<p class="">&nbsp;</p><p class="">Chris 'Yung Chris' Thomas began dancing and entertaining the world at the young age of 7. By the time he was 11, Chris had features in commercials, news papers and television. During his teen years, he decided to pursue sports, but after college, he found his way back to his true love, dance.&nbsp;</p><p class="">In 2007, Chris began traveling the world, teaching dance, and performing.&nbsp; He instantly fell in<br>love with the road.&nbsp; In 2011, Chris decided to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand as a dance instructor.&nbsp; In Bangkok, he taught at an entertainment academy, worked with local pop stars, and also hosted<br>and performed at events around Southeast Asia.&nbsp; After one year there, Chris brought his experience back to his hometown of Houston and started his company, Sonkiss'd Dance Theater.</p><p class="">By 2013, Chris had joined the ranks of the world famous Havikoro Crew. Five years later, he is still an active member of the crew and runs Sonkiss'd Dance Theater as artist director, leading the troupe on an amazing journey through dance and entertainment.&nbsp; With Sonkiss'd Dance Theater,&nbsp; Chris produces shows and productions across the nation.</p><p class="">When it comes to entertainment, Chris believes he can do anything.&nbsp; His motto is, "God gave you a talent.&nbsp; Use it.&nbsp; That's your gift to the world."&nbsp; With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Chris is excited and ready for any challenge or opportunity that comes his way.</p><p class=""><strong>Watch or listen below to find out how Chris got started as well as his biggest challenges and tips!</strong></p>


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
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<description>Chris is an active member of world famous crew, Havikoro and runs Sonkiss'd Dance Theater as artist director leading the troupe on an amazing journey through dance and entertainment.  With Sonkiss'd Dance Theater,  Chris produces shows and productions across the nation.</description>

Touring Dancer and Founder of SonKiss'd Dance Theater

Chris is an active member of world famous crew, Havikoro and runs Sonkiss'd Dance Theater as artist director leading the troupe on an amazing journey through dance and entertainment.  With Sonkiss'd Dance Theater,  Chris produces shows and productions across the nation.

Sole Talk 20: Yung Chris, Touring Dancer and Founder of SonKiss'd Dance Theater

<p>Regardless of the location of the stage – theater, studio, concert venue or even a football field – Kelley has left her mark. After being trained by some of the greatest names in dance at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, the Atlanta native has forged a career that spans all genres of dance and crosses multiple industries - from sports to advertising to entertainment and beyond.</p><p>Kelley’s list of accomplishments is extensive and audiences around the world have been entertained by her dance moves. Her choreography and mesmerizing performances have been featured by the Atlanta Falcons both in national commercials and during halftime entertainment.&nbsp;Other choreography credits include the Fugees’ European tour, Musiq Soulchild’s “Stir the Senses” tour, and Toni Braxton’s 2010 tour and television performances. Kelley danced with Beyonce Knowles in her video for “Get Me Bodied” and during her performance of the hugely popular “Single Ladies” during the 2009 MTV VMAs.</p><p>CiCi's work has also been performed on theatrical stages across the United States in a variety of shows including "The Wilson Pickett Project" and "The Satin Dolls: A Duke Ellington Review". She was selected by film director Jon Turtletaub to provide dance direction to award-winning actor Morgan Freeman during the filming of the blockbuster hit, "Last Vegas" as well as the film "BOLDEN" with Director Dan Pritzker.</p><p>CiCi has additional performance credits on stage and in music videos, including the video for LL Cool J’s “Control Yourself” featuring Jennifer Lopez, and Outkast’s video for “Ghetto Music.” Her choreography skills were also featured on MTV’s Emmy Award winning series, “MTV MADE,” as well as “MTV MADE Head-to-Head Hip Hop Challenge.”</p><p>Kelley has also stepped into her philanthropic shoes by helping up-and-coming young dancers start their careers off on the right foot with "The DARE DREAM DANCE Project," a C4 Atlanta fiscally sponsored initiative. Inclusive of the projects programming, Kelley provides unique commercial dance education training with a classical foundation, to develop world class artists who want to achieve success in the field of dance. She offers the Trifecta scholarship within the DARE DREAM DANCE framework to provide talented and highly ambitious young dancers the means with which to hone their craft and pursue their dreams in America’s three major dance centers: Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.</p><p><strong>Watch or listen below to find out how Cici got started, her career challenges, and her biggest tips!</strong></p>


