Beyond my first two initial years dancing recreationally, I spent nearly a decade competing and training intensively from ages 9–18. Throughout my competitive dance career, I studied a wide range of styles including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, modern, jazz fusion, and Latin jazz. This experience gave me a strong technical foundation while also teaching me how different styles require different approaches to movement, musicality, performance quality, and storytelling. I continued developing my dance education in college (Wheaton College in Massachusetts), where I had the opportunity to continue studying and training in many of these disciplines. While I ultimately did decide to switch my major after the first year, I never stopped dancing and teaching. My years as a student gave me experience not only performing choreography, but understanding the technique, terminology, foundations, and artistic choices behind the movement.

My teaching experience began at 15, when I was given the opportunity to become a Junior Teacher. In this program, I spent three years intentionally developing my teaching abilities while continuing to strengthen my own technical skills. I learned how to break down choreography and technique into age- and level-appropriate instruction, communicate corrections effectively, work with different learning styles, structure classes, and understand the progression of dancers from introductory levels through more advanced training. This experience also gave me exposure to the expectations and technical foundations associated with higher-level and professional dance training. Since then, teaching has become an important part of my experience and identity as a dancer. I bring together the perspective of someone who has spent years as a dedicated student, competitive dancer, and teacher, allowing me to create an environment where dancers can build strong technical foundations while also developing confidence, individuality, artistry, and a genuine love for dance.