tanya true will blow your mind
she writes
and sings
and jams
and rocks essential
with
burning heart
scorching voice
smokin' axe
cradled in flames
hotter, hotter
she's on fire.
wanna get lit?
tanya has performed at the following venues
the belt theater, nyc
carolines, nyc
mean fiddler, nyc
carnegie hall, nyc
club midway, nyc
c-note, nyc
cb's gallery, nyc
kennys castaways, nyc
lincoln center, nyc
the living room, nyc
manhattan theater source, nyc
mickey's blue room, nyc
neighborhood playhouse, nyc
otto's shrunken head, nyc
town hall, nyc
rose's turn, nyc
sanford meisner theater, nyc
the shower (her own), nyc
sidewalk café, nyc
for those who love details
the voice the music the message
tanya has been singing her way through this journey called life. that's always been the most common form of expression for her with big time dabbling in other forms of art. her first gig was in the children's choir in mom's church. the director was flummoxed by tanya’s huge range and discouraged voice lessons for fear that her voice would become "over developed". it freaked some folks out that she was singing tenor and baritone parts by the second grade. perhaps the boys felt threatened. who knows? tanya doesn't really give a damn at this point, ...finally. more recently, she has been called "a trained janis joplin...with a lot more octaves".
after giving the musical and performing arts a spin (years of dance including working with aundra price of alvin ailey, stand up comedy including a show at caroline's in nyc, playing maria in "west side story" at the berkshire public theater, formal training at the american musical and dramatic academy and the lee strasberg theatre institute, and performing "emanuel" at town hall in nyc as a soloist with the marble collegiate gospel choir), she dropped it all for a while to explore within more deeply than she had before.
tanya reevaluated everything she had learned and been taught. out of her exploration came the the direct experience of true self, clarity of a longing to live, sing, make music, and rock out in service to love. true love. now it's about showing up in the world, learning, being willing to make mistakes, and struggling with and celebrating being human. human beingness.
tanya has lived in nyc since 89’. she has also lived part time in japan, italy, and jamaica. what else? she loves animals large and small, digs interior design, refinishes furniture, paints, sews... while living in harlem, many a stray/ferel cat crossed her path and landed in her apartment for treatment, and most went on to be placed in homes. the ones for whom adoption was not appropriate continue to make funny faces and noises at tanya... animal rescue just sort of happens. a lot.
true to kids
tanya true brings her open heart, talent, big time energy, respect and love for children to her classes, one-on-one sessions, events, and parties. she creates music, movement, and art programs with a celebratory, sometimes (often) silly atmosphere. she invites children to be themselves! her love of dance shows up throughout her programs. her backround in ballet, tap, jazz, african, and club dancing manifest as flavors of fun and healthy exercise. she gives children "permission" to be naturally brilliant artists, and relates to them in their own language of truth, wonder, and direct expression. tanya hears children loud and clear. she understands them, and they understand her.
she is a modern day pied piper.
tanya true is particularly inspired and humbled by the musical connection she’s made with special needs children, particularly those with communication challenges and developmental issues. tanya has discovered a way to bridge the perceived gulf, through the universal language of music, movement, and dance. The biggest secret to her success is her willingness to simply be, fully present with the children. tanya’s gift to fan the fun in children of all ages and of all dispositions is obvious to all who witness it. her love of the arts and life itself is infectious and gets into the heart of even the most cynical among us. seeing tanya with a group of children old or young is something you shouldn't miss.