Check out Chi Chi Randolph’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chi Chi Randolph.

Christine “Chi Chi” Randolph believes in balance.  Raised in New Jersey and Texas, she was taught at a very young age how to merge two different experiences.  She earned a degree in Industrial Engineering and minored in Business Administration at Texas A&M University while performing with Fade to Black Dance Ensemble, serving as Stepmaster for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and working as the University’s first Hip-Hop Dance Instructor.  Upon graduating Chi Chi worked as an Operation Manager for a Frito-Lay/Pepsico, but the mundane 9 to 5 schedule kept her away from her love of performing.  Many people advised her to consider the obvious perks of sticking with a job, but Chi Chi’s blind faith encouraged her to pursue a career. And the rest is… History! Accepted into the Broadway Dance Center’s intern program, Chi Chi immediately moved to New York City.  After cultivating her performance and business skills with some of the industry’s best choreographers, she then relocated to Atlanta, GA. No stranger to blending east coast ambition with southern charm, Chi Chi easily adjusted to Atlanta’s competitive dance scene.

Chi Chi’s balance between preparation and risk-taking resulted in her having priceless experiences in video, film, and stage performance.  Her work is not difficult to find because her film and television credits include appearances on ABC, CBS, MTV, BET, and Sony/Rainforest films. She has performed on stage with artists such as the Black-Eyed Peas in the 2011 Super Bowl Half Time Show, Nelly, Fabolous Trey Songz and many more. She has also most recently done work for Old Navy, MTV Woodie Awards, and American Crime on ABC. Chi Chi has always had a passion for teaching as well. She taught her signature Sexy Stiletto Fit & Video Vixen dance classes in top dance studios, because she avidly loves to teach and inspire others through the art of dance. While pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration in late 2010, Chi Chi finally decided to follow her lifelong dream of opening a dance & fitness studio. She currently owns Dance Austin Studio and has continued her love of dance & teaching to the people of Austin, TX. More recently she moved to the Houston, TX area and is excited to continue to share her passions.

Instructor. Choreographer.  Performer.  Entrepreneur.  The list of Chi Chi’s multiple roles extends as she continues to take monumental risks.  Her journey to success was (and still is) paved with roadblocks, detours, and u-turns.  But she uses a spiritual map to help her go through any obstacles.  Though God is her driving force, she believes in James 2:26 scripture that “faith without works is dead.” Chi Chi is not just a dreamer, she is a go-getter.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a choreographer, dancer/performer, & creative director. I enjoy taking a vision and bringing it to life! Whether it is a stage production or choreography for a dance class, the creative process is a thrilling and rewarding experience. When someone steps foot in my class, I bring 110% of my best energy to the room and create an atmosphere for students to feel non-judged and excited to learn. The same goes for my corporate clients; my goal is to dig deep into their vision and bring to life even more than they expect. I believe dance & music are universal and we can all learn more about ourselves through movement. It is very freeing to let loose and let the music flow. It is very powerful to perform for and engage an audience through movement. I try to connect these feelings/concepts to students when I’m teaching. I have a special passion for empowering women of all shapes, sizes, & backgrounds, to feel & be their best version of themselves!

How can artists connect with other artists?
My advice is to network and connect with other artists as much as possible. It’s an old industry saying, but in entertainment “it’s not about who you know, but rather who knows you.” So, I encourage artists to join networking platforms (i.e. Facebook groups), attend events, support other dance studios & dance company performances etc.

My solution when I first moved back to Texas was to create my own events that were inclusive of the entire dance community. I couldn’t find the community aspect of dance, so I created it. The goal was to unite the dance community while raising funds for a non-profit/charitable organization. Dancers giving back and connecting at the same time. A few years ago, I was working the front desk of my dance studio and an adult student wrote that she had Cystic Fibrosis on her registration form. I wasn’t sure what that was at the time, so I inquired. She explained to me that it is a life-threatening disease that affects her lung functions (amongst other things). She told me she didn’t like running on a treadmill, so dance was a healthy way to exasperate her lungs and increase her lung capacity. She literally dancing to breathe. She also worked with a non-profit called the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A light bulb went off and that’s how “Dance to Breathe: the Austin Choreographer’s Ball” was born! Years later, I’ve done 7 shows and have generated over $100k to support the foundation on research for a cure. I hope to bring this amazing cause to Houston soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chichirandolph.com
• Instagram: @chichirandolph
• Facebook: facebook.com/chichirandolph

Image Credit:
Earl McGehee

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