Teaching Philosophy
Everyone deserves to be seen and elevated to their next level. I see the studio as a safe space to embrace holistic challenges as budding artists go day in and day out fine-tuning their craft. There will be a plethora of challenges shifting before and during a class, and I find being malleable as an instructor is one of my great qualities when it comes to changing class plans.
As a teacher, I emphasize the importance of creating a warm, welcoming environment: from my acknowledgement of dancers by name, encouraging autonomy and confident command of movement, and guiding them from permission-driven to risk-takers.
Additionally, when working with more mature groups, I invite horizontal-learning structures in which we share moments of revelation or appreciation to and from our peers while we go through groups or phrase-work. Hearing thoughts aloud from others spur curiosity and reveal how the material is received on the other end. I may hold key concepts and thoughts as a person in front of the room; however, it is exciting to bring in more voices to the conversation regarding the transference of movement ideas.
Experience
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2024: Company Class Instructor, South Chicago Dance Theatre
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2023- 2024: Guest Teacher, "Contemporary Grooves," Spring Quarter, University of Chicago TAPS program
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2023- 2024: Contemporary/ Improvisation, Zion Dance Project: Summer Series, High School- Professional
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2023: Masters at Chapman, Week- long Guest Residency, Chapman University, Orange, CA
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2022-2024: Contemporary and Repertory Master Classes & Artist Talkbacks, South Chicago Dance Theatre
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Institutions include: Southeast Missouri State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University
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2021- 2024: All-Level Jazz Instructor, Engage Dance Academy, ages 7-18
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2020- 2023: Subbing Roster for Contemporary and Modern, Chicago Movement Collective, Adv/Prof Adults
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2019-2021: Contemporary Master Class, Northern Illinois University & Sam Houston State University
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2018- 2022: Guest Lecturer, Music & Dance Improvisation Master Class, Chapman University Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music in collaboration with Professor Albert Alva, In-person & Virtual- 7 semesters
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2018- 2021: Contemporary and Repertory Master Classes, DanceWorks Chicago, High School- Professional
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Institutions include: University of Michigan, University of Iowa, Point Park University, ChiArts High School, After School Matters,14th Internationale Tanztage Oldenburg (Germany)
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