Today we’d like to introduce you to Coco Campbell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Coco. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I like to say that I started dancing in the womb. With my father being a Jazz drummer from the southside of Chicago and my mother being a Jazz singer, I was exposed to music at an early age and often.
By the time I was a young girl, I had convinced my mother to allow me to take the bus halfway across the city of Chicago, so I could go to dance class with my neighborhood friend. Her mother owned a dance studio. There, I would study ballet and tap dance.
By the time I turned 11 yrs. old, my mother had decided it was time to leave the windy city and head to sunny Palm Springs, California. There I continued to dance off and on throughout junior high and high school. Branching out to take Jazz dance classes with adult women.
However, I didn’t discover that dancing was my true passion until I attended San Diego State University. There, I decided to study for my BA in Dance.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fortunately for me, the dance Department at San Diego State did a great job of providing students with job opportunities in the community.
I have enjoyed many years performing as a professional modern dancer at a variety of venues: The Civic Theater, Lyceum Theatre, Old Globe Theater, while working with Malashock Dance Company, Prowess Dance Arts, Jazz Unlimited and various independent choreographers.
In addition, I have choreographed and performed at the Museum of the Living Arts in Balboa Park as well as at Spreckels Theatre downtown. I’ve also received recognition from newspapers and other local national publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Dance Magazine.
Fear of success and failure are probably my biggest obstacles. Discovering doors of opportunity and knowing how to get your foot through the door has been one of my biggest challenges. Also, being more business-minded and tech-savvy has been challenging at times. Luckily for me, I have the children to keep me creatively inspired!
Please tell us about Coco Motion Dance.
In 1995, I created my company Coco Motion, a mobile dance class for children. I primarily specialize in teaching preschool-age children, where I teach creative movement, ballet, and a variety of other dance forms.
Classes are held on location at the school once a week for 30 to 45 minutes year-round. The children have the opportunity to experience dance through instruments, streamers, scarves and more! They also have the chance to perform in two dance recitals per year.
If you are interested in having your child participate in Coco Motion, please contact me.
Or, if you are at a school that does not offer dance currently, feel free to contact me, Ms. Coco, to schedule a free dance demonstration class.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I fondly recall dressing up in belly dance costumes, cymbals in hand, dancing around my friend’s house right after class was over.
My babysitter of 10 years B.B. would nurture my love for dance by loading up all the kids in the car and taking us to Square Dance lessons from time to time.
Nothing was more fun than practicing routines with my girlfriends!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cocomotiondance.com
- Phone: 619 677-9048
- Email: cocomotiondance@gmail.com
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
