Blackbird Dance

If the student has taken dance lessons in the past I like to start by getting a feel for what they already know and what they might need help with. I usually determine this by asking a few very simple questions and then dancing with them, if it is a single student, or watching them dance if I am teaching a couple.

I find that most people do not have previous experience. And that's okay! Begining students are some of my favorite lessons to teach! If this is the case, I begin the lesson by also asking them simple questions, but the rest of the lesson consists of learning the fundamentals of dance. We have to learn to walk before we can run, right?!

Nothing beats the feeling I get as a teacher, in either case, when my students learn something new and are proud. First time student or advanced, it never gets old. And it's very important that my students always strive to learn something new. If you give up trying to learn, you will cease to improve.

I have been dancing since I was a little girl. I began my training with ballet, tap, and jazz. I attended the highschool division of New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida as a Music Theatre major. There I learned the many styles exhibited in musicals such as the choreography of Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, and more. 

The University of Florida gave me the chance to further expand my dance repertoire with classes in Ballet, Modern, Arial, Hip Hop, and West African dance styles. There, I was fortunate enough to take master classes with the likes of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Korea National Contemporary Dance Company.

After some Years at the University of Denver, I became a competitive Ballroom Dancer and Instructor. First with Arthur Murray Dance Studios, and then Fred Astaire Dance Studios. I was hired and trained by Jean-Marc Casanave, the owner of Fred Astaire in Boca Raton,FL and the grandson of the company's creator. No, not Fred Astaire! His name was Charles Casanave. It's a fascinating story..... Ask me about it some time!

45 Minute Private Lesson (1 person or 1 couple) - $60

45 Minute Group Class (up to 10 people) - $120

Hourly Rate (parties, shows, special functions...) - $150

I have probably worked with every type of person you could ever imagine! It's part of what makes my job so great!

I've taught CEOs, stay at home moms and dads, children, grandparents, and college students. I have had the pleasure of teaching inner city school children, amazing kids with autism and down syndrome, those who require the aid of a wheelchair, and people with dementia and Parkinson's disease.

When people say they can't dance I just smile and say:  "Challenge accepted!"

My wedding is the most recent event that I am fond of and here is why:

My husband is THE MOST CHALLENGING student I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. EVER! Very early in our relationship I pawned him off on a good friend of mine for all things dance related. I thought I had finally met someone I just could not teach. But he definitely came through for the wedding! One of my proudest moments to date! He learned the entire 4 minute dance in a very short amount of time and practiced it religiously. But the look on his face when it was time for our first dance is really what got me. He could have forgotten all the choreography, I wouldn't have cared. It was just such a treat to see the pride and joy beaming from his face. I'll never forget it.

Don't be fooled by fancy resumes and exotic names. If the teacher is a suitable match for you, go for it! If not, don't waste time trying to make something work just because it sounds good. Dancing is a very personal thing. If you are not comfortable with the instructor it will translate to your dancing. But most importantly, you won't be happy. And dancing is the body's way of celebrating!

Don't get too cerebral about it. Let the instructor help guide you.