About working together.

Learning to dance is not a one-size-fits-all process; each person's experience is as unique as their personality. With this in mind, I would like to share some core values that shape my teaching approach and offer you an idea of what to expect if you invite me to be part of your dance journey.

You are the expert on your body.

One beautiful aspect of partner dancing is that it allows you to get to know yourself as a dancer. You will become more aware of your body’s movements and, in turn, become intentional about how you choose to move. I am a big believer that there is no “wrong” way to dance. Still, there may be more comfortable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing ways. While there are many prescribed patterns and techniques to pull from, you are the expert on your body, and we will explore different pathways, try different cues, and make any needed adjustments so that your dance fits your body.

We will work on connecting with the floor, finding your balance, listening to the music, and bringing your best self to your partner.

Social dancing is like a good conversation.

Connecting and creating within the partnership is a central theme of my teaching and my ongoing fascination with social dancing. When dancing with a partner, our shared goal is to move together to the music, and we aim to communicate this clearly and considerately. Much like a good conversation, both participants should feel free to express themselves and feel heard and understood. An enjoyable dance experience comes from a sense of connection, not from the number or complexity of patterns. A few simple patterns, danced thoughtfully, are far more valuable than many patterns executed carelessly.

We will work on speaking, listening, and collaborating in our dance conversations.

Our personal dance experiences are connected to the larger dance community.

Each dance is a special 3 to 4 minutes shared with the person in your arms. However, this dance doesn’t happen in a bubble; it takes place within both the local and broader dance community. A healthy dance community serves as a third space, distinct from home and work, where we can feel supported, learn, grow, and leave enriched.

When I first began teaching, I viewed my offerings as limited to specific dance styles and patterns. Over time, through various experiences and by engaging with different communities, I have come to understand that partner dancing is so much more than just the steps. It is important to take a moment to reflect on the history and evolution of these dance styles and to consider their significance for us today. Additionally, we should consider our role within these communities and the impact we have on others.

Even during a private, one-on-one lesson, we will incorporate these broader concepts into our time together.

About me.

My love for movement began at an early age as I grew up dancing ballet, tap, and jazz in my hometown of New Castle, Virginia. I discovered partner dancing just after completing my BS in Psychology at Virginia Tech. I was invited to join some friends in a group dance class, not knowing that I was getting ready to stumble into one of my life’s greatest passions. Stepping onto the floor and being given structured moves to use with a partner, yet with no set order, had this wonderful blend of predictability and spontaneity that drew me in. It allowed me to move to the music without feeling like I was in the spotlight. I had the structure of the dance and my partner’s input to give my movements purpose. From then on, I joined every chance I could, no matter the style or whether I was leading or following.

When I was approached by Linda Stancill, owner of Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center, in 2006 to train as an instructor, I was completely blown away, excited, and nervous at the same time. I was trained up, began instructing, and have continued to train and teach ever since. In my 13 years at Sapphire I got to teach individuals and groups as well as plan and host events. I held the position of Operations Manager for 7 years and then Co-Director for 5 and a half years. In these rolls I got to experience the day to day of running a studio and training other staff in addition to maintaining a full teaching schedule.

Over the years, working in a studio and now independently, I have had the opportunity to develop and refine my teaching style. This evolution has been influenced by collaborating with diverse communities, working with various coaches, exploring different dance styles, and working with countless students of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and learning styles. Learning is a process that never ends, and I intend to keep evolving as I encounter new ideas.

When not dancing, I am with my other great passion, my family. I am either helping my husband, Cole, with his livestock grazing operation, Good Ground Grazing, or with our kids Mary and Owen. Both include lots of chasing.