Meet Miss Lauren
Hello! Welcome to “The Dance Stance with Miss Lauren”.
Who am I?
My name is Miss Lauren and I am from New Bedford, Ma. where I live with my husband Kevin and two cats, Tinkerbell and Sarabi.
I have 32 years of dance experience and have been teaching dance for 22 years with experience covering a broad range of genres including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Jazz- Funk/Hip Hop, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Irish Step.
Over the past 32 years, I have enjoyed dancing, teaching, and choreographing for local studios and also organizing an All-City Select Dance Ensemble for New Bedford Public Schools. I continue to take classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City where I enjoy studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Jazz-Funk.
I received a Masters of Education from American International College after graduating from Bridgewater State College where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education for grades 1-6 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Following my undergraduate studies, I obtained my Masters of Education in Dance in 2019 at the University of Northern Colorado. My Master of Dance Education thesis topic regards the importance of dance integration in learning science at the elementary school level and is published.
Surprise set up at the studio by Kevin when my Diploma arrived in 2019.
I am a strong believer in the importance of continuing education. These days I love attending conferences and growing professionally. Along with memberships in the National Dance Educators Organization and The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, I am a licensed K-12 Dance Specialist in Massachusetts and certified Kidding Around Yoga teacher. I enjoy spreading my love for all styles of movement every day. Currently, I am finishing certifications in Acrobatic Arts Preschool Acro Dance and their Module One training.
I own and direct Illusions Academy of Dance, Inc. and teach Creative Movement and Dance for New Bedford Public Schools. I am looking forward to presenting a dance integration seminar for the National Dance Educators Organization conference in October of 2021
At NDEO with my professor Dr. Sandra Minton and Co-presenter for 2021 Becky Epstein.
Why am I starting a blog?
I decided to start “The Dance Stance” to start conversations at Illusions Academy of Dance and in my community about important dance topics.
What are some important dance topics I plan to cover?
Here are some topics I’d love to cover here on “The Dance Stance”.
Brain-Compatible Dance Education
Dance Integration in Schools and Studios
NDEO Presentation
NHSDA Love Your Body Week
Competitive Dance
Injury Prevention in Dance
Disney Youth Program Trip
Safe in Dance Certification
Why a performance?
Why a uniform?
Theater Education
Social-Emotional Learning
Physical literacy for children
College Acceptance and Extracurricular Activities
Social Media and Dance
Behind the Scenes at Illusions
Mindfulness for Dancers
Check back soon for my first blog post about Brain-Compatible Dance Education that is offered at Illusions Academy of Dance!