Chi Chi Smith

Just after graduating from Rutgers University, Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith took off into the Entertainment Industry. Since her professional debut in 2005, she has worked with many of the industry’s top choreographers such as Hi Hat, Fatima Robinson, Rich and Tone, Jamaica Craft, Nu Stylz, Joshua Bergasse, Ryan Heffington, Buddha Stretch, and many more. Chi-Chi has traveled the world making countless television appearances and live performances alongside the world’s top artists: Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, Janelle Monae, Salt n Pepa, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Kelly Rowland, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Gloria Gaynor and more. At the same time, she’s also maintained a steady stream of featured/leading roles in national network commercials as a dancer, actor, and/or choreographer. Most of those represented National and International brands such as: Playtex, Verizon, Nair, Wendy’s, Honey Nut Cheerios, Crest, Apple, Stride Gum, American Airlines (featuring Kevin Spacey) and Lysol anti-bacterial detergent featuring Alyson Stoner (2020).

Her choreography credits include: MTV’s Video Music Awards, Honey Nut Cheerios dancing moms and dads, Crest, Comcast, Nickelodeon Halo Awards, The Tonight Show w/Jimmy Fallon and of upmost significance: "Mom Genes Fight PPD" (2020): a PSA on Post-Partum Depression.

Chi-Chi made her Broadway debut at The Palace Theater in 2014 in “Holler if ya Hear Me” using the music and poetry of Tupac Shakur, directed by Kenny Leon.

As an educator, whether at Pace University, The Apollo Theater Education Program, at local dance studios or Internationally, Chi-Chi enjoys delving deep into “Groove Theory” as she titles her hip hop foundation classes. The focus of her classes-everywhere she teaches-is keeping the groove in the dance.