Meet Chelsea Ashtonl | Dancer/Choreographer, Owner of Ashton Dance

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Ashton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thesis for my MFA in Choreography focused on how the creative process had to be adapted when the pandemic hit. Everything changed. People were afraid and disconnected from each other. The professional dancers I was working with were nervous about the future of their careers (either as performers or as teachers), but simultaneously, desperate for authentic connections that could match the energy we learned to thrive on within studio walls. As a result, my thought process shifted dramatically. The final product of the performance became less important to me, because that isn’t where the authentic connection develops, it’s where you put that connection on display. The performance is the result of hard work. For me, these days I find joy in the moments within a studio, when I am deeply connected to the class. I’m shifting my focus to the next generation as they learn to foster their connection to the process, and in doing so, my thought process shifts off of myself and onto being a guide for someone else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey as a competition dancer, teacher, choreographer, and lifelong student has deeply shaped my vision for Ashton Dance. In high school and college, dance was the only place where I could explore my authentic self-expression and not feel judged. However, that self-expression was often tailored to meet my teachers’ expectations in class, leaving little room to truly identify and process my feelings. The demanding schedule and performance pressure made it difficult to find space for personal growth. Instead, creating storylines and imagining worlds through dance became my way of navigating both my imagination and my emotions.

Ashton Dance was born from a desire to care for that younger version of myself—the one who needed a space to explore and grow. By integrating somatic practices into my choreography that help dancers connect deeply to their stories and prioritizing the process over the product, I consciously try to space where self-expression and emotional exploration thrive. This approach enhances artistry, deepens authenticity, and fosters meaningful connections both on and off the stage. While the work is challenging, it creates a rewarding cycle of growth for both dancers and choreographers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to tour the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, and then go to Front Street for dinner followed by a show at Theatre Arlington. We might go for a walk around white rock lake or the arboretum, or maybe follow the Katy Trail down to the icehouse. I would bring them closer to where I live in North Dallas: show them my family home & high school in Richardson, make our way to the Galleria for ice skating, and then go to Ida Claire or Odd Muse for food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My two best friends and my therapist are vital to who I am. My community of friends and fellow artists deserve the credit for making me believe I could kick off the bottom.

Website: https://www.ashtondance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamashtondance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDance

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashtonchelsea

Image Credits
Jamsta Photography, Alabama Theatre, Chris Koppel Photography