INSTRUCTORS

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DANCE – Wendy has been teaching dancers, age three to adult, for over 35 years, and continues to pursue her love of educating students, helping them to grow in spirit and as young performing artists.

Wendy is a certified teaching member of the internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance, based in London, England, from which she earned her teaching certification (RADTC) with distinction, the highest possible honor. She studied in London and New York with many wonderful dancers and teachers from the Royal Ballet School, American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet including Mignon Furman, Gillian Davis, and David Howard, a Royal Ballet soloist. As a dancer, educator, and choreographer Wendy brings years of experience to her dance and Pilates students. She has performed with Ballet West and danced professionally in New York, and has choreographed for regional and local companies including Northwest Dance Theatre and Oregon Concert Ballet. She is the former Artistic Director of the Multnomah Art Center Ballet School and has trained students who have gone on to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pacific Ballet Theatre, the Jefferson Dancers, and Cirque de Soleil. Together with training pre-professional dancers, Wendy has trained and coached national gymnasts and ice skating competitors, as well as musical theater students.

Wendy founded ABDA in 1999. She is committed to maintaining a high standard when teaching classical ballet and recognizes the dedication and care it takes to properly train each student. She has a passion for the arts and classical ballet, but her greatest inspiration is her students. She encourages her students to persevere and work hard, and is dedicated to providing each one the best instruction. “I believe all who have been students of ballet should be encouraged to experience the joy of dance throughout their entire life.”

PILATES – In addition to teaching classical ballet, Wendy is a certified Stott Pilates instructor. She began her training in Oregon and New York when she was hand-selected as one of five Oregon candidates to become among the first in the state to be certified under the Stott Pilates method. Once certified, she opened her Pilates business to eager clients in 1995. “I love helping people. I’m thrilled to see the life-long advantages my students have gained through learning the Pilates way – it’s a lifestyle not a passing fad and it’s great!”

Contact Wendy for information about Ballet Master Classes and Fundamentals in Ballet Workshops.

Bridgett has a Master’s in Education and is a STOTT Pilates certified instructor. She has trained in classical ballet under the Royal Academy of Dance and performed with Oregon Concert Ballet, Ballet West, and Pacific Ballet Theater (now OBT). While teaching elementary school children, she choreographed dances for school productions in the Hillsboro and Forest Grove School Districts. Bridgett enjoys working with students of all ages and is inspired by her students’ achievements. 

Miss Maddie began her dance training as a student at ABDA from the age of 4 years old and continued through high school. She performed every year in ABDA’s annual spring performance, and also enjoyed performing each year at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts and for senior residents at The Springs.  Maddie began her teacher training by assisting in classes and dance camps. She is one of the favorite instructors in our pre-school dance program. Maddie brings joy and energy to each class she teaches. She especially loves helping her little dancers develop self-confidence and a love for dance and the performing arts. Maddie is continuing her education at Oregon State University and enjoys instructing dance camps during the summer months.

Miss Mimi has been a dancer at ABDA since the very young age of two and has performed in at least 25 dance recitals at ABDA and her high school, Beaverton Arts & Communications. Mimi began dancing for fun in Fairy Tale Ballet classes, then progressed to classical ballet training and continues her dance education at ABDA.  Mimi also practices other forms of dance and theatrical performance at where she attends college at the University of Oregon.  With an interest in enhancing her dance education, Mimi began assisting  Miss Wendy with Fairy Tale Ballet and Pre-Ballet classes in which she learned and developed skills that have aided in teaching her own dance camps. Mimi enjoys performing and showcasing stories through movement. She is excited to welcome you to her fun dance camps!