Dance Educator and Choreographer
I have a Bachelor of Education from UBC and have been a dance educator for the VSB for the past twenty-three years. It is my mission is to enable children and youth to develop and realize their own creative potential through the development of meaningful, artistic programs at schools, studios and community centres.
Highlights of my teaching career include mentoring Tupper Secondary School senior students in working with elementary students in after school dance programs, the creation and development of various dance concerts and performances. I taught Grades 8-12 (approximately 50 % of the students in this program were boys). All students trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre and Body Percussion (Stomp). During my time at Tupper as the only dance teacher, I was able to grow the program from 35-100+ students.
In 2018 I was given the position of the coordinator for the Scotiabank Dance Centre for their special Elementary School Dance Outreach Project (Grades 1-7). One of my roles was to mentor the professional dance artists in their workshops in Break Dance, Street/ Hip Hop and Contemporary.
One of my strength as an educator is to adapt to changing styles and stay current. I continue to train, perform and connect with the local professional dance community at performances, classes and workshops.
I had the pleasure of dancing with Joe Laughlin of Joe Ink in his Intergenerational dance project Move it! I am currently a member of Miriam Esquitin’s Polymer Dance at Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre and recently studied with Deanna Peters, Daisy Thompson and René Svelnis. I am also a member of Desirée Dunbar’s, Elan Dance at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. I perform in the annual LINK Community Dance Showcase at the Roundhouse Arts & Community Centre in Vancouver.
It is my intention to inspire young people to express themselves through movement and music and to support them in honing their gifts and abilities. Through artistic skills, practice and performance our children and youth have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
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