Meet Taya Egorova | Dancer, Choreographer & Instructor

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

Hi Taya, how do you think about risk?
I believe that without risk there is no success. I realized early on that «playing it safe» wouldn’t get me far in life because millions of people desire the same thing as I. Consistency, effort, and intelligence are important, but without enough courage to take risks, they don’t mean anything. 
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was moving to Los Angeles from Moscow and leaving everything and everyone behind: home, career, family, friends, students, dance crew, and my status in the dance industry that I’ve built over several years. Basically, resetting my life and starting from 0 again. 
My entire journey to this day was a mixture of effort, knowledge, and taking risks. Both luck and risk are realities that show how every outcome in life is influenced by factors beyond our personal efforts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I’m working in the industry as a dancer and choreographer for music videos and performances, and I also offer private lessons to individuals of various ages, skill levels, and objectives. Drawing from my experience in diverse dance styles, from high heels to krump, I design personalized programs that best support each student’s unique goals while ensuring they enjoy the process. My primary goal in teaching is to help my students develop a deep love for dance.
Now, together with my friend, I am in the process of developing a new project that will combine group dance classes and fun networking events. Make sure to follow me on Instagram to stay posted!

Dance entered my life when I was just 4 years old. Although I dabbled in various activities over the years, dance remained a constant. I began with ballroom and ballet but soon realized that the traditional pink skirts and white tights weren’t for me. It was then that I found street dance, which truly ignited my passion.

In 2017, I auditioned for Apes Crew, part of the Lil’Fam community, and was thrilled to be selected. Joining this crew provided the perfect environment to nurture my love for dance. At 15, I began teaching and choreographing for another Lil’Fam group, learning how to effectively instruct and build my reputation and network. This led me to host dance classes in various cities across Russia.

With Apes Crew, we consistently excelled in high-level competitions across Russia, setting our sights on the ultimate goal of winning a championship in the USA. The training was grueling, but it became one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Despite the challenges of pain, soreness, and fatigue, we remained committed to our shared goal.

In the summer of 2018, we traveled to Los Angeles for the World Of Dance Finals. The immense investment of time and money was justified when we won the gold medal. We achieved the same success in 2019, reinforcing our dedication and skill. That first trip to Los Angeles solidified my vision of living and dancing in the city. I resolved that after finishing high school in Moscow, I would do everything possible to move to the City of Angels and pursue a career as a professional dancer.

Pursuing your dream is never easy, but I was ready for the challenge. In 2019, I began planning my move to LA, aiming to obtain a student visa and a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts to eventually secure an OPT visa for working in dance. The initial hurdle was getting accepted into a university in LA, particularly since my audition skills in ballet and contemporary dance were lacking. To address this, I trained intensively with two teachers for six months.

I was accepted into three of the six schools I applied to and chose the California Institute of the Arts. Just as I was about to move in August 2020, COVID-19 forced the entire first year online. The following year, I faced further delays due to rising political tensions between Russia and the US, which closed the US embassy in Moscow. I had to apply for my visa in Kazakhstan and deal with additional vaccine requirements by traveling to Serbia twice.

By the middle of my sophomore year, I finally moved to LA, only to face the emotional challenge of leaving behind friends, family, and my partner. Despite starting over, I was driven by a clear vision of my goals.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance in May 2024. Now, during my OPT year, I’m immersing myself in dance-related work and working out how to stay in LA to continue living my dream.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What I love most about LA is the incredible variety it offers. You can spend the morning sunbathing on the beach, then hop in your car and be surrounded by snowy mountains within two hours. And when hunger strikes, you can head back to the city center and enjoy dinner at a stunning restaurant atop a skyscraper, complete with breathtaking views.

I’d definitely spend a day soaking up the sun at Laguna Beach, perhaps venturing out on a few hikes to take in some stunning views and waterfalls—Trail Canyon Falls is a personal favorite! On Sunday, I’d recommend exploring the Melrose Market and wrapping up the day with a visit to Perch, a rooftop bar and restaurant offering city views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my mentors, Toha Andreev and Sasha Sherman, who introduced me to various street styles, taught me how to monetize my talent and skills, and showed me there is nothing impossible and unreachable. They taught me how to effectively teach dance and helped me build a reputation and networks to begin hosting classes in different cities across Russia.

And of course, I also want to dedicate my shoutout to the person thanks to whom I started dancing and never stopped – my mother. She supports all my ideas and dreams, without her I would not be who I am now.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taya.egorova_/

Image Credits
Jocelyn Campbell
Norris Photography
Rafael Hernandez-Ispache