The Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Christina Chapman
Many people fail to notice opportunities. People will commonly pass by them blindly, until regret shines a spotlight on them later.
Christina Chapman is not one of those people.
She's turned her years as a do-everything dancer and matched them, experience for experience in the world of Ballroom and Latin dancing and instruction. As one of the cornerstones of the rebuilding, and dramatic rise, of AM San Jose - she has been a consistent thread, and her journey encompasses every position, with highs and lows, opportunity and heartache....
... but with no regrets.
AML: What's your Arthur Murray Story?
CC: Once upon a time in 1999, I started in a training class with this super tall, funny guy with blonde curly hair named Chris.
I had been dancing since the age of 5: jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, colorguard, and cheerleading in my high school years.
I figured I would try out another type of dancing: Ballroom.
After the first week of my training class, I was hooked!
In April of that year I finally came on board as a professional New Student Specialist/Instructor in San Jose working with the amazing Bobby Gonzalez... and that tall funny guy was also hired.
Soon after, Juan and Cari came to work at the San Jose studio and I felt like we had our own "All Star" team. I mean, can you imagine the energy and strong team this was to be a part of? I got to witness it every day and grew as a better teacher by watching it and mimicking whatever they did.
I was blessed to also have a chance to compete professionally in my dancing. I won the Future Champions competition at Superama in American Rhythm in 2000, won the Open Salsa in the first year of the Professional One Dance Competition, and I've made the finals in Professional Salsa and Bachata on occasion since.
In 2005 I took a break from the Arthur Murray dance world, but came back in 2008 because I just missed it way too much. From that point I had a stronger, more long term, outlook on how I can be a part of Juan & Cari's San Jose team. I loved teaching and dancing again.
Soon, I had my first career milestone/dream come true.
At the last minute, I was asked to teach the Area Formation session at Fall Forum to 200 professional teachers... by myself... and without Juan to help out. I remember that Juan said our area director, Russ Clark, and Bobby Gonzalez, both trusted I could do this... and so I started to cry. (I'm a total crier.) I thought, "I am on my way up in the AM world if they allow me to do a session during a Fall Forum and again at the Tournament of Champions banquet!"
During this time, I was also the Counselor of the studio helping all the new students with developing the perfect dance program for their dancing goals. As time passed, I returned my focus to being an instructor, and professional dance competitor. Unfortunately, my body and, particularly, my knees have taken a beating with years and years of leaping, turning, and dancing in high heels. It was in my best interest, according to my knee doctor, to stop dancing all together.
Completely devastated and crying in the doctor's office my first thought was of my career at Arthur Murray. "How could I teach dance if I shouldn't be dancing myself?" Sharing this news with Juan & Cari led us to come up with some way to keep me in the AM family.
The studio was in need of an Admin, so we decide to give it a try. I was able to apply all my service training I have obtained, and still get to impact the student body but just in a different way. Mind you, I'm not the fastest typer, and I am still learning how to use Excel, but I feel I'm helping the studio the best way I can, all while surrounded by amazing people.
AML:What was it like to find out that you made it to the Semi-Finals in Portland?
CC: I was completely shocked to find out I made the Semi-Finals since this was my first time in the Admin division. I felt pretty good on the answers I gave, but in no way did I think they were good enough to advance me to the next level.
AML: How did you react when you got the news? Did you freak out, stuff like that?
CC: How did I react? I felt like Miss America when Juan walked out and handled me a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers and said, "Christina won!" I think I said, "What? You're kidding!" Then cupped my hands over my face and started to cry.
(there I am crying again)
I knew this was a big deal since the Bay Area schools have such legendary All Stars history. Now I have a chance to help continue this tradition and it is truly a big honor.
AML: How many All Stars have you participated in?
CC: I believe I have been in 8 All Star testings. Six as an Instructor, once as a Counselor and this time as an Admin.
AML: How has the process improved you as a Professional?
CC: The process has made me much more aware of "what else" I can do or say to make a student feel happier with the studio, or handling a situation better. It is said to surround yourself with the people you want to be like. Being around Juan and Cari for about 15 years, I ask myself, "What would Juan or Cari say or do?" when I'm trying to find a solution.
AML: OK, make your shameless case for why you should advance to the World All Star Finals in Las Vegas
CC: Why should I advance to the Finals? I believe since I have been a Specialist, an Instructor, a Counselor and now an Admin, being well rounded gives me a different set of insight and experience very few have. I think I am the total package. I want to show how strong this Area is and be part of it's legacy. Sidebar: If the announcement is made at Fall Forum that I made it to the Finals, I may or may not start crying...but I think you all know the answer to that ;)
Final Thought
You can't travel anywhere in the Arrthur Murray world and find someone who doesn't know Christina. You'd have a tougher time finding someone with a negative thing to say. There is a direct correlation between her ability to connect, and her ability to find the positives in any situation. In addition to begin a part of one of the greatest studio teams in the company's history (and possessing all the incriminating photographs), she has been, and continues to be, the heart behind the studio on De Anza Blvd.
Not many people could see the opportunity in events like an injury that takes away your childhood pastime.
But not many people are like Christina Chapman.
