Photo: Deseret News

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Current city: Salt Lake City, Utah

Age: 39

College and degree: BFA in Modern Dance, University of Utah

All of the dance hats you wear: Dancer, choreographer and teacher

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Describe your dance career post-college, in your 20s, and in your 30s:

I feel like my story is somewhat different than many
dancers. I joined Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company (RWDC) right out of college. We
had 46 week contracts which meant we only had 6 weeks off per year. It was an
amazing, hard, and a cherished experience. We taught everywhere, everything and
everyone. I performed with the company for 2 years. I learned early on that I
absolutely loved teaching. I left the company when I was 24 years old. I had
children when I was 25, 27 and 30 years old. My husband and I decided to have
more traditional family roles. My husband was the breadwinner and I stayed home
with our children. I taught several semesters at the University of Utah and at
a couple different studios, including Tanner Dance. But everything I did was
very part-time. I continued to perform in various performances and even filled
in for injured dancers several times with RWDC.

We then moved to Boston for my
husband’s graduate program. In Boston, I continued to take classes and
performed a few times. We then moved to Seattle for 3 years. It was in Seattle
where we had our third child. At this time, it was really difficult to take
classes or see any kind of dance. My husband traveled almost 100% of the time
and I had 3 young children under the age of 5. These were the years that I gave
myself a technique class (in the kitchen) several times a week. I knew that if
I ever wanted to perform and teach at a high level I would need to be prepared.
After a couple of years, I was able to find ways to start dancing again. The
dance scene in Seattle was exciting. Classes were offered everyday by really
great teachers. By the end of our 3^rd year, I ended up producing a
show with some friends. I felt like my soul came back to life. This is when we
moved back home to Salt Lake City.

It was wonderful to have family close by and
to know and understand the dance scene. Of course, things change, dance is
constantly changing, but I felt the same wonderful spirit of dance that has
always been here in Utah. Right away I had so many teaching opportunities, more
than I could have even imagined. But, I learned early on, with limited time, I
needed to figure out exactly what would work best for me and my family. After
my youngest started 1^st grade (and was gone all day), I started
teaching at Utah Valley University. I am now finishing my 3^rd year there. I love the
students and I love the program. I feel like I’m growing along with my
students.

For the last 5 years, I have co-produced Momentum, a RWDC alumni event, with my dear friend Juan Carlos Claudio. This year, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
celebrates their 50^th season and we have been asked to co-produce
their Alumni concert in December. I am excited to choreograph, perform and
produce. I usually end up performing in one show a year. I’d love to perform
more, but my reality doesn’t really allow for it. Come 2:45 pm at my house, I
enjoy my kids and all of their activities—music, dance, football, basketball,
volleyball, baseball, swimming, scouts, church youth group, homework, etc. We
love to travel, hike, ski and play.

Ever since my kids started kindergarten, I
have taught creative movement in each of their classes. This is one of my very
favorite things. I get to share my love of movement (with my kids) and feel
like I’m making a difference in their classrooms.

I have learned that there are
so many opportunities out there for dancers, and many times, you have to create
them. I have taught and performed in some of the most random places, but every
time I feel better for having had the experience. I feel fortunate to still be
dancing, choreographing, performing, producing, AND being a mom and wife. Balancing
the “dancer” and “mom” in me is not always easy…..but it’s always worth it!!

With Juan Carlos Claudio

Advice to young dancers on teaching, the role of teaching in
their dance lives ahead, and becoming a well-prepared teacher:

Prepare, prepare, prepare! And, ask for feedback on your
teaching from teachers/peers that you trust. As a RWDC member, we taught each
other every day and gave/received feedback. This was sometimes hard to swallow,
but it allowed us to grow as artists. I also feel strongly that teachers do a
better job if they, themselves, are taking classes. This helps maintain your
technique but also reminds you of other points of view.

College courses that made the most impact on your career path:

-Teaching Methods
taught by Abby Fiat, Ann Riordan and Mary Ann Lee

-Kinesiology taught
by Sally Fitt. This class changed my life. I still use her book and the personal
strength program we developed. I loved kinesiology so much that I took a couple
of graduate classes. Had I not joined RWDC, I would have pursued an MFA in
Kinesiology.

-Improvisation taught
by Phyllis Haskell

-Performing Dance Company
directed by Ford Evans

How have modern dance technique classes changed since you
were in college?

I think it completely depends on the teacher, just as it did
when I was in college. Technique classes now range from strict technique to
learning tricks and styles. I really enjoyed my technique classes in college so
I have sought out similar classes since. My favorite classes are ones where I
get a combination of technique and artistry.

One icon in modern dance that you still think about in your
work or teaching?

As a teacher, Abby Fiat has always been a huge “icon” to me.
She is a fabulous! She is dedicated, engaged and brilliant. I love the way she
crafted so much into each class.

Joan Woodbury is another “icon” for me. She is Co-Founder of
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. I have learned so much from her. She is also a brilliant
teacher, choreographer and mentor. I continue to be amazed as she continues to
be a strong ambassador for dance. Whenever I choreograph, I always want her
feedback. Her instincts are spot on.

How would you describe the modern dance scene in Salt Lake
right now in terms of classes, companies, and performance opportunities?

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Company and
Stephen Brown are the companies that have been around for a long time and have
continued to receive support. Many dancers are now putting their own shows
together, similar to the one I produce, Momentum. There are several weekly classes
that are offered to the community—RDT has a great community school, RWDC offers
Master Classes on Saturdays, and many others at Sugar Space and various studios
around town. Most of the classes take place at the Rose Wagner Performing
Center for the Arts. It’s a beautiful center with 3 performing spaces and 5 big
studios. There aren’t as many classes offered here as there was in Boston or
Seattle but I’m hoping we eventually get to that point. Performances are
happening all over the place and many workshops are offered throughout the summer—Salt Fest at the University of Utah, RWDC Summer
Workshop and RDT Summer Workshop.