Ballroom dance lessons for couples.
Embrace Ballroom of Boise
Independent, credentialed instruction. Competitive background. Holds professional medals. 30 years in the industry. Teaching beginning - advanced
About LORI ANNE
Dance Training
Lori Anne was mentored by Don and Margo Walker for over 5 years through Steps and Variations. The Walkers placed second in the prestigious Rising Star category back in the early 80’s.
While at S&V, Lori Anne often pro-partnered with fellow instructor, Jeff Csolak. Jeff and Lori Anne along with the Walkers performed all over the California central valley together. Jeff and Lori Anne also team-taught group classes together for about two years.
She has also received training from America’s finest dancers. Don and Margo introduced, and had her briefly take short coaching sessions from the following Ballroom/Latin champions:
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Daniel and Maria Sanchez, World Argentine Tango champions.
Nancy Flores, National Latin Champion.
Michelle Meyers-Kincaid, four-time National West Coast Swing Champion.
Felix Chavez- Argentine Tango instructor.
Ron Montez- Six-time National Latin Champion.
F.J. Abaya – National Latin Champion. I took from F.J. on my own in Men’s styling.
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Competition
Background
In the late 80’s and early 90’s Lori Anne placed high in competitions all along the west coast; in both Pro/Pro and Pro/Am categories. Her students would most always pull very high marks from the adjudicators. She has competed in the following N.D.C.A. sanctioned competitions:
The Autumn Dance Classic,
The Emerald Ball,
The San Francisco Open,
The Sapphire Ball,
The San Francisco Dance Sport Championships,
The California Star Ball.
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Teaching History
1987-1992
Steps and Variations:
This is where Lori Anne started her internship teaching, training and performing in Ballroom, Latin and Swing dances. She studied and taught the N.D.C.A. syllabus. Her job description included preparing students for competition and student medals exams. She competed as a Pro/Am (With her students) and as a Pro/ Pro (With another instructor) in many west coast competitions. She worked as an independent instructor.
1989-1994
Stanislaus County Artist Resources to Schools. (S.T.A.R.S)
Lori Anne created and taught creative movement and couple dancing workshops to K-12 students in the public school system. Workshops were set in a 5 week series per classroom. Her job classification was as an employee. She would often visit as many as four classrooms per day.
1989-1994
Modesto Junior College
Lori Anne taught Ballroom, Latin and Swing classes in the beginning and Intermediate levels. These classes were held on the Modesto Junior College campus and were open to the whole community. Her job classification was as that of employee.
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2006-present
Dance Arts Academy, Meridian
Lori Anne creates and runs her own ballroom program teaching adults. Presently she teaches 3 classes: Two beginning entry level class for adults, one intermediate class for adults. Her greatest time investment comes through private lesson format, preparing students for Social dance and showcase work. During the summer months, She teaches in private format to bridal couples in preparation for their first dance together. She not an employee of Dance Arts Academy; as she works as an independent instructor who rents floor space from Dance Arts.
2016-present
Xpressions Dance Academy, Nampa.
Lori Anne is currently teaching some group classes in Nampa to take the overflow off of what she is teaching at Dance Arts. She is teaching as an independent to bring my program to more people in the west end of the valley.
Volunteer Time
1988: Talent judge for the Miss Waterford pageant.
1989: Talent judge for the Miss Stanislaus County pageant
1989-1993 Performed as Grandmother in Bravo Reparatory Production of: The Nutcracker.
1995- 2008: Choreographed couple dances for LDS Dance Festivals though the years.
2008: Choreographed the party scene for DAA The Nutcracker.
2009- Choreographed the party Scene for DAA The Nutcracker.
2009- Gave away a private lesson package to benefit Boise Philharmonic.
2010- Gave away a private package to benefit Idaho Humane Society.
2010- Participating in Dancing with the Stars, Boise to help raise funds for M.S.
2012- Adjudicator for USA Dance Boise’s Jack and Jill Competition.
2012- Taught Waltz and Night Club Two Step with Kevin Hunter for Canyon County Arts
2013- Taught workshops with Kevin Hunter for 5678.
2015- Talent judge for the Miss Meridian pageant.
2013-2020 Provided 1 year scholarship programs for one performing couple each year.
Additional Information
Credentials:
Lori Anne is credentialed through the Terpsichore Society of Teachers of Dancing and has received highly commended rating. This means that she scored over 90% on all oral, practical and written exams. She is also semi-fluent in USISTD syllabus; however she is currently teaching DVIDA syllabus. She enjoys incorporating all syllabi when creating choreography. As it gives her more to draw upon and more to be creative with.
Personal
Lori Anne lives with her husband in Nampa, Idaho. They have 3 children. She currently a retired home educator of 22 years.
Lori Anne is originally from California’s central valley. She was raised on a 157 acre peach ranch that bordered the Tuolumne River. In 1979, her family sold the ranch and moved from her home in Hughson, California to Moab, Utah shortly after she turned 15. Her dad helped a cousin start a helicopter business in Moab for a short time and then her family returned to the Central Valley when she was 17. Lori Anne's Dad started a custom spray service spraying orchards and vineyards with a custom electromagnetic sprayer. Lori Anne often worked long farm hours with both of his businesses either spraying orchards or restoring shake roofs. Lori Anne only mentions these jobs with her dad as the pay was good and the money earned helped her to keep purchasing very expensive dance shoes and gowns. It was enough to keep her learning.
Honors Medals:
Lori Anne has examined and passed her professional medals examination in the core American style dances through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. This endeavor scared her out of her mind! At first, she questioned why the Walkers wanted her to complete these exams, but looking back on it now she can see the value in what she had learned. She was being taught that she could not become a proficient dancer unless she chose to push past what she felt was comfortable at the time. To this day it has shown her that her best dancers were going to be those who choose to push themselves past their fear and comfort zones. It also taught her that this has to be the choice of the dancer; and not the choice of the instructor. Free will and sovereignty is held at its highest.
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Contact Lori Anne.
Mail:
2989 Copper Point,
Meridian, Idaho. 83642.
Text: (208) 936-5760
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This page is dedicated to my Xiaobai as an emblem of my trust and dedication.