Meet Tanya Kaye Lewis

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Kaye Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya Kaye, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I dreamt my whole life of seeing LA! Ever since growing-up in my small town, a Wisconsin-town…where my Father is President & Mayor, I DREAMT of California! And by taking risks, and many of them, led me to the place where even now CELEBRATING 3 years in LA later…STARS STILL DANCE IN MY EYES! I learned at a very young, impressionable age, that life is in fact short when my younger brother, Bobby, was killed in a car accident on my 21st Birthday in Wisconsin. Life delivered a must reach into the depths of your spirit for strength. This tragedy shaped my character. Take risks…DO IT NOW…FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS…GOALS…and leave your mark with EVERY “DANCE” along the way! And…bring his Legacy along!

While a college student in the upper Midwest during this time, I took a RISK by leaping into the pursuit of the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World Resort. I had NEVER been to Florida or to Disney, but I knew I longed to create MAGIC and DANCE with a global audience! Upon graduating with 3 Degrees in Psychology, Communications, and Dance, and achieving not 1 but 2 Disney College Program Internships, including the Advanced (Professional) Internship with HR at the then Disney-MGM Studios, now Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I reveled in every opportunity to network and learn the Disney Brand to the fullest. With this, while auditioning for Disney Entertainment while a student, I was WELCOMED into Magic Kingdom Parades.

The MAGICAL LESSON in Disney…is to start the CONVERSATION! SMILE FIRST! Through taking the RISK TO START, by having courage and HOPE for connection, I have seen worlds within people OPEN just by saying the first word and offering the smile…FIRST! I performed in an array of Parades and Shows at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort throughout 12 years. I delightfully created Magical Moments by facilitating Traditions at the Disney University, welcoming Cast Members to their first day at Disney, while sharing the Heritage and Tradition of Walt & Roy Disney. And, I was deeply honored when chosen to represent Disney Entertainment on various Cast Committees, including locally at the Magic Kingdom and globally at Team Disney with then VP Lee Cockerell. DREAMS COME TRUE…IF YOU TAKE THE RISK!

Truly, I never thought I would leave Disney, I thought I would retire with this Brand. However, while I was a Dancer, I began teaching Dance Classes in Central Florida. First, may I share a story about my Grandmother Lydia Wade. As a child in Wisconsin, I would visit her classroom where she was a Special Education Teacher and watch as she incorporated dance into her class curriculum. When I say “watch” I would watch her GLOW and to my purest awe, WATCH…SEE the FACES of her students CONNECTING…DANCING in the spotlight she ILLUMINATED! While in college, I learned to craft her talent and skillsets! When I came to Disney, Cast could refer to me for any insights and best practices for dance and movement/animation with our Guests with Disabilities. So, when I made my home in Florida, I always said, “When I learn Central Florida, I’m going to teach Dance Classes for our fellow citizens with Special Needs, varying Levels of Intellectual/Physical Ability.” And 5 years into my career, I did just that! I took the RISK! I saw a group of individuals with their caretakers Christmas shopping at The Florida Mall. I was in Claire’s buying a headband (which I still have to this day) as I saw them enter. By the time they made it to the check-out, I KNEW I HAD TO TAKE THE RISK…COMMUNICATE FIRST…SMILE FIRST! And guess what?!? A WORLD WITHIN THEM, OPENED! Just after the Holiday, I taught our first Creative Dance Class, and within 5 months from that first class, I created an S-Corp called Creative Dance Expressions, Inc.

For the next 7 years, I balanced my Disney Career with Entertainment and my Small Business. Upon my 12 years, I had made a decision to hang-up my high heels and pursue a leadership role. It was then when a number of Disney Leaders, who I highly respected, expressed how they BELIEVED in my company’s purpose and mission and encouraged me to TAKE THE RISK, to go all in with MY BRAND! Taking 3 months to decide, I TOOK THE RISK. And ahhhhh….MAGIC LIVES beyond the Disney Property LINE…for when the Pandemic hit…I had 250 Dancers with Special Needs/varying Levels of Intellectual/Physical Ability on my Dance Roster, EACH MONTH! SUCCESS! BECAUSE I TOOK THE RISK, my Grandmother’s Beloved Legacy, LIVES.

