About
I started dancing over 10 years ago at the age of 50. Three years ago I made the decision to take my passion for ballroom dancing and started a certification program. I chose to become certified through Dance Vision International Dance Association(DVIDA) because I wanted to offer the best instruction for my students.
As an instructor I remember the first time I walked into a dance studio. I was nervous and anxious and afraid of making mistakes. I use this feeling when teaching new/beginning students. I understand what you're going through. My goals, as an instructor, is to make learning as easy as possible and fun. I like to keep open communication between my students and myself because I cannot give you my best when I sense there is a problem.
As a female, I had to learn to lead, so I am very empathetic to leaders. It is difficult to learn your own steps but you are also saddled with keeping your frame and knowing where you want your follower to go. This takes time and, I know, very frustrating.
As a follower, I know how difficult it is to 'wait' for the lead because we want to do so much more. Waiting is hard but when we wait it makes the dance look so much nicer.
I am certified in Bronze for the American Style Smooth dances(Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz). I will be fully certified in American Style Rhythm this summer).
I enjoy meeting and getting to know people. I like to see students enter the door not knowing how to dance and watch them progress to being able to dance on the dance floor. It is difficult to get on the dance floor when you see other people dancing but I enjoy watching my students get out there and try. Watching their progress brings me great joy!
Highlights
Reviews
Myra
E. D.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1. Informal conversation about my students' dance interests. Sometimes they don't have a preference for a dance but the type of music they prefer is a good indicator of what type of dance they would enjoy learning.
2. I use humor and my own dance journey stories to put people at ease.
3 Encouragement and understanding goes a long way in teaching a new student.
4. Breaking steps down to smaller portions is a specialty for me.
5. Have fun. Laugh.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am and internationally certified instructor through Dance Vision International Dance Association. Why does this matter? It matters because it is a rigorous training and testing program for teachers. Testing is on all aspects of dance: from knowing the steps, to breaking them down, to teaching methodology, to ethics and musicality. On going training is highly recommended.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Private Lessons(single or couples)
$75 for 45 minutes.
$350 for 5 lessons.
$750 for 20 lessons with the 11th lesson free
Group lessons are currently not available due to COVID-19.
How did you get started teaching?
I started as a social dancer. As I became more proficient, I thought I'd like to learn to teach dance. I knew there was more to dancing than just learning the steps. There had to be a reason instructors were so good. I asked my last instructors what was the difference between a social dancer and a professional/instructor. He explained and demonstrated it to me and then asked when I was going to start my instructor training. Yes, it was a dream that I was encouraged to pursue.
Because I was a social dancer first, I remember how it felt to get on the dance floor for the first time. This is what makes me an exceptional instructor.