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Hannah Russell, from Cairo, Georgia, started her dance journey at Lucretia’s School of Dance at the age of two. At thirteen, she began training at Off Broadstreet Centre for the Dance Arts (OBCDA), where she danced competitively with the F.I.R.M. Dance Company until graduating high school. Then, she attended Valdosta State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management. During that time, she joined OBCDA as an instructor, choreographer, and creative team member. She was later promoted to assistant director. In August 2018, she created a dance program at Cairo High School, teaching various genres of dance as an elective class. She continues to grow as a choreographer and instructor, winning many choreography awards at competitions. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. |
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Julia Wedge has been teaching dance, choreography, and performing arts in school and studio settings in the Sacramento area for over twenty years. As a dance educator and professional choreographer, she has committed herself to bringing quality dance instruction and artistic vision to students everywhere. She believes that no one student learns the same and modifies curriculum to fit each individual and their environment. She is the owner and DIrector of the MuVment Studio where she specializes in Fusion technique with an emphasis in Acrobatic Arts. She is a Certified Acrobatic arts instructor and studies classic, cultural and urban styles of movement. Currently she holds an Associates of Arts Degree and Bachelors in Business Degree, and is currently working towards finishing her Masters of Arts in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. |
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A.LORRAINE CRITTENDON is a full-time public school dance educator and dance professional in Charlotte, North Carolina. She obtained her B.A. in Dance at UNC Charlotte in 2012 and has served as a public school dance educator with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system for eight years. She is classically and culturally trained in various genres and is an avid roller dancer, but has primarily focused as a teaching artist of Latin Dance at Charlotte Ballet since 2018. Lorraine aims to create matchless choreographic works called ‘BLENDS’ with her dance troupe Charlotte Cultural Collective, founded in 2019. Lorraine has worked with many local dance companies and stresses the importance of community art through dance, choreography, and performance. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Dance Education at UNC Greensboro. www.lcritt.com |
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KYLE SHAWELL is a multi-talented choreographer, performer, and dance educator. He received training at the University of Arts, Theatre West Virginia, and the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts (Philadanco). He graduated from The University of North Carolina Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Performance, Choreography, and Theory in 2018. Kyle brings together a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in a diverse movement style for the community, specifically specializing in Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and Musical Theater. He has been a guest teaching artist at several schools and universities throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas. He has choreographed musical theater productions of Once on this Island, Wiz: The Golden Road, Black Nativity, and most recently, Children’s Theater of Charlotte’s Main Stage production of Annie. Currently, Kyle is the Artistic Director of the Garrison Experience, a jazz dance company, while pursuing his MA in Dance Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Thegarrisonexperience.com |
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HEATHER PIKE, from Wilmington, NC, is a lifelong dancer specializing in ballet. Heather received her BFA in Dance Education from East Carolina University, earning the Outstanding Senior Award. Heather has worked as a teaching artist for the Carolina Ballet’s educational outreach program and is currently part of the United Arts Council Artists in Schools. She worked as a teaching artist with Arts Together and the Very Special Arts (VSA) at the Kennedy Center for students with disabilities. Additionally, she has presented her pedagogical research at dance conferences and pioneering advocacy organizations ArtsR4Life, A+Schools, and Arts Access Inc. Heather has taught ballet and creative dance at Arts Together in Raleigh and the American Dance Festival’s Samuel H. Scripps Studio in Durham. Additionally, she has been a ballet instructor at Barriskill Dance Theatre School for 16 years. Heather is passionate about dance education and is thrilled to pursue her MA in Dance Education from UNC Greensboro. |
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MARY BETH STINSON is an experienced professional dancer, choreographer, and director originally from Kennesaw, GA. Mary Beth graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in Dance with K-12 Teacher Certification. Mary Beth is the Dance Director at Archer High School in Georgia. She works professionally performing and teaching at area studios. She serves as the Artistic Director and company member of The Tap Rebels, Atlanta’s only professional tap company, under the direction of founder Vanessa Zabari. Mary Beth is also the Artistic Director and company member of VIA UNI, a dance company in Atlanta under Xavier Lewis. Mary Beth is excited to continue her education at UNC Greensboro as a part of the MA in Dance Education Program. |
