My husband, John, was a DJ at a local club and actually volunteered me to teach my first line dance class.  I thought, " Me...talk on a mic?? He must be crazy!"  That was almost 15 years ago, and here I am still talking on that mic.

I have taught at various venues over the years including dance clubs, community centers, girl scout events, fundraisers, and our county auditorium. I've had students of all ages and made lifetime friends.

It seems like I have almost always been involved in some form of dance.  As a young girl, I dreamed of being a Broadway dancer. Those long ago dreams brought a theme to this website. I was a Little League cheerleader, took NBTA (National Baton Twirling Association) lessons as a young teen, and twirled in high school.

The instructor side of me began then also. I helped girls choreograph their routines for Majorette try-outs. I taught baton lessons for 12 years. I taught a children's dance team, The Kountry Kids. Both the baton and dance team  performed all over the county, in parades, festivals, fundraisers, and the county fair. I worked with a group of young cheerleaders, choreographing and teaching them the dance sections of their competition routines. I choreographed the opening number dance routine for the local "Miss Teen Citrus County" pageants for several years.

My past dance team, Country Connection, performed at various places including dancing the opening number several years for the "Grand Ole Opry...Citrus County Style". Smaller groups of dancers have performed dance routines at our area high school for fundraiser events, performed and taught for several years at the American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" and special holiday performances at local clubs.

I entered a line dance competition in 1996, "Central Florida Music Fest". I won first place. Although that was thrilling, I found that I'm not much of a competitive person. The stress of competition took out the fun for me.  Carol Craven convinced me to enter two dances in choreography competition in 2006 at the Marathon. The dances placed 1st and 4th in their respective categories, but I again found that I didn't like the competition aspect.

I think I'll stick with the "fun" side of dancing. That's the aspect I stress in all my classes...it's all about having fun! The biggest reward as an instructor is seeing the smiles on the dancer's faces when they are out on the floor...what more could I ask for!?!

Hope to see you smiling on a dance floor,

Special thanks to my husband and DJ, John... you're my rock!

Jackie Phillips, who dared to go into the unknown with me on our first workshop .. you know I love you.

Carol Craven

for her encouragement,  support, and connecting the line dance world

Kathy Reynolds for taking over for me when I have to miss class. You're a sweetheart!

And to all my dance students- I couldn't do it without you... You're the best!!