From: Roanoke, VA
Classes: Just Dance & Zumba
How long: 3 1/2 years
Where did you go to school?
William Fleming High
What is your “real” job?
Part time stay at home mommy, and part time undercover agent, just kidding:) I also am a part time manicurist. I have been in the business for fourteen years, since I was sixteen. Currently I have my own business that I operate out of a small salon in my home. I am fortunate to get to do something that I love, and to have fallen into it at such a young age.
Who inspires you the most in life?
My husband. He is my opposite, and has so many qualities that I would love to have. He never lets the little things get him down, sees the beauty in life, knows what is important and always stays true to himself.
Tell me about your family life.
I am married to my husband Jonathan whom I have known since I was at least five years old. Our Dad‘s were friends when they were kids, and we were friends all through school, but never dated. When we grew up, I asked him out, and that was that. We have been married 10 years in April. We have a sweet four and a half year old boy named Holden, who is the love of both our lives. He also loves to dance.(gets it from his mama no doubt)We don’t have any pets yet, but I have my eye on a puppy at some point in the not too distant future.
What is your favorite quote?
“Feel the fear and then do it anyway”
Do you have any formal dance training?
I was in the magnet program in middle and high school, which was a program that would bring kids from all over the city to a certain school to learn something specific. The magnet program that I was part of was for the arts, so I was able to dance as part of my school curriculum, which was awesome, and also meant that I never had to take gym class. I also danced at The Dance Factory, Floyd Ward, and The Roanoke Ballet Theater.
What or who inspired you to become an instructor?
It had actually always been a dream of mine to teach dance. I have loved all things dance related for as long as I can remember. I really never thought I would have the opportunity, but then I came to one of Sara’s classes and fell in love with her classes, and over time I started thinking about teaching. When Sara gave me the opportunity to do it, it really was like a dream coming true for me. Sometimes it’s still hard to believe that I actually get to do something that I love so much!
What is your favorite dance genre and why?
Of the genres that we do, I the love Cumbia. I think the story behind it is so romantic, and the movements put you into another place and time. My all time favorite is contemporary because I think it is one of the purest and most . beautiful ways to express how you are feeling.
What would you like your JDR family to know about you?
That I am a total goofball, and I love love love dancing at JDR, with all of them
What have you learned from being on the JDR Team?
I have learned that nobody is perfect, to not take myself too seriously, and to never forget to have fun.
What does being an instructor mean to you?
It means always growing and improving, finding my passion for dance again and having more fun working out then I ever have in my life!