About

Talaya Diamonique Jones was an angel in disguise. She was an exemplary young woman of scholarship, service, success, and style. Gifted in the performing arts, Talaya spent countless hours perfecting her gifts, talents, and achieving at a high altitude in her academic areas. She LOVED dance and BELIEVED in scholarship…

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Talaya Diamonique Jones, the beloved daughter of Troy and Wanda Jones, entered into this world on March 8, 1994 with her bright smile; that was just the beginning of the joy she would share with others. Talaya received a Christian education from Saint Bernardine‘s Roman Catholic School for kindergarten, Saint Timothy‘s Day School first through seventh grade and graduated eighth grade from Emmanuel Lutheran School. During her grade school years, she was a honor roll student, developed a love for writing and authored published poems. At the age of 10, Talaya began taking classes at Studio A Modeling Etiquette and Dance Academy for nine consecutive years. She participated all year round in every program that Studio A offered; ballet, modern, hip-hop, tap, modeling, etiquette, personal development training classes, public speaking and pageantry. She was one of the original members of the Studio A Praise Dance Ensemble, Studio A Models and worked assisted instructors in several classes. After developing a passion and an undeniable talent as a gifted dancer, Talaya was accepted at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology’s dance department. She graduated from the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in 2012 with honors and was inducted into the National Honor Society for high school dancers. Talaya was also a part of Carver Center’s Inertia Dance Company and participated in Carver’s fashion shows. She completed her freshman year at the University of Maryland College Park, majoring in Information Technology and Business. 

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Talaya was one of the original members of the Studio A Praise Dance Ensemble, Studio A Models and worked assisted instructors in several classes. Talaya was a debutante both her junior and senior year in The Studio A Scholarship Cotillion Program. She won scholarship award for her outstanding commitment, excellent participation and perfect attendance. Talaya has danced on several televised Studio A Dance performances for Fox 45 Baltimore and feature on BET’s show 106 and park. Talaya was also the first Baltimore County student to win 1st place in the Theta Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Talent Hunt Scholarship Competition and went to compete in Syracuse, New York at the national level where she placed 2nd place in the dance division. At the age of 13, Talaya placed 4th runner up in her very first pageant and won the title of Miss Hospitality in the American’s Miss Teen Pageant. Talaya really loved and adored Studio A, her mentors, and her Studio A family. She would come home during holidays and breaks to take classes at Studio A, babysit, work for Giant Food store, help at  Loftin Love Day Care, and hangout with her sisters/friends. Talaya was a loving, respectful, caring, grateful, giving, humble, appreciative young lady who Loved the Lord and Loved to Praise Him through dance. Talaya, our beautiful angel transitioned on July 6, 2013 and is missed beyond words can express. She will forever live in our hearts, and will never be forgotten. She is our guardian angel who watches over us.

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