Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Ashlia (White).
Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Shannon Ashlia grew up in and around Atlanta, Georgia, cultivating a passion for music, dance, and all artistry. She has been trained in ballet and tap since the age of four and began competing in jazz, hip-hop, and tap at age seven. Shannon began singing in her church and school choir at the age of six and developed a passion for fashion at an early age as well. Shannon danced competitively until the age of 15, dancing 6 days a week and traveling across the country to compete. At the age of 16, Shannon’s stage transformed into a stadium, where she became the captain of her award-winning high school dance line throughout high school. As a freshman at Howard University, Shannon became a Bison cheerleader, where she perfected her gymnastics and tumbling skills. She cheered for football, basketball, and competitively, and joined and directed a hip-hop performance group, RAMPAGE. Shannon graduated cum lade from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in Theatre Arts.
After college, Shannon broke into the DMV dance community as a creative director for a couple of companies in the area, including a stint as director for Oasis Dance Collective in Washington, D.C. Throughout the last decade and a half, Shannon has been choreographing award-winning competition routines for several dance companies across the DMV area. Shannon is currently working as a professional dancer/choreographer and arts educator in Maryland. She also works as the Creative Coordinator at Joe’s Movement Emporium, an arts non-profit in Mount Rainier, MD.
Shannon has worked with notable artists and performers, choreographing and dancing in concept videos, music videos, live shows, and showcases. She has toured and performed with many talented artists, including DMV’s own Grammy-award-winning Mya, RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Tatiana, award-winning gospel artists Anthony Brown and Kirk Franklin, Lil’ Kim, and more. Shannon is currently choreographing, teaching, and performing in the DMV area and is one-half of The Bridge Millennial Podcast, shared with artist and mental health specialist, Robert Saint Michael.
Shannon’s goal is to encourage expression and storytelling through the creative and performing arts by providing access to artists to perform, train, and enjoy art themselves. In the future, Shannon aspires to create a clothing brand, write novels, and continue traveling the world to share her passion for the arts on all platforms.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My struggle has always been navigating my various interests. As a multi-faceted artist, or what they now call a multi-hyphenate, I’ve always had several different interests pulling at me. I pursued dance because that was what was in my heart at the time and what made the most sense, but I have so many other interests and aspirations. I feel like I don’t have time to do them all and make a living at the same time, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying to. Being successful in one lane can put you behind in another. And so on, so the struggle has always been balance. I’m becoming better with it now and doing my best in each moment. I have goals, but I’m also able to be present in the moment to decide how to work towards those goals. And it’s always little by little, day by day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional choreographer and dancer, specializing in hip hop and jazz styles. I’ve been dancing professionally for about 15 years, and choreographing for around the same time. I’m known for dancing with Mya starting in 2016. I’ve toured and traveled to amazing places and had some great experiences!
I have a unique perspective as a dancer, coming from a very diverse dance background. Coming up, I trained in Decatur, GA, in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, was on the step team for some time, danced on the dance line for my high school band, and cheered in college, HBCU style. It makes me adaptable in dance settings, and the various influences help shape my choreographic style. I would describe my style as smooth and intricate with an emphasis on musicality. I also played piano and the clarinet, so I’m a technician when it comes to interpreting music through movement.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice would be to move with integrity. It’s important because most industries, especially creative industries, are small in that you will encounter some of the same people throughout your career. You’ll hear celebrities talk about embarrassing encounters with other celebrities at the beginning of their careers. It’s like every move you make could potentially deter someone from working with you or hiring you. So it’s good to just, as a rule, move with good intentions and honesty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shannonashlia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamshannonashlia
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shannonashliadanceartist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SAWhite8907
Image Credits
Image 1- Oscar Merrida Photography
Image 2- Mfieldsphotography
Image 3- Oscar Merrida Photography
Image 4- ? TBD
