Meet Nykisha Banks: Dance Instructor/Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nykisha Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nykisha, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
One habit that has helped me succeed is working ahead or what we call being proactive versus reactive. That phrase sounds like old redundant news but it has been the best news and answered prayers for me. My success in the small things become’s everyone else’s big success. The goal is to not become reactive or fall behind as that shouldn’t be someone else’s panic, worry, stress, strain, or emergency. Working ahead has made communication so much easier and I’ve gained so much respect and most of all trust! I have very minimal push back from parents & dancers. Secondly, I’ve made a choice to nurture the artist of the child. This starts by acknowledging where they are (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and meeting them from their last nourished space. Dance education/technique is a VERY huge factor, however, we cannot pretend that what we do is solely about dance. Knowing that you’re teaching life lessons beyond dance is being a true realist of some of the duties in this industry even if dance isn’t their chosen career. They may not remember all of the trophies I’ve contributed to them getting but they will remember how I’ve treated them. Many will show an interest, the key to them staying is feeling invited to grow. Practicing mental wellness also helped me succeed while teaching. We all know that mental wellness isn’t the absence of many things happening, but about finding balance in handling opposition. They will come! There will be moments where dancers and their parents may have a bad day and choose the studio space and the people in it to release it to. It must be handled! I can better put an end to it if I’m in a better space. I would always handle everything in my class sessions with minimal necessary involvement of others because of embracing a healthy mindset of wellness. Finally, allowing my friends to check-in and embrace our time (even if it’s just a quick message) opposed to putting them aside until my schedule permits. This allots the best energy that has helped me succeed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Empowering the resiliency of the next generation is my ultimate thumbprint. Dance is the avenue that’s used and I’m most excited and proud in knowing that I’m trusted to instill valuable life lessons. Every leader in this industry has their own niche when it comes to the training and development of their dancers. What sets me apart is finding my own edge in paying strong attention to not only the details, but causes and effects of getting the best results from my dancers. After spending so many years working in Corporate America after college, I’ve always wanted to make a career out of something that made hard work feel more rewarding, and fruitful. No matter where I’ve worked, my evenings were always for my first love of teaching dance. I’ve rushed and driven long distances in traffic for it. I’ve skipped meals to be on time. I’ve even done it for free. I’ve also done right by everyone that I’ve met in the industry, even behind closed doors when there was no one to impress, while others weren’t so nice. At one point in my life, these were exhausting sacrifices that I’ve once regretted, however I must admit that the discomfort in it all has successfully propelled me to where I am professionally. Life lessons learned along the way, whether through personal experience, the experience of others in the dance industry, or even Corporate America, is having an understanding that discomfort may be the new comfortable at times and also that gaining respect, honesty, trust, and a great reputation is more valuable than any unethical or immoral act for gain. What I want the world to know is that the atmosphere that I’m known to present in any classes taught isn’t only a disciplined and fun one, but one of self-care that promotes and instills a lifelong appreciation for quality dance education, building oneself through the art of technique. It’s an atmosphere also set up to develop honorable adults in our society even if dance isn’t their chosen profession.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living the best life with a friend would include: A Massage at Spa Sydell. Eat lunch at Gumbeaux’s. A Cajun Cafe Dinner night at Louisiana Bistro. Have some girl time at Painting with a Twist. An evening of Live Music and Poetry at Apache Cafe’. Invite my family to hang out with her for a night of Bowling, Food, & Lots of Fun Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate this Shoutout Series to every dancer that I’ve had the privilege to instruct over the past 20 years. Shout out to the tiny tots that showed huge excitement when they mastered their plie’ in first position without stumbling over for the first time. Shout out to the dancers that trained & fought with all that they had and went on to win the biggest of championships. Shout out to the advanced dancers that are now dancing with the most prominent organizations. And shout out to the dancers that made me face the hardest parts of myself when persevering through adversity. Because of your zeal, love for the art, embracing accountability, challenges, and most importantly doing the work, I’ve become a better me. I’ve become a better leader, a better trainer, a better winner, a better fighter, and all together better at knowing what joy truly is!

Website: www.inthekeyofdance.com

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Image Credits
JAY|OGRAPHY PHOTOS (only the ones with me dressed in black with the white background)