in conversation with: Skye Jackson Williams

Meet Skye Jackson Williams, who, at just 18 years old, is already a professional dancer. We caught up to talk about her dancing career, her new company and much more.

Iuliana: Hey Skye! How are you? Thank you for your time. Let’s start off by telling our readers about yourself. How would you describe your personality in three words?
Skye: Hey Renouveau Media! My name is Skye Jackson-Williams, I’m 18 years old and live in New York City. I am a dancer, but I also love writing, making videos, and going on spontaneous trips. Three words I would use to describe me are independent, carefree, and creative.

Iuliana: What made you fall in love with dancing, and when did you know you wanted to take it further on a professional level?
Skye: When I was little, my mom put me in a million different classes. I played piano, guitar, and even took karate. Eventually, dance stuck with me. I wanted to improve my technique, so I enrolled at Broadway Dance Center and later LaGuardia High School and found a really cool group of people who basically introduced me to the dance world. A friend of mine encouraged me to audition for a hip hop crew called “Generation X” and there I joined such a talented family and realized this could be a real career. Dance was always fun for me. When I was little, I’d be the first to jump in that circle no matter how crazy I looked. So joining a bunch of dance companies and studios elevated my skill and maintained the fun.

Iuliana: I noticed freestyle appeals to you the most. Why so?
Skye: I love freestyle because it’s where I can be the most authentic. I don’t have to impress anyone or move a certain way. Because I dance in companies, shows, and for work, it feels good to dance for myself. Many people find it hard to freestyle or improv because they are so used to emulating someone else or doing choreography, but I appreciate how personal and special it is. I usually space out when I dance haha because the music practically takes over my body.

Iuliana: How do you feel once you actually start dancing?
Skye: Even though the studios are closed, I still try to dance every day because it makes me feel energized. It’s honestly a workout and feels so good to just shake around and go crazy hahahah.

Iuliana: What are some of the best moments you have had at dance?
Skye: I’ve had sooooo many. One I love is when my crew Gen X goes to Martha’s Vineyard or LA at the end of the summer. There’s practically 100 of us and we just take over the city. We dance, play volleyball, perform, and just travel the town. I always look forward to it. My favorite moments, though are when we’re in the studio or at a battle competing. I got to battle one of my friends at this huge convention and all of our friends and family were in the crowd cheering us on. When we’re in the studio, we are ALWAYS fooling around. I don’t know how we get anything done. It’s always a party, but at the end of the day, I’m constantly inspired by the talent around me. Another memory I’ll never forget is the day a few of my friends and I were sent to audition for an ad campaign. It went horribly wrong, but it was the funniest day of my life.

Iuliana: Are there any particular choreographers that inspire you?
Skye: My favorite choreographer is Diana Matos. Her movement quality is insane and you can see how well trained she is through her choreography. She incorporates every dance style possible into each piece. I could watch her all day.

Iuliana: If you could try any new genre of dance what would it be and why?
Skye: One style I want to train more in is ballroom. I did a Spanish dance summer intensive with a lot of salsa, flamenco, and partnering last year. I learned so much and had a lot of fun, so ballroom is definitely something I need to take more classes in.

Iuliana: Tell us about ArtHub NYC. What’s the inspiration for it and what’s its mission?
Skye: ArtHub NYC is a new company creating a space for artists to discuss their inspirations, aspirations, as well as to share and inspire others. We dedicate ourselves to highlight creatives and their work. We will host events, interviews, competitions, and create a forum safe for everyone. I was inspired to make this because we don’t have adequate spaces physically or online for artists to connect and share their stories and work. Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll have a space in the city for artists to use with efficient equipment and great energy. As artists, we need to expand out of the conventional “dancer” or “photographer”. ArtHub’s mission is to aid creatives in producing authentic, magnetic art. It doesn’t matter if you are a dancer, photographer, painter, singer, model, fashion designer; we work for you. We invest in art and artists and want to see the quality of your work expand into something great.

Iuliana: Skye, you must’ve received a lot of advice in your career so far. What’re the best words of wisdom anyone ever gave you?
Skye: The best advice I’ve gotten is that you can make your own path. Ask yourself what you truly want to do and what you want out of life. Do something that you know will fulfill you. You don’t need to stick to the norms or follow someone else’s footsteps. It will not be easy, but the satisfaction you’ll have when you are living in your manifestation will be everything. It is your life and you need to take control of it!

Iuliana: Where do you hope to see this incredible dance career take you over the next 5-10 years?
Skye: In the next 5-10 years, I see myself dancing for multiple artists, going on an international tour, working with many brands, teaching, choreographing for NYFW, and having my own show. :)