Christine

Miss Christine is a native New Englander and began dancing at age 9 under the direction of Terri Gordon at Mass Motion Dance in Sturbridge, MA, studying ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and musical theater dance. She continued her dance education with summers spent in in Boston, NYC and Philadelphia, training with many acclaimed teachers including Joan Sheary, Jeanette Neil, Myles Marsden, Roni Koresh, Alexei Yudenich, Judith Jamison, LaVaughn Robinson, Bob Rizzo, and the legendary “Father of Jazz,” Frank Hatchett.

Christine attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received a talent scholarship to study modern dance with a concentration in ballet. After three years at UArts, she left to begin a professional career as an entertainer. Christine has performed and taught dance throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. She has appeared in many musical theater productions, touring companies, industrials, and international resort/casino shows. Dancing and singing on board cruise ships for several years, gave Christine the opportunity to travel to over 50 countries. Some favorite professional credits include: 2 years spent performing in the Club Tropigala showroom at the iconic Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach, dancing in “Le Spectacle de Can Can” in French St Martin, (and being the only American dancer), performing in the ensemble of her favorite show, “A Chorus Line” in Toronto, and performing with KC and the Sunshine Band.

Christine has been a certified dance and fitness instructor since 1993. She has taught students from age 2, to students well into their 90’s. She holds dance education certifications in Vagonova ballet technique studies, and YPAD (Youth Protection and Advocates in Dance). She is an AFAA certified personal trainer, and group exercise instructor, and holds fitness qualifications from the Exercise Safety Association, SilverSneakers, and Bolly X. In 2011, Christine moved with her family to Joplin from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She continued to teach dance and fitness classes while returning to school to study kinesiology. She earned a BS in Health Promotion and Wellness from MSSU,   and received the “Outstanding Major Award” for kinesiology. Christine is happy to be a part of KDS and looks forward to sharing her love of dance.