Crystal Samuel

Crystal "ChuChi" Samuel began training at age six. A native New Yorker from Queens and a first generation American born to Jamaican-Cuban parents, she was classically trained in ballet, Horton-style contemporary, modern, jazz, and lyrical dance. She continued her ballet training through age 17 and her contemporary and modern studies into her mid-twenties.

Crystal attended Cardozo High School's Performing Arts program before continuing her professional training at Alvin Ailey. She later expanded into urban dance styles, competing with NYC dance crews and participating in nationally recognized competitions, including World of Dance. Over the past six years, she has developed a passion for visual storytelling through movement, conceptualizing, directing, and producing original visual projects that bring stories to life through dance.

With 14 years of teaching experience, Crystal is passionate about helping young dancers develop technique, confidence, creativity, musicality, and individuality. She views movement as her first language, often describing dance as how she screams, and believes it is a powerful tool for discipline, expression, connection, and growth.

After moving to NJ three years ago, Crystal was thrilled to find her dance home at RDA. She looks forward to sharing her love of movement and nurturing the next generation of dancers.