Los Angeles is at the forefront of a Christian creative movement, where young people merge the gospel with culture through music, film, art, and dance, blending genres and breaking traditional boundaries.
Shirlene Quigley, a professional dancer with over 20 years of experience, including a groundbreaking debut in Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” music video, plays a pivotal role in this movement as the founder of Dancing Disciples, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance ministry.
By reclaiming dance as worship, Dancing Disciples mirrors the mission of Christian Hip-Hop to use cultural mediums for faith-based storytelling. The organization, which has collaborated with top Christian rap and worship artists like Skema Boy, Anike, Aisha, Skye, Talia Perez, Tommy Zuko, Queen Lee, and Porsha Love, offers community and positions Los Angeles as a thriving hub for faith-driven creativity.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Shirlene Quigley’s career began with a leap of faith. Despite being told by an agency that she would “never work as a dancer” because she was “too tall and too curvy,” Shirlene refused to let the criticism define her future. When advised to pursue roles as a lead girl in music videos instead, she stood firm in her passion and told herself, “I don’t need luck.”
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Her faith carried her through the challenges of the entertainment industry and inspired her to create Dancing Disciples in October 2023. Described as “a one-stop shop for creatives to explore their faith,” the ministry’s mission is to “inspire, win souls for the Kingdom of God, and unite people worldwide through the transformative power of dance.”
Guided by Psalm 149:3, which calls believers to “praise his name with dancing,” Dancing Disciples offers free high-quality classes, and workshops, helping artists deepen their craft and their faith.
Shirlene leads with transparency and stewardship, ensuring most offerings remain free. Remarkably, she chooses not to take a paycheck from the nonprofit, trusting God to provide through other ventures. “I don’t need to make money from this,” she says. “I’m just trusting God with all the other things He’s put on my heart.”
Shirlene’s work reflects a biblical foundation, drawing inspiration from Miriam’s celebratory dance after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20) and David’s joyous worship before the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:14). Through Dancing Disciples, she has created a space where dance becomes an act of praise and a source of personal transformation.
Her advice to young women is to “focus on what God knows about you. And that’s it. Don’t settle for what you think you can do. Go for what you really want to do.”
As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles serves as an incubator for innovation in arts and media, particularly for creatives merging faith with artistry. Shirlene Quigley addresses a critical gap in this space by encouraging young artists to align their values with their creative pursuits.
This dedication has earned her a nomination at the inaugural Holy Renaissance K.N.I.G.H.T. Awards, which honors individuals expressing Christ through creativity. Through Dancing Disciples, Shirlene empowers artists and solidifies Los Angeles as a thriving hub for Christian creativity.
Join Shirlene Quigley and her inspiring team of dancers on their journey of faith and creativity at dancingdisciples.org
