Chelsea “C.J.” Jenkins is a certified personal trainer and holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Education from the University of Houston. This vision has been a long time in the works. However, if Jenkins had been asked last year at this time if she believed she would be the CEO/Founder/Owner of Dance Fusion by CJ in this amazing location, she would have been quite skeptical.
As the owner of Dance Fusion By CJ, Jenkins specializes as a Youth Fitness Consultant and teaches CJ’s POWER™ Hour Hip Hop Fitness classes all over the nation. She provides drill team, hip hop, stylized jazz and theatrical jazz choreography to studios, teams and fitness centers throughout the US.
Her training in ballet and jazz through the University of Houston Dance Program jumpstarted a career in dance fulfilling a dream developed from childhood dance training and high school drill team performances at Bellaire High School. As co-captain of the University of Houston Cougar Doll Dance Team, a professional dancer with BACE Productions and advancing and becoming Dance Director at Humble HS with a dance/ drill team, Jenkins’ work charted the early path to choreography and dance fitness knowledge.
Jenkins’ vast diversity in different dance trainings has allowed her to make Dance Fusion by CJ into a one of a kind studio that infuses genres and styles in its technical ballet, jazz, hip hop and acro classes. Students who study, work hard and grow through all advancement levels at this studio will leave with the knowledge and preparation to perform professionally and dance competitively in shows and teams worldwide. “Work Hard, Study and Grow” are words and examples Jenkins learned from a “fighting” mother.
“We went to church faithfully, no pun intended”, CJ said. “So, I was taught that you get what you fight for. I thank her because she is a prayer warrior and supports me in everything I’ve succeeded at or attempted to do. She was a dancer, actress and producer, while also working fulltime, for as long as I can remember, so I, along with my brother Mitchell, were at rehearsal doing homework many nights during the week, and I knew every line of every play she directed. I remember her dancing around the house, and Ensemble Theater actors being around a lot. I want my students to understand that work ethic because I certainly do. It is necessary for the success we strive for. We also have to keep dance exciting and fun. Fusion always shakes it up a bit!”
One promise Jenkins gives is that there will be no boring classes at Dance Fusion!
Jenkins founded Dance Fusion on the premise that in 2019, Houston deserved a studio that did not mind mixing things up. It provides more interactive teaching methods than the “typical” dance class instruction.
“I teach in context,” Jenkins said. “That is how we are different. Instead of teaching hour-long classes focusing on one technique, I teach my students moves within the context of the dance and show them why we are doing these certain moves here or there.”
She infuses dance styles and genres to creatively teach dance to beginning, intermediate and advanced level dancers. Their unique approach to instructing classical dance is to infuse styles and genres, keeping instruction fun and interesting. Students graduate from the studio as leaders, thinkers, dancers, choreographers and fierce competitors.
In addition, her 15 + years’ experience as an educator in secondary public schools provided Jenkins with the necessary tools to relate to, educate and motivate adolescent girls on their physical and mental fitness awareness. Jenkins loves working with youths as they grow and learn new things.
“Many young girls are struggling with self-esteem in elementary and middle school, and dance is one way to grow in confidence,” Jenkins said. “Every body type is beautiful, and we should celebrate life each day. Music and Dance together becomes a way to love on these children and motivate them to reach for higher goals in everything. It’s universal and it’s magical.”
Jenkins is passionate about using dance as an opportunity to relate to children and youth and coach them through various stages of fitness. She even had her first student teacher join her and help coach.
“It’s so exciting to be able to pass on the ‘C.J. Werk-It Way’ to my high school student protege, Gianna,” Jenkins said. “She is my first official student-teacher, and her excitement in this experience reminds me daily that this is truly a calling.”
Jenkins relies greatly on her peers in the Dance world to ensure her students consistently receive the best training and choreography opportunities.
“There are so many talented performers and Dance educators in the Houston area. I can’t do everything. But I promise that I know someone who can help fill that gap, and I make sure my kids benefit from guest instructors frequently.”
She is also passionate about placing a strong emphasis on community at her studio. While she does offer some competitive dance programs, she wants her studio to be a place to simply learn, enjoy and give back. She offers dance classes, fitness programs and performance programs, so there is something available to every student. Her dancers can be found performing their pieces for free throughout the community every month.
“I want my studio to be a community conscience place,” Jenkins said. “At Dance Fusion by CJ, there are options for everyone. This gives kids the chance to have a non-competitive dance opportunity that still allows them to gain valuable skills.”
Since opening, students from Dance Fusion by CJ has had the opportunity to perform in several places throughout Brazoria and Harris County, including Colonial Oaks Nursing Home, Pearland Clean and Green, Brazoria County NAACP Juneteenth Celebration, Inner Urban Third Ward Juneteenth Celebration and Tears of Joys Services, Inc. Back to School Bash. They are finishing up their August performances with a Disney Classics performance at the Houston Children’s Museum on August 17 and at Discovery Green August 24.
There will also be a Family Fun Open House on August 30. This is a fun-filled day for boys and girls ages 5 to 15. Attendees will have the chance to learn two dance fusions, with some options being jazzy-ballet, hip hop-acro, musical theater, African-lyrical, majorette-step and dance team prep.
While her dance schedule clearly keeps her very busy, Jenkins has found time to also pursue her PhD in Educational Psychology with a focus on Adolescent Learning. Outside of work, she switches from coach to proud mom of son, Ryan and daughter, Alanah.
End of story.
Parent testimony (This will be used as a sidebar quote. Just FYI, it is not meant to be the end of the story):
“I have two daughters that attend Dance Fusion by CJ. The reason I picked Dance Fusion by CJ is because I like coach CJ’s teaching style. She takes time to work with individual children when they are having a hard time getting a dance position or move. She is very encouraging and positive when she is explaining things and talking to them. What also drew me to coach CJ’s is the concept of Dance Fusion by CJ. I love the idea of a community conscious Studio where beginner dancers through advanced can participate monthly in different events. I am not only a client, but I believed in her vision and became an asset to her company. I am Marketing Director and Parent Liaison. I can’t think of a better place for my children to grow as dancers and confident young ladies.” — Talesha Humphrey
