Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa “Hollywood” Rozier.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Ever since I was three years old I started dancing in the Church. Growing up I danced in a number of youth groups that taught me a lot about technique and harmonizing with a group of people. By the age of 11 I got my first opportunity to do solo at a Church youth conference. After this performance I learned that dancing solo was truly therapeutic for me. I found therapy through my ability to truly feel the music and to dance organically and not have to follow choreography to remain in synch with the group. When I dance solo, it is almost always freestyle dance and in that I feel the most free, expressive and my true self. Immediately following that I began ministering though dance solo at different Churches across Georgia. At Rockdale county high school, I became a student teacher for show choir and musical theater classes. At that point that sparked the passion to want to teach children and adolescents my form of therapy, dance. I expanded my reach and began teaching at different schools and after school programs across Georgia to bring dance to students who may not have had any form of expression before. I now attend Clark Atlanta University where I study Theater Arts.
Please tell us about your art.
Initially in going out to the schools I offer hip hop dance class as an enrichment to students. On the surface, my Hip-Hop dance enrichment is fun, energetic and gets students active. However, taking a deeper look the class is so much more. I give students a space to express themselves in more ways that many of them ever get at home or in school. In that I try to implement life-skills that they can carry on from the dance floor into the classroom and life. These skills range from focus, retaining knowledge, acceptance and confidence. This Hip-Hop dance enrichment gives me them the ability to excel in something that most students never tried before. What I want people, especially my students to take away from my work is to be grateful and accepting of all the experiences in their lives weather they are good or bad. This is because I believe that without all of the things that I experienced I would not be well equipped to handle all of the issues that my students come to me with. Because I have accepted my experiences I have becomes more than Hip-Hop dance instructor but I have become a sister, a mentor, a shoulder to cry on ad much more
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Cutting of government funding in the school systems has caused a drastic decrease in art funding across school districts. The reality of the situation is that we are not creating or promoting artist anymore and this has caused hardship for young kids who want to express themselves through art but do not have the outlet. What Atlanta can do is promote creativity in our youth to create a generation of creative adults.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can support my work by supporting students in their community with a genuine heart and spirit as much as they can. I can be found on Instagram @Helloimhollywood
Contact Info:
- Email: HollywoodRozier@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/helloimhollywood
Image Credit:
Red Light Arts Studio
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