For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed doing things that involved music in one way or another.  At the age of four I started taking dance classes and twirling baton competitively while living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  When we moved back to Southwestern Ontario, baton twirling was not available and I tried various other sports like gymnastics.  Along the way I learned how to play several musical instruments and I found that I enjoyed learning music theory.  In high school I participated in the cross country and track and field teams and was an active member of the school's dance committee.  In my senior year I assisted the cheerleading squad by choreographing one of their competitive dance routines.

In 1994, I finally convinced my husband Noel to begin taking ballroom dance classes where we learned different patterns like foxtrot, waltz, samba and west coast swing.  After about a year we found that going out on a regular basis with a toddler in the house was not the easiest thing but I wasn't ready to stop dancing.  It was at this time that I decided to give line dancing a try despite the fact that I wasn't crazy about country music.  What did I really have to lose?  So I signed up for a beginner class and within a few months I had bumped myself into an intermediate / advanced class with the same instructor.

A couple of years later I was approached about teaching beginner classes for Windsor Parks and Recreation and shortly after that took over the classes for the instructor who brought me into the world of line dancing.  I have been fortunate enough to teach at different local events and schools for kids as well as adults.  To date I have choreographed 44 dances, several of which (Short But Sweet, Kisses of the Sun, The Power of Life, Obsession, One Fine Day...) have been picked up and taught at classes in North America, Europe and parts of Asia.  In 2001, I began competing at  UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) events in choreography and line dance competitions both in Canada and the U.S. not just for the experience but also so that I could learn more about myself as a dancer.  This has enhanced my ability to teach dance and given me insight into different dance styles and techniques.

In 2000, I returned to school to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Windsor which I completed in April 2002, with a major in English and minors in French and Psychology.  Following this I entered into the Faculty of Education and line dance had to take a backseat until I completed my Bachelor of Education degree in April 2003.  It was also at this time that I completed my Level One Theory Coaching Certification with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

In October 2003, I was offered a position with the Greater Essex County District School Board teaching English half days at a high school in Windsor.   In January 2004, with the support of the school's principal and many students, I was able to start a dance club after school one day a week.  We are decent sized group that began with about 20 students who were just plain eager to dance!  Our goal for this years was the school talent show and after many rehearsals we finished 3rd out of 16 entries.  Their routine consisted of 10 line dances (with NO repeats) put together to the song "Faded" by soulDecision.  This club is yet another positive way to learn more about myself as a dancer and as a dance instructor.

In the 2004/2005 school year the dance club ran throughout the year and we were successful in pulling off a routine to "Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan.  With our matching shirts and pants, we outdid the previous year.  This routine had turns, line and formation changes and left the crowd and our new principal stunned with what we had accomplished.  I am  proud of their efforts and was sad to see many of them graduate and move on to bigger things.  These twelve students worked hard and deserved the attention that they received.

I still have my adult dance classes in Windsor, Ontario, and I look forward to spending my Monday nights with them.  They are a great group of ladies who are never afraid to try anything (well, at least once!).  Once or twice a month I dance in Clio, Michigan, with a wonderful mix of dancers who make anyone feel at home and one of the family.

I consider myself to be quite fortunate to have found a type of dance that is constantly changing and which affords me the opportunity to meet people who, like me, have a genuine passion for dancing.  This is truly a sport that has something for everyone whether it's the dancing, the exercise or simply the socializing. After all, there are not many sports that can be continued throughout a lifetime or take into account so many styles and genre of music and dance.

I encourage everyone to give it a try.  After all, what do you have to lose?  You may just find that something that you've been looking for and make a few new friends along the way.

back to Homepage