Education
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA - BA, 2005 - Studio Art/Communication Studies
- Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA - 15 credits in psychology, (’07, ‘08)
- Naropa University, Boulder, CO - one year completed towards MA in Transpersonal Psychotherapy/Art Therapy (2009/10)
- University of Maryland, College Park, MD - MFA Dance Candidate 2019
Teaching Experience
Graduate Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, MD Fall 2016 - Current
- Class taught: Yoga, Improvisation and Embodied Metaphors: Investigating Philosophy Through Movement (2 credits)
- Teach undergraduate students practice in yoga combined with experiential methods of movement, dance and mindfullness
- Worked in production office for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Guest Coach, Colorado Gymnastics Institution, Aurora, CO June 2017
- Instructed and coached gymnastics technique to team level gymnasts
- Instructed in stretch and strengthening techniques
Guest Teacher, ACDA, University of Maryland, College Park, MD March 2016
- Taught the class "Handstands In Motion" to undergraduate dance students from the North Atlantic Region
- Taught techniques and methods of inversion within a dance phrase
- Combined experience in gymnastics with modern dance
Guest Teacher, University of Maryland, College Park, MD Fall 2016
- Lead a group of college students Majoring in Dance through specific inversion based strengthening and warm-up
- Taught techniques and methods of inversion for a 90 minutes class
- Focused on stationary as well as across-the-floor inversion methods and technique
Choreographer/Dance Instructor/Coach, Melissa Kutcher Gymnastics Camp, Denver, CO June 14, 15, 16, 17
- Created lessons, managed and instructed dance portion of the camp at University of Denver (2016)
- Created a performance with choreographed works to be presented at the end of camp week
- Coached gymnastics to gymnastics ages 7-18 in a summer camp setting
Art Teacher, Silver Sands Montessori School, Henderson, NV August 2015 - May 2016
- Taught art to K-8th grade students
- Created weekly curriculums and art projects while incorporating meaning, individual expression and cultural relevance
- Worked with the Junior High students to create their own vision, projects and themes
Gymnastics Coach, Gymcats, Henderson, NV July 2015 - May 2016
- Provide instruction for boys and girls recreational gymnastics
- Coach both boys and girls competitive gymnastics teams
- Work with cheer team in stunting, tumbling, and choreography
Behavioral Technician III, Boys Town, Omaha, NE November 2007 - March 2009
- Worked with behaviorally challenged youth in a treatment group home setting
- Responsible for teaching appropriate behaviors through BT PEM model
- Positive Role Modeling, Care-taking, Cooking, Crisis Management, House Lead
- Activities Planner, Clothes Shopping Leader
Gymnastics Coach/Asst. Manager, Iowa GymNest, Coralville, IA September 2002-June 2006
- Recreational/team coach throughout college
- 2005 became Asst. Manager and Competition Team coach for boys and girls
- Developed/coached workouts, routines, choreography and visualization exercises
- Recreational and toddler class coach
- Managed gym, Lead/assigned staff, maintained safety in gym, maintenance duties
Tumbling Coach, Lynn's Dance Studio Wall Lake/Lake View, IA September 1999 - May 2001
- Created a tumbling program for a small dance studio
- Taught beginner to semi-advanced tumbling to community youth
- Helped choreograph a yearly recital
Creative/Performing Experience
The Orpheus Adventure, The Maryland Opera Studio, University of Maryland, College Park April 2017
- Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice and Offenbach's Orphee aux enfers
- Took part in creation process of the dance/character work
- Dance and character work for the opera that included a full orchestra and a large cast of singers
Shared Graduate Dance Concert, University of Maryland, College Park March 2016
- Director of the concert
- Choreographed and preformed in original work entitled '*#1 (Asterisk No. One)' with a cast of 7 other dancers
- Designed and created costumes and set for '*#1'
Dances of Resistance, Peace Ball 2017, National Museum of African American History, Washington DC January 2017
- Performed Just Out of Reach, choreographed by Alvin Mayes
- Took part in creation process of the work
- Performed an eight minute Modern Dance piece on the Millenium Stage, Kennedy Center
On The Move, University of Maryland Showcase, Kennedy Center, Washington DC November 2016
- Performed Just Out of Reach, choreographed by Alvin Mayes
- Took part in creation process of the work
- Performed an eight minute Modern Dance piece on the Millenium Stage, Kennedy Center
M & M American Dance Theatre, Gotta Dance, Las Vegas, NV October 2015
- Company cast for the opening of 'Gotta Dance' musical dance production
- Took part in creation process for the show
- Performed technical dance numbers, character work and acrobatics
Fine Artist/Assistant Glass Artist 2011 - Current
- Create contemplative abstract fine art, mainly working/selling in oil paint
- "Stability" Spine Series art show at Eden Art Gallery, Las Vegas, Nevada from May - June 2015
- Worked with and assisted professional fine art glass artists at Domsky Glass from July 2014 - May 2016
- Taught Glass Fusion Workshops to community and special events
Artistic Director/Choreography, Gladius The Show February 2014 - August 2014
- Created story and intentions to implement into he transitions and acts of Gladius The Show
- Directed performers within character work, artistic choices and style/form of acting/movement
- Worked with producers to re-create acts, flow and the cohesion of the show
- Choreographed equestrian acts, movement, Chinese pole, stunts and staging
- Opened shows in Denver, CO and Austin, TX
Physical Activities Program Creator, Three Square, Las Vegas, NV March 2015 - June 2015
- Created an 11 week, 2 hour/day physical activities program and curriculum for community food bank
- Utilized 'Spark,' Research Based Physical Education Program
- Combined physical actives with nutritional activities/awareness
- Worked with Three Square's 'Summer Food Service Program' to initiate pilot program
Performing Artist, Le-Reve-The Dream, Wynn Las Vegas August 2010 - September 2013
- Performed 10 shows a week at a Mobil 5 Star, AAA 5 Diamond Venue
- Performed acrobatics, character work, dance, aerial, and partner work in world class aquatic theatre
- Aerial Soloist
- Worked with an international cast and crew within extreme team-working environment
Co-Art Curator/Fine Artist, Circus Couture, Las Vegas, NV December 2013
- Organized artists and art for a charity event for children with cancer
- Helped create a clear and concise event flow from silent auction to checkout
- Lead a team of volunteers
- An art mentor for children creating art for the event
- Children Collaborative Art Piece Creator to the auctioned live '12, '13, '14, '15
Performing Artist, World Entertainment Services/Sea World, San Diego, CA Summers: 2007, 2009, 2010
- Acrobatic/Dance performer in shows Cirque de la Mer and Riptide ('07)
- Chinese Poles, tumbling, dance, flying trapeze, character work
- Performed four to seven times daily, including meet and great with park guests after shows
- Performance Lead
Acro-Dancer, Folies Begere, Las Vegas, NV 2006/2007
- Acrobatic/Dance performer in this classic Las Vegas show at the Tropicana
- Performed in NBA All Star Game half-time show, February 2007
