Chrissy Anderson has been dancing since she was 2 years old. At her home in Colorado, she danced in her studio's company, called Starbound, for 8 years and was on her high school dance team, the Niwot Jungle Express, for 3 years. Now a senior member of the University of Southern California’s Repertory Dance Company, she is the Artistic Director for the company.

Her choreography talent emerged early.  In third grade she choreographed for a talent show. Her earliest directing debut was in 7th grade and took place in her basement choreographing and directing "The Nutcracker" with 30 kids from her neighborhood and school.

Born into a Christian family, Chrissy attended church regularly. When she was in 7th grade, she decided to give her life to Christ and was baptized that summer. “From then on,” she said, “it was my choice to live as a Christian.”

Inspiration comes from many places for this talented young lady.  “As a dancer, anyone who dances with their heart and soul is my inspiration,” Anderson relates.  “I can tell the difference between someone likes to dance and those who must dance because it's their passion.”  She continued, “As a Christian, I've had many people who have inspired me, my pastor in Colorado, Alan, my best friend from home, Blake, and his family and my three little sisters.”

Halzle photography

Currently, Chrissy is choreographing 3 pieces for the USC Repertory Dance Company's spring show, "Once Upon A Plié: Fairytales." On of the pieces is about the story of Rapunzel, and, “I am actually using a song by the Christian girl band, Barlow Girl, called "Never Alone". The song is so powerful and moving that I felt I needed to choreograph something to it in my last semester,” Chrissy explained.

“I pray before every performance that God will use me to glorify Him and keep me safe,” Chrissy said. “When I'm unsure of what I want to do with my dance, I always ask God for guidance. Last year, when I was asked to be the Artistic Director, I spent several hours in prayer and had my parents and friends pray for my decision. I believe it was God's plan for me to have the opportunity to have this position and I have learned many lesson from it as a result. I am also possibly going to help my friend who wants to start a Christian dance group, but it's still in the planning stages,” Chrissy said.  She went on, “I have had dozens of injuries during my dance career, some from dancing and some from other activities. Every time I was injured and unable to dance, I had to ask God to help me do what was needed to heal.”

One of her favorite bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11- 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

 “It reminds me that God has a plan for me and that if I let Him be in control, He will use me to do great things.”

Her advice to other Christian dancers?  “God has given you a gift, a way to create beauty and art using the body he has made for you. My grandma gave me a poster with a quote that I think is wonderful inspiration. It said, "The gift I have is not my own, it's on loan from Heaven above; so I practice, perfect  and polish it, and offer it back with my love."