Ajah Cox is a 24 year old dance instructor, choreographer, and artist from Abbeville, Louisiana. Ajah quickly fell in love with dance at six years old and it has been part of her ever since. Ajah began her serious training at The Ballet Studio where she trained ballet and modern. As Ajah grew more and more passionate about dance, she began training in various styles of dance and also attending dance conventions such as The Streetz, West Coast Dance Explosion, and Tremaine where she received many scholarships. After graduating high school, Ajah began teaching at local dance studios in the Abbeville/Lafayette area and was part of the Streetz Company Assistant Team. Ajah continued her training and participated in the Platform Residency at Basin Arts. She has also danced in Gina Aswell and Paige Barnet’s “Every place we ever lived.” Ajah is a recent graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, minoring in Psychology. She continues to educate herself in various styles of dance, focusing on ballet, jazz technique, and contemporary. Ajah is passionate about providing a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for all individuals to thrive and continue developing their passion for dance.
Who makes up your art circle?
My art circle is made up by any different support systems! Firstly, the wonderful students within our local community that I am so privileged to teach are the humans who make up my art circle. My students may not always believe this, but they are THE biggest inspirations of my art circle. Secondly, just like the students that I teach, other local artist in the community have influenced me in many ways, but definitely have given me inspiration and encouragement. Thirdly, my family, friends, and coworkers participate in my art circle by always being encouraging, supportive, and understanding about all things dance.
How do you expand your art circle?
I expand my art circle by aiming to create a culture of openness and acceptance. I love when people feel safety and comfort through different art forms, especially dance.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
A value that I see in having a creative community is collaboration. Collaboration opens a door for creativity. Putting ideas together is one of my favorite things to do!
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
The culture that I strive to create in the community is freeness. I love when individuals feel free to be themselves— I think the most amazing days at dance are when people can put all their worries, anxieties, and stressors out the door and rely on dance as a way of finding pure healing, joy, whatever that may be. It fills my heart to share those moments with people!