Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Hello! I am a Charleston-based multidisciplinary Teaching Artist in Musical Theater, Dance, and Drawing. I’ve been singing, dancing, and acting since the age of six, and have a strong love for Musical Theater. In 2020, when the world chose their lock-down hobbies such as baking bread and singing on Zoom, I decided to teach myself to draw, and now create pieces with Charcoal on paper as my primary medium. This switch in my primary art form broke wide open my understanding of human’s ability to be many things at once because of our innately creative spirits.

I earned my degree in Arts Management from the College of Charleston in 2019, and proceeded into a Master’s program, earning my MPA in 2021. My career so far has allowed me to work on the art business and the art creation sides of several Non-profits throughout the state of South Carolina. Some of these organizations include The Charleston Gaillard Center, Spoleto Festival USA, Dance.Laugh.Learn., Engaging Creative Minds, and the SC Arts Alliance. To compliment my Teaching Artistry, I have additionally earned certifications in sensory inclusivity through KultureCity, and am Trauma-Informed through the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation.

My work has led me to the establishment of the non-profit arts organization: Creative Living, which exists to enhance community and artistic vitality through arts for all.

Artist Statement

I am an advocate of art for all. Constantly aware of the benefits of the arts on each person’s life, I believe art should be barrier-free and strive to create opportunities that break art practice open for everyone because creativity is not an artist’s trait, but a human trait. Interested in how I practice making art for all? Ask me about my low-cost tap shoe invention!

In my artistry, I lean into family-friendly performances in Musical Theater and Dance. My practice has led me to perform in Musical Theater roles including Babette in Beauty and the Beast, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Pinky Tuscadero in Happy Days the Musical, and Grizabella in Cats, to name a few favorites. A natural mover, I love all forms of dance but am most taken to Tap dancing and International Ballroom styles. Off-stage, I’ve used my development in visual artistry to move into stagecraft, building and painting sets and backdrops to bring the audience into the magical world that is theater.

As a lifelong learner, I aim to bring a love for learning into South Carolina communities through building self-confidence and teaching collaboration. In schools, I teach arts-integrated workshops that are thoughtfully designed to engage students by making the curriculum reflective of student’s life experiences. I work with CD-8th grade students through Dance and Musical Theatre workshops focusing on the creative process, choreography, script creation, and new works progressions. This emphasis on process over product and project-based learning encourages students to practice self-awareness, confidence, authenticity, and ownership in their art form. All workshops I teach include activities that encourage collaborations in small groups and creativity through student-led works to inspire young learners to work together and find joy in both independence and co-ownership, the precursors to good networking skills.

Teaching Artistry Details

Teaching Artist Statement

I am an advocate of art for all. Constantly aware of the benefits of the arts on each person’s life, I believe art should be barrier-free and strive to create opportunities that break art practice open for everyone because creativity is not an artist’s trait, but a human trait—interested in how I practice making art for all? Ask me about my low-cost tap shoe invention!

As a lifelong learner, I aim to bring a love for learning into South Carolina communities through building self-confidence and teaching collaboration. In schools, I teach arts-integrated workshops that are thoughtfully designed to engage students by making the curriculum reflective of student’s life experiences. I work with CD-8th grade students through Dance and Musical Theatre workshops focusing on the creative process, choreography, script creation, and new works progressions. This emphasis on process over product and project-based learning encourages students to practice self-awareness, confidence, authenticity, and ownership in their art form. All workshops I teach include activities that encourage collaborations in small groups and creativity through student-led works to inspire young learners to work together and find joy in both independence and co-ownership, the precursors to good networking skills.

Description of Offerings

Highly trained in Arts Integration. My workshops encourage self-awareness, confidence, authenticity, and ownership. All experiences include activities that encourage collaboration in small groups and creativity through participant-led creations. I am certified in Sensory Inclusivity through Kulture City.

Experienced with the following age groups

• Early Learners (0-2 years)
• Preschool (3-5 years)
• Kindergarten -2nd Grade
• 3rd-5th Grade
• 6th-8th Grade
• Higher Education
• Adults

Materials Provided to Schools or Organizations by Teaching Artist

• Pre-visit access to lesson plan or workshop overview; program closeout participant letter of achievement.

Physical and Technical Requirements of a School or Organization

• All of my workshop experiences require open indoor space.