STACEY LOTTEN |
In New Orleans, LA most young girls attended “dancing school” as we called it. My Godmother owned Trudi’s School of Dance and at the age of two I started hanging around the studio. This family business became a catalyst for a lifestyle of dance. When I started high school I auditioned for a performing arts school and it was the best experience I ever had. I began to understand the meaning of the art and felt emotional about my involvement and times of inspiration. My experience in traveling, learning history, and having the opportunity to dance with beautiful dancers helped me mature and grow to fall in love with dance.
I can recall my high school teacher took us to Washington, D.C. to attend an IABD conference and performance. A performer danced the role of a celebratory sun, and as she danced I saw the most sincere and genuine tears roll down her face. I wrote that night in my journal about how dance can touch people right down to their core.
After high school I attended Louisiana State University and received a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree while choreographing and serving as the acting director for a student performing group, MLK Modern Dance Ensemble. The performance group served as the minority voice of student artists. Performances brought a creative representation of historical works from Alvin Ailey as well as original pieces of student choreography.
I continued my education after college when I did not feel fulfilled in working in finance. I returned to earn a Master in Education and Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education with a concentration in Modern Dance. Continuing education at Texas Christian University really facilitated a fresh, energetic love for children and their developmental processes. More importantly, how dance and an arts education can cater to aiding in the whole healthy self of the student learner. I completed my student teaching experience at Arlington Heights HS in Ft. Worth, and have served as dance instructor and drill team director for 6 years at Lancaster HS.
My life and love for dance has brought tremendous joy and happiness.