Aya Travick-Best was born and raised in Oakland, California, but now resides in Brooklyn, NY where she works as freelance 1st AC and production assistant. Initially introduced to the arts through dance, she attended Oakland School for the Arts where she intensively trained in performing arts for 6 years. Aya's introduction to media arts however, came several years before, dating back to elementary school. From the ages 7-11 she attended St Pauls Episcopal, where she took computer classes. These classes consisted of creating websites, editing photos, and learning Garage Band and iMovie. While attending Oakland School for the Arts, she became the head of media for a local high school's dance department where she further studied visual media.
Aya is heavily influenced by the bay area dance community she grew up in. As a dancer, visual artist, and black woman she wishes to produce visuals that capture the movement and beauty of black bodies. She is influenced/inspired by the works of Khalil Joseph, Sampha, black women, images of The Black Panthers, Christopher & Jonathan Nolan, Carrie Mae Weems, and many more.