My Story

I started dancing at three years old and quickly fell in love with all things dance! Growing up in New Jersey just outside of New York City, I had the opportunity to see Broadway and dance shows regularly. I thought one day I would be a professional dancer, too! From elementary through high school, I danced approximately 20 hours per week. The saying “I can’t, I have dance!” became my motto. While at my “dancing prime” I had some incredible experiences, including being filmed for the Rockettes Summer Intensive, taking workshops with Savion Glover, and dancing nationally and internationally with fantastic artists whom I admired. However, while in college at Skidmore College, I found an even greater passion for psychology. I was able to minor in dance, but I majored in psychology and pursued a PhD after graduating. Luckily, along this journey, my love for dance never left. Now, I get to do the research and clinical work I am passionate about during the day and dance at night! I think I’ve found the sweet spot, and I am so thankful that my body continues to let me move and connect with others through dance.

What TDW Means to Me

While pursuing my PhD at West Virginia University, I did not have any opportunities to take dance classes. I found other hobbies including yoga and fitness classes that allowed me to continue to move, but I felt as though something was missing. When I moved to Durham in 2022, I was determined to find a home to dance again… but I needed classes that were friendly for someone like me who had been out of practice for a while! TDW has given me the opportunity to fall in love with dance again. I so missed the ability to get lost in music and movement alongside women who I cared about. I feel so grateful that I found this community.