Tara Darby, Fascinating Rhythm x Isha

Isha by Tara Darby.

I am 12 years old and I have been dancing since I was 2. I dance 7 days a week after school, after I’ve done my homework. Sometimes I do 5 hours a day of dancing and stretching or listening to music and trying to come up with different moves. It’s crazy now I think about it but I’m dancing every day, even at school. Me and my friends will come up with a dance and we add to it and throw little pieces in. I used to go to dance lessons in West London but that stopped during Covid so now I practise at home instead. 

I think dance was meant for me. Whenever I’m dancing I make myself believe that the whole world is in a dance apocalypse and everything has to be dancing. The curtains start swaying and the chairs start slowly shaking to the beat; everything around me starts moving which gets me into the mood and then I start focusing and dancing and getting into new movements. 

The music influences how I dance but it’s also my moves that I try to fit into the dance. Sometimes I have a vision of how to fit a dance move into a piece of music but it doesn’t work out and it doesn’t fit with the beat. I can take that and try and change it or I can scratch it and start again. I like to reintroduce myself to the whole thing and give myself a second chance. 

Dancing makes me feel amazing and very energetic. Dance is part of my identity, I have my culture and what I like but dance is the key highlight for me. At school I will always incorporate dance into what I am doing; it always needs to be dance worthy. 

I find new music online. The music reflects where I come from. My roots are from different tribes in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia, Mauritania and Mali. Talking about my history and where I’m from is really important to me and specifically important for my Dad too. I want to be able to speak up for my countries. I always have an aim with everything I do to promote myself and others in the best way possible. When I dance I feel connected to my roots. 

My dream is to be a professional dancer. My idea was always to start at home, join an elite dance club, become a dancer and then have my own dance school when I retire. I want to start a dance foundation in all my countries so I can help them. I want to start as early as possible. 

Eric Underwood and Nia Sioux both really inspire me. Nia was a great representation for me as she was the only black girl on Dance Moms and she had to overcome difficult situations and push herself.