Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Had a passion for ballet and never considered an alternative.
Moved to New York danced with Joffrey ll and soon after got injured and was told I would never dance again.
Found myself in a musical theatre dance class, with no clue what that meant, but knew I loved it!
Was taken under the wing of Chet Walker who introduced me to the great Gwen Verdon.
Gwen granted me a scholarship that paid for all acting, singing & dance classes for a year.
For the next 10 yrs I worked w / the best in the business on some of the biggest stages.
One night on stage I felt unfulfilled and decided to go to college- 10 yrs after leaving HS!
I graduated w / a certificate in dance / movement therapy and am excited to give the gift of dance to others.
Education
High School
Career
Former Dancer. Currently a Dance Teacher.
I was a dancer in musical theatre, TV and film and now I teach dance.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Acting & Theatre
Education
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
When I was out of work I would vocalize in the morning, then go to the gym, maybe go to an audition that might last 4+ hours, then a 2hr dance class, followed by waitressing till 3am. When I had a performing job I was either in rehearsals from 10-6pm, followed by the gym and going over my part at home and / or performing 8 shows a week, plus other auditions for the next gig, dance class, gym, vocal and acting classes, and often rehearsals for non-paying jobs within the broadway community.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Keep training to become the best YOU, you can be. You are the product you're "selling" and the better you know yourself and what you're capable of, the more you can offer the production team of a show. Keep training in the styles of dance that you're least comfortable in, because you never know when you are going to get a call for an audition dancing hip / hop or ballet. Take classes with as many different teachers as possible. Get your name out- you never know who might be looking to cast a show.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"HS counselor said: You should stop narrowing your choices of what to do as a career-dancing is too limited and you won't make any money. Some family said: You should go to college right out of HS if you want to be taken seriously in this world. Dance teachers said: You shouldn't try to be a dancer- you're not thin enough, you're lacking turnout / extension. Agents said: you didn't book the gig because you're too quirky / not All American enough / too exotic / too tall / too short / too sexy."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
