Tel. #: (646) 220-3342

E-Mail: lanaf707@gmail.com

• Featured on PBS and the GoodLife network for various Dance Competitions.
• Placed second in the U.S. under 21 International Latin American Ballroom Dance divisions.
• Placed seventh in the U.S. in International Latin American Ballroom Dance divisions.
• US amateur semifinalist, elite status member for four consecutive years. Elite status allows the same privileges as a high ranking professional dancer, including the ability to judge competitions.
• UK open quarter finalist.
• Performed at City Center for the benefit "Career Transition for Dancers." Performed alongside Cheryl Burke (winner of "Dancing with the Stars") in a group dance show hosted by Liza Minnelli with performances by Bebe Neuwirth and Paloma Herrera, among others.
• Performed for the "Gracie Allen Awards" which is dedicated to acknowledging achievements for women in telecommunications. My partner was Pasha Kovalev (finalist of "So You Think You Can Dance"). Guests included Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Nixon and Cheryl Hines.
• Featured in various independent and student films as well as Off-Broadway theater productions.

Dance Times Square, New York, N.Y.
Dec.2001- Oct.2006: Dance Instructor/ Implementer/Promoter. Owners Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin are former U.S. champions and currently acclaimed coaches.

• Planning and teaching group classes for adult students as well as other dancers who wanted to advance in technique and choreography.
• Performing in well known theatres and special events for the Dance Times Square Company.
• Creating, implementing and then teaching group and private classes.

Open House Nursery School: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Sept.2003 - Present: After School Recreation Teacher, ages 2-5.
Sept.2007-Present: Promoted to a yearly contract as a Movement specialist for morning dance classes for every classroom in the school.

• Creating, developing and planning activities that develop the child's imagination and movement.
• Inventing child-friendly professional dance steps.
• Teaching expression and creativity through movement, dance and play.
• Achieving results through consistent, disciplined and rewarding lessons.
• Managing large classrooms and achieving cohesive, beneficial and rewarding dance and movement classes.
• Establishing exciting and captivating routines for the classrooms throughout the entire year.
• Combining both creativity and structure in dance to motivate and inspire students. Also, using a live show, puppetry as well as fun story time to interest this particular age group.

Project Create, Staten Island, N.Y.
2003-2005. Dance teacher for public school classrooms, grades 2-4.
Project Create was designed to give classrooms the opportunity to experience the arts when those schools did not have a budget for those programs.

• Educated large groups of children concerning the profession of dance and the arts.
• Developed choreography to music that was both relevant yet appropriate for the groups.
• Encouraged all the children to actively participate and make an effort during class.
• Directed, prepared and coached the students to perform for the school's graduation show.

Dr. White Community Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Sept. 2004- June. 2005: Intern. High- school youth program department/ assistant director to the college counselor.

• Promoted and gave (free of charge) dance seminars to high school students.
• Investigated, contacted and created job-sites for high school youths who were in need of employment.
• Provided educational, career and personal counseling to high school youth.
• Developed activities for special events for the children, teenagers and parents of the community.

Dance Unique, Staten Island, N.Y.
Sept. 2002- June.2003. Ballroom dance teacher to ages ranging from three to adults.

• Prepared and implemented new choreography for students who were getting ready to compete.
• Helped students to progress through specific technique work.
• Encouraged adult students to find joy in social dancing.

International –Latin American style: International and National coaches
Competed as a US top ranked amateur from Aug.1997 - Aug. 2002. Aug.2003 – June.2007 as a professional.

• Paul Killick and Hannah Karttunen (England). World Champion Ballroom Dancer. "Most Outstanding Contribution to Dance" was awarded to Paul for both 1994 and 2004. Coaches only high ranked dancers.
• Espen Salberg(Italy). Accomplished the top worldwide ranking as an International Latin Dancer. Instructs only top ranked worldwide and nationwide Ballroom and Latin dance competitors.
• Vibeke Toft (Denmark). International Champion in Latin Dance.
• Luis Van Amstel (Holland). International finalist.
• Collin James (Denmark). Former International Finalist.
• Alan and Hazel Fletcher (England). Former champion status.
• Shirley Ballas (England). Former world champion.
• Michael Stelianos and Lorna Lee (England). Former champion status.
• Ruid Vermejj (Holland). Author as well as trainer to many successful dancers.

Pace University: New York, N.Y.
Bachelor of Applied Psychology, June 2005

Professional Syllabus Training in various styles and techniques including International Latin Dance (Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso-Double and Jive). Also, in Social Latin (Mambo, Bolero and Swing) and Social Ballroom (Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot). Also trained and well versed in Argentine Tango, Salsa and Meringue. Substantial training in hip-hop and modern dance.