Meet Taryn Cantrell

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taryn Cantrell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taryn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to explore creativity throughout both my professional and artistic careers. For the past 9 years I have worked in the Parks and Recreation industry, where over time my role has evolved from art instructor to coordinator. Whether it’s planning large scale community events or leading more intimate classroom settings, creativity has been the cornerstone for all I do and pursue. Today, my professional creativity is channeled through advocacy for Inclusion within Parks and Recreation. I proudly serve as my community’s Adaptive Recreation Coordinator, overseeing programming tailored for individuals with disabilities. My passion for Inclusion inspires me to be endlessly innovative in developing programs, organizing special events, enhancing inclusion services, fostering community partnerships, and ensuring that every aspect of recreation is accessible and welcoming to all.
Outside of my professional career, my creativity has taken a more traditional path. I graduated from Arizona State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance, highlighting my background in opera and musical theatre performance and studies. Today my artistic pursuits have shifted from music school practice rooms and long auditions to rock n’ roll clubs and music venues. I play bass guitar and sing in local bands such as Sareena Dominguez, Honey Marie Knight, and Great American Regret. Alongside late-night performances and early mornings at the office, I also write as an author and editor for Cowboy Lifestyle Network, where I creatively cover local and national events, concerts, and rodeos, infusing my own distinct voice into everything I write.
While my artistic pursuits come in many different shapes and sizes, I cannot imagine spending a single day where I wasn’t encouraged to think outside the box, use my talents to enhance the experiences of others, or pursue new artistic challenges! I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity to merge my professional and creative pursuits together and live a life that is incredibly fulfilling to all of my my creative passions!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When people ask me what I do for a living, I often say, “I make people happy.” I feel like the luckiest gal in the world when it comes to my professional journey!

I began working in Parks and Recreation as a college student looking for a part-time gig to earn some extra cash while studying classical music in college. What started out as a temporary job, quickly blossomed into one of my greatest passions. Nine years later, I haven’t looked back! I’ve been transformed by the incredible sense of community and purpose this career has given me.

Today, I proudly serve as my community’s Adaptive Recreation Coordinator, overseeing all programming for patrons with disabilities. At the core of my work is a deep passion for inclusion and people, ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to recreation. Recreation is a powerful tool for lifelong learning, forming lasting friendships, building confidence, developing skills, and forging meaningful connections within your community.

Some accomplishments I hold close to my heart when considering my professional career include founding our annual “Lights, Camera, Action: Talent Showcase and Art Walk,” where participants are celebrated for their unique talents. This event has grown so much that in 2025, we’ll be moving it to a local community college, giving our performers the chance to shine on a professional stage. I’m also proud to have championed the “Sensory Bag Initiative,” which provides sensory tools at all of our recreation centers, park ranger vehicles, and local pools. These bags include sensory-friendly tools like noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, fidget toys, and more, offering proactive support for patrons who may experience sensory overstimulation while enjoying parks and recreation programs.

Through creativity, advocacy, and an unwavering love for community, I’ve had the privilege of promoting inclusion in countless ways, and for that I am deeply grateful! I hope to inspire others that inclusion is the expectation, not the exception!

Musically, I have been fortunate to collaborate with many lovely people who have shaped my journey. Through larger scale music events like the Phoenix Rock Lottery, Mamma Coal’s Dolly Hoot, and more, I’ve been able to pour back into a community that has given so much to me. Moving from a world of classical music to playing in bands was an exciting challenge, and while I traded arias and art song for a bass guitar, I have been grateful to take a step back to my roots and now front my own band, Great American Regret. A mix of all sorts of genres, Great American Regret has been an exciting journey getting me back into song writing and thinking of music from the perspective of a lyricist and not just an instrumentalist, which is an exciting challenge I’ve been diving head first into.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ooo! What a fun question!

Growing up in Arizona, I always dreamed of living somewhere else, I thought anywhere in the world had to be more exciting. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed a true appreciation for the desert and Arizona will always be held close to my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to fall in love with my home state all over again through the eyes of friends visiting from out of town.

While I may not be the flashiest tour guide, here are a few must-see places and experiences I always love sharing:

The Grand Canyon (obviously!) – Riding the Grand Canyon Railway is hands down one of the most charming and exciting ways I’ve experienced the canyon. Cowboy shows, musicians serenading you on the ride, and getting an up-close look at beautiful Northern Arizona is so much fun no matter what your age is! Watching a friend experience the canyon for the first time is an unforgettable moment in itself.

Guided Hikes with the Arizona Wildlife Federation – There is no better way to explore beautiful Arizona than with the professionals at the Arizona Wildlife Federation! I recently had the privilege to explore a new corner of my state I had never been to (Patagonia, AZ,) thanks to AWF’s guided hikes. It’s a wonderful way to meet new friends and explore the outdoors in a way that is tailored for all abilities and ages.

The Dirty Drummer – My favorite dive in town! While unassuming from the outside, stepping into The Dirty Drummer is a blast from the past and one of my must-experience stops while hosting a friend from out of town. Great music, great atmosphere, and great food and drinks!

A Local Rodeo – As a former Rodeo Queen (yeehaw lol,) a great way to give a friend an authentic wild west Arizona experience would be to go to a local rodeo! Prescott Frontier Days, World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson, and Gilbert Days are some of my favorites.

Crescent Ballroom – You can’t visit Phoenix without catching a show at Crescent! One of my favorite places to perform and enjoy music, Crescent sounds great, has a welcoming vibe, beautiful patio, and the best drinks! It makes for a great place to end the night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a heartfelt shoutout to my beautiful family and friends, who have been a powerful driving force throughout all my creative pursuits. I’m endlessly grateful to my parents, who’ve shown up for every performance and cheered on not just me, but my friends as well, they’ve truly been our biggest supporters. To my sister and cousins, your constant encouragement and belief in me has meant the world. To my aunts and uncles, thank you for helping me prepare for recitals, concerts, and shine on stage. To my incredible circle of friends, you’ve lifted me endlessly, and what a gift to watch you all succeed in your artistic endeavors as well!

I also want to shine a light on the local Arizona music scene. From the moment I first stepped into it, I was embraced by a community overflowing with support. Strangers quickly became dear friends and the camaraderie I found there opened countless doors for me to grow, share my voice, and push the boundaries of my art.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pantaryn/profilecard/?igsh=NzZ4a3lra2VsMjk4

Other: Great American Regret – https://www.instagram.com/greatamericanregret/profilecard/?igsh=MW5uMXlmamYzMnRucg==

Image Credits
Little Den Studios, Kalinijade Photogrpahy, SRT Design Co, John Hasemeir Photography