Enter…the COVID-19 Pandemic!

Enter…LA!

This Pandemic has shaped the way we truly all conduct business. It has tremendously impacted our fellow citizens with compromised immunity…these SPECIAL ANGELS! Although I conducted Virtual Dance Classes for approximately 35 Dancers for nearly 1.5 years, it was a struggle as a Small Business where I was too big for Unemployment and too small for PPP. It was then I made the most challenging business decision of my career. To change the definition of the when, where and how much, WE DANCE. A risk…but a necessary one at that.

With this, yes keep teaching however changing this definition. The decision upon me, return to The Walt Disney Co. or pursue another dream yet to be realized. I WENT FOR RISK! Knowing how United Airlines models the Disney Brand, I applied as Flight Attendant in 2021! United hired me in an elevator in TEXAS! THIS RISK BRINGING ME INTO THE FRIENDLY SKIES AND LANDING WHERE?!? LA!!! MY CHILDHOOD DREAM IN THAT CHILDHOOD BEDROOM IN MY SMALL TOWN, LaValle, WISCONSIN!

I am HONORED to be based at LAX, pursuing my Talent Career alongside my Flight Attendant Career, where I am an LAX Brand Ambassador attending events around our LA Community. And, I am DEEPLY HUMBLED to be named in the Top 10% of Flight Attendants at LAX, invited to Chicago to have lunch with our CEO Scott Kirby a few months ago in November. I am GRATEFUL and PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED!

It has been a JOY to explore the West. I have my SAG-AFTRA Eligibility from the Southeast Market in Talent and what a beautiful “Marriage” it was pre-Pandemic to “marry” my Dance Classes with my Talent Career, where I have experiences as Professional Model and Certified On-Air Guest with HSN & QVC, Commercials, and Film/TV. Each of these Talent Projects, because I took THE RISK. I am bursting with EXCITEMENT to have had my first Contract in LA last year with Beverly Hills MD launching their new product, Smooth + Firm Copper Peptide Concentrate.

I continue to navigate to and from Central Florida where I continue to teach Dance. My incorporation, Creative Dance Expressions, Inc. now LLC, Inspiring Steps, LLC. My Cause.

DREAMS COME TRUE, but GOTTA CHOOSE RISK! There is no “alternative route!” TAKING RISKS has NAVIGATED my life!
DO IT NOW!!!
SMILE!!!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I must have known this question was coming. SMILE! I elaborated on Question #1 when I chose to talk about Risk…how and why risk. THANK YOU for reading my Story and learning about my “Brand!” For “Dreams are the pathways to all of our tomorrows!”

Some favorite quotes that align together and how I lead my life:
“The dreams we dream do come true. Just look around you.” (Flavia Weedn)
“Following a dream takes bravery, the strength of conviction, but most of all, a believing heart.” (Flavia Weedn)
“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” (Rumi)
“You possess a richness of spirit and a natural grace all your own. There is a profound reason why you are here!” (Flavia Weedn)

THIS = SHARING MY ENERGY, my essence to “NEVER BE AFRAID TO DREAM, for your heart takes you where you DREAM to go!” BELIEVE IN THE REASON YOU ARE HERE!!!

I shared within Question #1, how I had never been to Florida or to Disney until the Walt Disney World Resort recruited me for the Disney College Program. Likewise, I had never been to California until United hired me! And, I absolutely painted the story of my childhood DREAM! I LOVE LA! SMILE! Perhaps one day, I’ll get to design Dance Classes within our Los Angeles Community for our fellow citizens with Special Needs/varying Levels of Intellectual/Physical Ability! DREAMS COME TRUE!!! After all, “All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust!”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
FIRSTLY, because my Best Friend is flying into LAX…I will show them LAX! SMILE! I recently told the Managing Director of United at LAX that when I see our jet-aged SYMBOL, it makes me FEEL THE SAME WONDERMENT, AMAZEMENT, AND EXCITEMENT as when I’m looking at Cinderella Castle! After all, when the Head of the FAA at the time coming to open LAX said, “I hope that this airport is as successful and spectacular as something like Disneyland!” APPLAUSE! MISSION = ACCOMPLISHED!

