About

Originally from Washington, D.C., I am a contemporary dancer, dance educator, choreographer, and scholar. My dance background includes over three decades of ballet, modern, and jazz with 15 years of social dance training (Lindy Hop, competitive International Latin and Standard Ballroom, Blues, Fusion, and Brazilian Zouk). I received my Bachelor's in History of Science and a Certificate in the Program in Dance from Princeton University. I was a New York City-based freelance contemporary dancer and choreographer for six years, after which I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Michigan. While in graduate school, I researched Brazilian Zouk as a Fellow in the Center for World Performance Studies and upon graduating, traveled the world for a year to teach, study, and continue my preliminary ethnographic research on the dance in preparation for future scholarship, a highlight of which was a three month adventure in Brazil. In 2019, I settled in Chicago to teach at and produce Zouk and Fusion dance events while continuing to travel extensively to teach, perform, and compete at national and international congresses, weekenders, and workshops.

From March 2020 to June 2021, I worked hard to keep students around the world moving, motivated, and connected through dance by providing a flexible and affordable program of daily drop-in classes (along with a rather lively Facebook chat that still keeps us going). These classes are designed for dancers seeking solo training to support partnered social dancing with a focus on skills specific to Brazilian Zouk. Missed all the fun or want to go back to the Gnomery? I've got packages of recorded classes available for purchase. Check them out here and get moving today!

Today, I teach private and semi-private Zouk lessons, choreograph Zouk and Contemporary routines for individuals, couples, and teams, host students for 2-3 day private training intensives in Chicago, coach passionate community leaders as they build their local scenes through teaching and organizing, and travel extensively to teach, perform, dj, and social dance at Zouk and Latin dance Workshops, Weekenders, Festivals, and Congresses around the world. Looking to dramatically improve your social dancing, learn a routine for performance and/or competition, or improve as a teacher? Contact me and let's chat about your goals and how I can help you get there.

I hope you will join me in Chicago, on the road, and online. I still have some availability for event bookings in 2023, so if you'd like to have me teach, perform, dj, and social dance in your city, send me a message and we'll make it happen!

Keep an eye on social media to stay up to date on adventures and events.

Vamos dançar!!