Kashmere Munford's childhood passion for cheerleading is still running strong through her Turlock-based business, Shabah Choreography. This year marked a major milestone for the studio — 10 years of business and of sharing the love of dancing and gymnastics.
“This is my passion,” Munford said. “To celebrate 10 years means so much.”
Located at 2218 Maryann Drive, Shabah Choreography offers classes on cheering, tumbling traditional gymnastics and hip hop dancing.
“This is always what I’ve wanted to do since I was younger,” Munford said. “When I was 16 years old, I told my mom, ‘I'm opening up a gym.’”
In high school, Munford began her journey towards a business by choreographing quinceañeras and sweet sixteens, even teaching tumbling to her teammates after cheer practice,
“Everyone would stay after, and they would pay me to do private lessons,” Munford shared. “And I didn’t even want to go to college… I’d get good grades and was a good student, but I've always been a cheerleader first.”
After graduation, Munford continued to offer lessons from her church in Riverbank. With the help of her pastor, a back room was transformed to a studio, and after advertising around town, quickly fielded a pair of competitive teams. She soon opened a competitive cheer gym in Modesto before running classes at Alegria Performing Arts Academy in Turlock. It was 10 years ago that she branched out and launched Shabah Choreography,
“I love meeting a bunch of different people from all across the area, and some of those people have become like family to me,” said Munford, whose work is quite literally spanning generations. “Watching my younger ones grow up and have families of their own and bring them back to me is such a full circle moment.”
Not only has the past decade been a fun experience for Munford, a devout Christian who also works full time as a marriage and family therapist, it has also been one of great fulfillment.
“As a firm believer in Jesus Christ, I believe in uplifting, encouraging and inspiring,” she said. “I have a lot of kids, especially after Covid, who came to me with no social skills, or they had separation anxiety or they weren’t in a sport and their self-esteem or confidence is down. And I tell the parents, above all, your kid is going to learn and love who they are. It is the most rewarding thing.”
Earlier this year, Shabah Choreography began offering classes in Oakdale, teaming up with Tom and Lori Theofanopoulos of Oakdale MMA, utilizing their downtown space to initially offer clinics and eventually weekly classes.
“I’m excited to keep growing and to keep sharing my passion with the community,” Munford said.
For more information, follow the business on Instagram at @shabahchoreography, Facebook at Shabah Choreography or contact Munford at 209-422-1954.
