I began Tap Dancing in our kitchen with my Aunt Rose, who was a vaudevillian, and I began formal dance classes at age 3. I had my first solo by age 4 and wanted nothing else than to be a Tap Dancer when I grew up. My idols were Sammy Davis and Gregory Hines, and I also enjoyed anything with Tap Dancing and all the movies with the Nicholas Brothers, Bill Robinson, Fred and Ginger and Gene Kelly.

I was teaching and managing a local dance studio at high school’s end and was a dance major in college, where I taught the tap classes. Though through life’s hard knocks, I stopped dancing and turned into a dietitian, only to discover my dream had been buried amidst the heap of insecurities and fear. After my marriage annulment and some soul searching, my good friends took me by the hand back into the dance studio. It was more difficult than I remembered, but I knew it was my last chance and that I had to give it all that I had. I did, and my 10 year career included many opportunities that most could only imagine.

I studied under Gurus such as the enormous Phil Black, and became a teacher at his school, the amazing Brenda Buffalino, and became a member of her company, the American Tap Dance Orchestra. I auditioned for the fly girls with Jennifer Lopez, she got it, I didn’t, but shortly after I got 42nd Street’s European Tour and my world expanded. From there I landed my dream show, the tenth anniversary national tour of Sophisticated Ladies, directed by Mercedes Ellington. I understudied a hoofer’s role and eventually was given the part. I remember the musicians cajoling that “she’s living her shit!” and I absolutely was!!! There were also the benefits that I am proud to have participated in with Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Jimmy Slyde and many other talented performers. Gregory was not only a huge talent, but was generous, kind, loving and supportive to me and the tap community. Savion’s Bring In the Noise, Bring In the Funk was a hit on Broadway, and my phone was ringing with opportunities to teach Tap. I was teaching at New York University’s musical theater department and many of the Manhattan studios as well as traveling to Connecticut, New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Brazil!

I also had the opportunity to study theater dance with Phil Black and Chet Walker and as the Fosse Musical Chicago was also hot on the scene, I was teaching some of that too and having a great time with choreography.

As my schedule filled with teaching responsibilities, my time studying and auditioning began to dwindle, and my body began to become uncooperative. I took up Yoga with Lynn Simonson at Dance Space. I found something profound and committed to practicing every day. One time I went to a local gym to take a yoga class and when the teacher didn’t show up, I stepped in and taught it. I was hired to teach my own class and soon after wanted more formal education and took Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Training with Joseph LePage. My dancing came to a close as I transitioned away from the hectic life of NYC and moved to the Berkshires in January of 2000. I completed the 3 month Spiritual Lifestyle Program and the 500 hour advanced Yoga teacher training at Kripalu Center, where I also lived for a year and a half. In 2001 I went to India to study with TKV Desikechar in the Krishnamacarya lineage which is also therapeutic in nature. Krishnamacharya said that anyone could do Yoga and that the practice should be adapted to suit the needs of each individual. I remember one afternoon, walking into the Mandiram and hearing Sir Desikechar’s voice calling out, “where is the tap dancer?!” As per his request, I did a tap dance for everyone, and then one of the Indian program assistants did an Indian dance. He was teaching us about the essence of Yoga, which is relationship.

I’ve continued my path of healing with intensive study of Ayurveda (the science of life) and last winter went back to India to study with Dr. Chauhan. His focus was also about relationship. He spoke about the relationship of our mind to our soul and how this affects the way we live, our health, and how we authentically love.

When Kripalu agreed that they wanted me to lead a Yoga and Tap Dance program, I had to come back to relationship and the essence of Yoga and Tap Dancing. It is a program that will bring Tap Dancers together in a way that has not been done before. There is an experience for each of us, whether Tap Dancer or Yogi, that is the same. Gregory Hines said, “Each Tap Dancers’ experience is the same. Everybody can feel it! Something happens-they see somebody, they have a moment, they take lessons-and they all of a sudden decide, “That’s it. That’s my thing. I’m gonna do that! I’m gonna be a Tap Dancer.”

Merging Yoga and Tap Dance brings a fullness to my circle and another opportunity to teach and create the space for discovering right relationship! Both are a sadhana (spiritual practice) that connects the body and mind through their focused attention, concentration, and devotion. Both require a teacher because the teachings are passed from the heart of the teacher to the heart of the student, this is what is meant by a Guru. Being in action without attachment to the outcome is necessary for both, in order to not create conflict and allow for the free flow of energy and creativity in the body and mind. Both are a language and a conversation that speaks to the essence of who we are in relationship to everything else. The merging of Yoga and Tap Dance allows for a relationship to your individual soul and spirit, which can make the experience one of sheer bliss. Imagine a room full of all of these shining souls. This is a home where spirit prevails and love flows. As we live in a way where our minds connect to our soul we experience the universal connection and the discovery of our true nature and how to live according to its laws and the true rhythm of the earth. The essence of Ayurveda is to live according to this relationship in each moment to feel more fully alive and to move forward in life peacefully, with grace and ease.

Your Success is My Greatest Reward…

My mission at A Life of Balance is to empower people through the practice of Yoga and Ayurveda, so they can find their inner balance and ultimate joy. My vision of health and journey to wellness takes into consideration the total lifestyle and constitution of the whole person to support health and welllness by learning to live again in the most natural way possible, according to nature, to access our hightest intuition and truth, unlocking the human healing potential. Thank you for your committment to a life of balance. Your results are my deepest joy. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness your continued success, unfolding and seeing you live again with ultimate joy and ease of well being.

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