Hello Arts Lovers!
This month, I had the pleasure of connecting with multidisciplinary performer Sammy Jade Miranda, whose work is rooted in the rhythms of hiphop community celebration, and ancestral memory. From Toronto’s scene to Nelson’s mountain stages, Sammy brings heart, history, and movement together to create spaces where all generations can groove, connect, and belong.
What’s your background/training/story as an artist?
My story as an artist began as a young child, fascinated by the smells of Filipino food prepared by the hands of loved ones. The smells, the colours, the tastes all connected with the part of me that wanted to experience, express and share with others in a loving way. Many of my titos and titas (aunts and uncles) and older cousins expressed themselves through their singing voices and dancing too. They were my first mentors. Some were also passionate record collectors, loving all genres from funk, disco, soul, R&B to rock and hiphop. My first performances were in front of my extended family and for some of the most important events and ceremonies in life – weddings and funerals. Some of my earliest memories of listening to live music came from gospel choirs and church as well. This is where I got to witness some of the greatest singers, pianists and drummers I have ever seen.
As a dancer, hiphop was something I simply grew up with. Learning how to move to music was by watching and trying, with friends, family, in cyphers, in basements, at barbecues and in clubs. I was surrounded by the culture of hiphop in Toronto, and I really embraced it. As soon as I was old enough, I went to all the concerts, underground shows and parties I could go to. I would go to the parties with my favourite DJs and loved discovering new music through their playing of vinyl’s and mixes. I would groove with the crowd and move to the music because it felt good. There were no mirrors, just my big heart and breakbeats. I also learned a lot from Much Music, MTV & BET, which helped shape my childhood and taught me some of the latest moves coming out of the culture. It wasn't until I came to Nelson that I was able to dance and train in a studio and eventually travel to learn from the OGs of the culture to learn specific street styles.
Why did you end up in Nelson?
My partner and I were looking for a new place to live with our two daughters. The rhythm of the big city wasn't working for us and we needed a place where we could both feel at home and inspired by our surroundings. We came to visit friends one Christmas holiday and saw the possibilities that Nelson had to offer for our family. It wasn't until my partner landed a job that we committed and moved here. When we had our third child here, we anchored ourselves even more deeply into these lands and knew that this was home.
What keeps you here?
Our home is now here. The community and the work I do, the waters, the mountains, the more than humans and green beings that exist on these lands allow us to stay here.
How did you score your biggest professional gig?
I think some of my biggest gigs with the biggest crowds were when I was a young child. I was a Rainbow Kid at the age of 5, with Bob Schneider and the Rainbow Kids. He was a very popular children's singer at the time, especially in Toronto, so I got to perform at Massey Hall, the Roy Thompson Hall, the Rogers Centre (aka the Skydome) with very big audiences. It was my mom who saw this opportunity and got my sister and I to perform with him.
To be honest, my biggest performances for me were unpaid, yet meaningful and very hard to do. They were for funerals of my closest loved ones. Most recently I would have to say choreographing for our lovely community in Nelson is pretty big. I am grateful to Slava Doval for seeing my potential and seeing me as a dancer and choreographer, enough to ask me to be a teacher for Dance Fusion.
Any hot tips for people who want to live in the country and be a professional artist?
Inspiration comes from within. Often, we seek outside sources, when all we need to do is to listen … maybe a little longer. Trust in the process. You will make mistakes, being vulnerable and acknowledging them, to learn from them is how you will grow. Let go of the ego.
And any information that you want us to share about any new projects that you have in the works?
I will be heading to N ew York City this summer again with Slava Doval to train with 36 Chambaz of Stylz. I cannot wait to learn and be immersed into the culture again.
Look out for CFam Jam in different ways, for example, an all-ages multi-generational dance party for the community. Also collaborative events, for example Day of the Dead with Tapatia collective, and Fam Jam workshops that can bring people together to honour street dance culture and ancestral lineages, in community.
Sydney Black is executive director of the Nelson and District Arts Council. Blank Canvas appears monthly.
