Aya's exposure to multiculturalism can be attributed to her unique appreciation and love for people and culture.
Having a Lebanese-Ivorian mother and a French father, Aya's upbringing in vibrant Paris has, in a way, foreshadowed her artistically diverse career.
A career that consistently pushes her to learn and absorb the latest techniques and cultures that she incorporates into her craft.
"Queen'Stonn" is a play on Jamaica's capital name, Kingston. CLEVER, RIGHT?
"It’s always a great experience to share with people and see that they can love dancehall as much as I love it!" - Curve of the Coast
(The following contains information from One Love's correspondence with the dancer as well as approved material from blogger Corve DaCosta)
How AYA got started with DANCEHALL & SOCA
In a 2013 interview with Corve Costa of Curve of the Coast, Aya reveals the story behind her journey towards becoming the most popular Internet dancer in the Dancehall & Soca scene. "It started by [me] giving dancehall classes in Paris," and by the suggestion of her mentor Camron to post videos online about what she was teaching her eager students, she quickly became an Internet sensation. "After that, I had a big success with my dancehall soca videos, and then promoters started booking me all over the world to give classes."
Aya has now traveled the world as a choreographer, teacher and feature-performer in Europe (Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden), Africa (Senegal) and the Caribbean (Guyana, Martinique, Guadeloupe) and of course, the home of dancehall: Jamaica.
"Dancehall is growing everywhere, in particular in Europe and Russia."
Dubbed by the King of Dancehall as AYA LEVEL = "Higher Level"
All About Aya! |
"Europe has to accept the whole [dancehall] culture."
Aya has recently launched her own website in collaboration with Camron One-Shot, http://www.europedancehall.com/, where the aim is to promote the dancehall culture throughout Europe. This initiative brings dancers from all over Europe, Jamaica and also the wider global community together. Aya also serves as the CEO of the association and has launched numerous workshops and events as a means of developing the movement and "to democratize the universe of dancehall in France and throughout the world." When asked what could be changed about dancehall for the European market, she plainly says: "Nothing. Europe has to accept the whole culture. You can’t change that. We want the real things even if it takes [more] time." |
This is one of my personal favorites and I'm sure one of Aya's as well. EIGHT MILLION! What a milestone!