Christopher Thomas, better known as YUNGCHRIS, is a force in Houston’s hip-hop dance scene.
As a choreographer, performer and director of Sonkiss’d Dance Concepts, he has dedicated his career to preserving and advancing the city’s rich yet often overlooked dance culture. With his latest work, My Posse’s on Broadway, premiering at the Wortham Center on March 6, he’s bringing Houston’s dance history into the spotlight.
Born and raised in Houston, YUNGCHRIS’s love for dance was evident from an early age.
“My mom saw me dancing to Soul Train as a baby and thought, ‘he might be into dance,’” he says.
She enrolled him in a dance company in Acres Homes when he was just seven years old, and despite initially being too young for the group, his raw talent earned him a spot.
While other kids were playing sports or hanging out, YUNGCHRIS was in rehearsals, performing at prestigious events—including a performance at former President George H.W. Bush’s home.
However, as he entered middle and high school, dance wasn’t considered the “cool” thing to do, so he gravitated to sports and being the class clown. It was after high school that he realized his true calling.
“I went to college for two years, but all I did was party and dance, he said. “Eventually, I thought, ‘Let me go back to my true love.’”
At 21, he threw himself into the dance world, actively seeking out companies, auditions and opportunities. “I wanted it all,” he says. “Everything that came with dance, I was chasing it.” That decision set the foundation for a career that would take him worldwide.
The making of a choreographer
Transitioning from dancer to choreographer is no easy feat, but for YUNGCHRIS, it was a natural evolution.
“Not all dancers are choreographers—just like all nurses aren’t doctors,” he explains. “Choreography is an art form and I always had that mindset, even as a kid when I’d create routines for my little cousins at family gatherings.”
Through years of experience, mentorship and relentless self-improvement, YUNGCHRIS developed his unique approach to choreography, blending street dance with contemporary elements and storytelling. His work is deeply rooted in hip-hop’s foundations, something he believes every dancer should study.
“Without a strong foundation, your house will fall,” he says. “I always start with the fundamentals and build from there.”
While Houston is globally recognized for its contributions to hip-hop music and culture, its dance history remains largely untold. YUNGCHRIS is determined to change that.
“When people think of hip-hop dance, they think of New York or L.A.—not Houston. But some of the most influential dancers in the world have come from here,” he says.
That’s the driving force behind My Posse’s on Broadway, his tribute to Houston’s hip-hop dance movement of the early 1990s.
“This isn’t just my story; it’s the story of the dancers who paved the way, the culture that shaped us, and the generations that will come after us. Why not tell it? And why not now?”
YUNGCHRIS’s work has taken him far beyond Houston. He spent a year living in Bangkok, teaching dance and working with the U.S. Embassy as a cultural diplomat, traveling across Southeast Asia to perform and conduct workshops.
“I moved to Bangkok knowing one person and left with an entire dance community,” he says.
Yet, despite his international success, he remains dedicated to uplifting Houston’s dance scene. Through Sonkiss’d Dance Concepts, he hires and mentors local dancers, providing them with opportunities to perform on major stages.
“I want to create platforms for Houston artists,” he said. “I want to put people on.”
YUNGCHRIS’s influence extends beyond his performances—his mentorship has shaped the careers of many dancers, including former student Olanga Matranya.
“I came to the U.S. [from Congo] wanting to play professional soccer, but due to health reasons, I had to find something else,” Matranya says. “I was put in a breakdance class, and at first, I hated it. But after seeing a pep rally performance, I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger. Chris became my instructor, and he pushed me to be better every day.”
Matranya credits YUNGCHRIS for teaching him not just dance but also the business of the industry.
“One thing Chris told me that will always stick with me is: ‘Don’t worry about the money. Just be good. When you’re good, the money will come,’” Matranya said. “That changed my entire mindset.”
YUNGCHRIS’s ability to balance strict discipline with encouragement is something that Matranya admires.
“When it’s time to work, we work,” Matranya says. “But he also knows how to make the process enjoyable. He leads by example—whether it’s dancing, DJing, or producing, he proves that dedication pays off.”
While his career may seem glamorous from the outside, YUNGCHRIS emphasizes the hard work behind the scenes.
“People see the wins, but they don’t see the rejections, the disappointments, the financial risks,” he explains. “I fund a lot of my projects out of pocket because the work has to be great. My name is on it.”
As an independent artist, he embraces the entrepreneurial side of dance.
“I own my work. I set my prices. I take the risks,” YUNGCHRIS says. “That’s the reality of this career.”
The most rewarding part of his journey isn’t just performing—it’s knowing he’s living in his purpose.
“It gives me peace,” he says. “I know what I’m supposed to be doing, and I embrace it fully.”
