Christopher Crabb

Sharing His Love for the Arts

story by KAREN SNYDER          photos by PAUL NURNBERG

Many young people in Beaufort may know Christopher Crabb from his work as the summer camp director at USCB Center for the Arts or perhaps as their dance teacher at Mossy Oaks Elementary School. While others most likely have seen his creative work as a choreographer for Beaufort Theatre Company or for CAPA’s well-known fundraiser, “Dancing with the Stars.” Whether you’ve met Christopher Crabb or not, one thing is clear — he loves sharing his passion for the arts with others. A dedicated educator in Beaufort County School District for 15 years, Crabb says, “My time with my students is one thing I like most about teaching. Sharing what I’m passionate about with my students is one of my greatest joys in teaching.” Read on to discover more about Crabb’s background in the arts, how he was destined to teach, and why he loves Beaufort.

What is your current job title/role?
Dance Educator and ABC Grant/Certification Manager at Mossy Oaks Elementary. As an ABC (Arts in Basic Curriculum) school, Mossy Oaks receives an Arts Advancement Grant from the SC Arts Commission and maintains certification as an ABC school. My role as grant/certification manager is to chair the Arts Steering Committee that guides our school’s arts strategic plan and strengthens arts integration and programs in our school. I also lead the school through our ABC recertification every three years.

Tell us about your family:
I have a “fur baby” named Shuffles. When I was in my third year of teaching at Lady’s Island Elementary, a month-old kitten popped up on the school bus. I taught tap class after school for three hours, and Shuffles was in my arms the entire time. A “shuffle” is a tap step. So, that’s how she got her name. I also have three sisters and two brothers living in DC, Charlotte, Rock Hill, Atlanta, and Bath, England.

What is your educational background?
I have a BA in Dance Education from Winthrop University and a certificate in Philosophical Theology from Seton Hall University. I also completed graduate work in Theology from the University of St. Thomas and Seton Hall, and graduate work in Arts Integration from Winthrop University, Charleston Southern, and Columbia College. Currently, I’m pursuing certification as a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher with a trauma-informed focus from Yoga Alliance. I’ve been teaching for 17 years. I’ve taught dance to pre-K to grade 5 in Beaufort County for 15 years, but have also taught grades 6-8.

Why did you become a teacher?
In many ways, I’ve been teaching most of my life. From a young age, my siblings, the neighborhood kids, and I would always play “school.” Also, I’d teach my younger siblings how to do different chores, tasks, or help them with homework, etc. In middle school, I served as an assistant teacher for Sunday School, later teaching those classes in high school. As a senior, I was a teacher cadet which sealed the deal for me! As I entered college, I knew education was going to be my major. I began as an Elementary Education major and quickly switched to Dance Education, combining my passion for teaching and the arts.

After teaching nine years, I left the profession and entered the seminary studying to be a Catholic priest. In my third year of seminary school, my pastoral assignment was teaching ESL to refugees from Burma. These refugees ranged in age from 18 to 60, had spent multiple years in refugee camps, and had little to no English. As I worked with them, I was enamored by their zest for learning, courage in coming to a new place for a better life, and living their life full of joy. Through this experience and my work with these students, my passion for teaching was reignited. It was then that I discovered that my true life’s vocation was teaching.

What do you like most about teaching?
As a related arts teacher, I get to see students mature in and out of the classroom. I’m filled with joy when students are truly engaged in class, and you see the light bulb go off in that day’s lesson. I love seeing the growth that students make in dance. Dance is said to be the universal language. It breaks down the barriers of language, culture, and anything that could be holding someone back. Students enter my classroom and are immediately able to join in because one only needs to follow along. The elementary dance curriculum includes a great deal of creative movement as students explore the elements of dance. Creative Movement (and dance as a whole) allows students to express their emotions, to take risks, to think creatively in finding multiple solutions to a problem, and to open their minds to various perspectives on a common problem. Students also strengthen their critical thinking skills as we evaluate and analyze the work of their peers, themselves, and professionals.

How did you become interested in dance?
In my senior year of high school, I attended a magnet school for arts, science, and technology. I was exposed to creative movement and choreography for the first time in a structured way. Growing up in Myrtle Beach, I had been exposed to performances that I enjoyed and was in awe of the performers, production value, etc. However, I always felt there was something more. This exposure to creative movement and choreography opened my eyes to the world of dance and what it could be — it wasn’t simply learning steps to a dance for a recital (that’s all I had known since beginning formal dance lessons in 9th grade). It all clicked. I could be creative, and I could express all the feelings in movement that fit my introverted nature.

How do you build relationships with students and what activities are you involved with at school?
I try to be as authentic as possible. It is my goal to be me, through and through, so that my students can, in turn, feel comfortable to be who they are, and show the traits and qualities that make them unique. I am a little goofy, a bit serious, but hope to model that “being the unique you” is the perfect person to be. I lead an after-school Dance Club and Musical Theatre Club. The Dance Club is designed for students identified as artistically gifted and talented in dance, alongside students who have a high interest in dance. They participate in performances and masterclasses with guest teachers throughout the school year. The Musical Theatre Club is comprised of 4th and 5th graders that are part of our school’s annual musical. Students take on roles as on-stage performers and backstage crew members. Currently, these clubs are on hold due to the pandemic, but I direct and choreograph student performances and school musicals.

Do you have a funny teacher story to share?
I always let my students know to be careful where you step when you go to The Sands beach after 5 p.m. They always want to know why. I tell them that after 5 p.m., Mr. Crabb transforms into one of the crabs at The Sands, and I don’t want to be stepped on. One day, a student came to class and told me he saw me at The Sands last night in my crab form. I asked, “How did you know it was me?” This student proceeded to demonstrate how the crab moved with quite the dramatic flair. The interpretation was very much my signature moves in a crab-like way! I’m not sure which was more impressive: the fact the student recognized me in my crab form or that the student demonstrated my signature dance style to perfection.

What do you love about living in Beaufort?
The one thing I love most about Beaufort is the view. In April 2001, as I drove into Beaufort for the first time (on my way to my first teaching job interview), I remember being blown away as I crossed the bridge near Whale Branch Middle. When I got to the Beaufort River swing bridge, I knew that I would, at the very least, be back to visit this gorgeous view. Luckily, that first interview led to my first teaching position. My favorite places are The Sands Beach and a swinging bench at Henry Chambers Waterfront Park.