Self Service

About Self Service

Stemming from a Native American, African American, and Irish background, Nijay was born and raised on the Westside of Harlem Manhattan. Growing up as a child, Nijay has been influenced by the arts. At an early age, he began dancing at a dance school which his grandmother owned. Aside from owning the dance school, Nijay’s grandmother also taught classes along with his mother and aunt. Nijay further developed his talents going into junior high school by joining what was called “the Honors Choir” for gifted students with above average musical talents. There, he learned music from a different perspective. After graduating from junior High School with more knowledge, excelling in music, Nijay then went on to attend Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School where he also graduated from. At Fiorello, Nijay has learned sight singing, music theory, and also took voice classes. This was the turning point where he became a more open-minded individual. “I was teaching myself as an artist…experimenting. I worked with live bands, performed and learned stage presence all while attending LaGuardia. My younger days were definitely exciting. I was popular and can say there were times back then where others