Tula B. Strong

Part of my career feels like a dumpster fire 😮‍💨, but this I feel nourished by (Pt. 3)

Finally —

On December 6th, I’ll be dancing with my hālau for our hō’ike. I’ll have a few pieces in the show that I’ve been honored to collaborate on as a co-choreographer, and you may possibly even find me playing my banjo 🪕.

Most importantly this hālau has been a shining light for me these past few years. We aren’t just dancing: we are actively thinking about our place in the world, about how what we do can honor and stand up for the rights of Native Hawaiians & Indigenous peoples, about the kuleana we have to our ancestors and lineage. This hālau has given me lessons that feel absolutely central to my work as an artist now, and I’m overwhelmingly grateful to be apart of this community of artists.

If you’re around the Inland Empire area, I hope you can make our show. It’ll be at the Victoria Gardens’ Lewis Family Playhouse on Saturday, December 6th at 6:30 pm. Tickets in the bio of . If you’d like to come, grab a ticket fast because the show is almost sold out!

Part of my career feels like a dumpster fire 🙂‍↕️, but this I’m ecstatic about (pt. 2)

Got hit with an unexpected career low this weekend, so to help me process the disappointment and stay focused on the better to come, I’m trying to remember and celebrate a few of my recent career highs. Second —

Early this year I got to play a banjo student on the Netflix show, A Man on the Inside! It was just for a brief moment in Episode 4 of the new season — where Mona Margadoff’s (Mary Steenburgen) Soggy Bottom Scholars Band played for the University. I didn’t know when the season would be released, but I found out my episode came out this past week!

It’s my first time on a big screen like this - so I watched it with my partner , screamed at the TV, and then proceeded to literally FaceTime multiple family members to show them and scream some more 😅

Either way, if you’d like to check out my very brief cameo, I’m on Season 2, Episode 4, starting at about 19 minutes and 30 seconds.

Part of my career feels like a dumpster fire 🫠, but this I’m happy about (pt. 1)…

I experienced a pretty poignant career low this weekend. So to help me process my disappointment, I’m trying to remember and celebrate a few of my past/recent career highs. First —

It’s the one year anniversary since I choreographed the music video, “Yudith.” I really had an amazing time working with this cast of new movers — helping them feel confident in their moving bodies. I loved the song, but even more I felt very inspired by the mission behind Velvet Penny’s music.

If anyone is interested in the song or the video: “Yudith” by is on most streaming platforms & you can find the music video on YouTube 🙂‍↕️

Producer & Director: Marlena Martinez
Director of Choreography: Tula B. Strong
Director of Photography: Haley Salcido-Gronski
Gaffer: Isaiah Thomas
Animation: Amy Chiniara
Make-Up: Jazmine Carreto
THOTS: Joaquin Caro & Kye Aragon
Jokers: Alba Castro & Clem
Yudith: Cindy Macias
Spirit Guidres: Tobechi & Marlena
Costumes: Marlena Martinez

Your weekly round-up of Dance Performances & Events in LA! 🎭

August 29 - Sept. 7

For more information, check out the profiles tagged in each photo 😊

🌱Black Roots of the Banjo 🌱

Been working this summer on the first iterations of a performance concept where I get to connect my interests as an artist, scholar, and educator together. The rough idea is playing music sourced and inspired from the Black Old-Time Tradition while also educating on the rich history of this music, its players, and the banjo.

Last month, I got my first chance to trial this concept a bit with a lecture demonstration at in the wonderful class of Doctor .

Next month on August 1st, I’m heading to with KaJe Movement Collective by and will perform a selection deeply inspired by Black old-time players and the legacy of Black dance. Join me there if you can and let me know what you think! 💭

🎟️Tickets in bio. IG Friends and Family, DM/text me for a discount 🫶🏽

Been Busy Playing Banjos, Building Community, Expanding Love 🤎🪕

Community Class 💕

Teaching a Movement for All Bodies workshop this upcoming Friday in honor of ’s music video release, “Yudith”!

This will TRULY be for all bodies & it will be geared towards my beginner movers 😊 So absolutely no need to be a “dancer”! If you’re just interested in moving your body a little & are curious about exploring dance as a vehicle for healing, this workshop is for you!

Hope to see you there!

(P.S. if you can’t make this workshop, I’ll be teaching another community class with .co.la_ in June — Afro-Contemporary for Intermediate/Advanced Dancers. I’ll post more details as they come. But also feel free to DM if you’re interested in coming, and I’ll be sure to send you details directly! 💜)

With love,
Tula

It’s a Wrap! 🎸

1 month of pre-planning
9 weeks of rehearsal
2 weekends of shows

& now Spring Awakening is officially done.

Two years ago, I was wholeheartedly convinced that choreographing for musicals was not for me. (Imposter syndrome was the MAIN culprit.) But babyyy, now I’m wholeheartedly convinced I’m meant to be doing this.

So grateful to have worked with a dream team on this project — From our leading director Christine Negherbon , our Musical Director Sarah Grandpré , Intimacy Choreographer Amanda Rose Villarreal , my dance captains & assistant choreographers Aja Jett & Garret Sullivan, and the beyond insanely talented cast. It was this beautiful supportive and collaborative group of individuals that inspired me to dream.

So I have a new career goal: to choreograph much, much more for musical theater and theatre! If you have a project or know of a project, hit a girl up 🥰

📸 Still photos by Jesús López Vargas

🌼🤎 Upcoming 🤎🌼

With the world being so crazy, I’m definitely trying my best to stay off socials. But I’m also trying to be better about sharing things I have going on with my community, so here I am…

🌼 Spring Awakening (March 20-29th )

Since late January, I’ve been choreographing Spring Awakening at Cal State Fullerton’s Musical Theatre Program. The show is looking really good yall! I’m so excited for folks to experience it and see how beyond talented these performers are (slide 2 for a glimpse ☺️)

Tickets are on sale now. (Link in bio!) Please come see it 🤎 Also, if you want to come on a day I’ll be there, just shoot me a DM and I’ll let you know what days I’ll be going :)

🌼Movement for All Bodies with (Friday, April 11th - 7pm )

This past fall, I got the chance to choreograph a music video for LA based musician, Velvet Penny. Throughout this month, the band is hosting a series of workshops and screenings in honor of the music video’s release.

On April 11th, I’ll be leading a Movement for All Bodies workshop inspired by the music video “Yudith”: a project created to portray the nonlinear path of healing and the pathways of self destruction that present themselves on the journey to realizing the power of self love. Come move with me as we explore movement as a vehicle for wellness and healing.

Class is donation based. All are welcome - both new and experienced movers! (It will be beginner friendly 🙌🏽)

Hope to see you there 🤎 (RSVP in bio)