Artist and Teaching Statement

I do not agree that dance artists are “either born with it or not.” I strongly believe that anyone can be taught to reveal their unique artistic expressiveness. To leave something as important as artistry to chance, hoping that someone has that ineffable “something,” is—to my mind—unforgivable. In my classes we nurture artistic expression alongside technical mastery.

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Our increasingly plugged-in lives have led to a society more disconnected than ever before. Live performances offer a unique opportunity for reconnection between humans. As dancers bravely offer authentic movement and emotion in real time, everyone involved--the audience, other dancers on stage, and the supporting crew backstage--has the opportunity to see that someone else feels something they can relate to. The trend towards polarized "othering" is paused and we realize we have more in common than we originally assumed. Art reminds us of our shared humanity. We need artists who will offer this vulnerability, and developing artists need guidance as they begin this important work.

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I dance because it fills my soul in a way that nothing else can. I teach because I love sharing the joy dance has brought me. I choreograph to explore stories and relationships. Dance is a powerful language and I am passionate about helping others learn to speak clearly.