Dance has become a pivotal source of empowerment in the lives of many members of Pepperdine’s Dance in Flight program.
For Jasmine Croom, a sophomore DIF and Step Team member, the art of dance has allowed her to express her creativity and has formed a crucial part of her identity.
“I am a female. I am a Christian. I am a dancer,” Croom said. “Dance infiltrates every part of my life.”
Croom is a computer science and math double major from the small town of Collierville, Tennessee. She began dancing at age 11 after watching a dance company perform at her church.
“I wanted to try out for the company but my mom was hesitant because I didn’t like to talk to anybody,” Croom said. “If you wanted to talk to me, you would have to talk to her.”
Croom’s mother, Jokita Croom, recalled her daughter’s childhood shyness.
“Whenever anyone besides our close family would try to talk to Jasmine, she would hide behind me and look at them as if they were crazy,”Jokita Croom said. “Nobody could get her to talk.”
Despite her shyness, Jasmine Croom decided to try out for the dance company and ended up getting a full-time scholarship to pay for all of her dance classes. She studied ballet, jazz and hip hop.
The first time Croom’s mother saw her perform on stage, she said she had a major deja vu moment. She recalled getting emotional after seeing her daughter’s performance as she saw herself through her daughter’s energy.
“(Jasmine) picked up the stage,” said Jokita Croom, who is also a dancer and holds a degree in musical theater.“She knew how to smile. She was a natural at that, just like me.”
Jasmine Croom shares her mother’s love for Broadway jazz dance, describing it as an “energetic rush wanting to make her move around.” However, her personal dance style emphasizes contemporary hip-hop.
“It’s like hip hop with heart in it,” Croom said. “It’s a crossover between fluidity and strong accents.”
Croom choreographed a contemporary hip-hop dance piece for DIF’s spring showcase. She described it as a style that is acceptable to everyone and allows more choreographic freedom in comparison to other dances.
“I finally found the way my body moves, even though it doesn’t look like everybody else’s,” Croom said. “It’s something that people will appreciate. It’s interesting to see people move their body the way I do. It’s a fun time.”
Nia Nimmers, Croom’s best friend and fellow DIF member, admires her openness and humility.
“She’s really open-minded,” said Nimmers, a senior psychology major. “She is genuine. She truly cares about people.She is accepting to every human, no matter what they look like or who they are.”
Croom said her passion for dance has helped her become more open toward others and share her love with them.
Both DIF and Step Team have helped her stay grounded.
Dancing serves as a spiritual calm when she confronts life’s obstacles.
Besides school, Croom is currently working three jobs. Out of the paychecks that she receives, she only keeps one and sends the rest back home to her family. She sends home almost $600 per paycheck.
“I wouldn’t feel right if my family is struggling to eat and I’m out here living in lavish Malibu,” Croom said. “If I have to overwork myself, it’s rewarding in its own way.”
Juan Carlos Hughes, a first-year philosophy major, met Croom during a Wednesday Surf Convo. During their small group, she requested prayer for her family to help them through their financial situation. Hughes immediately rushed to hug her.
With tears coming down both of their cheeks, Hughes began to pray for Croom’s family.
“(Croom) is admirable,” Hughes said. “You want to be the person to give her strength, but she is the one who gives you strength.She is always looking at the positive side, despite her circumstances. Jasmine is the definition of a strong, 21st century woman.”
For Croom, the secret is in her love for God, a strong relationship with her mother and surrounding herself with a good group of friends.
But most importantly, within her love for dance.
Karina Valenzuela completed this profile under the supervision of Dr. Christina Littlefield in Jour 241 in Spring 2018.