AND you know I’m already going to SAY HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME! Why? Because when you are like me…we ONLY know this from the TV! To see it in real life??? AWE-INSPIRING!!!

We would also go to Runyan Canyon! I ADORED living at the entrance to this beautiful hike my very first year in LA! To see the HOLLYWOOD SIGN APPEAR…no matter how many times I hiked, I would pinch myself, “AM I REALLY SEEING THIS?!?” And then to turn and take in LOS ANGELES? STILL takes my breath away…EVERY TIME!!!

As I shared with seeing certain Landmarks only on TV, SAME with the Beverly Hills SIGN! I will never forget saying like the M&M’s Santa Commercial, “HE DOES EXIST!” “IT DOES EXIST!” LOL! So because we ARE in Beverly Hills, we’d be checking-in for a few nights to take in the backdrop of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE, “Pretty Woman” at the Beverly Wilshire! Lounging poolside, indulging in a sensory journey, spa treatment or 2, while enjoying champagne and strawberries, and lunching at The BLVD while sipping “The Feeling Pretty Inspired By Pretty Woman!” And because we are THERE…shopping? “Rodeo Drive Baby!” SMILE!!! YES, I LOVE “Pretty Woman!”

We would take a tour of the Beaches! I ADORE El Segundo, Manhattan, Hermosa, Santa Monica, etc. I’m fond of The Strand House. And as we tour LA, I also think Rinaldi’s Deli is yummy! We’d also enjoy Jame Enoteca, Nomad Eatery, Olivetta, Bottega Louie, and listen to the mesmerizing smoothness of JAZZ at Vibrato one evening.

Going to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art would be fascinating and experiencing the Griffith Observatory together would be FUN memory making! Hoping there may be a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to enjoy a picnic and show too!

As well as DISNEYLAND!!! I mean it’s so close! WINK! WINK!

And then…just drive and stop and drive and stop! Remember, MAKE MEMORIES ALL OVER!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
During the Pandemic, I was the Mentee of Casting Director Lori Wyman. We shared 6 months together in continuous Zoom Meetings, creating action plans and continuing the development of Talent Skills. During this time, I created a Vision Board, expressing my CHILDHOOD DREAM of HOLLYWOOD…SEEING…BEING IN LA! GUESS WHAT was at the top of my Vision Board, “HOLLYWOOD!” Along with the quote, “We can never know how close at hand our dreams are. Don’t stop until you’ve reached them all!” (Flavia Weedn). Also decorating the board? SHINING LIGHTS and a suitcase sticker along with stickers that say “Look Out World” and “Make Memories All Over The World!” AND LOOK WHERE I LANDED!!! HOLLYWOOD…LOS ANGELES!!! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

I also have to SHOUTOUT my Colleges, Bethany in Mankato, MN, and Hope College in Holland, MI, for instilling knowledge and creating these pathways across our United States. With absolute GRATITUDE, I THANK Disney Entertainment for casting me on a global stage, seeing the MAGIC in my eyes that I may share it with the WORLD. These experiences led me to my very first Talent Agents in Florida, Central Florida Talent and Burton & Robinson Agency, and how can I express GREATEST JOY and DELIGHT in being first represented by these inspiring teams who applaud my essence and believe in my skillsets to make my mark in the lives of others. And oh what dreams may come, to add representation in the West Market, LOS ANGELES! AND EACH AND EVERY SPECIAL STAR DANCER I have had the privilege, the HONOR of mentoring and leading through Dance! THEY GIVE MY SPIRIT BRAVEST WINGS!

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tanyakayelewis

Facebook: https://facebook.com/tanya.sobeckmurdocklewis

Email: TanyaKayeLewis@gmail.com