about me.
I teach a wide variety of partner dances, including Hustle and Country Western (Two Step, Polka, Waltz, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Triple Two, Nightclub, and Chacha), and Line Dance. I love teaching social and competitive dancers of all ages, as well as Wedding Couples. Additionally, I perform as a Backup Dancer for a Taylor Swift Tribute Band called "Almost Eras!"
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I am most passionate about coaching my students to be more confident, coordinated, creative, and joyful! I aim to meet everyone where they're at and provide them with solid foundations for their dancing. I believe that EVERYONE can and deserves to dance!
details.
I'm classically trained in dance (Ballet and Modern) and music (Violin) in childhood through college years at the University of Texas, where I majored in Psychology and Sociology and discovered partner dancing! I trained in Country Western under Sherry Reynolds (no relation) and Dance Pedagogy under Dr Vinh Pham. Upon moving to New York, I trained in Hustle and Theater Arts (Aerial Dancing) under Roberto Pagan. I have also been trained in a variety of fitness and somatic modalities, including Core Rhythms (based on Latin Dance), Jungshin (a wooden sword-based moving meditation plus strengthening), Polestar Pilates mat, and Franklin Method.
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I became severely disabled upon having my daughter in 2018 and turned my attention to 1) growing into an amazing, empowered mom, 2) training to heal and rehabilitate my body. I trained in Physical Rehabilitation through Immaculate Dissection, and many years later, I'm beyond grateful to be able to say that I'm back to dancing! I know I've accomplished the impossible. I return smarter, with an infinitely deeper understanding and appreciation of life, health, anatomy, and growth.
I'm most interested in continuing to learn about Ehlers-Danlos/Hypermobility and Neurodiversity/Neurocomplexity. I do have neuroaffirming training and experience teaching Neurodivergent and Gifted kids. I also spend quite a bit of time enjoying Musical Theater with my Theater Kid!
Work Experience: I have taught, performed and competed with students in TX, VT, and NY. I taught weekly Partner Dance classes at Stepping Out Studios in NYC, Geriatric Ballroom and Line Dance classes at the Allen Hospital/NYP Health Outreach, and Children’s Ballet and Dance classes at Amazing Feats. I assembled, costumed, and performed with a professional dance troupe, IGMC Dancers, performing to live music by Rockapella and opening for Boney M, Rick Springfield, Enrique Iglesias, and Pitbull. I currently dance backup for the Taylor Swift Tribute Band, Almost Eras!
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Awards:
Pro/Open Jack and Jill (lead/follow competition with random partner to random song):
1st Place Pro Two Step J&J at MDC 2013 & 2014
1st Place Open West Coast Swing J&J at Peach State 2014
2nd Place Pro Hustle J&J at Swing Dance America 2016
2nd Place Pro Hustle J&J at NY Hustle Congress 2014 & 2016.
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UCWDC Open Showcase:
Overall Champion at Peach State 2014, NEDF 2014, & Big Apple Country Dance Fest 2014, and 1st Place Nightclub at UCWDC Worlds 2015
