My Statement of Beliefs:

     As a dance educator I strive to develop the whole dancer physically, mentally and artistically. I believe this is done by providing students with a solid technical foundation   that is paired with the freedom for individual creative expression. As a teacher it is important to me that I nurture my students' artistic voice and inform their life perspectives through dance literacy so that they can fully investigate dance as an artistic communicative tool of expression.

      I believe in engaging students through teacher modeling, student collaboration, cross-disciplinary connections and building a strong sense of community.

     My technique classes include lessons on terminology, dance history, cultural contexts, choreography, anatomy, accompaniment, and the themes/messages that make up each genera of dance in order to inform our movement for a richer understanding of the art form and its place within a global context.

     I believe that dance education teaches the values and skills of creativity, problem solving, risk taking, judgment making and determination that prepares students for careers not only on the stage but, off. Most importantly dance enhances an individual’s quality of life.  My class helps students of all levels and abilities develop physical fitness, appreciation of the body, concern for sound health practices, and effective stress management approaches. Through dance, we can better understand our common humanity, a shared human experience that is the impulse to move. 

Inspiring the joy of dance is and always will be at the center of all my teaching practices.