my genuine love for artistic expression keeps me going.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Grady McCain
[email protected]

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