Christine S. Bergeron Ballew

Founder and Educator

Chris, the founder of Brazos Emerge, brings over 25 years of experience in higher education, leadership, and movement science. She holds a BA in Dance Education from the University of Akron, an MFA in Choreography and Performance from Florida State University, and a PhD in Dance Science from the University of Wolverhampton. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to helping people learn, move, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Pilates and Other Certifications

A certified Pilates instructor since 2002, Chris completed training through PhysicalMind and Balanced Body. She has worked with clients managing conditions such as fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and chronic pain, as well as professional and collegiate athletes—including professional and collegiate dancers, recreational golf and tennis players, and Olympic archers—helping them reach their performance and wellness goals. She believes in Joseph Pilates philosophy that Pilates is for everyone (athletes and non-athletes alike), should be assessable for all, and that it should be taught to enhance the individual, addressing their specific needs (body and mind). 

Chris started the Pilates program at Texas A&M; training teachers and building curriculum including several courses such as functional anatomy for Pilates, Pilates Mat and apparatus courses, and Teaching Pilates effectively. She was one of the co-authors of the new Pilates minor program where students can not only minor in Pilates but also gain Pilates certification before they graduate. 

Her continuing education includes certifications in Arts in Health, Dance for Parkinson’s, Therapeutic Art Life Coaching, and Dance Educator Training through Ballet Blog. She also holds leadership credentials through the National Dance Society’s Leadership Academy and APT to Lead at Texas A&M University.

Dance Science Research 

Chris’s research explores Pilates-based conditioning for dancers, readiness assessments, and training methods for high school dance teams. Her work has been presented internationally and published in journals including the Journal of Dance Education, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, and the National Dance Society Journal. She has also co-authored a Dance Appreciation textbook and a Pilates Manual for Mat Work.

Leadership and Professional Development 

Before founding Brazos Emerge, Chris served for more than two decades as a Clinical Professor of Dance Science at Texas A&M University, where she also held roles as Director of Dance and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts.

During her tenure, she co-authored and launched the first undergraduate degree in Dance Science in the United States, helped create a groundbreaking MFA in Dance with a focus on dance science, higher education, and technology, and led initiatives to support student success, scholarships, and program innovation across disciplines.

A dedicated mentor, Chris guided faculty through the promotion process and supported emerging leaders in arts and academia. She also mentored students in research, leading to international conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, fostering the next generation of scholars and educators.

Chris was the director of the Arts in Health program at TAMU, the nation’s first university-based program integrating dance, music, theatre, visual art, and arts-focused technology for people of all abilities and ages.

Creative Work

As a choreographer, Chris focuses on storytelling and the human experience. Her work has been performed across the U.S. and internationally, including at the Performaticá Festival in Mexico, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the New York International Fringe Festival. She continues to create and collaborate as Co-Artistic Director of the Brazos Dance Collective.

Awards and Recognitions

Chris’s dedication to teaching, research, and service has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Legacy and Master Dance Educator Award from the National Dance Society, the Honor Award, the Scholar Award, and the Dance Educator Award from TAHPERD, the Achievement Award from the Texas A&M University Former Students Association and most recently received the Inspirational Leadership award from the College of Performance, Visualization, and Fine Arts. 

Chris' Commitment 

Chris blends therapeutic principles with dynamic, accessible movement to create an environment where clients of all backgrounds and abilities feel supported and empowered. She is passionate about helping each person move with confidence, deepen body awareness, and pursue their individual goals with clarity and joy.