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
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<description>After being trained by some of the greatest names in dance at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, Cici Kelley has forged a career that spans all genres of dance and crosses multiple industries - from sports to advertising to entertainment and beyond.  She worked with Beyonce, LL Cool J, and JLo, among others, and then went on to open her own studio.  Here's what she learned along the way.</description>

Cici Kelley, Co-Founder of Dare Dream Dance Stuio

After being trained by some of the greatest names in dance at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, Cici Kelley has forged a career that spans all genres of dance and crosses multiple industries - from sports to advertising to entertainment and beyond.  She worked with Beyonce, LL Cool J, and JLo, among others, and then went on to open her own studio.  Here's what she learned along the way.

Sole Talk 19: Cici Kelley, Co-Founder of Dare Dream Dance Studio

<p>Sara Wilson began dance at the age of 2 in Plano, TX. She joined a competitive team at age 10 as she trained in ballet, jazz, and tap. She was on the back-to-back national champion team, Plano Dance Force, where she was ADTS regional solo winner and scholarship recipient, was named to the All-American Drill Team, and was one of 8 out of 500 to be named to the All-American Dance Company.</p><p>Sara received her BFA in Dance from UT Austin in 2002. During her time there, she was a 2 year member of the department’s modern dance company (serving as soloist the second year), was selected to perform with the internationally-touring David Rousseve Company, received an American Ballet Theater work/study scholarship, and was named to Dean’s List numerous semesters. During college, Sara also had the privilege to take classes from Holly Williams (Mark Morris Dance Co.), Lyn Wiltshire (The Wiz, Alvin Ailey), Christine Spizzo (American Ballet Theater), Kirk Peterson (American Ballet Theater), and Betsy Cooper (New York City Ballet) to name a few.</p><p>After graduating, Sara taught at studios in the Dallas area and choreographed a large part of the North Texas Youth Ballet’s “Nutcracker”. In 2003, Sara joined the American Drill Team School staff where she traveled all over the country teaching, judging, and choreographing. In 2004, Sara was the Junior Varsity drill team director at Akins High School in Austin, TX where she led the team to earn state champion in the military division.</p><p>In 2006, Sara finally found her way here to Houston where she was the drill team director at Houston ISD’s Lamar High School. During her 7 years at Lamar, Sara took the team from 11 dancers to over 80. Her team earned countless accolades and acknowledgements including two - time Alamo Bowl halftime performers, Houston Rockets pre-game performers, two-time Houston Texans halftime performers, numerous solo awards, a number of special judges’ awards, and three-time Team Overall Grand Champion. Some of Sara’s students have gone on to teach in studios, join HTE instructional and choreography staff, become Captain and President of UH Cougar Dolls as well as other collegiate teams, become Director of A&amp;M Fade 2 Black Dance Company, and Houston Texans Cheerleaders.</p><p>In addition to teaching in the Houston area, Sara was a 2010-2011 Houston Aero Dynamics Dancer and a 2011 Houston Texans Cheerleader finalist. Currently, Sara is loving being a guest teacher for schools throughout the Houston area, being on staff at TopFlight Dance Center, and serving as a judge for Crowd Pleasers, in addition to being a mom to her two kids and wife to her incredible husband.</p><p><strong>Check out her dance journey!</strong></p>























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<description>Sara Wilson is a choreographer, dance instructor, and competition judge in Houston, TX.  She travels around the city and beyond offering her services to drill teams, high schools, studios and more.</description>

Sara Wilson, Founder of Dance Services by Sara

Sara Wilson is a choreographer, dance instructor, and competition judge in Houston, TX.  She travels around the city and beyond offering her services to drill teams, high schools, studios and more.

