BIOGRAPHY
Taya Malgay is a dance artist, performer, and instructor. Taya holds a B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Theatre Management (Arts specific based marketing) from Wayne State University. Within her college dance journey she assisted in Department Dance Program auditions, showcased in the dance ensemble of Head Over Heels the Musical (2021), experienced STOTT Pilates Teacher Training where she became an instructor within the Pilates Mentorship Program, and performed in repertoire produced by some of her colleagues and many renowned choreographers such as Marc Spaulding, Monique Haley, Lawrence Fung, and Madison Hicks. Taya was also a member of companies Dance Workshop 2019-2020 (performer, fundraising committee) and The Virtual Dance Collaboratory (VDC) 2021-2022 (co-artistic director, choreographer, costume designer, and performer). As a choreographer, she has produced her very own dance works in VDC’s Suspended Reality | Almost a Dream (2022), the Senior Capstone Showcase Adjust Your Focus (2023), and WSU’s Spring Dance Concert On the Horizon (2023).
Taya also has a passion for marketing and digital design from work within her minor. She was involved with WSU Dance Program recruitment and was named social media coordinator of @waynestatedance Instagram from 2020-2023. Additionally, she worked in the WSU Theatre and Dance Department office where she contributed to community outreach, arts research, developed email campaigns, and organized, edited, and created social media design posts/stories/videos for WSU show promotions. Outside of the WSU Department of Theatre and Dance, Taya was the 2022 president of Wayne State’s chapter under the non-profit organization for building dance-specific career development skills known as “We Are Queens.”
Prior to her professional career as a dance artist, Taya was awarded with several scholarships, awards, and opportunities during her competitive dance experience; Hollywood Vibe Company, Intrigue True Performer, Energy Improvisation Dance-Off Winner, Senior Female Honored Dancer Top 20, and Junior Miss VIP Dance to name a few.
Currently, Taya is teaching dance classes and continues to set choreography at many dance studios/schools. Additionally, she is coordinating the @sherrysacademyofdance Instagram where she extends her passion for the arts through marketing and media. Taya is most distinguished for her virtuosity, diligence, and integrity to develop through varying dance genres, performance opportunities, dance education, and management/marketing related roles.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Living through the differing realms of competition and concert dance, I have transformed with a wide range of knowledge that has influenced my dance career. I identify as a performer, dance artist, visionary, and educator. Within my occupied roles, I hold many qualities that impact the way in which I dance, move, entertain, create, and behave.
I am moved by the idea of progression. Gradually heading toward the desirable unknown. Developing, repairing, shaping, expanding, and carving through space and time. Investigating how refection carries us forward. Understanding that these experiences may come from states of deep profoundness, despair, and hurt that ultimately reveals as passages to continue onward.
Detail is everything. I crave the ability to see and feel the clarity with every movement. I embrace a clear vision and intention throughout my creative process. Constantly aiming for a concise, articulate, and complete representation behind each practice, creation, and instruction.
Musicality plays a vital role in performance and throughout artistic construction. Embodying the pulse, tempo, pattern, and meaning that a sound produces. Allowing what is heard to be the force of motion, and what makes the dancing exist completely in harmony.
Dance education and its impact in the world is extremely important. This art form teaches significant general life lessons aside from just dance movement to every single person. Working with young artists in college, preschool, and studio settings, I encourage, support, and prepare them for their futures in dance and as human beings.
Collaboration is essential during every artistic approach. Engagement with the dancers is what ultimately amplifies choreography and the work overall. Thoroughly researching within the concept by sharing thoughts, experiences, and questions through written entries and/or verbally, the practice possesses a deeper purpose and attachment.