In my early studies, I had the good fortune of learning ballet from some remarkably generous people. My most influential ballet teachers were Maggie Black, Jan Hanniford Goetz (Joffrey and NDT), and Sondra Forsyth (Thalia Mara) during my early training on Long Island, New York. I also worked closely with Rochelle Zide-Booth (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Joffrey) while at Butler University and during my graduate studies. These women shaped my work as a ballet teacher indelibly—they taught me values in ballet and pedagogy that I continue today.  

My teaching is also shaped by my varied performing career. Some highlights were the title role of Giselle, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Swan Lake’s Act I pas de trois and Act II Cygnets pas de quatre while at Butler University, along with the extraordinary opportunity to dance first-cast in a work with Bebe Miller while in graduate school at Ohio State. I performed as a guest artist with the Indianapolis Opera, with project-based companies in New York City, and at the American Cabaret Theatre, where I worked in collaboration with singers, actors, dramaturges, and musicians.

For more on my teaching, including my work with Ungrading, take a look at Publications and Blog.