Building Business Through Dance: An Interview with Cici

By: Coral Barnes

You are probably wondering what, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, and R&B dance have in common, right? All three styles have an emphasis on rhythmic patterns and strong beats, expressive movement to their respective music genres, influenced by African and Latin dance styles, fluid transitions, and more. Today, I chatted with Cici to talk to her about not only her dance classes but how she has built 2 independent businesses, Elemental Studios with her business partner Serina and Perreo Queens Denver to create a one-of-a-kind life that she owns. Let’s meet Cici, shall we?

Cici teaches 2 classes at Elemental Studios Open Level Reggaeton on Mondays at 7:15 pm and Intermediate Hip-Hop/R&B Choreography on Thursdays at 8:30 pm. She creates a fun and explorative environment in her classes that allows her students to have the opportunity to gain a stronger foundation in the skills that they have and build up their confidence, find growth in styles that they may know well, or gain more knowledge that they take with them to build upon in their dance journey.

Originally from New York and coming to Denver, Cici has been motivating her students to always be strong, patient, and focused on their dance goals and individual talents that make them unique and different from other dancers in the dance community. She makes a safe space for everyone who wants to try out her classes.

She is incredibly talented and inspiring to many, I am super excited to interview her as both a student and writer of this blog so, let’s get into the interview, shall we?

What is your favorite thing about being a teacher and one of the owners at Elemental Studios?

Cici: “My favorite thing about being a teacher is sharing energy and space with the students. I love helping them overcome their own internal doubts and fears, and seeing them just grow as dancers and seeing their passion for dance grow.”

What inspired you to start Perreo Queens and what does this company mean to you?

Cici: “I started teaching Reggaeton classes here in Denver back at the old GVM Studios because I love the music, grew up listening to the OGs like Thego Calderon, Ivy Queen, Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, etc. As the community grew, I realized there was a need for more Latino representation here in Denver because so many people were so happy to come and just dance to reggaeton, so I created Perreo Queens to create a brand here in Denver that represents Latino culture, Latinos, Latino Women, and our variety of music and culture in one place through dance. We’re here and are from so many different countries with so much to give and share, and I wanted something that would represent that so more people can connect and what it is like to be a Latino/a.”

What advice do you have for new students who want to take your classes but aren’t sure?

Cici: “My advice for new students is to just go for it. Never compare or be intimidated by anyone in class instead be inspired and let that motivate you instead. It’s a marathon not a sprint.”

How did you start your dance journey?

Cici: “I started to dance when I was 5 because I had bowlegged feet and they figured that it would straighten my legs out. It did haha. But then, I quit because I just felt like I didn’t connect. I would dance in my room and at parties. I would use dance as a form of emotional regulation. Anytime I felt an intense emotion, I’d just dance and the way that made me feel is what made me love it so much. After that, I just free-styled and tried to be a Bgirl for a while, time had passed and I was doing other things but I went through a hard time emotionally in 2019 and I had decided to take a class at a studio for the first time and that feeling I had with dance came back. After that, I took classes on classes, back to back, I became obsessed and just tried everything I could and now here we are.”

What is a fun fact about yourself that would love for us to know?

Cici: “I used to do parkour and compete.”

Do you have any goals for yourself this year for dance?

Cici: “I personally just want to grow myself and reach new levels creatively, travel for dance, teach in other states, and train more.”

How have you seen yourself and your students grow through your classes?

Cici: “I’ve learned to be more adaptable to different learning styles and be patient, it’s been amazing to see my students grow in confidence, skill, and self-expression. Whether it’s getting a new move or just feeling more at home in their own bodies, their progress is what keeps me inspired to push myself too.”

Who are your favorite dancers that inspired you to dance?

Cici: “My favorite dancers are Ari G, Dexter Carr, Dario Boatner, Camilo Gonzalez, etc, to name a few, I could go on because so many dancers inspire me in different ways.”

Do you like teaching Reggaeton, R&B, or Hip-Hop more?

Cici: “I can’t say I like one more than the other. Each one has a special place in my heart.”

What are your current favorite music artists right now?

Cici: “KWN, Coco Jones, Bryson Tiller, RMAND, Bad Bunny, to name a few.”

Thank you again to Cici for interviewing with me and taking the time to talk to me about your dance journey as well as answering some fun questions. I enjoyed talking with you and I can’t wait for all the amazing opportunities that await you this year. If you are interested in taking Cici’s classes, make sure to sign up for her Open Level Reggaeton Class on Mondays at 7:15 pm and Intermediate Hip-Hop/R&B Choreography on Thursdays at 8:30 pm.