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THERESE “TESS” MCLAUGHLIN lives in Portland, ME, and works as a 7th-grade English teacher at Lake Region Middle School. She earned her bachelor’s in English with a minor in Dance at the University of Maine. She has continued dancing and performing alongside a career in education. Tess teaches dance technique classes at Spotlight Dance Studio. She is an active performer in the local community theatre and occasionally dances with a local Drag Queen, Chartreuse Money. Professional theatre roles include Lulu (Cabaret), Daisy Buchanan (the Great Gatsby), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), and “Anytime” Annie in 42nd Street. Tess strives to help students access dance as a way to have fun and strengthen confidence, creativity, and close relationships. She is pursuing her MA in Dance Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. |
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MICHELLE MODRZEJEWSKI is a Chicago-based dance educator whose work spans ages, abilities, and disciplines, including dance integration, dance for adults with Parkinson’s Disease, and dance for children on the Autism Spectrum. She has taught in public school, private studio, and community settings, most notably with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where she trains teaching artists, develops curriculum, and integrates dance into Chicago Public School classrooms across the city. In addition to her work as a dance educator, Michelle has worked with the wellness organization Mindful Practices, using movement and reflective practice to engage and educate students and teachers in healthy classroom management and social-emotional learning practices. Michelle holds a B.A. in Dance Performance from Ball State University, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Dance Education with a K-12 Licensure from the University of North Carolina (UNGC), and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Dance Education through the University of North Carolina Greensboro. |
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COURTNEY HOWARD was born and raised in Maryland. She has been dancing since she was 15, training in various styles and genres. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a K-12 Teaching Certification from Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina. She has worked in the private studios and public school systems in South Carolina and Maryland for four years. She is attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro pursuing an MA in Dance Education. Courtney’s post-graduation goal is to become a personal trainer for dancers. |
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CRYSTAL BAIN is an active choreographer and educator in her community of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She received her Bachelor’s in Dance and Elementary Education from the University of Idaho. She teaches 4th grade at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities. Before school starts, she has a dance performance team ranging from Kindergarteners to 5th graders who perform in the community at different events. She has choreographed for numerous shows like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, SYM, Peter Pan, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and many others. Her dream of running her own dance company has finally come to fruition; Crystal is directing her third season of Ripple Dance Co LLC with her 30+ years of experience in dance. She hopes to make a ripple effect in her community with all her endeavors. Crystal is working on her MA in Dance Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. |
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JENN JONES is a lifelong student and performer. She began her classical ballet training at age 2 in Marietta, Georgia, with Melanie Forsburg (NYCB). Jenn earned her BA in General Studies with a concentration in Dance Performance from the University of South Florida. Jenn’s 20 years of professional performing experience has included The TOC Project, a contemporary ballet company in Miami directed by former Twyla Tharp company member Lara Tinari; Miami Contemporary, Bella Danza, an eclectic modern dance company in Tampa directed by Maria Capitano-Pardo, Karen Pederson and Dancers with differently-abled dancers, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Sara Council Dance Project, among others. Ms. Jones works as a freelance choreographer, setting original works on dancers of all ages. She has taught in schools, including Tampa Prep and the Academy of Holy Name in Tampa, Florida. Jenn has taught at the Charlotte Ballet Academy and the Patel Conservatory, home of Next Generation Ballet. Jenn is currently the Director of Ballet for Havilah Dance Company in Matthews, NC. Jenn is pursuing her MA in Dance Education and Post-Baccalaureate Masters Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. |
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DOMINQUIE WALTERS holds a BFA in Dance from Valdosta State University in Georgia. Dominquie is the lead dance teacher at Southeast Middle School, teaching exploratory and gifted and talented classes. Dominquie is the Head Coach of the SMS Stingettes dance team, the district’s only middle school dance team. As a dance educator, he aims to create dynamic opportunities and spaces for dance by setting high expectations and maintaining accountability. His mission as a choreographer is to create an evocative interdisciplinary work that shines a light on issues we face in the world. His pedagogical research interests include telling stories through dance by exploring identities about personal history. Currently, Dominquie is developing a curriculum for the jazz substyle known as “Majorette” and presenting at dance conferences. Dominquie is excited to pursue his M.A. in Dance Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro to continue advocating and promoting change for the arts. |