Meet Sequoia Watson | Dance Instructor & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sequoia Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sequoia, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The value and principle I live by each day and matters the most to me is to be the best version of myself than I was on yesterday. Being your best self means living authentically. To be your best self, you need to stay true to yourself and your values. You also need to make sure you’re doing what brings you a sense of happiness, purpose, and meaning. Dancing. modeling, being a role model, motivational speaker, brand ambassador, an author, and etc. brings happiness to me! It’s a journey of body, mind and spirit and to move forward, focus needs to be on all three. I live my life with a purpose of knowing that when my time is up here, i will have done all that God has provided for me to do because I was always becoming a better version of me each and everyday.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a runway model, model trainer, motivational speaker, an author, brand ambassador, social media influencer, mentor, coach, professional dancer, and instructor

I am a full time teacher but I have my own dance business called PoppinNPumps. This is an adult dance class that takes place here in Memphis, TN where I specialize in different dance genres such as twerk, hip hop, heels, line dancing, Bring Yo Boo, Mama and Me, and more. I also choreograph wedding routines for brides, bride and groom, or the entire wedding party. I do group sessions such as girls night, bachelorette parties, fun parties, one on ones and etc. My class is for beginners and advanced dancers as well. Its all about having fun and enjoying the styles of dance. What sets my class a part from others is I don’t believe in making anyone a professional dancer like me unless that is something they are inquiring about and I assist with getting them there. My class is a no judgement zone which means we enjoy each other, have fun and work with each other in class. I make you feel comfortable and build your self esteem. I only do classes once a month due to my heavy scheduling and its a different dance genre each class. Line dancing has become my biggest class lately and I have been booked to teach in different cities. I’m most proud of the different lives I’ve impacted over the past 7 years being in business. How I have changed individuals lives with attending my class and helping them mentally. I also travel to places to teach dance classes as well. The journey was not easy coming from a full class of 50+ women in every class to just one person in class or none at all. I started questioning if this was something I can keep pushing forward with because the lack of support became unbearable. A lot of praying consistently, doing solo promo videos and just continuing the classes with less people made me grow more as a business owner and person because despite the difficult obstacles your business cannot grow unless you grow through unexpected changes. I want the world to know that I’m not just a DANCER I’m a PERFORMER

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting I would definitely first and foremost take them by the dance studio I host my classes and we could have our one on one session and possibly have light refreshments and beverages to just have some us time and catch up. Some of my favorite spots we will definitely visit is The Genre located in downtown Memphis, Bayou Grill located in Overton Square Midtown, and a nice dinner spot and watch the view of the river downtown would be TUG’S. For a nice day to have drinks we could swing by Art Bar at Crosstown Arts located in Crosstown Concourse and while there we can take a tour of the place. For brunch there is a lot to choose from so I would give he or she a list of my favorite spots and have them choose from the list. Any fun activities would definitely be visiting Shelby Farms and maybe try horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, ziplining or taking a trail. There is also bowling, skating, and we now have a TOP Golf!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My recognition simply goes to my SUPPORTERS and FANS! Sometimes I hate to use the words fans because a lot of people look to me as being a big celebrity when in my eyes I want them to just see SEQUOIA. I want them to see that I’m still human, I’m humble because God can take everything away at any moment. I can’t really pinpoint anyone specifically because I get recognition from people all over, not just in my city so when I say the supporters give me the biggest encouragements they really do. I will say my best friend Rosetta Lester and my godbrother Roland Carruthers have been there through the toughest. There are times even today when they have to remind me that “Sequoia you are enough, you are a local celebrity even if you don’t want the title” LOL I just laugh. It’s funny how they see more for me than I do. Not that I’m doubtful in myself and talent but I just like to remain humble and appreciate love even if its small amount. My mom Charlotte Kizzie being my number 1 biggest supporter! She has been my rock, my backbone, my go to, my shoulder to lean and cry on. She has been there past the toughest and roughest times throughout this journey of mine and I truly thank her from the bottom of my soul

Website: www.experiencepoppin.com

Instagram: Pieces_of_Shaunta and PoppinNPumps

Facebook: Sequoia Watson

Other: TikTok: PoppinNPumpsShaunta

Image Credits
Antoine Lever