My Philosophy (a draft):
I want my work to have context and spirit, with movements that challenge dancers to be their best selves and engage with the world around them.
Working with Children
I stand out from other choreographers because of how I talk to children. My many years of teaching experience have taught me that it's okay to be a little silly with students. When I can reference a number line from math class to teach a 3 step turn or add a bit of TikTok dance into the piece, I find it engages students more than if I were just teaching the steps.
Something I pride myself on is putting the student first. They bring their own experiences to the piece, have bad days, and want to push themselves. By checking in and out with students, working to improve the individual, and creating a positive environment I help create more dynamic and joyful performances.
Working with Adults
After graduating from American University, my former professor asked me if I wanted to choreograph the fall musical. I had never choreographed before! But I'm so thankful he gave me that opportunity because it helped me realize how much I love doing this.
Being able to work and grow with my peers in a new way challenged me (how do I give my friends feedback?) and pushed me to try new things. I'm so grateful, and can't wait to work on other choreography projects with adults soon!