Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaza Historia VanDyke.
Zaza, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started playing music early in middle school in Las Vegas, I was in an orchestra playing the upright bass. I quickly became obsessed with performing and working with groups of people to create something beautiful, I was always into doing stuff alone and orchestra was my first time working as a unit instead of just Zaza.
After finishing middle school, I auditioned for the Las Vegas Academy of the performing and visual arts, one of the most prestigious art schools in the country. My first response back from them was a no. A couple of weeks before the start of freshman year, I got a call that a bass player moved away and they had a spot for me, I jumped at the opportunity and my career as a performing artist really began. After finishing high school, I moved to Utah to be with my mother, I joined some bands, learned how to jam and the rest was history.
A little over a year ago after unpacking a bunch of unresolved trauma and insecurity I finally decided to come out as transgender, this was a life-changing experience and the support I got from bandmates and friends gave me the strength and confidence to be who I am today, a proud mother and an openly queer performer glass artist and model.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, it has been quite a rollercoaster, most of my struggles were internal, finding out who I am and letting go of who I thought I was “supposed” was an uphill battle, to say the least. Brawling with body and gender dysphoria could be crippling at times and still can be.
Many bands split up and I decided it was time to write my own music and tell my own story as I was experiencing and a lot of those struggles come through in my lyrics and compositions.
Glass art can be a taboo art form and finding places to sell work has always been a struggle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a songwriter, vocalist, bass player, storyteller, and glass artist. I specialize in bass playing and glass art. I’m most proud of my resilience and versatility also my favorite and most prized creation my daughter.
Being loud, proud, and confident in my work has set me apart from others. Talking about real issues and shedding light on inequality has set me apart from a lot of performers in Utah.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, I was very fortunate to be able to create and sell my glass art through the crisis when so many artists and performers lost their jobs at the snap of a finger.
Always have a fallback plan and keep moving forward.
Pricing:
- Commissions for glass art are always available
- Booking for music is always available
- 50$ an hour upright bass lessons
- Glassblowing lessons
Contact Info:
- Email: Zazahistoriavandyke@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_zaza_vandyke
- Facebook: Zaza Historia VanDyke
Image Credits
Robin Pendergast, Hannah Barret, Zaza Historia, and VanDyke
