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About
Our Story
Steadfast Dance Center is a dance studio that began at New Life Community Church, soon after we branched out to the Archer Park field house. We are now solely located in the Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen.
Our Team
CJ WILLIAMS
Owner/ Artistic Director
Cj is a Chicago born and raised educator, professional breakdancer/bboy, and artist, who has been performing, competing, and teaching for two decades. He has traveled throughout the United States and abroad to places such as Germany, Holland, Mexico, and Poland to showcase his talents. CJ is a graduate (BA) of Northeastern Illinois University, with a focus on Physical Education and Community Health, and has taught P.E., fitness, and Hip Hop arts classes throughout the Chicago land area, both formally and informally, for many years and counting. He hopes to continue to uplift communities and inspire youth through dance, movement, and art. CJ is currently a Program Coordinator at CircEsteem a well respected non-profit Youth Development organization based out of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.
Cj is a Chicago born and raised educator, professional breakdancer/bboy, and artist, who has been performing, competing, and teaching for two decades. He has traveled throughout the United States and abroad to places such as Germany, Holland, Mexico, and Poland to showcase his talents. CJ is a graduate (BA) of Northeastern Illinois University, with a focus on Physical Education and Community Health, and has taught P.E., fitness, and Hip Hop arts classes throughout the Chicago land area, both formally and informally, for many years and counting. He hopes to continue to uplift communities and inspire youth through dance, movement, and art. CJ is currently a Program Coordinator at CircEsteem a well respected non-profit Youth Development organization based out of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.
Sergio Rodriguez
Co-Owner/ Artistic Director
Sergio Rodriguez also known as "Beest Boy" is a multi disciplinary artist born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago's Southwest Side. Sergio's passion started at the University of Hip Hop, a non-for-profit organization based on the southwest side of Chicago. Here he started his journey as an apprentice for After-School Matters and later became a certified instructor working with many youth programs throughout the Chicago land area. As a professional dance instructor and performer, Sergio has also had the opportunity to expand on his experiences; performing for many artists like Chance The Rapper, Wu Tang Clang, Twista, Typical Cats, Black Moon, Etc. Fueled by his passion, Sergio has been able to compete and win competitions in and out of the country. With so much more work to be done Sergio continues to dedicate himself to creating leaders in all communities
in and around his work.
Sergio Rodriguez also known as "Beest Boy" is a multi disciplinary artist born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago's Southwest Side. Sergio's passion started at the University of Hip Hop, a non-for-profit organization based on the southwest side of Chicago. Here he started his journey as an apprentice for After-School Matters and later became a certified instructor working with many youth programs throughout the Chicago land area. As a professional dance instructor and performer, Sergio has also had the opportunity to expand on his experiences; performing for many artists like Chance The Rapper, Wu Tang Clang, Twista, Typical Cats, Black Moon, Etc. Fueled by his passion, Sergio has been able to compete and win competitions in and out of the country. With so much more work to be done Sergio continues to dedicate himself to creating leaders in all communities
in and around his work.
Featured Artists
Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia
Steadfast Partner
Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia is a proud Mexican-American street dance professional, mother, and wife from Chicago who is globally recognized as a Teaching Artist, Creative Director, Manager, and Cultural Ambassador. She has worked with major media networks including MTV, BET, NBC, TBS and alongside super-stars Damian Marley, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Cham, Dancehall Queen Patra, Mr. Vegas, Elephant Man, Cedric the Entertainer and Ellen Degeneres. Locally, she is a Reggae/Dancehall documentarian, dance teacher, and event host who curates @chicagodancehall IG.
Lady Sol is responsible for bringing Chicago’s Footwork/Juke culture to global stages via King Charles and the FootworKINGz who have performed with Madonna, Will.I.Am, Missy Elliott, Chicago Sinfonietta, IBM, Nike and Red Bull. She has produced and choreographed FootworKINGz dance theater shows at NYC’s Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center in DC.
She is a Co-Founder of Kuumba Lynx (KL), an internationally recognized arts organization that empowers young people through the cultivation of Hip-Hop arts and social activism. She is a present Teaching Artist with Urban Gateways and a Professional Development Trainer with Everybody Dance Now Chicago. Lady Sol is also is a self-proclaimed Professor of Practice who has taught fusions of Afro-Caribbean movement workshops at Columbia College, Stanford University, Northwestern U and University of Chicago. In 2015, she partnered with Jessica “Phoenix” Brundidge and Co-Founded FIYAH Fit USA, an Afro-Caribbean music and dance fitness experience that celebrates women.
In 2018 Lady Sol joined the 3Arts family as a new awardee for her work as a teaching artist. This grant will help support her new, developing work, “Lady Sol’s Dance Diary” an autobiographical solo theater show which she has self-coined as a “dance-dramedy.” Lady Sol humorously explores music industry politics, cross-cultural identity, and the growing pains of uncovering self-love. Her evolving studies include independent research and teaching workshops specific to Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall culture encompassing connections to American Hip Hop. She travels annually to Jamaica with colleague and teacher, Jessica Phoenix. Lady Sol's continuous learning takes place in conversations with local residents and directly with world renown Dancehall practitioners Orville “The Professor” Hall and Chad “Global Bob” Torrington.
