THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: W for Natasha Diamond-WALKER and Omari WILES
Natasha Diamond-Walker
Biography
Born in Granada Hills, California, Natasha Diamond-Walker is a graduate of the illustrious Fordham University-Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater BFA Dance program. Today, she is a Principal Dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, a fitness instructor, a model, an actress and an author. Since auditioning for the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2011, she has danced lead roles in Graham’s works and worked with/originated roles for great contemporary choreographers like Andonis Foniadakis, Liz Gerring, Nacho Duato, Kyle Abraham, Sonya Tayeh, Annie-B. Parson, Pam Tanowitz, Maxine Doyle and Bobbi Jene Smith. Follow her on Instagram at @natashadiamondwalker.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Natasha Diamond-Walker and headshot courtesy of the artist.
Omari Wiles
Biography
Born in West Africa, Senegal, Ousmane Omari Wiles began his training in various African dance forms at his family company, the Maimouna Ketia School of African Dance, before becoming its Assistant Director. Today, he is most famously known as the founder of The House of NiNa Oricci [est. October 2019], the Creative Director of Les Ballet Afrik, and a Principal Dancer with Ephrat Asherie Dance. A versatile dancer who has trained in Hip-Hop, House, Modern, Jazz, and Vogue, Wiles has had the opportunity to work with countless stars including Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, John Legend, Jidenna, and Rashaad Newsome, among others. Follow him on Instagram at @omari_wiles.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Omari Wiles and headshot courtesy of the artist.
What made you decide to enter this profession?
Diamond-Walker:
I always loved to dance. I was choreographing full-length ballets to Janet Jackson and Madonna’s songs from the age of 5!
As a youth, I was very seriously involved in both dance and soccer.
At the age of 12, my mom told me I had to choose one. That year, I first saw the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (AAADT) company in L.A. and chose to dance — that was the beginning of the dream!
Wiles:
Growing up watching my mom and dad run their African dance school really inspired me to become a performer. The joy of doing what I loved every day made me push myself to gain the skills and train hard to be a professional dancer.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?
Diamond-Walker:
My former teacher and mentor Don Martin has been the biggest influence on my life as a dancer. I met him when I was a high school sophomore at L.A. County H.S. for the Arts. As a teacher, he was very elegant yet had very high standards. His stories of working with dance legends Lester Horton, Alvin Ailey, Carmen De Lavallade, James Truitte, Joyce Trisler, and Bella Lewitzky were hypnotic and inspirational. He staged Lester Horton’s duet Orozco (1953) at the high school and chose me to dance a role originated by Carmen De Lavallade. I also worked with him in restaging Horton’s solo Sarong Paramaribo. I kept in touch with him and he remained my mentor until his death in 2021. He continues to be a huge influence in my life as I steward the legacy of Lester Horton.
Wiles:
My family and their legacy as artists. They were all raised around the performing arts.
I can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
Diamond-Walker:
My friends and a walk in nature!
Wiles:
My Ballroom house NiNa Oricci!
I practice self-care by __________.
Diamond-Walker:
Getting 8 hours of sleep, regular massages, gratitude journaling, and dedicating time to meditation.
Wiles:
Taking breaks in my work to concentrate on family, friends and myself.
Cooking has always been a way for me to let go and feel good too!
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
Diamond-Walker:
Being a dancer who tours a lot, I have had to accept the life of not being a plant or pet mom! But, I do love to watch dogs and their owners out in the city and at dog parks. It looks like people who love animals really receive a lot of joy from having pets in their lives! One day I would love to have a Weiner dog — I adore them!
Wiles:
Pets for sure. I love animals and have two dogs that I love so much! Animals really do help us and show us unconditional love.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what is your favorite meal?
Diamond-Walker:
I used to love to eat out all the time. NYC is full of amazing and incredible restaurants!
That said, I have become a really great cook, so now I love to stay in and make meals for myself. Staying in is also way more affordable and comfortable. I can make a really amazing steak with veggies and have great wine for under $50 as opposed to going out, when I might spend $100 easily! My favorite meals to cook are a ribeye with mushrooms and mashed potatoes, and to pair that with a big glass of red wine.
If I go out I will opt for something I don’t know how to make, like sushi or Thai!
Wiles:
Cooking for sure. Nothing like a home cooked meal. I’m from Senegal and we love to cook lamb over a nice fresh salad; we call it dibi.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
Diamond-Walker:
I believe in past lives and reincarnation. If I could opt for one choice, I would choose to go back in time and choose a life in which I was a great tree in an African jungle. I imagine I would have experienced a life of being one with the forest — the animals, the other trees, the rain, all of the sounds of the jungle. Thinking of that brings me such peace.
Wiles:
I would take a chance on having a glimpse into the future. I can’t change that past and the past has made me who I am today, but I can always change my future by the choices I make moving forward.
What is your personal approach to handling challenging people or situations?
Diamond-Walker:
It's simple. I repeat the phrases, "I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you," over and over again. I find the situation or person will usually shift when I do this. I try to remind myself that nothing is personal to me specifically, and that the situation is usually a manifestation of blocked energy, either in me, in the person I am encountering, or in the environment. I think everything can serve us as a teacher — we just need to embrace and be present to the lesson.
Wiles:
Communication is key and listening or taking a moment to understand. Things are only challenging when we choose not to want to understand the right or the wrong.
How has your personal life changed since the pandemic?
Diamond-Walker:
Since the pandemic, I utilize Zoom and FaceTime a lot more during conversations with my friends and family!
