Philosophy of Teaching

The dance studio is where we connect, take risks, problem solve and grow. It is where we challenge ourselves individually but remember that we are part of a global community. As an educator, it is a privilege to curate, nurture, and hold space for dancers as they explore, investigate, and evolve through movement. From welcoming them into the studio with an encouraging smile, to closing class with deep breathing and high-fives, I craft an environment where students of all levels and backgrounds feel seen, supported, and inspired. Young, old, novice or advanced, there are endless discoveries to be made and lessons to be learned in the dance studio.

Dancers are artists, athletes and physical historians. As educators, it is imperative that we consistently ignite conversations surrounding nutrition, history, how to motivate and inspire one another, and how to remain grounded and honest with ourselves. I believe strongly in collaboration, partner observation/feedback, and vibrations of encouragement throughout class. Everyone is welcome, exactly as they are, and we prioritize energy over ego as we grow and evolve together through dance.

I strive to provide an educational environment where dancers feel safe, seen and empowered and I am proud to be part of such an important global community. While I continue to grow and evolve each and every day as an educator, I hope to always remain a student at heart.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

The performing arts industry must lead the way when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Our community is comprised of amazing human beings who deserve to feel seen, supported and safe in our creative spaces. By providing an inclusive culture in our studios and classrooms, we encourage young artists to explore with authenticity and confidence. As choreographers, directors and educators, we have a responsibility to the entire arts community to foster DEIB in our all of our creative spaces.

From school productions to professional theaters, our stages should represent who we are and where we come from as human beings and as artists. An essential part of promoting inclusivity and representation in dance requires sharing the stories and contributions of our ancestors. By expanding our awareness of dance history and updating our curriculum to reflect an accurate, more detailed timeline, we honor those who paved the way for us. We must credit the creators, and if we don’t know where the movement we are doing originated, we must investigate and learn.

Framing a student-centered dance environment through a culturally responsive lens is imperative. Within this frame, promoting genre diversity in dance education is not only creatively nourishing but also encouraging of DEIB efforts. Dance is a global language, and the more movement genres we experience from around the world, the richer our understanding of our art form becomes. By diversifying our dance curriculum we amplify representation and strengthen our beautiful community.

Through all of our DEIB efforts, we must remember that we are one community. By honoring our authentic selves and lifting each other up, we are able to spread joy, empowerment and inspiration through dance and make the world a brighter place.

Artistic Statement

The Intention: Creating work that evokes the beauty of our universal human connection. My contemporary work unfailingly originates from something personal - a relationship, a memory, fear, hope, struggle. While these themes are not original per se, they are unique to me, and more importantly, relatable. I believe in an accessible choreographic approach and artistic choices that feel real and shared, but also provoke curiosity and contemplation.

The Process: Clarity of intention, trust, and communication are vital to the process. Balancing choreographic direction with collaboration from the dancers reminds us that we are a community of storytellers, and the more we share and learn from one another, the stronger the work becomes. I remain humble yet dedicated throughout the process, and trust that my dancers believe in the work as much as I believe in them.

The Future: As I continue to explore dance history, I am discovering so many pieces of our past that motivate and inspire my creative process. We must know where we’ve been to know where we are going, and sharing stories about our dancestors is a beautiful way to build bridges within our ever-evolving industry. While it is cathartic to create work about my own life, there are so many important stories to tell of lives long gone or forgotten, which is at the forefront of my current creative research.