We recently connected with Camille Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Camille , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Most recently, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been presenting original choreography for the Synergy Series Choreographer’s showcase presented in January 2024.

Unlike other instances in which I’ve worked collaboratively with an artist requesting choreography for a particular song or working on a collaboratively on project with shared investment from other dancers, this choreographer’s showcase afforded me the opportunity to present my own choreography detailing a personal narrative as a representation of my attempt toward healing using two mediums that I love: poetry and dance.

Thankfully, past projects seemingly prepared me for the moment to share a personal testimony using art for the Synergy Series showcase. With my dance team, (CA)^ Dance Crew, a local curatorial duo CJ Wooten and Alexander Stallings of WARMTH, and Australia-based projection Artist, Wendy Yu, I’ve been in the unique position to work alongside these leaders and artists to create beautifully resonant movement-centric pieces that have helped elevate how dance and dance within black bodies is perceived.

Collaborations with these particular folks resulted in presenting work for major events such as Blink and being grant-awarded with my dance team and WARMTH Culture to present a collaborative presentation called “Yemaya: Sista to the Distant, Yet Rising Star”.

All of those moments intertwined with life experiences were stepping stones that brought forth my choreographed piece at the Synergy Series showcase, titled, “To be free”. The piece confronted a longing for freedom while examining, exploring, and reclaiming what it means to be free. Free from relying on external validation, from unhealthy habits/tendencies, and beliefs that hinder self-actualization.

Presenting original work at the showcase felt like a creative breakthrough. For some time, I’d desired to create a piece, just for me, that was both an exercise in reflection and actually turned feelings like disappointment, heartbreak, loss into something beautiful, useful, meaningful and relatable.

The most affirming part of the project process was reuniting dancers that I’ve known and have been blessed to watch grow since we were teenagers dancing every day at Elementz Youth Arts Center now Elementz Hip Hop Cultural Art Center. My dance family sacrificed their time and energy to be involved in the piece and each of them shared that they agreed to be involved because they wanted to support me.

A huge thank you to Anaya Ni’ Kole, Daivoghn Whitfield, Khalil Jackson, Nyjul Byrd, Noah Hawes, and Synergy Series creators/producers, Rowan, Teresa, and the Synergy Team.

Camille , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Camille Jones, a dancer/choreographer, writer, and creative collaborator.

As an artist, I’ve been able to wear many creative hats that ultimately center storytelling whether that be choreographing a dance piece about a particular topic or working with an artist to bring to life the story in their music by helping conceptualize and direct their music video.

Professionally, I also work at an arts nonprofit as the Senior Manager of Advancement and program manager.
Working creatively, problem-solving, and making discoveries are the connecting thread in my work and fuel my drive to actualize my personal, creative goals.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

In my mind, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to realize and share the ideas that form in my mind with the rest of the world. Being an artist allows me to reveal the depth of what I’m thinking and feeling that hopefully creates a bridge, a connector with others.

In this sense, my creativity is another form of communication, my art is a microphone that amplifies my voice to a broader reach.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In my view, society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative economy by seeing the value and investing in artists, the arts, and recognizing how the creative economy boosts business, as well as overall community health and well-being.

Investment doesn’t always have to be monetary either. Showing investment support can be as simple as engaging with an artist’s social media content. We live in a world driven by media and the digital/social media-sphere. This realm grants access to artists and information in such an immediate fashion which means something as simple as liking or sharing an artist’s content, as long as it aligns with your interests, demonstrates valuable support of an artist’s work and broadens their network of supporters by connecting an artist with your social circle.

If you’d like to invest real dollars or something more valuable such as time, society can best support artists by helping artists fund projects, buying tickets to live, local performances and events presented by and amplifying the voices of artists.

Live summer concerts, dance workshops, clothing brand pop-ups are a great way to show support for local artists and creatives in your community. By engaging with the artists and creatives in your community you are building connections while also stepping out of your comfort zone by learning a new skill, exploring an old hobby that was abandoned and, therefore, reigniting a fire within.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jones.camille
• Facebook: Camille Jones
• Linkedin: Camille Jones
• Youtube: @camillejones2891
• Other: https://decadent-identities.webflow.io/artists/camille-dionne-jonesLink to ArtsWave Truth and Healing interview with Creativity Squared:https://creativitysquared.com/podcast/ep16-artswave-truth-healing-part-2/?fbclid=PAAabEOr0cYH7lwxxh-VPsdAtFyedP8wzJirqrNaQKEWgiIZnbnMlTYg1lCYY_aem_AYoJYbRJeA9bC2KFbdNtYA9imyr6PZMBCazEP_VKK9EH1IyyYbfCdei8neLQcFxuPFk

  Bold journey article on Camille Jones

  https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-camille-jones-2/

Image Credits

Chenelle Jones
Sarah Spurling
Noah Hawes
Quincy Zion [Q] Worst
Lynn Siegfried
Camryn Woody