Growing up, I have always had a passion for the arts, as well as a passion for working with young people. Theatre and dance have been a part of my life since I was five years old. They have taught me how to express myself, take risks, and are influential to the person I am today, and that is why I decided to become a teaching artist. 

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One of the most important things to me in the work I do is expression and storytelling, which are prominent in both of my art forms. I find expression important because it teaches us to use and regulate our emotions. Art allows us to feel emotions deeply, express them through our bodies, be free, and just let go. As artists, storytelling is a part of our everyday lives. We tell stories every day by sharing something that is important to us or that we have strong feelings about. Both expression and storytelling go hand in hand and are important skills that we can learn and hone through art. Expression and storytelling teach us more about ourselves and the people around us.

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With my experiences as a dance and theatre artist, I focus heavily on breath and the body in my work. Both our breath and body play a significant role in art and teach us things like control and connection, which I think are very important in dance and theatre. You need breath to do just about anything, however, I emphasize its importance in guiding and supporting our body through movement as well as supporting our voice when we speak or sing. I also use breath as a way to focus on the work we do and open ourselves up to receive that work. I always say our bodies are a gift, and remind my students that it is a gift to be able to move in the way that we do. I find it important to teach students how to not only be aware of their bodies in relation to each other and their space but also to listen to their bodies. Not one person's body is the same, therefore, we all move our bodies and use them differently. What feels right for you may not feel right for someone else, and that is okay. I find it very important for students to think about how their body feels. You only get one body, so we must learn how to take care of it. 

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A lot of my teaching is facilitated by doing and seeing. As a kinesthetic and visual learner myself, I think teaching and learning with your body, as well as seeing others and watching yourself, allows you to feel, experience, and learn more deeply. In my teaching, I emphasize the process and focus on growth. So much of the arts industry, especially theatre, is geared towards performance and perfection. I believe practice and the rehearsal process are the most important experiences that shape the artists we become. I am also passionate about teaching the importance of consent and boundaries, and I strive to lead by example for my students on how to respect one another, set boundaries, and listen to their bodies. I include boundary checks in almost everything I do to ensure all my students feel comfortable and brave in the space. I also encourage dialogue and reflection in my classroom. I want students to be able to talk about what they felt, what they learned, or what they noticed. I give space for reflection and dialogue after activities periodically throughout my lesson, so the learning is a continuous process. I want all students to feel like they are heard and know that they have the space to speak as well as create, and I give them the time and environment to do so. 

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As a teaching artist, I want my students to feel brave in whatever environment we are creating or working in. All students are welcome in my class, and I will continuously fight to support them by advocating and respecting them, as well as encouraging them to embrace who they are, as artists and individuals. I strive to be inclusive to all and offer accommodations for students when needed to make sure everyone feels supported and can succeed. I believe all students should have access to art and be able to create and learn in a positive environment, and my classroom is an opportunity for that. 

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I come into every space with an open mind. I embrace that I am constantly learning and facing new experiences, just like my students. I strive to uphold a positive attitude and encourage but also push my students. I believe it's important to challenge students to allow them to improve their skills within their craft as well as create and make bold artistic choices. I do not expect my students to create perfection or be the greatest actors or dancers. However, what I do expect students to learn from me is how to work hard, develop a passion for art, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy it. The arts allow me to express myself, and to me is an escape from reality. I hope that with my help, young people can have a similar experience.​​

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I am committed to continue learning and growing as an artist and educator. I plan to continue taking classes to strengthen my skills within both theatre and dance, as well as immerse myself in as many art environments and projects as possible. I hope to inspire and share my passion for the arts with any young person I work with.