Well it has finally come – my turn to be the featured teacher! Being the youngest of the faculty I will probably have the shortest story to tell!
I was born and raised in Nashua, NH. I began dancing at the former Academy of Movement in Nashua at age three. When I was about ten or so Melissa bought out the studio (yes I know – crazy to think she was running two studios at once!) and it wasn’t soon after she parted ways with AOM that I followed her to Hudson. It was the best decision I ever made. Throughout my years at MHDC I pretty much ate, slept, and breathed dance (and my school studies of course). Between classes, rehearsals, choreography, and assisting, I never left this place. As you can see not much has changed!
I graduated from Nashua High North in 2008 and headed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell for Exercise Physiology. I am currently in my 3rd year and will obtaining my bachelor degree by 2012 (couldn’t come fast enough!) For years I watched women sit sedentary in the waiting room, quite concerned about their children’s health and activity level, while completely ignoring their own. It sparked a question in my head – why don’t they want to exercise. I heard different reasons from not enough time, not priority, don’t like the gym, don’t know where to start and much more. I began the cultivation of my future journey – to change the lives of women for the better. I suppose you could say I would be indirectly improving the lives of children and husbands as well (after all everyone knows the importance of a happy mom!) In the long run I hope to open a health and wellness studio – perhaps best described as a gym without the gym weight lifting part! In my head I see different aerobic class offerings (both traditional ones like Zumba, yoga, pilates, kick boxing, etc, as well as ones created by me that stem from my dance background!) I hope to bring the physiology and my studies of the exercise to jazz, modern, ballet, and even hip hop classes – geared for women with the same physical effects that us dancers obtain! I am a firm believer in the mind, body, and soul connection so I would love to encompass those aspects to the center as well (I’ll be calling Sandi for sure!) In the meantime be looking for new adult class offerings at the studio in the near future!
As you’ve probably noticed I still never leave the studio. I’m proud to say I’ve taken on more teaching (through our expanding Dancin’ Tots to Teens program), choreography, and our newest venture – Birthday Bashes! I have begun to help Melissa with clerical duties (a business-minded interest that has slowly begun to develop) and enjoy working on the newsletters, flyers, ads, and anything else she can throw my way.
So I bet at this point you’re wondering what I do in my free time – and/or if I even have free time. Alas my free time is limited. I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend Walley (of four years), friends, family, and surprise surprise RELAXING! Nothing is better than starting a movie series (currently I’m watching the Star Wars one – apparently I’ve been missing out coming from an all girl household) and watching through the whole collection! Since I’m always on the go, my free time is precious time where I can stop moving, stop talking, turn off music and just relax!
