Women who move us
Tia Denton
The Queen of Enjoyment.
Founder @empowered.movement_
Tia Denton is a professional dancer specialising in Street Dance styles such as Hip Hop, Popping, Locking & House in addition to having advanced experience with dancehall and afro dance styles.
When was the moment you knew you wanted a career in dance?
I've danced since I was 3 and having grown up dancing, each step within my journey to becoming a professional dancer has felt very much like a natural progression! There has definitely never been anything else I've wanted to do!
What is a quote you live by?
What's for you will never pass you! I believe you'll always get what's destined for you, sometimes you just have to be patient and trust that it will be yours when the time is right.
If you could have lunch with any woman (living or from the past), who would you pick and why?
Missy Elliot! Because I need to ask her if I can join her on her next tour (ha!) That is my dream!!
Is it more important to be liked or respected?
Respected 100%! Not everyone will like you, I'm sure you don't like everyone either! But, everyone should respect each other.
How do you manage stress?
Dance and the studio has always been a great way for me to release stress/let go of anxieties that I may struggle to verbalise. I've never not felt good after dancing!
Where is your happy place?
The studio, a holiday or my bed! I love to relax and be in the sun just as much as I love to dance!
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which would you be and why?
I'd definitely be a mango! Bright and colourful and incredibly flavourful but also sometimes overlooked but when you remember about it - you are wow'd!
In our dance sector, what do you think is the most pressing issue for women and girls right now and what are you doing about it?
I work to champion body inclusivity within dance spaces as that's a big issue right now. Also, representation. It's really important to see people that look like you in spaces that you aspire to be in so that you understand it's for you! I grew up not seeing anybody that looked like me in the industry which led to self doubt in my later teens. So I'm trying to be that representation for the next generation of dancers who are able to look at me and feel inspired.
What’s something you regret in your professional dance career?
Not being braver earlier on!
What question do you wish more people would ask you?
How they can also help to create safer and more inclusive environments for everyBODY to enjoy dance/movement.
What are the 3 leadership traits that best define you?
Headstrong, Confident, Caring
What book/film/documentary do you recommend most to others?
HONEY for all of the aspiring dancers! For many of the dancers my age, Honey played a huge part in our lives and contributed to us wanting to pursue dance professionally. It's a must watch!
Which lesson has been the hardest to learn?
There's no point trying to fit in! Embrace your differences and unique qualities. There's nobody like you BUT that's what makes you so fantastic! Also, when you can't find what you're looking for - go and create it! Don't wait on anybody. Go and open those doors for yourself.
What's next for you?
Continuing to create safe spaces for people to have access to movement without barriers! Dancing and training more - both myself and my dancers, travelling and creating more time for rest! It's just as important to rest as it is to grind hard for your goals!
Cinderella, Pocahontas, Alice in Wonderland or Malefica?
Can I choose Princess Tiana!?
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