Wiles:
In some ways, the pandemic has made it hard to live life as a artist. For example, having to really work hard to secure a job.
At the same time it took me away from my loved ones, because I had to get out there and hustle to maintain a happy home.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
Diamond-Walker:
I utilize YouTube a lot more. For example, I warm up for rehearsals with the Dutch National Ballet’s online ballet barre classes. There are so many awesome online resources that I am now aware of.
Wiles:
Since the pandemic, I’ve been able to take my time with my art and not rush my work and how I develop it. It has made me work smarter, not harder.
What is a show you saw and loved?
Diamond-Walker:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I love it and go every year!
Wiles:
The Works & Process Underground Uptown Dance Festival. I love how they give artists the time to create a evening that the audience can really appreciate!
What is your pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) ritual?
Diamond-Walker:
As a performer, my pre-performance ritual is setting up my makeup station in the dressing room as soon as I get to the theater. I have a turquoise hand towel that I fold in half and lay horizontally at my station. Then I place in a trinity shape — a tiny crystal ball, a piece of opal (from my bff Ying), and a piece of amethyst — at the top right hand corner of the turquoise towel. Then I place a small photo of my mentor Don Martin (who passed in 2021) right next to my crystal set up. Then I begin laying out my make up on the towel from right to left in the specific order I will put on for the performance: foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow pencil, white liner, false eye lashes, eye lash glue, lip liner, lipstick. Next, I place all of my hair prep at the far left-hand side of the turquoise towel: spray bottle, hair brush, gel, and hair pins. Always this set up every time. Then I get my tan pilates mat out and find a place to do a class. Lastly, I do a ballet barre. Always, always, always.
Wiles:
Before a show I like to run over things in my head or just listen to the music in the show so it stays current in my mind.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
Diamond-Walker:
I am fascinated by Katherine Dunham and her work. She was an anthropologist, a social activist, a performer and someone very interested in Haitian voodoo. I would have loved to been a fly on the wall to observe her work and life in the 1930-50s.
Wiles:
When Black artist started to stand up and showcase their talent as dancers. We are a part of history and the roots of dance. I know it was a fight, but I thank those before me for taking the stage.
I have / have had the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
Diamond-Walker:
I love the work of Annie-B Parson. I have had the opportunity to work with her a few times during my professional career and she is just the best. She is extremely intelligent and funny. I love how she incorporates, communicates, and translates seemingly rudimentary ‘normal things’ into satire within her choreography. I love you, Annie-B!
Wiles:
I have had the most fun performing Ephrat Asherie’s choreography.
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
Diamond-Walker:
I have been watching a Netflix series called Midnight Gospel for a few years now. I basically watch in on repeat and use it as background while I am doing things around my apartment. It is an animated series that follows the chronicles of a lead character named Clancy Gilroy who is a space-caster. He travels through different worlds and universes interviewing the characters he meets. His interviews always end up being really beautiful, enlightening, and philosophical, unveiling deeper meanings and truths that exist in our own selves and in humanity. I am into weird things like that.
Wiles:
I always recommend watching Paris is Burning, as the documentary really shares the experience of ball culture. As far as now, I recommend watching my documentary Our Name Our Legacy on All Arts.
This city or country is the best place I have ever been to for art: __________.
Diamond-Walker:
I have traveled to many cities throughout the world and would honestly say that New York City has the best amalgamation of art. The diversity here is just supremely beyond any other place in the world. Sure, you could mention the museums of Paris or Rome and yes, those are beautiful, but they only showcase one sort of experience, which is usually Caucasian or European in nature. Here in NYC, you have art from Europe, Asia, Africa, the States, everywhere! And, it is all the mediums: visual, musical, dance... You name it, it is here!
Wiles:
I love Paris: the art and dance world is full of versatile minds.
Which social media app are you most drawn to?
Diamond-Walker:
Instagram. And even so, I am very careful to limit my scrolling time! I think we need more face-to-face time with people. Also, nature is far more interesting than any social media app.
Wiles:
I’m drawn to Instagram the most.
What advice do you have for young people in your field?
Diamond-Walker:
I have so much advice for young people in dance. The first thing I would say is to make sure you love it and want to do it with all of your heart. Pursuing dance should not be something that you do for anyone else besides yourself. It demands your life in a full and complete way. You should be sure you really love it and can commit to it before diving in!
Next, I would say that it is important to have a back up plan in case dance does not work out. Or, even if it does work out, you should think about at least two other things you would enjoy doing in your life after you are done dancing. I have seen and continue to see dancers get stuck towards the end of their careers because they did not spend time thinking about what they would want to do after they transition away from dance. You can have multiple dreams and achieve them all!
And, lastly, be loving and grateful, and you will go a long way!
Wiles:
Learn from those who are working and teaching. Always jump back into a beginner’s class and take advantage of exploring how your body moves to different music.
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
Diamond-Walker:
There are infinite ways for each of us to create, to communicate, and to share art in the world. Especially with the onset of online platforms. Make your own art, whatever idea you have, create it and share it! All voices are necessary and have something important to say.
Wiles:
Give them space and opportunities to create and show up. Let them know they are welcomed! Support them for life instead of supporting who we see as popular for the moment.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
Diamond-Walker:
When I am enthusiastic about something in dance I share it via text, email or online. I go on dates and I talk up things that are exciting or important to me! I use all the platforms available to me to spread the enthusiasm, beauty, and my joy of dance!
Wiles:
Everything I do I do with love, passion and enthusiasm! I am a Father and a historian in my community and dance world.
