TEACHERS SCHEDULED

(List updates in progress)

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Jennifer Ferguson

After graduating from Indiana University, with a BS in Ballet Pedagogy, Jen Ferguson began her professional career dancing for the Nashville Ballet & then the Atlanta Ballet. Following that, she spent a year as Assistant Artistic Director of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. She also went on to dance for several other companies, including Arka Ballet, Hosanna, Bowen McCauley Dance, and Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company. It was during her time as a dancer that Jen became aware of the profound positive impact of Pilates on her career. Therefore, she became certified in Polestar-Pilates (the post-rehab series) in 2001 and worked for several years for Body Dynamics, Inc. (a Physical Therapy group that specializes in performing arts therapy & training.) She was also certified through American College of Sports Medicine as a Health/Fitness Instructor in 2004. Jen worked for Fit 4 Life DC and Core Studios, Inc. before starting her own business, En Pointe Pilates, LLC in 2017. She has enjoyed teaching Pilates and ballet classes at Maryland Youth Ballet for over a decade, and she finds great joy in helping others discover their true strength!

Helen Hayes

Ms. Hayes has been a dance educator in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area for 35 years. She was the recipient of the Metro DC Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in dance education in 2009. In addition to her teaching, she co-founded and co-directed a local professional modern dance company, CrossCurrents Dance Co., which performed at a variety of venues across the Greater Washington, D.C. area for over a decade. She performed on numerous occasions at the John F. Kennedy Center, including the Kennedy Center Honors, in tribute to the late Chita Rivera. She has also taught master classes and performed across the U.S. and internationally, including the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. She developed and directed an award-winning children’s dance program for the developing young dancer during her tenure at Joy of Motion Dance Center. She currently teaches jazz and modern dance to dedicated adult students.

Rachel (Factor) Liberman

Mrs. Liberman is recognized worldwide as an inspirational Jewish performer and educator. She is a former Rockette and Broadway performer. Her luminous performances have led to hundreds of speaking engagements around the world and to a connection with thousands of Jewish girls and women. Audience’s most prevalent question, “How are you so confident, so connected, so passionate about being Jewish?," led her to teach girls and women how they too could be proud, confident, and connected to their birthright.

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Michelle Penn

Mrs. Penn first stepped foot into a dance class at three years old, and has never stopped since.  She has been professionally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and contemporary,  and now spends her free time as the Director of La Zooz Dance, an arts program for women and girls in the Jewish community in Silver Spring.  Feel free to learn more about Michelle and La Zooz Dance at www.lazoozdance.com.

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Karen Sarto

Ms. Sarto is a classically trained dancer with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and an ISTD-certified teacher of jazz, tap, folk, and ballroom. She teaches ballet, jazz, tap, Israeli folk dance (Rikudei Am), and her signature DanceFit! program for girls and women. Known for her warm and inspiring teaching style, Karen brings over 15 years of experience creating empowering dance experiences that encourage confidence, connection to spirituality and joy. She loves sharing the gift of dance with women and girls of all ages.