In Step With DC
Getting to Know You: Student Teachers
Today we are featuring our Student Teachers in our latest edition of “Getting to Know You”! The student teachers are part of Dance Connection’s Teacher Training Program and student teach in our classes each week.
Dance Connection believes in providing a warm, safe, and professional atmosphere where each student is cared for within the Dance Connection family. We are proud to also offer a Teacher Training Program to our more serious students. It is a forum for students to gain training in teaching as well as job responsibility. Enrollment in our Teacher Training Program will provide members with the highest standard of mentoring and guidance. Dance Connection is strongly committed to enriching and nourishing the future teachers and citizens of our community. Regardless of your future career path, Dance Connection feels confident that all members of the Teacher Training Program will leave our program having learned the important life skills of: respect, responsibility, accountability, discipline, confidence, and professionalism.
Diana Balsamo
Student Teacher
- What is your favorite activity outside of dance? My favorite activity outside of dance is playing the violin.
- What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas because I love the decorations and it is close to my birthday.
- How old were you when you started dancing? I was 3 years old when I started dancing. I took a ballet/tap class.
- What is your favorite moment from DC? My favorite moment from DC was going to my first competition because I have been wanting to be on the competition team for a while and now I finally was.
- Why did you want to join the Teacher’s Training Program at DC? I joined the TTP because I love working with children and I have many leadership qualities.
Amelia Boschen
Student Teacher
- What is your favorite activity outside of dance? I love doing drama at school. I enjoy being part of the play and I love my roles. I just love performing!!
- What is your favorite holiday? It has to be Christmas. I get to spend time with my family that I don’t see that often. I like the traditions that come with the holiday.
- How old were you when you started dancing? I started dancing at 2.
- What is your favorite moment from DC? As part of the performance company, I loved the photo shoot we did after Nationals in Atlantic City.
- Why did you want to join the Teacher’s Training Program at DC? I wanted to be a part of TTP to help kids even younger than me learn to dance and to be a role model for them as well. I remember the student helpers when I was young and loved having them with me.
Jeanna Diaz
Student Teacher
- What is your favorite activity outside of dance? Outside of dance I enjoy resting and watching movies.
- What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holidays are Halloween and Christmas. I can’t pick one, I love them both.
- How old were you when you started dancing? I started dancing when I was 2 but according to my mom I was dancing before I was born.
- What is your favorite moment from DC? My favorite moment at DC was when we won the 6ft production showdown trophy with Oz at nationals.
- Why did you want to join the Teacher’s Training Program at DC? I joined the program because of the student teachers I once had. They cared about me and taught me alot, so I wanted to be the same for others younger than me.
Jamie Martinez
Student Teacher
- What is your favorite activity outside of dance? My favorite activity to do outside of dance is playing field hockey
- What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas!
- How old were you when you started dancing? I started dancing at 3 years old.
- What is your favorite moment from DC? My favorite moment from Dance Connection is becoming a Rockette for this year’s Step Into Christmas performance.
- Why did you want to join the Teacher’s Training Program at DC? I wanted to join the Teacher Training Program because I thought it would be fun to help the younger students learn dance.
Alexa Rivera
Student Teacher
- What is your favorite activity outside of dance? My favorite activity to do outside of dance is spend time with friends and family.
- What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is christmas!
- How old were you when you started dancing? I started dancing at 2 years old.
- What is your favorite moment from DC? My favorite moment from Dance Connection is when the Performance Company had the holiday party.
- Why did you want to join the Teacher’s Training Program at DC? I wanted to join the Teacher Training Program because I wanted to share my love for dance with younger students, and help them grow as dancers.
Rose Ryf is an executive assistant for Dance Connection and Penny Prima®. She is a mother of two and is looking forward to working hard, learning new skills, and meeting new people people.