Sole Talk 18: Sara Wilson, Founder of Dance Services by Sara

<p>Sole Talk just got upgraded! &nbsp;We've cut right to the chase to give you the insight you really need in short, easy-to-watch episodes. &nbsp;Up first, <a href="https://shatehayes.com/about" target="_blank">TWD founder</a>, Shate' Edwards.</p><p>Shate' Edwards is a career director, writer,&nbsp;producer, and entrepreneur. &nbsp;After college, she performed extensively throughout the U.S. and China, and her work has been commissioned by companies throughout the country. &nbsp;Critics have called her "a talent to watch" and have described her movement as "alone worth the price of admission."</p><p>Shate' earned a MFA in dance and served for several years as a dance professor in the DFW area. &nbsp;She's the author of <a href="https://shatehayes.com/freeresources" target="_blank"><em>The Freelance Dancer's Roadmap</em></a> as well as articles in Dance Magazine, Dance Mogul Magazine, Dance! North Texas, and The Dance Advantage. &nbsp;In addition to her work as a choreographer, producer, and dance educator, Shate' also founded The Working Dancer to educate aspiring and early career dancers about creating sustainable careers.</p><p><strong>Check out her dance journey!</strong></p>


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
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<description>TWD founder, Shate' Edwards shares how she got started, her biggest challenges, and her biggest tips.</description>

Shate' Edwards shares her dance career journey.

TWD founder, Shate' Edwards shares how she got started, her biggest challenges, and her biggest tips.

Sole Talk 17: Shate Edwards, Founder of The Working Dancer

<p>Roger Lee is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator from Philadelphia. &nbsp;He has a long list of impressive performance, leadership, and teaching credits including Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Temple University, just to name a few. &nbsp;Through his company's programs, his articles for dance publications, motivational speaking, and more, Roger Lee is empowering artists to develop careers in a sustainable way.</p><p>In this episode of Sole Talk, Roger shares:</p><ul dir="ltr"><li>How he was able to start his company while in grad school.</li><li>The importance of building your own audience and platform.</li><li>How leadership and other professional skills will take your dance career even further.</li><li>Why being your most authentic self will help you in every area of your life.</li></ul><p>Check out Roger's amazing career insight here!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
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  <h2><strong>About Roger Lee</strong></h2><p>Roger Lee is the founding artistic director of Roger Lee Dance Company, an award-winning professional jazz dance company based in Philadelphia, PA. Since its 2012 debut, the company received over 50 media features, performed in concerts produced by Philadanco, WaWa Welcome America Festival, and the Democratic National Convention, and produced their own educational programs for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities and concert series for the community.</p><p>Roger served on the faculty of Drexel University's Close School of Entrepreneurship, Temple University's Dance Department, Eastern University's Dance Department, Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, Millennium Dance Complex, The Rock School for Dance Education, Koresh School of Dance, and Joan Myers Brown's Philadelphia School of Dance Arts where he was named her 2015 Teacher of the Year.</p><p>He also wrote articles for <em>Dance Magazine,&nbsp;</em>a column for <em>The Dance Journal</em>, and the e-books <em>Creating Careers in the Arts </em>and <em>Overcoming Dance Fear</em>. Roger earned his Master's Degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University, Bachelor's Degree in Dance and Media &amp; Communication Studies from Ursinus College, and Diploma from Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. His work can beviewed online at <a target="_blank" href="http://rogerleearts.com/">rogerleearts.com</a></p>























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<description>Roger Lee is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator from Philadelphia.  He has a long list of impressive performance, leadership, and teaching credits including Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Temple University, just to name a few.  Through his company's programs, his articles for dance publications, motivational speaking, and more, Roger Lee is empowering artists to develop careers in a sustainable way.</description>

Roger Lee, founder of Roger Lee Dance Company, talk professional skills, building your own audience, and being your most authentic self.

Roger Lee is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator from Philadelphia.  He has a long list of impressive performance, leadership, and teaching credits including Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Temple University, just to name a few.  Through his company's programs, his articles for dance publications, motivational speaking, and more, Roger Lee is empowering artists to develop careers in a sustainable way.

Sole Talk 16: Roger Lee, Founder of Roger Lee Dance Company

Join us on Sole Talk for interviews with #WorkingDancers who share how they've created careers they love. Hear how they got started, their biggest projects, challenges, and businesses they've started.

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