Meet Ms. Jess

This studio is a dream come true to me. I truly believe that dance is one of the most beautiful, organic, and expressive art forms. Although we compete at our studio, we are careful to focus on the healthy parts of competition: personal growth, exposure to many different dancers and choreographers, et cetera.

Ms. Jess has participated in formal dance lessons and won many awards competing for both dance and cheer for over 17 years as a student, taught at various facilities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, coached multiple high school dance teams, and has received awards for her choreography at competitions. She has choreographed multiple high school musical productions locally. She has also led district level professional development for dance educators in multiple school districts.

She intensely studied ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe under her instructor, Maria Spagnola Torrence in Pennsylvania growing up. She has attended numerous national and regional dance conferences and continues to participate in Master classes and workshops throughout her adult life. She has received top awards for competition in the professional circuit for multiple dances, as well as accolades for her choreography. She earned her Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education with a Dance minor at Slippery Rock University and Masters in Curriculum & Instruction: Special Education from Liberty University. Currently, she is a special education teacher on Camp Lejeune at Lejeune High School. She was honored to be named Camp Lejeune District Teacher of the Year for 2017, which allowed her to participate in multiple leadership and teaching conferences. She is certified in AFAA group exercise, YPAD certified, certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, holds a CLI certification in Choreography and is certified in Hot Hula and Zumba. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization as well.

She is a member of the Seaside Arts Council where she helps to integrate arts into our community through benefit concerts, scholarship opportunities, various shows and much more!

Dance Styles

Certifications

• CPR (American Red Cross)

• First Aid (American Red Cross)

• Hip Hop (The Comix Method)

• Progressing Ballet Technique (Progressing Ballet Technique)

• Awareness, Prevention, and Response of Sexual Abuse in Dancers (YPAD)