Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Prince-Parrish.
Hi Tamara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story starts with dance which is also my first love. I remember being gifted with dance lessons at the age of 10 by my grandfather and mother. I was told that my first ballet instructor Carlton Lee Johnson and many others saw natural talent in me to embody movement and showcase it.
What started as Saturday morning ballet lessons turned into a conservatory-style practice of ballet classes 4 to 5 days a week after school and on Saturdays for 2-to 4 hours including rehearsals for upcoming dance programs and events with River City Ballet Company of Memphis, TN. I remember dancing so much that I felt like my childhood was passing me by. So by the time I was 16 years old, I decided I wanted to take a break from dance and be what I would call normal.
I wanted to hang out with friends at the mall, go to parties, talk to boys, etc. You know things teenage girls do. This didn’t last long. I begin to miss dance so much that my mother was contacted about me performing at weddings and other local events. I performed as a freelance solo artist thru my sophomore year of college all while majoring in Biology Pre-Med. I realized yes I was interested in medicine and the human body but was I passionate about it.
No. I went thru a soul searching journey and obtained my Associate’s Degree of Science in General Studies and worked briefly as a Phlebotomist. I soon returned to school pretty quickly to obtain my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance.
I grew up pretty quickly being married from 2001 to 2010 and experiencing a lot of life. I even worked as a high school teacher and I was the Community Outreach Coordinator for Crittenden Arts now Delta Arts. I taught dance classes, after-school dance programs, workshops, private lessons, and choreographed musical theatre productions at schools in Memphis, West Memphis, AR, St Louis, MO, Illinois, and Texas.
My pre-professional performance history began in college which led me to dance professionally with MADCO-Modern American Dance Company from 2005 to 2008. I freelanced for a while after and in July 2010, I began Bridging Souls Productions. My contemporary dance company was full of hungry young dancers who performed and taught classes throughout the Mid-South until our “Farewell for Now Concert” in August 2018.
I now perform occasionally by request and take a dance class from time to time for fun. My life mostly consists of working as a full-time Pilates Instructor with Club Pilates from 2017 to current. Teaching as an adjunct dance and strengthening and conditioning professor at the University of Memphis from 2013 to current, NASM-𝙲𝙿𝚃 personal trainer, and newly certified GYROTONIC® Trainer 2021. I also love to train and lift weights every day! I love to text and talk with my family and friends.
Life after performance actually began in 2014 when I began to train and study more functional movement, strength training, and bodybuilding. My love for lifting weights catapulted me into a love that I thought I wouldn’t have again since dance. This love wouldn’t be possible without my first trainer and love Tony Franklin and my coach and brother Daavon Grayson.
I began to compete in figure competitions in May 2015. I became a Natural Professional Figure athlete in 2018 with OWU/NBA and IPE. I am currently in prep to do 2-3 competitions for 2022 in prayer and thank God right now for receiving my NPC Pro Card.
My dance and fitness background and certification in GYROTONIC® have awarded me the opportunity to meet many fascinating individuals who have become lifelong friends. In the near future, I would love to share more of my work in fitness and specifically GYROTONIC® with anyone wanting to move better with more ease.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh yes, the struggle is real daily. I’m a Virgo and I struggle with trying to please everyone, being perfect which can’t be obtained, and ruminating on the past. I pray to God and work on these things and be better every day to just live. If I were to pinpoint a major struggle, I would say fully letting people into my innermost thoughts and really knowing Tam would be it.
It takes me a minute to trust. I feel that’s because I don’t fully trust myself to let go and just be me around people and have them see me in my most vulnerable state. Once I’m seen as fragile and I see that I am judged in a manner of love and respect and honest to God’s well-being, I’ll let you in. However, if I see that from intuition I don’t deem it in my confront to share goofy, blunt, sensitive me with you I won’t. Fear is also a big one.
Yes, I mean fear of failure in work, life, and friendships, etc. Fear kills dreams. When I started my dance company, I saved my earned money from teaching in the school system to rent space, audition dancers, and get the company booked to perform. I would say that was fear conquered. Oowee, I’m on that road again and again.
Let the fight begin because I refuse to let fear kill my dreams. I have many dreams that will become reality.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a dance specialist who has taught dance, choreographed, performed, and mentored. I’m a certified Pilates Instructor specializing in May, Springboard, EXO CHAIR, Cadillac/Barrel Ladder, and TRX.
I’m also a personal trainer with NASM-𝙲𝙿𝚃. My most recent accomplishment is obtaining my GYROTONIC® Trainer Certificate. I’m most proud and what sets me apart is that I’m known by my clients as very patient with a smile, Knowledgeable, and fun.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories was coming home from dance class and keeping my dance clothes on for hours after practice and not wanting to take them off. I was a little stubborn.
Contact Info:
- Email: tamaranparrish@outlook.com
- Instagram: @Tamarapparrish
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/princeparrish
- Twitter: @bridginsouls
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3cW65N3eKS5y2NXQVgbLww
Image Credits:Tony Franklin of Aesthetic Productions
