We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ty Newby. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ty below.
Hi Ty , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
This is a very interesting question just because over the past couple of years I now realize that I am not the only one in the room that looks like me. there’s been a lot more opportunities for people of color, especially in the dance industry. I feel like we’ve been just doing a lot more and getting a lot more time to shine and I think with that. anything I do to be successful has to come from knowing that I’m confident and secure as an artist/individual to where I can walk in a room where people look like me and know that I would still be able to stand out.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently I am a professional dancer currently residing in Los Angeles, California. My love for the arts and dance specifically started at my church around the age of five or six. That being said, I didn’t truly realize that I wanted to pursue this as a career until after I graduated high school in 2017. After my graduation I was able to join a nonprofit organization called Culture Shock Washington D.C that allowed me to gain knowledge and further my appreciation for the different styles, cultures, and communities of the dance art form. I was then able to perform on multiple stages inside and outside of the country as well as tv and music video performances. As much as dance has changed my life and I hope to be performing for as long as I physically can, I wanted to find another way where I can be creative but also make an impact on a grander scale. With that I’ve also begun taking user interface and design courses to widen my knowledge about the websites and applications we use in our everyday lives while also bringing a creative aspect with the prototype and creation of the website itself. I truly think it’s a great bridge between technology and creativity showing that there are other outlets to express a more creative voice.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think most of the advice that I’ve gotten through anything I’ve started from the beginning is: take your time and trust that what is meant for you at any specific moment is what is meant for you. I feel especially in the entertainment industry, there are times where we see other people in the positions that we want to be in and we want to know and sometimes imitate their path to success. But the problem with that is, you don’t know if their path to success will work for you. I personally feel like if you know where you want to go and you can see it In your mind clear as day, along with some sort of plan you have for yourself, you can do anything that you want. I was told by a mentor of mine that “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” and that little phrase stuck with me at all times, even to this day.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
As cheesy as this will sound, my friends and close people that I surround myself with help me the most. I think being so bound with people who’ve watched you grow and then to see them in the roles and opportunities that you’ve both wanted helps me to one: understand that they’ve worked hard and knew what they wanted to do in order to get there. Two: being surrounded by people with such experience gives me insight and confidence so when I get to these positions I can put my best foot forward. And three: seeing my closest friends and family working hard shows me that I can also be in these positions and I can perform and thrive with them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _tynewby
Image Credits
Uriah Roman Vincent Mai Ornelle Chimi
