BY: KRIS ANDERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: THE UPNEXT STUDIO
Dance is an art that can portray so many stories through one's movements. The art of dance is magical, it allows the dancer to become one with themselves and their surroundings. Once a dancer is locked into their routine everything around them is completely silenced besides the rhythm of the music. It's similar to riding around in the car on a nice summer day with the windows down playing that one old school jam that makes you feel all fuzzy and warm inside. It makes you feel so nostalgic to the point you're singing to the top of your lungs because you have no worries. That exact same feeling is what a dancer feels when engaged in their routine. Then again, Jaida Brooks isn't your average dancer. Jaida is more than just a dancer, she's a child of God, sister, loving daughter, an amazing friend and a visionary. I had the honor and privilege to work alongside Jaida in November of 2019 when The UpNext decided to put together a Heels & Hip-Hop Class. This Heels & Hip-Hop class was put together to allow young African American women in the Hampton Roads to come together while being comfortable in their own skin, and learning how to embrace their inner hot girl through dance. With this class being the first event for The UpNext, Jaida had the class filled with eager and willing to learn young African American women whose lives would be changed forever.
Jaida Brooks is a recent graduate of Hampton University where she studied Strategic Communications with a minor in Business Management. Jaida currently is a Management Consulting Analyst for a top consulting firm, Accenture Federal Services. Aside from that, Jaida spends her time catering to her craft, dance. She teaches at Cerdafied Studios as a Sensual Hip-Hop teacher. Jaida began her dance career at just 3-years old and hasn’t stopped since. Her love for dance grew when she used to watch her sister through the big mirror glass when she was too young to dance. But once she was old enough, she has never left the dance floor! Although Jaida is a teacher, she believes she will always be a student first. Jaida spends time training, trying to improve her craft from taking Heels, other Hip-Hop, and technique classes to do. Jaida believes one day she will pursue and excel her craft to a higher level to inspire others to do the same. A scripture Jaida currently lives by is Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths”. Now I present to you, Jaida Brooks The Creative.
The UpNext: Why do you love to dance?
Jaida: "I love dancing because it always takes me to a place where things cannot take me. It allows me to be me, without any judgment. It gives me a sense of freedom and fills a void when things may not be “perfect” in the real world. It also serves as my outlet mentally and physically, it helps me cope with things that may be a stressor at a point during my life."
The UpNext: What brought you to dance?
Jaida: "Between my mother forcing my sister and I to take dance classes, and me seeing my sister take the older kids classes I fell in love. I remember always looking through the window and watching all the dancers who were older than me just kill it and gracefully move, inspired me to want to be as great as them. Eventually the studio owner allowed me to join when I got to the appropriate age, and ever since then dance and I have been inseparable."
The UpNext: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Jaida: "Every day I ask myself this lol. As far as dance wise, I see myself pursuing my passion professionally and then just maybe opening up my own dance studio. Still praying for discernment when it comes to this question. "
The UpNext: What’s some advice you can give someone else interested in dance/entertainment?
Jaida: "Train. Train. Train. Even when you feel like you’ve mastered it. Train on it again. As an artist it’s easy to get away from the foundation in which you’ve started from. Never forget the child-like wonder when you first started. Everyone always has room to improve, so I cannot stress it enough to constantly and consistently train!! As well as BE YOU! People in the entertainment industry have a way of conforming to what everyone else is doing, never worry about that. Stick to your morals and values, and ultimately makes you, YOU. It will be remembered and noticed as soon as you step foot in any room."
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