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Kriston Keidon Anthony Trim is a thirty-one-year-old Tobago-born and bred entrepreneur, dancer/teacher/choreographer and freelance creative. He’s never missed a beat, even when financial issues forced him to withdraw from a prestigious dance program at NYU. He has the passion for dance and dance education and he believes that  this ability was given to him by the creator for a purpose. 

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I was born in Tobago where I grew up hearing the turbulent sounds of airplanes and sirens on one hand… and the soothing breaking of waves of tranquil beaches on the other. My childhood was exciting and active. I had the freedom to play with my cousins and neighbours, go to the beach, take trips to the countryside,  play sports, do track and field and practise the steelpan. Although I was mischievous, discipline was always reinforced in my home. We were taught that you reaped what you sowed and that every action has consequences which we must accept. I however remained a relatively adventurous young dreamer with a free spirit.

At ten years old, I took part and placed fourth (4th) in Citibank’s “Twelve and Under” competition. However, it was not until I was thirteen years old, while with the YouthQuake Folk Performers in Tobago that I really began the journey of singing and dancing. In my later teenage years, I started modern, jazz and ballet training with the Tobago Academy of

Performing Arts.

I always dreamed of pursuing dance education, knowing that this would provide tremendous benefits and opportunities to enable me to develop my craft but at the time there were not as many opportunities as there are now, to study Dance locally. So, after secondary school, I felt that the most logical step, given my family background and entrepreneurial pursuits, was to do a business degree. But Dance remained my safe place and my first love. I had a lot of passion for the artform. My effortless and natural ability to move was a gift from the Creator which I was given for a purpose.

Whilst completing my first degree in Business Management, I yearned for my passion, dance. I was accepted to the University of Trinidad and Tobago as a BFA degree candidate in the Performing Arts- Dance. However, two years into that programme, I was offered a place at the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Performing Arts specialising in Dance in 2013.

I was very determined to inspire others, who just like me, dreamt of studying dance. I wanted to show them that there is a place and space for performing artists within society and the world at large. We can work, live and thrive in our unique career choice. At the same time, I longed to create avenues for young aspiring artists to explore and succeed. I saw the need for more skilled personnel in the arts on the island of Tobago. I therefore wanted to gain the credibility to have a voice for the arts, specifically dance; which would aid in its continuous development and sustainability.

I was at the peak of my life, in New York, excelling and taking advantage of all the opportunities being presented to me. I felt like I was fulfilling my dreams and purpose. However, life presented me with unforeseeable and unimaginable challenges at the end of the first year of the 2-year MFA programme. I tried all avenues available to me but was unable to obtain the financial support needed to complete the programme and was forced to withdraw. In the wake of the financial challenges experienced during my stint at NYU, I struggled mentally, at times even questioning my value, ability to dance and to function in my new role as a studio owner and teacher. I had to heal from the perceived failure and fear of judgement by redefining who I was. Since returning to Tobago, I have been constantly engaged in short certificate courses in a wide variety of subject areas to keep updating my skills, while overseeing the operations of the family businesses and my dance school which I launched upon my return.

There is magic all around

There is a world out there for dancers and lovers of the artforms. Before, there may have been concerns about sustainable livelihoods but I want young aspiring dancers and performers to know that if dance is your heart’s desire, go for it and really believe in it. There is magic all around, so create your purpose and if at first you don’t succeed pick yourself up and you try again. Your abilities as a dancer enthusiast can afford you a special niche in the world that you can offer and thrive from. Master other things if there is room in your journey for it. Have a plan and trust the journey, Be open to the outcome of your desire because plans can change unexpectedly. But, believe that the desire wants you as much as you want it and you will arrive at the place where it is achieved.

I always had tremendous support from both family and friends. My grandmother, mother, sisters and friends would always cheer for me and encourage me to keep at my craft. As a child, my father would always drop me and pick me up from dance classes and would brag about all my accomplishments.

My inspiration

I am inspired by many people in the performing arts sector; the upcoming, the seasoned and veterans. In my earlier years, Allan Balfour, Raymond Ross, Terry David, and Charlene Harris and other teachers, choreographers and dancers, dynamically impacted my life as the initial drivers in my pursuit of dance. Internationally, I was always inspired by Desmond Richardson and Debbie Allen. However, I am most deeply inspired by my mother. Her resilience, her strength and beautiful soul inspire me to keep breaking any barriers that appear in my life.

I also draw inspiration from myself because some of the most beautiful ideas within my mind, allow me to keep striving. I am inspired by my ability to be open to opportunities that show up for me in life and take intentional steps towards experiencing them. The internal work I do to improve myself mentally, physically and emotionally gives me profound inspiration to experience life from an inspired state of conscious awareness.

People, places, events, nature and experiences also inspire me. The stories of the accomplished and unaccomplished, inspire me to create my purpose. I am always appreciative and inspired by persons, young or old, who whisper sentiments of my impact on their lives and how much I inspire them.

Whether it is from professionals, family or things, it is important to find that inspiration. Find people to guide and mentor you. While there are sufficient people who can be role models for black men in Trinidad and Tobago, I believe that when it comes to the arts, especially dance, there is a lack of support for males pursing artistic and creative careers. The acknowledgement of men in the creative and performing arts field should be more prominent, especially within the Trin-bago space. I firmly believe in the power of seeing successful individuals keeping you optimistic in your quest to achieve.

There also needs to be a different approach on our perception of what defines a “role model”. We tend to highlight mostly, the tangible gains over the intangible gains of success. We have become consumed with illusions of the greater achievers’ success rather than their journeys which may be more useful in inspiring our own paths.

Gratitude and self-love

After the mental challenges I experienced after having to withdraw from the MFA programme at NYU, I have learned that gratitude and self-love are valuable assets to maintain holistic health. To maintain this balance, I tend to resort to meditation and energy work to keep my mental state balanced along with journaling, positive affirmations and prayer. Exercise, stretching and a balanced diet help me to keep my physical upkeep and health intact. I intentionally use dance in the form of improvisation to explore the essence of my emotions with music as a releasing/increasing mechanism to balance my emotional self. I maintain thoughts that are positive to keep my energy optimistic and enthused and in high vibration. Music, good laugher and conversations with associates, friends and family is a big contributor to my overall well-being and form of release.

I am striving today because of my mantra, never let my shortcomings be the navigator of my journey. You are always responsible for adjusting your sail to the tides you may encounter. You can always go within and find an answer that will point you to the direction you need to go. Adversity is never the end game but rather the driver of one’s ability to stay consistent. I have experienced falling from the pinnacle of societal concepts of success and enduring the pains that definitely transcend my life in the most meaningful ways. You can too!

Kris also attended Signal Hill Government Primary School, Signal Hill Secondary School in 2001 and studied Business Management at  Anglia Ruskin University, UK through the School of Accounting and Management. He is part- owner of two family businesses and is the founder of The Base Clothing Officiel and L’Officiel Dance Studio, through which he is the teacher/Creative Director. He is also Reiki and Crystal Reiki Master/Teacher Level Certified and an Expert Nero-Linguistics Programmer Certified upcoming practitioner