Among her many notable teachers, Lady Sol’s immense gratitude is endowed to her mother Maria Garcia and her life long mentor Efe McWorter. Both have granted Leyda priceless wisdom and purpose as a teaching artist. “I intend to continue preserving urban culture by promoting, teaching, and presenting it locally and globally.” says a passionate Lady Sol.
Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia is a proud Mexican-American street dance professional, mother, and wife from Chicago who is globally recognized as a Teaching Artist, Creative Director, Manager, and Cultural Ambassador. She has worked with major media networks including MTV, BET, NBC, TBS and alongside super-stars Damian Marley, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Cham, Dancehall Queen Patra, Mr. Vegas, Elephant Man, Cedric the Entertainer and Ellen Degeneres. Locally, she is a Reggae/Dancehall documentarian, dance teacher, and event host who curates @chicagodancehall IG.
Lady Sol is responsible for bringing Chicago’s Footwork/Juke culture to global stages via King Charles and the FootworKINGz who have performed with Madonna, Will.I.Am, Missy Elliott, Chicago Sinfonietta, IBM, Nike and Red Bull. She has produced and choreographed FootworKINGz dance theater shows at NYC’s Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center in DC.
She is a Co-Founder of Kuumba Lynx (KL), an internationally recognized arts organization that empowers young people through the cultivation of Hip-Hop arts and social activism. She is a present Teaching Artist with Urban Gateways and a Professional Development Trainer with Everybody Dance Now Chicago. Lady Sol is also is a self-proclaimed Professor of Practice who has taught fusions of Afro-Caribbean movement workshops at Columbia College, Stanford University, Northwestern U and University of Chicago. In 2015, she partnered with Jessica “Phoenix” Brundidge and Co-Founded FIYAH Fit USA, an Afro-Caribbean music and dance fitness experience that celebrates women.
In 2018 Lady Sol joined the 3Arts family as a new awardee for her work as a teaching artist. This grant will help support her new, developing work, “Lady Sol’s Dance Diary” an autobiographical solo theater show which she has self-coined as a “dance-dramedy.” Lady Sol humorously explores music industry politics, cross-cultural identity, and the growing pains of uncovering self-love. Her evolving studies include independent research and teaching workshops specific to Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall culture encompassing connections to American Hip Hop. She travels annually to Jamaica with colleague and teacher, Jessica Phoenix. Lady Sol's continuous learning takes place in conversations with local residents and directly with world renown Dancehall practitioners Orville “The Professor” Hall and Chad “Global Bob” Torrington.
Among her many notable teachers, Lady Sol’s immense gratitude is endowed to her mother Maria Garcia and her life long mentor Efe McWorter. Both have granted Leyda priceless wisdom and purpose as a teaching artist. “I intend to continue preserving urban culture by promoting, teaching, and presenting it locally and globally.” says a passionate Lady Sol.
Chasati Allen
Steadfast Partner
Chasati Allen, 32, began training with Mayfair Academy at the age of five. Early on, she developed a strong commitment to the craft and a desire to choreograph. In her youth, Chasati had the opportunity to study under several programs including: Gallery 37, Muntu Dance Theatre, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. During her tenure at Bowling Green State University, she founded Prima Dance Ensemble which focused on the lyrical, hip-hop and jazz genres. Post college, she became a principal instructor at Flirty Girl Fitness Chicago, where she taught sexy hip-hop, lap/chair dance, pole dance and strip tease. Chasati’s accolades include performing with Drew Sidora, serving as the opening act for Drake and choreographing and performing with Jeremih. She recently transitioned into entrepreneurship and founded Class with Chas (CWC); which specializes in signature classes and private parties combined with at-your-service dance demonstration for any person celebrating a special occasion or simply put, their independence and sexuality. By day, you can catch Chasati in the friendly skies with American Airlines serving up a Coke with a smile!
Chasati Allen, 32, began training with Mayfair Academy at the age of five. Early on, she developed a strong commitment to the craft and a desire to choreograph. In her youth, Chasati had the opportunity to study under several programs including: Gallery 37, Muntu Dance Theatre, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. During her tenure at Bowling Green State University, she founded Prima Dance Ensemble which focused on the lyrical, hip-hop and jazz genres. Post college, she became a principal instructor at Flirty Girl Fitness Chicago, where she taught sexy hip-hop, lap/chair dance, pole dance and strip tease. Chasati’s accolades include performing with Drew Sidora, serving as the opening act for Drake and choreographing and performing with Jeremih. She recently transitioned into entrepreneurship and founded Class with Chas (CWC); which specializes in signature classes and private parties combined with at-your-service dance demonstration for any person celebrating a special occasion or simply put, their independence and sexuality. By day, you can catch Chasati in the friendly skies with American Airlines serving up a Coke with a smile!
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