Charlene Smith

Growing up in the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s upbringing was deeply rooted in the sounds of funk, soul, disco, gospel, hip hop, reggae and Latin music. Even as a young teen, when relocated to Silver Spring, MD, she carried her roots with her implanting them in everything she would do. Soon after graduating from Rutgers University, Chi-Chi took off into the entertainment industry. Since 2005, she has worked with many of the industry’s top choreographers: Hi Hat, Fatima Robinson, Rich and Tone, Camille A. Brown and many others. Chi-Chi has traveled the world, making countless television appearances and live performances alongside top artists: Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, Janelle Monae, Salt n Pepa, Shakira, Snoop, Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige and Roller Skating w/Gloria Gaynor. 

Throughout the years, she has maintained a steady stream of featured and leading roles in national network commercials as a dancer, actor, and also as choreographer. Currently, Chi-Chi continues to travel and perform-largely with Ladies of Hip Hop (Founded and led by Michele Byrd-McPhee)-as a featured soloist in the Black Dancing Bodies Project and contributing choreographer for the full-length show highlighting the joys and the plights of being a Black Woman in Hip Hop and society as a whole. She also continues to educate and spread the love of Hip Hop Culture, music and dance globally as well as On-Stage and On-Camera creative work, all  with her son Kane right by her side. 

Highlighted choreography credits: Crest, Honey Nut Cheerios, Xfinity: “Beautifully Bilingual”, Nickelodeon Halo Awards, TVLand’s “Younger,” Tonight Show w/Jimmy Fallon, and a PSA on Post-Partum Depression titled “Mom Genes”.

Chi-Chi made her Broadway debut in “Holler if ya Hear Me” directed by Kenny Leon. She is currently working on her return to the big stage as “Damita Jo Freeman” in “Hippest Trip-The Soul Train Musical,” by Dominique Morisseau; directed by Kamilah Forbes.

Dance Educator: Chi-Chi is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Pace University, Part-Time Lecturer at Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts and Teaching Artist for the Apollo Education Program. “Groove Theory” as she titles her hip hop foundation classes, focuses on keeping the groove in the dance. She is excited to add Marymount Manhattan College and NYU Tisch School of the Arts as two more places she can call home.