Jennifer was born and raised in Stamford, CT, and holds a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, as well as an AS in Business Administration from Gibbs College. While attending Montclair State, she was the recipient of several departmental awards including the Choreographic Excellence Award. Professionally, Jennifer has performed in venues such as Jacob’s Pillow, Joyce Soho
, St. Mark’s Church in NYC, All That Dance NJPAC, DUMBO, OSPAC, San Diego State University, Flea Theater, SUNY Purchase, APAP Showcase, The Ailey Citigroup Theater/Joan Weill Center for Dance, Wells College, Jersey City Arts Extravaganza, Rutgers University, and Pine Lake Cooperative, all while dancing for Freespace Dance, under the direction of Donna Scro Samori. She has also performed with Classics Dance Theatre Company under the the direction of Catherine Barribal, Jimmy Locust & Locust Contemporary Dance Works, and Peter Pucci Plus Dancers at Bryant Park in NYC, as well as for the half time show for the WNBA in Madison Square Garden. Her award winning choreography has been recognized in dance competitions such as Dance Masters of America, American Dance Awards, Dance Educators of America, Dance Ovations, as well as, Stamford’s 2016 Curtain Call’s Dancing with the Stars. She currently is on the Faculty at King School in Stamford, CT as the Performing Arts Dance Instructor/Choreographer. Continuing to share her passion for dance and music, Jennifer has been a certified Zumba® Fitness Instructor since 2010 and currently teaches at Life Time Westchester (NY) and Life Time Stamford Downtown (CT), Sportsplex, and Underground Fitness, in Stamford, CT. She is also certified in several specialties such as Zumba® Toning, Zumba® Kids + Zumba® Kids Jr., Zumba® Sentao, Zumba® Step, and STRONG by Zumba™. MY PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENT:
My highest purpose in teaching is to strive to teach the love of dance to students using my philosophy that if one can move, think and feel, then one can dance. I believe in combining different art forms to create something unique and varied. My vision is to open my door to all artists to come and create, rediscovering dance. I believe the dance is an art form that embodies all people from all backgrounds. I want there to be an open forum between the student and teacher, in which we focus on collaboration, creation, and encouragement. I use various strategies such as media and technology, for creating learning experiences that make this subject matter more accessible and meaningful to students. I understand that each person is different and that each person will bring varied talents, strengths, and perspectives to their learning process and I encourage this so that it can provide learning opportunities that support the students’ intellectual, social, and personal development. My community is one that will nurture and care, and is also safe and conducive to learn in. Students will also help me to continue to inquire into the nature of my passion for teaching and help me to reflect on my own learning and professional practice that will help me grow by evaluating my choices and actions on others. Building relationships with my colleagues, families, and agencies in the community to support the students’ well-being and learning, is very important. I ensure equal learning and opportunities for every student and to take these experiences with them throughout their lives. I encourage each and every student to just have fun and enjoy every moment possible. All of these exercises will help students by giving them the opportunity for self-expression without the fear of being judged.
