We were lucky to catch up with Christen Munroe-Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Christen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
My first dollar as a creative was earned during my very first dance teaching job in April 2019. On Indeed, I was applying for jobs in my college dorm when I came across an advertisement for dance teachers. Initially, I was hesitant to apply, wondering, “Am I good enough?” However, I put together my resume and submitted an application. During the interview process, the owner watched me teach a class. At the end of the course, I was offered the position! I was ecstatic! I called my friends and family to share the great news! I taught for this company 2-3 classes a week for about a year. I really enjoyed my job. Despite not having completed my undergraduate degree at the time, I was earning money doing what I loved. The more I worked, the more I imagined myself as the director; running things according to my own preferences, delivering the welcome message on stage, answering parent questions, ordering costumes, and so forth! With time, I began working for other dance companies, still earning money while pursuing my dream career. I was gaining new experiences and determining how I would like my studio to be set up and run. As a creative, my first dollar earned was the most valuable and meaningful.
Christen, 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?
My name is Christen Munroe-Jones, and I am the “Founder and Director” of TheIrieMovement and TheKidsCorner at TheIrieMovement. Since the age of eight, I have been dancing and I have never looked back! Though I am not quite sure when I asked my mother to take dance classes, I know my heart yearned for dance classes. Having seen a performance on television, my mother decided to sign me up for a trial dance class when she was ready. Here I am today!
Upon enrolling in company dance classes, I quickly developed a strong passion for the art of dance. Once it was time to attend middle school, I went to dance magnet auditions for Deer Park Middle Magnet School and I got accepted into the dance magnet program. As a magnet dancer, I danced everyday and had multiple performances throughout the school year. Dance quickly became my life!
The members at my church found out that I am a dancer, and started asking me to perform during special services. Other churches requested me to perform. I danced at some of my friends’ churches as well.
The first thing I noticed in high school was that there was no dance program, so with the assistance of some friends, I formed my own dance team. Our team was called the Rams Mixed Elements. We performed at pep rallies, basketball games, and other school events. Everyone loved us! It was during my high school career that I realized I wanted to teach and own my own dance company. I concentrated in dance in undergrad at Bowie State University and received my K-12 dance teacher certification in grad school at University of Maryland Baltimore County. While attending college, I began teaching dance professionally. Working in various studios gave me insight into different aspects of running a successful dance studio. I took many notes on how I wanted to run my own dance company one day.
At TheIrieMovement, I teach adult technique classes such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, etc. I also teach adult recreational classes such as “Grown and Sexy”, Sensual Hip Hop, and “Wuk Yuh Waistline”. The Grown and Sexy classes provide an opportunity for everyone to feel their best and to love themselves for who they are. Grown and Sexy is about empowering yourself. You are sexy and beautiful inside and out!!!! Who cares what other people think? It’s you, me, and the dance floor. This class can be taken in heels and it can also be taken barefoot. Sensual Hip Hop is a hip hop class that also involves empowerment. It is usually more upbeat than “Grown and Sexy” and it also allows you to let loose! Wuk Yuh Waistline is a Caribbean dance class where you learn how to wine your waist. Wining is incorporated This class pays tribute to the Jamaican side of my family! Any of these classes, recreational or technical can be taken as a private class. Some people just would rather the focus be on them. They don’t want to feel embarrassed, or they do not want to be watched and that is perfectly fine. When you take a private class with me, I will give you all the focus you need!
At TheKidsCorner, we offer classes in Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Our studio accepts dancers ranging in age from five to eighteen. Dancers spend 4-6 months during each season learning and perfecting their technique. At the end of every season there is a dance concert so families and friends of the dancers can see what they have been working on! Here at TheKidsCorner, these dancers quickly develop a bond like no other. In dance classes, you learn more than how to dance. You learn teamwork, companionship, and you develop leadership skills. All of these skills that are acquired are necessary life skills that will help each dancer in any setting.
Something I am most proud of is following through with my dream and starting my company from the ground up! I’ve always loved dancing and I’ve been dancing my whole life. As I got older, my dream was to own my own dance company and here I am, all thanks to God! At the age of 23, I never imagined that I would open my own company. The path to achieving your dreams is not always straightforward. The obstacles you must overcome require patience and a willingness to overcome them. Going through long processes will be worth it in the end because your work will be quality and not rushed.
I want my potential clients to know that I will always put forth quality work, and I will always cater to your needs as a dancer (And yes, everyone is a dancer!). Whether you are seeking adult classes or children’s classes, you will feel at home. We are family here at TheIriemovement!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is a pleased audience. I sometimes experience choreographer’s block as a dancer and choreographer. I sometimes experience this blockage at the start of a new piece. The same blockage can also occur during the choreographic process. I hear the song, but my eyes see nothing and my body feels nothing. My brain is blank. I compare this feeling to a gray backdrop or even a very foggy morning. Once I have completed a piece I am excited! I am excited to watch my dancers practice the piece over and over. I can finally rest and be confident in my work. My dancers are my first audience because they see my choreography first. It warms my heart and brings a joyous smile to my face when I hear positive commentary, screams of excitement, and giggles from my girls. This makes me feel like I have done a great job! When the show is over, the curtains close, and the audience gifts us with their final applause, I smile and thank God! I enter the auditorium to greet family, friends, dance moms and dads in the crowd. They give me positive reviews of choreography, costumes, and lighting! As I engage in many small post-show conversations, the voice in my head says “I really made this happen?” I thank God once again for helping me with what I call my “brain juice”. My audience is pleased and I have been rewarded.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal that is driving me on this creative journey is my inner child. Let me tell you something!….She is driving HARD! For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to dance. Dance will forever have a place in my heart. I’m not sure when the dream of owning my own dance studio happened, but I can assure you once I got that vision I never let go. dance has always been something that I feel “hugs me back”. I feel welcomed and loved. The studio is my second home. I strive to own my own building with multiple locations! I know God will make it happen for me. The best way to gain a vast learning experience is when the students and the teacher challenge themselves and each other to try new ideas and new choreography, channeling something deeper within. I push my dancers to do tougher choreography so that they learn to believe in themselves. I love trying news things in the studio, it pushes my creativeness and my dancer’s abilities. I have an immense level of commitment and perseverance which leads to “Aha” moments, moments of elation, and this makes me realize why I do what I do. It warms my heart and paints a smile on my face when I have been working with my students to understand how to execute a certain technique and they finally grasp it!. When they finally understand their eyes light up, they smile and say “OHHHH”. That alone for me is enough to keep going. When my students have moments of realization that is rewarding to me. It reminds me that I in fact know what I am doing and I am doing a good job.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theiriemovement.com
- Instagram: @theiriemovement / @thekidscorner_irie
- Facebook: TheKidsCorner at TheIrieMovement
- Youtube: TheIrieMovement / TheKidsCorner at TheIrieMovement
Image Credits
Kristopher Harris Ben F. Jerell Jones