About Me..
I am a professional ballet dancer with a performing career spanning over 20 years. During that time, I performed nationally and internationally with companies including the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, the Cincinnati Ballet as a Senior Soloist, and the Víctor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, Spain. I also worked as a freelance guest artist, performing throughout the United States and internationally, including in South Korea.
This extensive performance career forms the foundation of my work today. It has given me a deep understanding of classical ballet technique, movement efficiency, performance preparation, and the physical and mental demands of a professional dance life.
Teaching
Building on this foundation, I have worked extensively as a ballet teacher and coach for dancers at all stages of training. I currently teach and coach students throughout the United States and in Chicago, including working with the Studio Company and Trainee Students at the Joffrey Ballet Academy and working as the Company Ballet Teacher for the dancers of Ensemble Español. I have also taught for many summer programs as a guest teacher including at CPYB, Ballet Tucson, and the Joffrey Ballet. I was also invited to teach at the Northern Illinois University for a semester in their department of Theater and Dance.
My teaching focuses on clarity of technique, musicality, strength, and artistry, with an emphasis on helping dancers build both confidence and longevity in their training and careers.
Coaching
Alongside studio teaching, I work closely with individual dancers through private coaching and mentorship. This includes technical refinement, variation coaching, audition preparation, and performance development.
My approach is rooted in years of professional stage experience and a deep understanding of what is required not only to train as a dancer, but to perform at a professional level.
Creative Collaboration
In addition to teaching and coaching, I have experience working as a rehearsal assistant and freelance rehearsal director, supporting choreographers and companies through the creative and rehearsal process.
This includes staging, cleaning choreography, refining detail, and helping dancers translate artistic direction into clear, embodied performance. I value the collaborative process of rehearsal work and the opportunity to contribute to the development and realization of new or existing works.
Wellness & Yoga
A personal journey with a bit of anxiety and looking for a solution led me to yoga later in my dance career. In my search for mindfulness and finding my breath, I also found yoga was greatly helping my body in and out of the dance studio. I wanted to share all of these benefits with others, so in 2018 I completed my 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Full Circle Yoga School in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
I now teach yoga to dancers, performers, and non-dancers alike, including adult students and corporate wellness clients. My approach is to integrates principles from my dance background with yoga practice, focusing on strength, mobility, alignment, injury prevention, recovery and mindful movement.
Photography
I began photography while on a search for looking for another creative outlet outside of performing. I love being creative and photography has helped me find another artistic voice.
I currently sell my photography at artisan markets and community art events, where I enjoy connecting directly with people and sharing this evolving body of work.
I am now looking to expand my photography further into dance and performance photography, with a focus on collaborating with dancers and artists in studio and stage environments. With my dance background, I know how to work with dancers and capture their best lines and angles in a creative way.
Photography is an evolving part of my creative work, and I continue to develop it through personal projects and opportunities to collaborate. I am looking forward to gaining more experience and seeing where it can take me!
Final thought.. Across all of my work, my focus remains the same: supporting artists and individuals in a positive, environment where they can do their best creative work, and be and shine as their best selves.