Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Armstrong.
Brenda, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
In the dance community, I am known as “Jaye.” When I was a child, I went through multiple traumatic experiences, and the internal effects culminated in my teenage years. I found dance and latched on to it as a therapeutic release. Unfortunately, my mother was a single minority, who could not always afford to keep me in classes. When I turned 16, I got a job to be able to pay for my own classes.
When I became a dance instructor, I noticed the same patterns, students who used dance as therapy as well, were hit and miss some months and slowly stopped coming. All because of expensive class, performance and attire fees. I saw the need for a change, and this led me to attend Cal State University San Bernardino to obtain my degree in Dance and Business Management.
From there I opened my dance studio Natajae Arts and founded my non-profit “Volunteer 2 Dance” in which low income, minority, and foster-Group home youth, can volunteer with their community and trade those hours for professional dance class lessons and class attire.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is Dance.
I create choreography and dance productions that relay the emotions of both relatable experiences and hard-to-relate experiences alike.
I have a photography and video production team that captures these productions in a storytelling audiovisual.
We do this to create content that will be able to inspire anyone who sees, even if they have never danced in their life, to take action.
Whether that action is getting involved with dance to help themselves heal, to reach out and participate by volunteering, donating to the cause, or even just sharing to the next person to spread the message of love, hope, and happiness.
The message of my non-profit is that there is another way to deal with negative emotions and habits. There is a positive, safe and welcoming community ready to be by your side in hard times, and that beautiful opportunity should not be exclusive to any one particular “level” of influence.
I hope that youth who participate in the V2D Program will take away a family that they may not have previously had (In literal terms for foster youth), a community of peers and adults who are moving on a positive path. The mental tools and outlet needed to deal with any trauma and stress they have previously or are currently experiencing. As opposed to turning to drugs and substance abuse, hanging around a negatively influencing crowd or even secluding themselves and drowning is negative feelings.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I don’t believe the role has changed as so much as the need for it has.
Arts has always served as a voice for people to peacefully communicate ideas, emotions, and opinions.
But as history has shown us, times have changed drastically, and the condition of society at its roots
(in the home and upbringing of future leaders, decision-makers and society members) has worsened. EVERYTHING starts in the home. Adults are who they are and who they choose to be, based on their upbringing and experiences in life from birth on. Families in the past as a whole had happier homes, Closer and healthier relationships and a better sense of morality.
Children today are generally being raised by the media and really, each other, to have a “Me-first” mentality, that goes hand in hand with the cycle of distrust, dishonesty, and low morale. These children and youth WILL be our future leaders, decision-makers, parents and society members.
Our local government is international events all involve people who have grown up with that same evolving mindset.
The Arts, Dance, in particular, are needed more than ever to heal, bring together, and uplift or current adults, but even more so, our current youth who will be the next to take the lead.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
www.Volunteer2dance.org: Where they can read more on the program, how it works, check out our partnerships
and Upcoming Projects
Youtube is “Jaye Nataj”: See our video Interviews of special guests in the dance community, watch dance video productions and behind the scenes content.
Facebook is Volunteer 2 Dance: Non-profit page where they can keep updated with what’s going on.
And Jaye Nataj: Founder’s page to keep updated on new projects and opportunities to get
involved.
Instagram is @V2DOfficial: Where they can check out our previous work and upcoming work and @JayeNataj: Original Dance content from the founder and behind the scenes content.
Donate and Support: Go fund me page here: https://www.gofundme.com/V2DProgram
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Volunteer2dance.org
- Phone: 909-547-4364
- Email: Partners@volunteer2dance.org
- Instagram: @V2dOfficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Volunteer2Dance/
- Other: @JayeNataj
Image Credit:
@GoodBoyKoba, @MinhAnderson
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
